Topic: Some call it racing, I call it having a good time, once you realize all is lost.

[Critterman]

I'm posting all four of my runs in one spot for a reason, The day didn't go well and I am open to suggestions.  Well everything but quit you aren't cut out for this:

Run 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKdG3wEMJuQ

Run 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9yJ9JuUDL0

Run 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2L3ZPkKW6E

Run 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6kA9TTGH7Y

[snaponbob]

SLOWER IS QUICKER.

Without knowing what the course layout was, it is hard to share opinions as to what is wrong. Something I did well (in the past) and am trying to do again is to mentally break a course down into 3 or 4 sections and drive it that way. Not knowing how much lap time you have had, I'll say that when a newbie asks what he/she should do, I respond with "stay on course, even it means going slowly, and drive each run a little bit quicker than the last". Pushing too hard at first is almost a PERFECT way of building on bad habits. Concentrate on staying on course, not on going "fast". 

You asked !!!!!!! BTW, that S/C sounds VERY cool.

[JimmyBaja]

I just want to say it was a tough course today, actually more like tough pavement - it was very smooth/slick & hard to get traction. I saw MANY cars of all types & makes having a hard time. If you had any kind of torque you were having a hard time at some point in the course. I saw at least 5 cars completely spin out. Some just turned it into fun & kept on the gas to spin on arround slinging cones off in all directions & keep on gettin it.   Damn fun to watch! If you're having fun... who cares.

Better than taking a $180,000 Ferrari arround there like a granny & still can't even stay on course.  

[Kelu]

Man, this is one of the few chances to see/hear a SC kappa, that screamer growls nice 

I have no experience in AutoX but I always like to start slow when I try to learn something, so take SOB's advice and aim to stay on course. Learning slow at the beginning means you build a nice foundation which is one of the key things to achieve results.

Should we change your name from Cone Crusher into the Drift King? 

[Uranium-238]

Critter, I really wouldn't worry about those 3 O/C's. Really disappointed that nobody pointed out to you where you were going off. Plus since you get all your runs in one heat there's no way to go to the timing tent and figure out what went wrong.

I'll try and get video of my three runs up in a bit. My third run was my fastest, but the record failed on that one.

Really nice lot, with lots of open space...but with an almost brand new surface that is incredibly slick. Spun in first gear from about 4k till I shifted into second. This also meant I had to be really careful about getting on the gas, ended up screwing up the entrance to the longest straight section on all four of my runs.

Despite all this, I had a great day. After all this crap with my car it was an awesome feeling to be back racing. And bad driver or no, I (actually I think all of us) beat a Ferrari! Didn't tear up my tires too bad either, they should see me through Cumberland at least. Probably gonna get more Falkens, and put what I saved compared to Dirreza's towards R-comps.

[Critterman]

Bob, Kelu, and Phil,

The only time in 4 runs I went full throttle, I went sideways.  I actually thought I had clean runs especially after I slltay on course the first run.  I was spinning tires everytime I touched the gas, coming off the start i had to easy into the pedal.  I spun all the way through first every launch even tho I didn't get into the gas hard, just rolled on the throttle.

Never hit a cone today, just plain missed them, didn't see them at all.  Not an excuse, just an explanation of what happened. 

Oh well there is always next time.


Phil, I have vid of you as well

[Uranium-238]

Feel free to post it.

The course really was slick, that certainly didn't do anything to prevent you from getting sideways. My second run I'd break the rear end loose and come close to losing it just about every time I got on the gas out of the corners. On my next two instead of easing on the gas as your straighten the steering wheel I was having to wait till the wheel was almost straight then get on it. I'm sure softening the rear shocks would have helped immensely, but due to their format this was impossible. But look at it this way, next time we have a better idea what to expect, and you can come more prepared.

[Vanguard]

I'm not a huge expert like Bob, but I think I may be able to offer a few words of wisdom that all the pros tell me

The first thing is to course-walk effectively.  What you should try to train yourself to do is when you are course-walking keep your eyes off the pavement in front of you and instead have them pegged on the important elements. 

For example...say you've got a large decreaser after a slalom.  The second you get past the last important cone of the slalom, get your eyes on that apex point and put the car there.  One thing I've heard many times and has happened to me...if you're looking at the cone, you're going to hit it.  Also in regards to course-walks...do as MANY as you can.  I used to get 4-5 at our local small skidpad before I put on R-comps...now that I have to change them out once I get there, I can only get 1-2 really effective ones in and I can tell I need to get there the second the gate opens.  That will definitely help with the memory part...but still remember to LOOK AHEAD.  Here's a helmet cam where you can somewhat see what I'm talking about with looking ahead...   http://vimeo.com/12720718

It was a little hard to tell in the video, but I did notice a few spots in each where you were already past a slalom cone before you started turning.  Imagine a set of slalom cones as a straight line.  What you should do is be turning the car the other direction once you pass that "center line".  If you are carrying the proper amount of speed, you should be able to back-side the cones.  I hope this made sense...Check out this video of me at the last event I ran to see what I'm talking about.  (yes I know I'm way late on the real slaloms...) http://vimeo.com/12920222

Now the last thing to worry about....tires.  I didn't see it in your signature, but what tires are you running? 

[snaponbob]

    Vanguard sure is right on the course walk and looking ahead.

[Critterman]

LOL did that Bob, I'm thinking I looked to far ahead and just missed the one cone set, my mind was so focused on the next gate, it didn't register that there was another cone I had to go around.  If you watch the video you will see I come out of the sweeper, set up on the first gate, throttle through it, the second gate straight to the third gate where I get on the brakes.  Problem was there was a cone between the 2nd and 3rd gate that I had to go to the right off and I go left of it.  I do the same exact thing twice.

Joe says the camera mounted on the car shows where I went off on the other run, I haven't seen those videos yet.

Vanguard thanks, did several walks and thought i had the course in my head, guess I didn't.  Funny thing is that in my mind, after managing to stay on course the first run, I was sure I had the course in my head.  Turns out I didn't.  There is always next time.

Tires - I am running Sumitomo HTRIII 255x40x18, and they usually give me very good grip.  Course was very slippery, but that is no excuse for missing the cone.

[Vanguard]

I'm not familiar with those tires, but after looking at TR stats, it seems to be a good max summer tire.  If you are still having issues with grip, move on over to Dunlops. 

[ChiliSky]

I know this sounds off, but were you wearing sunglasses on your runs? If yes, try not wearing them the next time and see if you miss cones. Reason I say this is because I have found that wearing sunglasses has a way of distorting my vision when I run the twisties and so I dont wear them anymore.......just a thought. Looks like fun though and will sometime in the future try out the AutoX down here.

[Sol Asylum]

Here is a thought have you tried to draw the course out on paper?  If you concentrate on how to draw it out while you are walking it or even after you walk it you are helping to memorize what the course is like.  It might be all you need to help you remember what comes next and thus stay on course.  Also you can quickly look at your map prior to a lap and keep things fresh in your mind.  If you have a cornographic uh I mean photographic memory like me just putting it down on paper once is all it takes to lock it in to memory.

[Gentleman Jack]

I know this sounds off, but were you wearing sunglasses on your runs? If yes, try not wearing them the next time and see if you miss cones. Reason I say this is because I have found that wearing sunglasses has a way of distorting my vision when I run the twisties and so I dont wear them anymore.......just a thought. Looks like fun though and will sometime in the future try out the AutoX down here.

Chilli,

Try different colored lenses and better quality lenses?  I find I can't drive without sun glasses.

GJ

[Critterman]

Interesting Chilli, My first run was just with the visor on the helmet, I took it off and put my sunglasses on for the other 3 run. 

SA - I have CRS, so I may try what you suggest, thanks.

Van - everyone commented on how slick the pavement was

[flohtingPoint]

A lot of good advice here.  Let me add:

-No coasting.  Your foot is either on the throttle or the brake.  Coasting is shedding speed slowly.

-If at any moment you're comfortable, chances are that you're going slow.  Every pass I make that I even feel remotely comfortable during, I know w/out even looking at the timing system that my run was not good.

-If you have time to make up, DO NOT repeat your last run, you're only going to get the same results.  Start braking later, throwing the car harder into the pocket, getting on the throttle earlier, ANYTHING but doing the exact same pass.

-Use your first run as a throw away run.  Get in the car, go gorilla on it and learn your areas of lateral grip, learn the surface and feel your braking points.  With more seat time, your throw away lap will do you more good, as when you're first starting off, you'll not be totally able to diagnose your car.

-There are no "safe runs".  Unless your field is 2 seconds behind you and you just need a lap in the bag, push every single run.  Do not be timid.

-Slow in, fast out.  Throwing the car in hard is important, but throwing in the car in too hard does more harm than throwing car in slower, as you'll be totally off line, out of control and scrubbing speed rapidly.

[Critterman]

Good advise Jim, hard to remember on the course.  But you are right, that and practice.  I went to 4 events last year, had planned to go more often this year but pinched a nerve in my neck.  This was my first time out this year.

[Excelsior]

On FloahtingPoints point, coasting is losing speed slowly.

If I heard correctly, it almost sound like you were constantly gassing, then coasting, then gassing.  Even when it looked to be straight to me at this vantage point.

[Critterman]

EX, some of that was because of tire spin, especially on the salom,

[DeepBlueGXP]

Great points, I wasn't getting on it as hard as I should and I wasn't braking much either.  So I need to step it up.

[Arabas]

Critterman, i m no expert in such kind of events, but i suppose participating often in such events, is the way to do better.
think about what you did wrong and try to avoid it next time.
being a co passenger in someone better in this event than you, would also help.
just a question: were you in competitive mode or all off (esc off)?

[Uranium-238]

I think ALL of us would greatly benefit from more seat time. I've been to several events now, but due to one car problem after another they've all been strung out. Hoping that autocrossing on back to back weekends helps.

[Brazen17]

Some calls it a scythe I calls it a sling blade...lol

[Critterman]

Ara - I have an 06, it doesn't have stability control or traction control, everything is controlled by my right foot.

[Arabas]

Ara - I have an 06, it doesn't have stability control or traction control, everything is controlled by my right foot.

really? i didn t know that for 06 models..
i was about to say that since the course looks so tight and slippery, you could gain some time if in competition mode.
now it s all down to practice!
waiting for your next race!!