My First AutoX

"uofime-2" (uofime-2) 09/16/2015 at 12:25 • Filed to: wrx, AutoX

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Hellcat next to my car in the parking lot at work this morning for attention.

I’ve signed up for my first auto cross as a driver this coming Saturday, with the Windy City Miata Club. I’ll be car number 461. I’m super excited to finally get to really push my new car, but also more than a little nervous.

I’ve read through various articles here and “abroad”, and I’ve also done 4 FSAE competitions so I kinda know what I’m doing (probably not).

I’ve begun assembling my gear, tape, torque wrench, tire gauge and pump, chalk, chair, cooler, water bottle and a silly /awesome hat.

If anyone has any great advise, I’m all ears

Also If any Chicago OPPOs want to come join me/ watch me eat cones, that’d be awesome too.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > uofime-2 09/16/2015 at 12:32

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Make sure your tire pressures are even. Bad things happen if they don’t. You should probably get a digital one just in case.

In all seriousness, just have fun. You aren’t going to be fast on your first day, so just try to learn the course and see if you can find a good way to note important points on the track in your head. I’d be mostly focused on not getting any off courses than being fast. The speed comes later.

uofime-2 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 09/16/2015 at 12:34

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Ha, don’t worry, I’ve got a digital tire pressure gauge. Although I have gotten lazy now that I have TPMS. I will definitely check it hasn’t died and all my pressure when I torque my lugs in the morning.

Thanks.

Future next gen S2000 owner > uofime-2 09/16/2015 at 12:38

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I wouldn’t worry too much about your gear. Bump up your PSI a few pounds and concentrate on your line. Pay attention when you are shagging cones. If you can, do ride-alongs, and get another person to ride with you. They can help diagnose your run.

Jayhawk Jake > uofime-2 09/16/2015 at 13:05

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#1 tip: have fun. Don't worry too much about your times, just have fun. Chat with people. Get rides. Ask experienced people to ride with you and give you tips.

uofime-2 > Jayhawk Jake 09/16/2015 at 13:06

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Will do, thanks.

OPPOsaurus WRX > uofime-2 09/16/2015 at 13:09

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drive it like you stole it

GUYMANDUDE > uofime-2 09/16/2015 at 16:47

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Backside those cones. Late apex everything early. Slow in fast out. Make sure you tire pressures aren’t 1.5 psi too low or your car will jump off course.

marshknute > uofime-2 09/16/2015 at 21:32

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Honestly, you don’t need any gear for an autocross. Just make sure you have a helmet and your number (magnetic like mine, or made out of tape strips). And if your autocross is anything like the ones I do, you won’t get a chance to sit down; if you’re not driving, you’re on work assignment fixing cones.

Walk the course at least twice, have an instructor ride shotgun, and go crazy!

Fun fact, you’ll get 5.3 mpg. Ask me how I know!

uofime-2 > marshknute 09/17/2015 at 09:42

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Thanks for the tips.

I’m well versed in getting terrible mileage with these cars. How did you check that, was it just what the computer said?

I’ve noticed that the computer is not great at prediction MPG especially when you do a lot of open loop driving, which is all autoX is! It usually over estimates, but if 5.3 is an overestimate that is truly impressive!

What pressures did you end up running?

Thoughts on traction mode, on, trac or all off?

marshknute > uofime-2 09/17/2015 at 10:01

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5.3 is just what the readout says. Not sure how accurate it is, but 5.3 is plenty low enough to mortify my hybrid-driving mother!

I usually set my pressures to 32-33. Truthfully, that’s probably too low for autocross since the short 60ish second runs don’t generate nearly as much heat as track days. And I’ll admit there are days where I was too lazy to check. I register for the FUN class, so it’s not like I’m competing for trophies or anything.

I haven’t tried it in the trac setting. My first two autocrosses I kept the traction control on. Since then I shut it off completely which makes it change direction more abruptly. It won’t spin, but turning the nannies off will definitely let you feel when you’re inputs are unsettling the car.

uofime-2 > marshknute 09/17/2015 at 10:17

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I’ve felt the difference on the street (when wet) between the modes somewhat, I just wasn’t sure how unsettled it would be when pushed on the autoX.

I’m not sure if i’ll be able to figure pressures out, this time since I’m pretty sure my driving will be to inconsistent I’ll use that as a starting point and then chalk and see where I end up.

Thanks