GGR Alameda AX and question Options

[grantsfo]

Wow that Alameda course yesterday really threw me for a loop. Literally. I think between going off course, spinning twice and making my first mis-shift ever from 2nd to 1st when I was going for 3rd (almost justified a new motor for myself!), I really felt like I had a driving brain fart. I was actually thinking about asking for an instructor after my second off course excursion. I finally sorted things out on my 7th and 8th runs and think I turned competitive times in Ai class, but then I talked to some of you Bp class drivers and learned that you were in 4th gear on that sweeper on the back part of the course. Yikes!

I have some questions for those who dont have problems going off course. Does anyone have tips on how to figure out the course when you are at speed? I always walk the course and see where I want to go, but then when I'm in the car I just cant see things the same. I always see a sea of cones - forget about great lines and pefect shifts, because I'm always doing all I can to figure out the course.

[PatW]

Asking for help when out on the course is always a good idea, even if I doing well.

I found if I got there early and help set-up. I tend to learn the course quicker than I ushaly do. Then walk the course with a fast driver listen in or discuss brake/shift/ points. Understand what is happening with the car with any problem areas on the course that you might be struggling with and how to overcome them. Sit out a session if you need a break and watch other drivers and learn where you can improve and where you are doing well.

Car Control I think is the key to this Autocross addiction. Everyone has a diffrent take on this but, I think if you learn the basics (no easy task) You will be on your way.

Also I've found that if a go to the local indoor Kark track and ripp off a bunch of laps helps keeps me sharp.


Pat

This post has been edited by PatW: Oct 10 2004, 08:30 PM

[anthony]

I've found that working first and watching the other cars going around helps me memorize the course faster. I also try to drive the course in my head before during and after runs. If you're just seeing a "sea of cones" then you aren't memorizing the turns.

I was there yesterday in my 993. Which 914 were you that went off dozens of time?

I usually don't have a problem going off course, but my best advice is looking ahead and especially the pointer cones. They tell you where you should be "pointing" the car at. I noticed everyone was getting lost through the chicaine area where cones were minimal and also the second set of S's, people were missing the last cone and going the wrong direction.

[ArtechnikA]

there's a few tips.

one is that your eyepoint is about 3 feet higher when you walk the course than when you're in the car. for critical sections, like turn-in points, it can help to crouch and really lock in what you'll see from the seat.

another is to pick up visual pointers and landmarks that are off the course. i had trouble with one section of a course until i noticed that 'the line' aligned perfectly with the airport tower. in general, picking up references farther rather than nearer is A Good Thing.

Learning The Course is an acquired skill that improves with practice.

[J P Stein]

there's a few tips.

one is that your eyepoint is about 3 feet higher when you walk the course than when you're in the car. for critical sections, like turn-in points, it can help to crouch and really lock in what you'll see from the seat.



Learning The Course is an acquired skill that improves with practice.

I do this also on parts of the course that can be confusing.

It is an aquired skill indeed.

By all means, take an instructor. Don't worry about going fast, worry about where you are going.

Before the days of our local SCCA's "first 3 runs count" rule, I used the first run as a throwaway at a reduced speed to pick lines and make sure I had learned the course.....and this was with a couple years of AX experience. Now I practice "Katie bar the door" on the first run....and it can get ugly.....more often than not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[nebreitling]

but then I talked to some of you Bp class drivers and learned that you were in 4th gear on that sweeper on the back part of the course. Yikes!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)

i was only in 4th gear coming into it. i'm surprised more people didn't do this. you could come into that sweeper pretty damn hot if you were VERY delicate in lifting... [good tires help]

having a full 5 AX's under my belt, i don't have squat to add, but i would second rich's/jp's suggestion of crouching down and look at key parts of the course from that point of view.

nathan

p.s. drawing maps of the course has really helped me get it in my head.

p.p.s. i'm still pissed about my first DNF -- i maintain that was bullshit.

[grantsfo]

I was there yesterday in my 993. Which 914 were you that went off dozens of time?

I usually don't have a problem going off course, but my best advice is looking ahead and especially the pointer cones. They tell you where you should be "pointing" the car at. I noticed everyone was getting lost through the chicaine area where cones were minimal and also the second set of S's, people were missing the last cone and going the wrong direction.

I was the clueless one in the Olympic Blue 1.8. 4 times off the course, but it certainly felt like dozens! I think its too few and too much time between AX's for me ...and I was in extra dense mode.

Thanks for all the other tips everyone. I like the croutching lower tip, since when I walk the course I'm seeing it at 6 + feet.

[Randal]

Wow that Alameda course yesterday really threw me for a loop

The course was tough, no doubt. A bit to many change ups(*) and very complicated cone placement to allow any new drivers to be able to find a rythym.

If you think it was hard to drive, think about us poor guys setting it up. We started before 7:00AM and were still working at 9:00AM.

Thanks to a few volunteers like Andrew B., we got it done.

It will be interesting to see how many DNF's were recorded, when the results are out.

Brad took my car around and made it, even without the benefit of a course walk, but that was unusual to say the least.

And next time your out at one of the GGR or LPR events ask any of us instructors for help. We enjoy seeing our students improve, as one of my students did yesterday, taking 15 seconds off his first time.

Fresno this weekend is a two day event, so come on down and get all the instruction you want!


(*) higher speed sections that feed into a very tight slow corners.

[J P Stein]

I can't be critical of anyones layout.
The one I did had about 30% DNFs. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

I learnt from that. It's supposed to be a speed event, not a navigation exercise. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[SirAndy]

I was the clueless one in the Olympic Blue 1.8.

aha, that was you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

we were wondering who's car that was ...
i got a few nice pictures of you on the course, unfortunately, i used DMan's camera, so if any of you guys wants to see some pictures, send HIM a PM or email ....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) Andy

[grantsfo]

I was the clueless one in the Olympic Blue 1.8.

aha, that was you! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

we were wondering who's car that was ...
i got a few nice pictures of you on the course, unfortunately, i used DMan's camera, so if any of you guys wants to see some pictures, send HIM a PM or email ....

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) Andy

Cool ... I dont have any AX pictures of my car. Thanks!

[Trekkor]

are you behind the GT?

KT

[Trekkor]

or is this you?

KT

[SirAndy]

or is this you?

nope, 08 is DMan ...

[nebreitling]

trekkor -- post more!

[Trekkor]

OK...

Who's this? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)

KT

[Trekkor]

Our GTeener

[Trekkor]

Randal's 15 second improver, my nephew Andy, in my car for his first a/x.

[Brad Roberts]

My advice... SLOW DOWN. You dont have to set TTOD on your first pass. Run the course slowly the first TWO passes.


B