how bad will I do?
Thread Starter
HAN Approved Vendor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Austin
how bad will I do?
hi all, n00b here w/ an accord, will auto-x next month.. scared like crazy.. well, a little..
anyway, i have 94 sedan accord, koni yellows and GC, SP rear sway, and stock tires (still good)..
now, how should i set my koni shocks? and how afraid should i be?
anyway, i have 94 sedan accord, koni yellows and GC, SP rear sway, and stock tires (still good)..
now, how should i set my koni shocks? and how afraid should i be?
Honorary Moderator Alumni
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 0
From: Someplace with cones=AUTO
Read my help page in my sig. Don't be afraid just be prepared to be a bit humbled your first couple of times out 
It is major fun though!
It is major fun though!
__________________
Sponsored by: KAM Racing Sports, Falken Tires, Progress Technology, Brady's High Performance, Taggart Performance Engineering, Rotora Brakes
Autocross is: 90% driver, 5% car, & 5% CRAZY MOJO!
Autocross Help Page
Sponsored by: KAM Racing Sports, Falken Tires, Progress Technology, Brady's High Performance, Taggart Performance Engineering, Rotora Brakes
Autocross is: 90% driver, 5% car, & 5% CRAZY MOJO!
Autocross Help Page
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta/Statesboro
I'm in the same shoose buddy. I will take my 01 accord sedan for my first autox in two weeks. I'm more worried about the car than anything else. Not that i'll wreck but the abuse it will get.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle PA
Key pieces of advise: 1.) Have a Vet run with you on the first few runs. 2.) Talk to ppl and listen to what they have to say. 3.) Don't worry about finishing first or with the quickest time. Worry about learning you car and learning how to drive with finesse.
I've learned alot in the times that I've raced w/CivicSiRacer and it's only been 2 events. Needless to say I still need lots of work but it's all about having fun and being safe while doing it.
polaktl--have faith in your car, it's a lightly moded Honda, you can beat the snot out of them for sure. It's when you start doing major mods (ie. F/I, N/A motor build ups) that you really have to worry about abuse. Major mods almost guarantee pblms. at some point or another.
Anyways, I hope you all have a blast while your out there doin you thing. Good Luck :-)
I've learned alot in the times that I've raced w/CivicSiRacer and it's only been 2 events. Needless to say I still need lots of work but it's all about having fun and being safe while doing it.
polaktl--have faith in your car, it's a lightly moded Honda, you can beat the snot out of them for sure. It's when you start doing major mods (ie. F/I, N/A motor build ups) that you really have to worry about abuse. Major mods almost guarantee pblms. at some point or another.
Anyways, I hope you all have a blast while your out there doin you thing. Good Luck :-)
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,908
Likes: 0
From: Location Location
Treat the steering wheel, gas pedal, brake pedal as individuals who don't like to talk to each other.
If you're turning then you shouldn't be on the brakes or the gas. If you are going straight well you should be on the gas
If you are braking then you shouldn't be on the gas or the brakes.
This isn't true for pros like CivicSiRacer but should be the rule for first timers/newbies.
And slow the F-down! if you're understeering through the corner slow down by 5mph or more and hug the inside of the corner.
Lastly look ahead so you know whatt's coming up and you are not reacting to what's coming up but proactively setting up the car or settling the car for what's coming up.
I went from a 32.0x run in one run to 31.0x just by settling the suspension and not upsetting it and I'm by no means fast.
For example there was this one SE-R (new one) and he was understeering like a mofo around the clover leaf loop. So next time he came up for his run (I was the starter) I told him slow to what it feels like a crawl through the whole turn. He listened but he was on the gas as soon as he passed the apex so he was still coming out wide.
On his next run I told him don't get on the gas til your out of the turn and heading straight. He shaved 3 seconds total off with that. Then during the fun run I checked his tire pressure and it was at 52PSI! I told him to drop that bish to 45-44 and he shaved another second off and his fastest during the fun run was 34.9x. From a 37.9x that's not bad for a first time autoxer
If you're turning then you shouldn't be on the brakes or the gas. If you are going straight well you should be on the gas
If you are braking then you shouldn't be on the gas or the brakes.
This isn't true for pros like CivicSiRacer but should be the rule for first timers/newbies.
And slow the F-down! if you're understeering through the corner slow down by 5mph or more and hug the inside of the corner.
Lastly look ahead so you know whatt's coming up and you are not reacting to what's coming up but proactively setting up the car or settling the car for what's coming up.
I went from a 32.0x run in one run to 31.0x just by settling the suspension and not upsetting it and I'm by no means fast.
For example there was this one SE-R (new one) and he was understeering like a mofo around the clover leaf loop. So next time he came up for his run (I was the starter) I told him slow to what it feels like a crawl through the whole turn. He listened but he was on the gas as soon as he passed the apex so he was still coming out wide.
On his next run I told him don't get on the gas til your out of the turn and heading straight. He shaved 3 seconds total off with that. Then during the fun run I checked his tire pressure and it was at 52PSI! I told him to drop that bish to 45-44 and he shaved another second off and his fastest during the fun run was 34.9x. From a 37.9x that's not bad for a first time autoxer
__________________
'00 Dakar Bus CRS Edition
LCD Squad #0001
'00 Dakar Bus CRS Edition
LCD Squad #0001
Originally Posted by WiLL
...I really wanna get out and shoot people.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Coneville
Here are the most important things a first time autocrosser can do:
1) Ask lots of questions. Autocrossers are friendly and want to help you get better. But make sure you are asking when they aren't too busy. If someone looks lost in thought or has their eyes closed don't bother them.
2) Walk the course - A LOT!!! If you can't close your eyes and play the whole course back in your mind then you haven't walked enough.
3) Don't worry about car setup!!! Other than making sure you have everything cleaned out of the interior and the trunk and that you have 40 psi in the tires don't touch the car. Autocross is 90% driver skill - work on that and you will be faster sooner
4) Be humble. Almost no one does well at their first autocross. Don't expect to stand out either because of your mad skillz or because of your bling bling car. But, on the other hand, no one is really watching so if you make big mistakes out there no one but you will make a big deal about it. Relax.
5) DO NOT DRIVE LIKE AN IDIOT ENTERING OR LEAVING THE LOT. Autocross sites are very hard to come by. If you piss off the neighbors you won't make it easier to keep the lot. Drive sensibly and responsibly and slowly when not on the course. Remember there is no tire warming allowed before entering the course. DO NOT try going in circles to heat your tires. Leave that for the NASCAR guys.
6) Have fun. This is the most important point. While autocross is a competition its an AMATUER competition and the only reason we do it is to have fun. If you are not having fun because you are confused about the course or the rules ASK SOMEONE. But make sure you have fun.
Good luck and regards,
Alan
1) Ask lots of questions. Autocrossers are friendly and want to help you get better. But make sure you are asking when they aren't too busy. If someone looks lost in thought or has their eyes closed don't bother them.
2) Walk the course - A LOT!!! If you can't close your eyes and play the whole course back in your mind then you haven't walked enough.
3) Don't worry about car setup!!! Other than making sure you have everything cleaned out of the interior and the trunk and that you have 40 psi in the tires don't touch the car. Autocross is 90% driver skill - work on that and you will be faster sooner
4) Be humble. Almost no one does well at their first autocross. Don't expect to stand out either because of your mad skillz or because of your bling bling car. But, on the other hand, no one is really watching so if you make big mistakes out there no one but you will make a big deal about it. Relax.
5) DO NOT DRIVE LIKE AN IDIOT ENTERING OR LEAVING THE LOT. Autocross sites are very hard to come by. If you piss off the neighbors you won't make it easier to keep the lot. Drive sensibly and responsibly and slowly when not on the course. Remember there is no tire warming allowed before entering the course. DO NOT try going in circles to heat your tires. Leave that for the NASCAR guys.
6) Have fun. This is the most important point. While autocross is a competition its an AMATUER competition and the only reason we do it is to have fun. If you are not having fun because you are confused about the course or the rules ASK SOMEONE. But make sure you have fun.
Good luck and regards,
Alan