Driving courses vs. autocross

Madguitarist78 · Jul 30, 2010

Hey guys, I posted here a while ago asking about driving courses and many of you pointed me in the direction of autox events. This was brought back to the forefront of my mind ofter I fishtailed tonight after coming out of a corner too sharp.

The only concern that I have for the autocross is that since I will be on my own, I wont have an experienced hand in the car with me.

Now what would you say, driving course, and/or autocross. I would just like to learn to handle my car better without getting in trouble and/or hurt.

walter · Jul 31, 2010

There are plenty of Auto-X events that offer you the possibility of having an instructor ride along with you. For those you should look around for car clubs that host both Auto-X and HPDE events because they would have instructors on staff for you to reference.

Also it sounds like you may want to consider looking into other types of instructions. Henry Watts has published a great book series on the subject. Secrets of solo racing is an easy to read and understand book that will give you a nice overview of Auto-X events and solid driving techniques to make sure you get through your first event in great shape.

Finally I can't stress enough that today's simulators are REALLY GOOD. rFactor or any of the GTR series are very well rounded simulators for PCs that use realistic physics to give you an accurate feel. What you learn from those will transfer over to your daily driving and track driving making you a better, quicker and most of all safer driver.

ct07gt · Jul 31, 2010

I know that Porsche Club of America autocross event provide free instructors, see if there are any of their events near by. It might be different in other regions, but the whole day is only $30 for about eight runs in the CT region. Just keep going to events and you will get better, and watch the experienced guys. I know that it feels faster to stomp on the throttle as soon as you exit a corner, but just feed in the throttle slowly. The fastest runs are always the ones that look boring, just very clean and smooth.

walter · Jul 31, 2010

ct07gt said:
I know that Porsche Club of America autocross event provide free instructors, see if there are any of their events near by. It might be different in other regions, but the whole day is only $30 for about eight runs in the CT region. Just keep going to events and you will get better, and watch the experienced guys. I know that it feels faster to stomp on the throttle as soon as you exit a corner, but just feed in the throttle slowly. The fastest runs are always the ones that look boring, just very clean and smooth.

+1 PCA events and also BMW CCA events provide free instruction. Usually they are held together if they are not there's your chance for free ride alongs at either one.

brycerichert · Aug 1, 2010

walter said:
+1 PCA events and also BMW CCA events provide free instruction. Usually they are held together if they are not there's your chance for free ride alongs at either one.

Also, I'd suggest signing up for a car control clinic first to help you establish your cars bountries before hitting a course. You will practice quick lane changes, skid pads on watered asphalt, emergency stops, etc. BMW CCA has these for 100$ or less, as do many other car groups. It's the first step to either autocross or roadcourse.

88Koupe · Aug 1, 2010

Drove VIR last May with the SVT Cobra club and there is nothing like it. I cannot image running in circles or in a parking lot is anything like driving Virginia International Raceway.

I had a great instructer and he helped me learn alot about my car and about my own driving.

I highly recommend a DE event at a roadcourse near you.

walter · Aug 1, 2010

Never underestimate an Auto-X event, it's far from running in circles.
A well laid out course will give you everything a road course has to experience with the exception of speeds in the triple digits. The speed in solo racing comes from the corners coming at you 4 times faster then in a road course which will put your reflexes to the test because you won't have much time to plan your approach.

Madguitarist78 · Aug 3, 2010

Thanks guys!! It sounds like I will just join the SCCA and find some autox events near me.

ct07gt · Aug 3, 2010

I know that the SCCA events up here are very crowded so you might get fewer runs with less opportunity to get an instructor. See if there are any smaller car clubs (PCA, BMW CCA, Subaru clubs) that allow other car makes, they might give you a better chance at more track time and instructors.

Jack Hidley · Aug 4, 2010

I vote for learning to AutoX first also. You get to learn proper car control (weight transfer techniques) at low speeds. This way you can focus on what you are doing rather than risk running off the corner at 80-100mph. In my experience, people that learn AutoX first usually become very good road racers, but a large percentage of the people that learn road racing first, can't ever become good at AutoX.

rightside · Aug 7, 2010

Madguitarist78 said:
Thanks guys!! It sounds like I will just join the SCCA and find some autox events near me.

Auto-x is great, but it is limited both in scope and seat time. A good driving school would be my recommendation. Most people on here do not seem to differentiate between a driving school and a road racing school. There is a huge difference though. Many insurance companies offer new driver discounts for youngsters who have completed such a course, since the emphasis in on every-day skills and car control. . A driving school will begin with your skill level and build it in a real-world driving scenario via in-car instruction and coaching. Road racing schools teach just that - road racing. So I would advise go to driving school where you will also learn how not to abuse your equipment and then enjoy the crap out of auto-x.

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