"NervesOfThrill" (adrenalingus)
11/17/2014 at 20:33 • Filed to: None
1
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"NervesOfThrill" (adrenalingus)
11/17/2014 at 20:33 • Filed to: None | 1
| 16 |
So I went to my first AutoX event last weekend. It was a great time, mostly because the FAST organization running it and the people were awesome. I was in the first run group which was unfortunate because I learned so much watching while working the course. I rode with a guy before I went out who had a 2004 Boxster S who could absolutely fly and finished in the top 10 overall I think. That ruined me in a way because I thought that was how fast you were supposed to try to go. Wrong.....
Behold the awfulness that is my AutoX debut:
I also learned that I need to move my GoPro to my windshield next time and take it out of "wide" mode.
Brian Silvestro
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 20:40 |
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You and me have the same Porsche look back view
Jayhawk Jake
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 20:52 |
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Did you have fun?
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NervesOfThrill
> Brian Silvestro
11/17/2014 at 20:54 |
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Haha! Yep, couldn't get the GoPro to connect to my phone for shit, so I had the extreme closeup before and after every run.
Were you running the course in 1st the whole time?
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Brian Silvestro
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 20:58 |
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Nah, 2nd. Although the car downshifted into first 2 times during that day, even though I was in full manual mode. It was really annoying.
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NervesOfThrill
> Jayhawk Jake
11/17/2014 at 21:00 |
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I did. I honestly liked my track day much better, but there are many more AutoX events available and so I plan to plenty more.
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Jayhawk Jake
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 21:02 |
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Good. Fun comes first, fast driving second.
I averaged 5 comes a run my first autox, now I run about as well as one could in my car (and much better than most people think the car is capable of)
mkiv808
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 21:04 |
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Did the track teach you the smooth steering inputs? Because usually people new at auto-x hamfist the steering wheel into submission, which you didn't. Which is good.
Though, try and keep your heads at 9 and 3 like they teach you at the track, that'll help.
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mkiv808
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 21:05 |
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And yeah, track days are way more fun.
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NervesOfThrill
> Brian Silvestro
11/17/2014 at 21:07 |
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If I learned anything, it was that I downshifted too much and it cost me balance. I think I should have ran in 2nd nearly the whole time.
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NervesOfThrill
> Jayhawk Jake
11/17/2014 at 21:09 |
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It is all such a blur our first time and I was so worried about just doing the wrong thing or being in the wrong place that I was nervous on and off the track. You're right though, speed can come later. Next time I'm focusing on being as smooth as possible the first run and then incrementally picking up time as I go.
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Brian Silvestro
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 21:09 |
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Yeah I always run AutoX/RallyX in second exclusively. It's very rare that it would be necessary to shift back into first, especially in AutoX.
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NervesOfThrill
> mkiv808
11/17/2014 at 21:11 |
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I've always had a light hand on the wheel but the track day at Sebring really reinforced it. Totally agree on getting back to maintaining 9/3 hand position. Rowing the wheel killed me several times and wasn't even needed.
Behind shifting less, that was my 2nd biggest takeaway.
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NervesOfThrill
> mkiv808
11/17/2014 at 21:15 |
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The thing about the track is that you can feel the car flowing and get into a rhythm. The AutoX course was much more violent, sudden and extreme. Several people have told me practicing AutoX will make you better on the track and that is my main impetus for doing it originally. Having done an event now I also like the communal feeling at an AutoX event too.
Stef Schrader
> NervesOfThrill
11/17/2014 at 22:11 |
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Haha, I need to write up my attempt to autocross my LeMon.
It didn't end well. I mowed the grass a bit.
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mkiv808
> NervesOfThrill
11/20/2014 at 01:23 |
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Yeah, they mutually make you better at both.
Gt3-ted
> NervesOfThrill
11/20/2015 at 17:30 |
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next time try sitting closer to the steering wheel. and initiate your turns before you get to the pylons ... not after. smoother is faster.... overdriving is slower.
...... and take an instructor with you. Most clubs will provide one. certainly PCA encourages it.