First auto x

[j.fro]

How's this for an analogy: autocross is to DE as 100M hurdles is to 10K
I found autocross frustrating until I began to get good at it. It also can depend on how well the course is set up. On a good course, the skilled drivers really are driving fast, and the driver never stops moving his/her body. Personally, I hate the shorter choppy courses, especially if there are spots requiring downshifting to first. Ad nauseum you'll hear that tires make all the difference, but it is true, and it can be the difference between fun and frustration. Last weekend I did a test-n-tune on my street tires just for kicks. It sucked. The car was all over the place, and every time I tried to put the power down, the back end just kicked out. My times were crapola!

When you've finally figured it all out and the car is doing what it is supposed to, you are able to analyze specifics enough to put together a great run taking FTD by hundredths of a second, it gets VERY fun!