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Lil bastard · 03-10-2010, 08:24 AM

As JMATTA eluded, the skill is in the Driver, the car is just a tool.

No amount of modding or preparation will substitute for skill - it will only amplify the skills you lack.

I've been autocrossing since 1974 (God am I that old..??) and there are some truisms that are never obsolete:

Race yourself! - Forget about others' times. They may have been at it longer and they may simply have more skill than you do. Every time you start a run, try to better your best time, not others.

Stay outside the car! - Keep your eyes constantly looking ahead to the next gate. Don't worry about speed, revs, or anything inside the car which will distract you. This is a skill similar to keeping your head down in golf and not easy to master. Achieving this one skill will improve your times beyond your imagination.

Hands at 10 & 2! - Basic, but often never practiced. Keep your hand off the shifter unless you're actually shifting.

Late Apex EVERYTHING! - In truth this applies to maybe 95% of all the gates on the course. Practicing this allows you to keep the speed up.

Go wide on the turns! - Seems counterintuitive but it also keeps the speed up and prevents you from losing time rather than trying to gain it by going in too tight. Remember there are many more ways to lose time than to make time!

If you're not hitting cones, you're not pressing! - Even the best drivers hit cones. You have to press to improve and that means risking hitting a cone sometimes. If you hit a cone, don't bail out - STAY ON IT! It's now a Free Run where you can practice new lines, turns or braking techniques which will help you on your next run.

For the Newby, Smooth = Fast! - If you 'overcook' it's really difficult to make up for it. Cars brake better than they accelerate. You'd be surprised at how many times a smooth run doesn't somehow feel as fast, but the time is actually lower than you thought it would be. You're racing a whole course and not just a bunch of individual stretches or gates.

Speed does not equal Time! - Remember, the goal here is the lowest Time, not the fastest Speed.

Practice these things until your ET's plateau and only then worry about the car.

When modding, as others suggest, a sticky set of tires is worth more than brakes, shocks or ECU Flashes COMBINED!

Cheers!

03-10-2010, 08:24 AM	#11
Lil bastard Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Du Monde Posts: 2,199	As JMATTA eluded, the skill is in the Driver, the car is just a tool. No amount of modding or preparation will substitute for skill - it will only amplify the skills you lack. I've been autocrossing since 1974 (God am I that old..??) and there are some truisms that are never obsolete: Race yourself! - Forget about others' times. They may have been at it longer and they may simply have more skill than you do. Every time you start a run, try to better your best time, not others. Stay outside the car! - Keep your eyes constantly looking ahead to the next gate. Don't worry about speed, revs, or anything inside the car which will distract you. This is a skill similar to keeping your head down in golf and not easy to master. Achieving this one skill will improve your times beyond your imagination. Hands at 10 & 2! - Basic, but often never practiced. Keep your hand off the shifter unless you're actually shifting. Late Apex EVERYTHING! - In truth this applies to maybe 95% of all the gates on the course. Practicing this allows you to keep the speed up. Go wide on the turns! - Seems counterintuitive but it also keeps the speed up and prevents you from losing time rather than trying to gain it by going in too tight. Remember there are many more ways to lose time than to make time! If you're not hitting cones, you're not pressing! - Even the best drivers hit cones. You have to press to improve and that means risking hitting a cone sometimes. If you hit a cone, don't bail out - STAY ON IT! It's now a Free Run where you can practice new lines, turns or braking techniques which will help you on your next run. For the Newby, Smooth = Fast! - If you 'overcook' it's really difficult to make up for it. Cars brake better than they accelerate. You'd be surprised at how many times a smooth run doesn't somehow feel as fast, but the time is actually lower than you thought it would be. You're racing a whole course and not just a bunch of individual stretches or gates. Speed does not equal Time! - Remember, the goal here is the lowest Time, not the fastest Speed. Practice these things until your ET's plateau and only then worry about the car. When modding, as others suggest, a sticky set of tires is worth more than brakes, shocks or ECU Flashes COMBINED! Cheers! __________________ 1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 Cabriolet 1976 BMW 2002 1990 BMW 325is 1999 Porsche Boxster (gone, but not forgotten) http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/a...smiley-003.gif Never drive faster than your Guardian Angel can fly! Last edited by Lil bastard; 03-11-2010 at 12:05 AM.