What Loren said.

I had a year and about 10 autoX events before I ever did my first DE and was extremely thankful for it. I found the 50 second or so autoX course to be more "intense" than a DE at Sebring based on how quick each set of cones come up, and learned to control the car and learned how to drive "smoothly", where snappy steering inputs and on/off switch throttle would put me sideways.

I also attribute my recovery of my slide into Turn 17 on my first DE to AutoX where I was able to feel where the back end was coming out during my run and being able to control the slide. Much better place to safely explore the limits of your car, and yourself.

 

I am typically pretty comfortable at speed in my car especially on a road course type event. My first EVER track day was in my EK civic at Homestead and didnt have any hickups, Im typically pretty good at feeling my car out, but Im not going to say I dont have anything to learn, I have TOOONNNSS to learn still. My only worry with this car is that its FAST, I have only driven it down the street a couple times and its a CRX. I havent driven something with that short of a wheelbase, I imagine it will be great at auto-x, but Ill be a little timid out on the road course with the car the first time.

As with anything, with more seat time, Ill get used to the car. We will be attending the Porsche vs BMW auto-x in zephyrhills on Dec 11 for our first shake down run. We are getting the Azenis RT615-K to start with and getting the car aligned and maybe corner balanced at Cars N Concepts and then Tuned by Alpha at Induction Performance.

 

autox is a good start like I mentioned but if you are more serious about driving out of second gear I wouldnt do it as much.

The driving style is much different and is less smooth in comparison making it a harder transition on the track.

Im glad you caught your slide in 17 smb, I have seen that not work out so well last year at the time attack for some.

 

I can't agree with this. If you haven't figured out how to autocross smoothly, you'll be a danger to yourself and others on the track when you start exploring the limits.

 

+1 Loren

30 years of autocross experience have shown me that autocrossers make far better road racers. The transition from autocross to road racing is far easier than road racing to autocross. Most road racers have a very difficult time at their first autocrosses.

The key element to getting the quickest time in autocross is smoothness. 2 prime local examples. Dan Shields and Elliot Harvey. Both at multi time National Champions in autocross. Watch them, get a ride with Dan.

2 local drivers who began their driving careers in autocross and became very successful road racers are Randy Pobst and Jeff Altenberger. Phil Currin started in autocross, raced Corvettes for many years, and won the IMSA GTO championship in the 70's. Phil is currently autocrossing a MR2, Attached is a photo of Pjil and his IMSA GTO championship winning car.[ATTACH=CONFIG]173526[/ATTACH]

 

You can disagree and Im fine with it, Im not knocking autox. I autox'd for a few years before I road raced but mostly because of the cost difference.

I have to say your comment about exploring the limits and not being able to do it without being smooth in autox is comical.

I have obviously come into an AUTOX forum and not a road race/autox forum.

Im not going to start saying things about autox outside I think its a good place to start getting your feet wet. I mentioned if you wanted to be serious about "road racing" I wouldnt spend a lot of time autoxing "driving styles are different", regardless of 3 people that were mentioned that were able to do both very well. I didnt see you mention the fact these indviduals were actually not just weekend club racers like most and more serious about it going into professional ranks.

How many track events have either of you done? 30 years of autox experience lola with the comments made should make you ready to go to the World Challenge ranks right? Maybe even dominate Grand-Am?

 

Road racing adds elements that are not present in autocross, such as dealing with traffic and driving "alternate lines" to make passes and such. I wouldn't expect a driver with any amount of autocross experience to instantly be the best at actual RACING.

But, any GOOD autocrosser is "smooth". If you autocrossed for a few years, you should know this. Smooth = fast at an autocross. Smooth = fast AND safe on a race track. Smoothness and being familiar with how to handle a car at and beyond its limits are extremely valuable skills on a racetrack.

How many track events have I done? Not that it's relevant to this discussion, but I've lost count. I started doing track events in 2002, and I've done track events, time trails and races on about a dozen different tracks across the US in at least 7 different cars. I'm not "just an autocrosser", thanks for playing.

I've seen, ridden with, and competed against drivers with and without autocross experience on racetracks. When sharing the track with someone who has never been on a track before, I'd always prefer to share the track with someone who has autocross experience than one who doesn't. The more the better.

 

Thanks for playing? What are you 12?

I asked a question that was simple enough and you take it as some type of game....which by the way is relevant to the discussion if you are going to say the things you are.

You have competed against drivers that were and werent autocrossers at racetracks? So outside of time trials what class have you competed in? IT, ST, GT?? Time trials isnt exactly competing w2w now is it?


Im not surprised this portion of the the forum is as small as it is with someone like you moderating.


Good luck to you and your buddy with your parking lot racing, I wont disturb all the knowledge going on in this forum.

 

No!!! Please don't leave. Us parking lot racers need someone awesome like you to look up to and gain knowledge!!!

 

It is to bad you guys act this way when someone has a different opinion.