Twizted

Does anyone Autocross here? I just started a few weeks ago and love it so far. My 07 GTI isn't the fastest thing on 4 wheels, but it's agile enough to be fun around the cones.

Im a bit hesitent about continuing to race it... just in case something happens (it's my baby). Kinda thinking about a Miata play car...

Anyone else have it in for the cones??

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A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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blade02

I've been doing autocross on and off since 2001. Mostly on and off because my car at that point was a 1984 Mustang SVO that unfortunatly spent more time in the garage than on the track. At the begining of last season my dad bought a Solstice and I'm lucky/spoiled enough to co-drive the Solstice with him. So after placing 3rd in my local clubs season points championship, I'm looking to continue my second full season.

What I like about the sport is that the biggest improvements always come from driving training and not upgrades to the car. See if there's an Evolution School or some other type of school nearby. The money for the school is worth more than any money you can spend on the car.

cadre

My boyfriend and I want to get into Autocross, he already has the experience but we aren't near a track and my track day money goes to my motorcycle at the moment.

The new gti's seem to be surprisingly slow unfortunately but they're fun cars. Joe and I are going back and forth on a Miata to turn into a spec car. They're cheap little cars and very light which is nice.

I'd suggest you take one of those driving courses which are oriented around racing, you wouldn't believe the improvements you can make. Sometimes it's just as simple as getting off the gas later and using the clutch less.

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BadNick

I haven't autox'd in about 35 years. Last time I did was with my first car that I bought for myself two weeks after getting out of college, as soon as I got a job I bought the car-love of my life which was a '67 XKE Jag Roadster. It was reasonably light, they weigh under 2800lbs loaded, and very agile and powerful enough that it was fun and quite quick thru the cones.

In recent years I've been tracking my current fun car at roadcourses during "track days" so it's not hardcore racing, but lots of fun anyway and you get to drive as fast as you can. Due to the wear and tear factor of such stressful driving, and the cost in tires, brakes, fuel, etc, lately I have been thinking of getting back into autocrossing. I have friends who do it regularly and will probably try it this Summer.

So compared to driving on roadcourses as fast as possible, autocrossing sounds much safer. One of my friends who had a little accident on a roadcourse last year now only autocrosses ...not to say nothing can go wrong, you probably saw the recent vid on youtube etc about the VW at the autocross who goes out of control and slams into a bunch of very nice cars including a $150,000 Porsche; this one was more an example of a very poorly laid out course that would have parked cars and spectators at the end of a straight.

cadre

Ahaha, yes I saw that. I was sad for that poor Porsche!

Anywho, Autocrossing is just as expensive for me as track days so there's not much difference (meaning I can't afford either). Besides, if I have enough money to track something I think it will be my bike (much more fun than being on the street).

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desal75

I haven't autocrossed since 02 but I miss it so much. I haven't been able to since I don't think my beat up old Outback would do very much.

That being said it is incredibly fun and intense. The best advice anyone ever game me was to always be looking ahead, not at the gate you are going through right now.

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Twizted

The GTI isn't too bad out there... I think they suffer from too much weight though... that and garbage factory tires. I did a novice day where I had an experienced driver ride with me and drive my car for a lap. I saw the biggest gains when I quit "chicken braking' and actually let the car do it's job.

After driving my car, the instructor said it had plenty of power, but the tires would just give up and break loose on braking, causing the ABS to kick in. So I had to brake earlier and softer then I wanted...

I'm not sure if this is the same accident you're talking about, BadNick, but it was actually the Porsche that went out of control and plowed into the other cars... http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3197431 and the driver wasn't even the cars owner I'd be one pissed off GT3 owner (or ex-owner)

I've been thinking about a Miata too... they are pretty cheap to get out there and run. I really recommend Grassroots Motorsports magazine, they do a lot of write ups on racing on a budget. Pretty good magazine.

Jason

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A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
-- Emo Philips

cadre

Oh yes, grassroots is good. Definately one of the better car magazines out there (no rice to speak of in it. )

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My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

Twizted

Oh - something else to consider Cadre - Autocross is usually $25 - $50 per event and requires no special gear (other then a helmet, and MC helmets work for autocross). Just run what ya brung! There was everything from 150k porsches to 1k Sentra's... As long as your there for fun and to improve yourself, it doesn't matter what your car is.

Look for a novice day with your local clubs... they are a blast...

__________________
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
-- Emo Philips

Willravel

I used to have a '71 914 2.0L with Konis. I never lost an autocross.

Twizted

I bet you could just about take the brake pedal out of the car and still run the course full throttle! Those things are supposed to be awesome handlers...

There was a Lotus Exige at the event... I swear the tires are made of super glue and fly paper...

__________________
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
-- Emo Philips

Willravel

Yeah, a few friends and I got together and bought the ugliest car Porsche ever made (and the funny pat is that VW made it!). It was quite something. I really miss that thing.
Those are stupid wonderful. I'd gladly sell my soul to do the famous 'outflank an apache' test from Top Gear where a man in a Lotus has to drive so sporadically that an Apache military helicopter can't zero in on it with it's armament guidance systems. That was one of the best things ever.

telekinetic

I ran autocross for two seasons in my 91 MR2 before i blew the motor (unrelated, don'y worry!)

Been thinking about going back out to see just how sporty this new sport package Honda Fit can be made to behave...just have to convince the wife!

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Willravel

I've heard the RX-8 has excellent balance.

cadre

MR2s are nice little cars too, saw one at a show the other day...the rear tires had to be more than 14 inches wide.

I read an article about a modded Fit the other day that was pretty fast, I'm sure they put tons of money into it though.

Twizted, my car wouldn't be allowed on an autocross track. At least not here, they have a lot of rules, Then there's the fact that I live about three hours from a track so yeah, not so cheap.

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Twizted

Bummer! They sure are a lot of fun!

We have to go through tech as well, but it's things like battery check, wheel bearings, pedals, seat belts... nothing major. The big events are a lot more strict though...

__________________
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
-- Emo Philips

BadNick

In the Philadelphia/NY/Baltimore/Washington metropolis, the vast majority of autocross events are not held at tracks anyway, they are done in large parking lots by car clubs/groups. I don't know where you're located, but this might help you find something: http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmMain.Show

cadre

I'm in Az, around here they use tracks, there aren't that many big parking lots so I guess that's why.

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My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.