Alright, so I wrote up about my first time autocrossing a few weeks back over here. https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?p=812916#post812916
I thought it might be cool to keep a sort of log on all my events and be able to share my experience with you guys and maybe gain some advice along the way.
I popped for the annual SCCA membership and plan on being a bit more involved in this stuff. After the very first one, I'm hooked. I was able to go to the event this past Sunday June 23rd. This event was rained on, all day long. Towards the end of the day, there was standing water a few inches deep in some parts of the track. I expected it to be fun regardless but I actually learned quite a bit.
I enforced some knowledge that I already knew but ignored. Always put on sunscreen even if its not that sunny. I caught a bit of a burn despite the rain.
I learned the importance of a "race tote," especially with the hatch being big enough to support one. I wised up this time and packed all of my stuff in a plastic tote with a lid that way when I turn up I can just pull my gear out all in one shot.
I also decided to pull the trigger on some magnetic numbers. I'm tired of tape already, plus it doesn't look nearly as cool as the guys with numbers.
Now onto the driving. This is where I think I learned the more valuable lessons. For some reason I didn't anticipate the rain amplifying my faults but it did and am I glad it did. I feel like this time I really got the hang of looking ahead despite my helmet not liking me to (more on that later) but I found myself more able to be aware of where the track was more and look further ahead to connect the gates better. My two big take aways though were that I need to do more braking in a straight line and I need to be smoother with my steering inputs. As it stands right now I'm basically waiting until I'm right ontop of a corner before I slam on the brakes and chuck the wheel in the direction I need to go. All that's getting me is shredded tires and huge pushes to the outside of the corner. My goal for the next even is to keep my looking up and ahead and combine it with trying to brake a little earlier and be more smooth with my steering.
I'm practicing this on the road primarily in parking lots and when I can get decent runs in the twisties on the way to and from work. and so fard I'm finding that if I treat my car more like my motorcycle under braking that I'm smoothing out more and more.
The looking ahead part is a bit physically challenging to me right now as I'm using my motorcycle helmet which was designed primarily with 3 quarter tuck in mind. I've got a nice extended back on it that almost forces my head forward and down when I sit in the car with it, so an automotive driven helmet is pretty high on my list to buy next.
I am starting to consider some mods as well. Right now I'm in STH due to my intake, dogbone insert, and shift linkage and while I'm doing well in the class (3rd place this time), I'm still being outdone by a couple folks in G Street. My main focus is driving better but I am considering either a rear sway bar and end links or a set of shocks and springs. I was considering the Koni Actives and H&R OE Sport springs because I can't afford much of a drop in ride height on my daily driver. I'm sure tires would be good too but I'll worry about those when I wear out my current DWS06s (that I just bought).
The next event is on July 21st so my next big update will be then. Until then here are some videos I was able to grab. Let me know what you think and I'll keep practicing when its safe to on the road.
Run 1 (Best)
Run 2 (Worst)
Run 6 (Best Wet Run)
I thought it might be cool to keep a sort of log on all my events and be able to share my experience with you guys and maybe gain some advice along the way.
I popped for the annual SCCA membership and plan on being a bit more involved in this stuff. After the very first one, I'm hooked. I was able to go to the event this past Sunday June 23rd. This event was rained on, all day long. Towards the end of the day, there was standing water a few inches deep in some parts of the track. I expected it to be fun regardless but I actually learned quite a bit.
I enforced some knowledge that I already knew but ignored. Always put on sunscreen even if its not that sunny. I caught a bit of a burn despite the rain.
I learned the importance of a "race tote," especially with the hatch being big enough to support one. I wised up this time and packed all of my stuff in a plastic tote with a lid that way when I turn up I can just pull my gear out all in one shot.
I also decided to pull the trigger on some magnetic numbers. I'm tired of tape already, plus it doesn't look nearly as cool as the guys with numbers.
Now onto the driving. This is where I think I learned the more valuable lessons. For some reason I didn't anticipate the rain amplifying my faults but it did and am I glad it did. I feel like this time I really got the hang of looking ahead despite my helmet not liking me to (more on that later) but I found myself more able to be aware of where the track was more and look further ahead to connect the gates better. My two big take aways though were that I need to do more braking in a straight line and I need to be smoother with my steering inputs. As it stands right now I'm basically waiting until I'm right ontop of a corner before I slam on the brakes and chuck the wheel in the direction I need to go. All that's getting me is shredded tires and huge pushes to the outside of the corner. My goal for the next even is to keep my looking up and ahead and combine it with trying to brake a little earlier and be more smooth with my steering.
I'm practicing this on the road primarily in parking lots and when I can get decent runs in the twisties on the way to and from work. and so fard I'm finding that if I treat my car more like my motorcycle under braking that I'm smoothing out more and more.
The looking ahead part is a bit physically challenging to me right now as I'm using my motorcycle helmet which was designed primarily with 3 quarter tuck in mind. I've got a nice extended back on it that almost forces my head forward and down when I sit in the car with it, so an automotive driven helmet is pretty high on my list to buy next.
I am starting to consider some mods as well. Right now I'm in STH due to my intake, dogbone insert, and shift linkage and while I'm doing well in the class (3rd place this time), I'm still being outdone by a couple folks in G Street. My main focus is driving better but I am considering either a rear sway bar and end links or a set of shocks and springs. I was considering the Koni Actives and H&R OE Sport springs because I can't afford much of a drop in ride height on my daily driver. I'm sure tires would be good too but I'll worry about those when I wear out my current DWS06s (that I just bought).
The next event is on July 21st so my next big update will be then. Until then here are some videos I was able to grab. Let me know what you think and I'll keep practicing when its safe to on the road.
Run 1 (Best)
Run 2 (Worst)
Run 6 (Best Wet Run)