Tried autox for the first time today

[erok]

I went to the Hollywood Park autox today and ran in STS. I didn't get to walk the course because I got drafted early to sign people in at the front gate. I took the first lap pretty slow: 81.797 seconds; 2nd lap 74.793 sec and 3rd lap 73.856 secs. The fastest times I saw from other STS drivers were in the 63-68 second range. Note to self: next time walk the course.

Also, I was on Kuhmo Ecsta 712's in the stock 16" size and was pretty dissapointed in them. They've got over 4,000 miles and they still feel greasy like they did when new. I never felt like the chassis, suspension or me as driver was working at the limit before the tires would slide out. The course was pretty slow and I would constantly spin the inside tire in 2nd gear even below 6k rpms. If I had had another run, I would have tried putting it in 3rd gear for the whole course and running at low rpms to avoid wheelspin. Even though they broke away gradually, the Kuhmos took on a numb feel as they approached their limits too.

Air pressures were: 42f/32r 1st lap, 40f/32r 2nd lap and 38f/30r 3rd lap. I felt like the lower pressures worked better. I know 90% of the lap time is up to driver skill, but I'm curious to see how the car would handle with better tires.

In any case, I'm looking forward to trying autox again. Any tips for a newbie?

[Karim]

glad you had a good time, now i'll say to you what was said to me after my first time, "welcome to your new addiction"

Karim

[nxracer]

erok: When you attend your next event make sure you tell registration it's your 2nd time and you need to walk the course. I understand they have a novice course walk. Take it!

If you run in the morning you need to get there early (7:30),tech and register and walk.

If you run in the afternoon you need to get before lunch, tech register and walk at lunch.

See the Girl driving the Silver 00 GT-S you were parked next too. She can show you the ropes.

[erok]

Yeah, next time I'll make sure to walk the course. I'm really looking forward to it.

How do the "fun runs" usually work? Are they just laps allowed at the end of the day when all the classes have finished? Less than four minutes on the course isn't a lot of time to hone the skills much.

It's still fun to see how the car behaves when pushed hard.

[nxracer]

At your next event look around for Dara (she was driving the silver GT-S in GS)

She can show you the ropes or find someone who can help.

Next year she will probably be driving her 240Z in BSP but she has done very well in the Celica and can point you the right way.