Solo Question

[jklein68]

Question for the guys that know... I've never done AutoX but would like to next year. We have a pretty organized group that runs at Miller Park in Milwaukee.

I'm a "good" driver but have never raced before so my assumption is that I will push too hard and make a mistake at somepoint. Seems inevitable if you're working it.

I see a ton of videos of people wrecking cars doing AutoX. I read the SCCA rules and the courses are supposed to be on a non hazard lot or something like that. They also state a required 15 feet minimum between the track and any hazards.

So, how many people are wrecking cars?

Later

 

[nallj92]

Re: Solo Question

I wouldn't worry about it, worst case would be killing some cones. Talk with a instructor and you can have them ride along to help you out as you start. Once to try it, its easy to get hooked. I know I am.

 

[kornerz]

Re: Solo Question

I've never been into cone dodging, but I do road course my miata a lot. About 12 events per year. I've spun and came off the track several times in the past and never damaged much even though my miata is a good 6" closer to the ground.

 

[ajt86]

Re: Solo Question

Just dont go into the turns too hot and youll be good. The worst you can do is hit some cones

 

[SYO237]

Re: Solo Question

In my truck, Ive spun it at 25-30mph when I came in hot into a corner on cold brakes. Ive also broke the rear loose in fast section slaloms.

Watching Adam Joadwine autoX at Nats years back in Bowling Green and how he drove his truck like he hated it, I swear he was going to roll it with how much body roll he had and maxing the suspension.

Other than that, I've seen B mods and EST cars spin out in my local club mostly due to excessive throttle and kicking themselves around. We had one close call with a car going up and over a burm and coming close to taking a swim in the retention pond next to us. He was hauling ass and slid a good distance over grass when he came off the course.

I think you're going to be pretty safe as far as wrecking and flipping....unless you're on a road coarse and hit the gravel traps (someone recently did that on here, go find the vid). Your local SCCA club members who set up the coarse should know how to correctly set up the cones so it's safe for everyone. If you are on the course and come into a section that you feel is potential dangerous to wrecking your truck, it's your job to say something to the safety officials.

As far as cones. Accept the fact that you will hit them sooner and later.

 

[Typhoon#747]

Re: Solo Question

Wrecking shouldn't be on your list of worries. Instead, make sure you have adequate air pressure in your tires, and, walk the shit out of the course before the race starts. You should completely memorize it and rehearse it in your head turn by turn before you start running.

 

[GAShan]

Re: Solo Question

I've gone to the officials before the event and had them move some cones and some people around in areas where I thought I would be carrying so much speed that my runoff if I missed would put them in danger. Also to provide more space to a tree just in case.

 

[wheels]

Re: Solo Question

In my truck, Ive spun it at 25-30mph when I came in hot into a corner on cold brakes.

 

[SYO237]

Re: Solo Question

YES! :rotf: good times.

Also shows why you turn your wheels into a spin. I was able to stop it and recovered quickly.

 

[DaveP]

Re: Solo Question

YES! :rotf: good times.

Also shows why you turn your wheels into a spin.

If in the heat of the moment, you really think which way you are turning the front wheels, rather than instinctively, I would turn them in the direction you want to go when you let UP on on the brakes.

Locked front wheels don't provide any directional input when they aren't turning, but can take you by surprise when they begin turning again if they aren't pointed in the direction you want to go when you get off the brakes.


Good Stuff. Merry Christmas.

 

[DaveP]

Re: Solo Question






Sooooooo? Which direction was correct? The right hander where you boned it, or the left hander in the second vid? Inquiring minds want to know. :rotf:

 

[SYO237]

Re: Solo Question

If in the heat of the moment, you really think which way you are turning the front wheels, rather than instinctively, I would turn them in the direction you want to go when you let UP on on the brakes.

Locked front wheels don't provide any directional input when they aren't turning, but can take you by surprise when they begin turning again if they aren't pointed in the direction you want to go when you get off the brakes.


Good Stuff. Merry Christmas.

To add.... this is an example of bad trail braking :tup:

Not the first time Ive spun the truck....probably won't be the last.

 

[SYO237]

Re: Solo Question

Sooooooo? Which direction was correct? The right hander where you boned it, or the left hander in the second vid? Inquiring minds want to know. :rotf:

The 2nd vid is correct, it was a left hand turn. That first turn was kicking my ass all day and where I was killing my time. The rest of the run I was smooth, but was slower than the run with me spinning out.

The more I watch these vids, I have no idea how the hell I haven't spun more with the stock brakes. Ive had more than one person tell me my brakes felt worse than normal. Im in the middle of the C5 brake swap now.

 

[0966Sy]

Any input on the rear drum brakes being a contributor to locking up the rear coming into a turn to hard? I've spun my TY out getting on the brakes to hard before a turn. I keep my drum brakes tuned up regardless. Just wondering if rear discs are worth the conversion, seems as a adjustable proportioning valve would be needed to take full advantage of rear discs

 

[V8 Sonoma GT]

Re: Solo Question

Just dont go into the turns too hot and youll be good. The worst you can do is hit some cones

the worst you can hit is a person

 

[SYO237]

Re: Solo Question

Just wondering if rear discs are worth the conversion, seems as a adjustable proportioning valve would be needed to take full advantage of rear discs

It's worth the conversion, and yes you will need a prop valve for proper brake balance. Ian Turgeon (SyTyArchives) tried to autoX on his full disc conversion truck without a prop valve and looked like he was in a RWD car spinning all over the place. The rears would lock up and he was along for the ride.

I eventually will do the C5 rear disc conversion and have a Wilwood prop valve to custom install somewhere on the frame (can't stand the stock location).

 

[DaveP]

Re: Solo Question

The AWD has an effect on the front/rear braking balance because of the mechanical linkage.

 

[QWERTYphoon]

Re: Solo Question

Watching Adam Joadwine autoX at Nats years back in Bowling Green and how he drove his truck like he hated it, I swear he was going to roll it with how much body roll he had and maxing the suspension.

That was my first auto X in and AWD setup. Sooo much different than RWD. I do not hate my truck but I did try to get it up on two wheels. I did try and flip it, but I think the anti-tip-over red paint did its job. lol I was never worried about crashing until my last run on the last turn I almost power slide into the retaining wall. I had somebody in my truck and I got a huge cloud of smoke that came into the cab. We both just looked at each other and were like wtf, then we just giggled for awhile. good times!

 

[SYO237]

Re: Solo Question

It would be interesting to see the results of an experienced SyTy auto-x'r trying an experiment with AWD vs RWD (propshaft removed) on the same course and see if there's any difference in times.

I'd be happy to have a go round as RWD. I'll be sure to go pro it :rotf:

 

[jklein68]

Re: Solo Question

Thanks for all of the responses, the main takeaway for me is spend the time to learn the track and provide feedback to the officials if you feel that there is a risk. Ultimately, if I'm not comfortable I don't have to run.

The AutoX wrecks that I see online must be the minority and due to not following the SCCA guidelines.

This summer should be fun.