Frodo 0 #1 June 18, 2003 Any autocrossers out there? I'm planning to start autocrossing in about 4-6 weeks. What would you recommend to read, learn, what events to attend, etc.? Actually, I want to try autocross not because I like it so much, but more as a means to learning better car handling. Want to know the cornering limits of the car, how does it get into a skid, how to get out of it, using gas, brakes, learning techniques like using emergency brake, etc etc. I'm planning to buy a couple of books from amazon but if you know good internet resources (I honestly did a good search, but found very little), it would be invaluable. Would appreciate any advice. Second, what's your opinion on static seatbelts? I believe (this is not my theory) they are actually safer than usual belts that we're all used to. Reason: during a collision, static seatbelt makes you decelerate at the same rate as the car, which is as good as you can get. But usual seatbelts aren't holding you for the first fraction of a second, thus then you decelerate quicker, literally hitting the belt and increasing chances of getting hurt. Plus, static belts distribute the force of the collision over more area of your body. Whatcha think? Third, how much can it cost to install Recaro's in your car? Don't think I'm into crap like placing "VTEC" or "type-R" stickers or whatever to make people think the car's cool while it's really not. But I believe good seats with strong lateral support might really help. Tanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #2 June 18, 2003 What car are you planning on driving? Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frodo 0 #3 June 18, 2003 Most likely an old 12-14 years BMW. 325 would be just enough I think (2.5 liters, V6, probably around 170 hp - not bad!) They're rear-wheel drive, that's a goodie. And with a mechanical tranny, of course. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #4 June 18, 2003 Used to. Gave it up when I started skydiving. Couldn't afford both. Plan to go through a lot of tires. Did you read the SCCA website? Try doing a search on "solo II", that's the official name of autocross. All you need to start are a good helmet and some white shoepolish to mark the number on the window. Best advice I can give you also applies to skydiving, smooth is fast. I wouldn't worry about the belts or seats. I never saw a collision in autocross (other than with cones). You're racing the clock, not other cars. And top speeds are around 70mph in second gear, hard to go faster when you're going through hairpin turns and slaloms. Stay stock at first, but you might want to move out of stock to another category. It's a trade off. You save money in mods by staying stock, but race slicks are allowed in that category. If you want to be competetive you need jacks, a trailer for the tires, etc. Or you could make some mods and get into a category where only street tires are allowed. But then to be competetive you need to go full out on the allowable mods for that category. I'd just go stock with stock tires and try it out then see where it goes from there. That's what I did, never won, but had a great time. Oh yeah, and Tire Rack is your friend. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clownburner 0 #5 June 18, 2003 The best book for any kind of performance driving is "Going Faster" by Skip Barber. It's a good academic approach to learning _WHY_ some drivers are faster than others. Everything else follows from there. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Good luck. I too, stopped autocrossing when I began spending all my money on skydiving. 7CP#1 | BTR#2 | Payaso en fuego Rodriguez "I want hot chicks in my boobies!"- McBeth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dterrick 0 #6 June 18, 2003 Frodo: PM me for more infor than this list can digest. I've been a sports car racer since 1987 (starting at autoX)and have built, restored, and raced many things since. I can offer driving tips (In sports car circles I'm a TM/AFF/JM/Coach/videographer... you get the point). I see PhillyKev chimed in - I too quit sports car racing in favour of plummeting but I still teach and thrash when I need a ground-bound adrenaline rush. What he says is true - go to SCCA.org and read read read. Plan to stay stock to start, etc. Actually, the discipline is a lot like learning skydiving - start under a manta, become consistent and safe, then worry about speed and image Dave Life is very short and there's no time for fussing and fighting my friend (Lennon/McCartney) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #7 June 18, 2003 If i ever get my CRX Si (91) i will probly give it a whirl.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
