First Time!

[Minimazda]

Doing my first autocross this Friday night =) Little bit nervous but excited to see how I do. I'll be the only 2 there and surrounded by miatas. I have my strut bar in today for me to put on tonight and get a feel for it before that night. Only set back is I'll be arriving late, due to work, so I won't get to walk the track or anything first =(
Anyone have some tips for me?! They would be very much appreciated.

 

[eyeballs]

Since you can't walk the course, try to get a ride along. Either way, take it easy on the 1st run to get an idea of the course layout. I've had a number of days early on where my 1st lap ended up being my fastest because I was overdriving the car/course. Try to look ahead as much as possible, don't forget to be aware of course workers and red flags. Other than that, have fun!

 

[BigBlueDart]

I'm expecting to pop my cherry this Fall.

 

[Minimazda]

I'm having my friend drive my car the first run just so I can see what the track is. And since he knows my car as well as I do he's gonna try and give me help on how to take the turns. Thanks for the tips =)
Any advice is good advice for me lol.

 

[CorkSport]

Sound like you should have a great time, remember speed will come with practice.

-Derrick

 

[Andres3165]

Doing my first autocross this Friday night =) Little bit nervous but excited to see how I do. I'll be the only 2 there and surrounded by miatas. I have my strut bar in today for me to put on tonight and get a feel for it before that night. Only set back is I'll be arriving late, due to work, so I won't get to walk the track or anything first =(
Anyone have some tips for me?! They would be very much appreciated.

Where at? Which club?

Andres

 

[Minimazda]

It's in St. Petersburg being held by University Car Events, they hold a lot of events/car meets at USF. =) I go to everyone of them representing the Mazda2 and with a mazda club.

 

[Andres3165]

It's in St. Petersburg being held by University Car Events, they hold a lot of events/car meets at USF. =) I go to everyone of them representing the Mazda2 and with a mazda club.

I should go... try the reflash .. how do you register?

Hey there is another event sat and sunday : http://www.autocrossforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9723

Andres

 

[eyeballs]

I just now realized that Dunnellon is in FL. Lived in Broward County for 26 years and had no idea.

 

[Minimazda]

Here is the page for the people who hold the events and you can find the event on there along with ohw to purchase an autocross ticket. If you show up that would be pretty awesome to have another 2 there. =)
https://www.facebook.com/UCEpage?fref=ts
Hmm I kinda like that. I'll see how I handle it on friday and I might go. Being my first time ever doing this I'm still in a state of nervousness...and cluelessness.

Yea, dunnellon's all hidden away and people barely know about it. I usually just tell people I'm in Ocala to make it easier.

 

[Minimazda]

Oh and if anyone has any tips on tire pressure or anything else that would be useful too!

 

[Andres3165]

Oh and if anyone has any tips on tire pressure or anything else that would be useful too!

What tires do you have?


Andres

 

[eyeballs]

I wouldn't worry about setup your first time out. Normal street pressures are fine. I think on the stock tires low-mid 30's should be fine though. A lap belt or cg-lock would be good to get to help keep you in place.

 

[Minimazda]

I have Nitto Neo-Gens.

 

[Minimazda]

I'm not too worried about the overall setup but I do want to try and have things the best I can get with what I'm currently working with.

 

[eyeballs]

Just keep in mind depending on how much time there is between runs your tire pressures will go up as they get heat in them from each run. Look closely at the shoulders to see how much of the contact patch you are using, or if your rolling on the sidewalls. Lots of people like using chalk...I can usually get a good idea of what's going on without it.

Don't hesitate to ask competitors for questions or help, I guarantee almost anyone you ask will be more than willing to help.

 

[Minimazda]

I have my friend who knows all about this stuff helping me out when I'm there. He's running my car the first run with me so I can see the track and see how well the car does with him in it. But I just want to have a bit of base knowledge before I head out. There are gonna be a lot of people there with no clue what to do so I just want to be a tad bit ahead...

 

[Minimazda]

Last night was EVENTFUL. After coming in 3 hours after they started I had to try and jump on in...well that didn't go so well since my "navigator" friend had me completely lost on the track . So after that I went and had one of the guys who made the track ride with me and show me the way. After that I got it down and with my first time at a terrible 55 seconds I got it down to a final 43.5 seconds. The best out of all my friends (stock and modified) ended up being 39.7 so we all did really well and I beat the other "newbie" we had in the group so I ended up being happy.
Overall it was really fun and I got 4 legitimate runs in after I got the track down. I wish I had time to let the tires and car cool between each run but since we we doing quick launches I had to keep going.
With all things considered in my car: First time out, heavy as hell rims, meh tires, and being an automatic I think I did really well. =) Can't wait to go back again soon!

 

[Tom_Mazda2]

Can't wait to go back again soon!

Nice to see everything worked out and you had fun. Racing is an addiction and once it gets into your blood you'll do just about anything to get back on the track and get faster lap times.

i.e. time to mod lol!

 

[Minimazda]

Nice to see everything worked out and you had fun. Racing is an addiction and once it gets into your blood you'll do just about anything to get back on the track and get faster lap times.

i.e. time to mod lol!

I've got so many mods coming! All I need to do after my last few power mods get put on is focus on the handling side of the car more. Sway bar and torsion bar are next then some nice tires and rims =) and a front lip.