Autocross lap timer

[vijen6]

Thanks Topless, J.Fro.

Its not about getting data to improve for next time since the course will be different so your data is much less useful. Its about getting instant data after the run so you can analyze during that 5 min time gap while waiting for your next go around.

I 100% agree that getting in the right seat with the fast guys is definitely at the very least an eye opener to see how fast the car can actually go, where the limits are and what are the best line for each corner are ect ect.

However, IMO, both good granular data and instructor seat time are good student aid. In fact they're best together.

For example if I did a lap with the instructor driving, followed by a lap that I drive. Then looking at the data for both lap while we're waiting for the next go, it would let me quickly identify the parts that needs the most improvement.

Observation like "hey, I'm 18 second off the instructor's time .. but that's because the instructor completed section 3 in 25 seconds and I completed it in 40 second .. I'm losing 15 second alone there .. that's probably from me slowing down too much before the slalom" is much more useful when trying to learn as compared to "dang I'm 18 second off the instructor's time .. he must be really good .. I'll try harder next time on the whole course".

With A/X, you don't get as many runs around a course as you do with a big track so quick accurate observation matters even more. I'll look into that Harry's timer you recommended.

[jaykay]

Instructors I have have put me in their cars to show me what is possible and where the outside of the envelope is....ahhh one trip in a Cayman R cutting through traffic on near slicks had me screaming inside my head for the first few laps (Mosport)....it left me wondering what the heck his race car would be like...and hey this dude has got Hans on should I be concerned....hahaha

Basically he was trying to show me how slow I was and where things need to go for progression

Look, feel, and do

[MikenOH]

I used a Qstarz 818xt GPS receiver combine with an old MOT smartphone running race chrono as a track lap timer and it provides great info about speeds/lap position on various parts of the course.

Auto-x courses are a lot smaller but this may provide some good data about how fast you're going at various spots on the course.

RaceChrono - The GPS Lap Timer

[Topless]

Originally Posted by vijen6

For example if I did a lap with the instructor driving, followed by a lap that I drive. Then looking at the data for both lap while we're waiting for the next go, it would let me quickly identify the parts that needs the most improvement.

Observation like "hey, I'm 18 second off the instructor's time .. but that's because the instructor completed section 3 in 25 seconds and I completed it in 40 second .. I'm losing 15 second alone there .. that's probably from me slowing down too much before the slalom" is much more useful when trying to learn as compared to "dang I'm 18 second off the instructor's time .. he must be really good .. I'll try harder next time on the whole course".

With A/X, you don't get as many runs around a course as you do with a big track so quick accurate observation matters even more. I'll look into that Harry's timer you recommended.

Ok, if you are 18 sec. off your instructors time on a 60 sec. AX course... you might want to consider golf.

Seriously though, I use data loggers/lap timers and they are very valuable when you are beyond the basics and chasing that last 1/2 second on a track. I rarely set it up for AX. When I first started out six years ago I think it would have been TMI. With PCA-SDR you are not even allowed to have a lap timer in the car until you are Solo qualified. A handy track map, verbal instruction between runs, right seat time with an experienced instructor, and corner working tend to be the fastest way to learn AX in my experience. Feeling how the car moves from the right seat with a smooth driver is still very useful to me.

These are good gps laptimers/dataloggers when you are ready:
Welcome to Harry?s GPS LapTimer
RaceChrono - The GPS Lap Timer