Originally Posted by white_n_slow
the whole point of the A/C thing is just to make you forget about the gas and focus more on your line. It has less to do with power output (obviously, more power is better, all other factors being equal) and more to do with the psychological affects of driving a pokey car.
Regardless of the reasoning, its proven to work on nooby racers and more experienced guys trying to get a little better. I think rick is commenting on the relative scarcity of WOT opportunities just to demonstrate the importance of precise driving... just to show that power really isn't important.
keys to a good time (in order of importance):
1. driver
2. tires
3. driver
4. suspension/allignment
5. driver
6. power
I've never tried the A/C thing myself or recommended it, but I have told a few novice drivers after riding with them - "you know, if you don't try so hard to go fast, you will go faster."
My laundry list of first-time autocrosser advice is here -
http://accordinglydone.com/forum/sho...&threadid=4170
- it's the 6th reply on the 1st page.