Alrighty. Pressures adjusted when cold, all crap out of the car, all fluids and whatnot checked, as well as exhaust hangers. Expect pictures tomorrow (hopefully).
Alrighty. Pressures adjusted when cold, all crap out of the car, all fluids and whatnot checked, as well as exhaust hangers. Expect pictures tomorrow (hopefully).
Training wheels are off this time, we're expecting FTD now 
Good! Keep it up. If you were around here I'd let you take a run in the Miata.
More useful for you though would be to get one of your local experienced drivers to drive your car. You'll be able to see where they are making up time on course.
Well, I have a terrible sense of direction. DNF'd 3/4 runs, and came dead last on the clean one. What was even more surprising was my buddy, who beat a rather quick driver in a Golf on his first time out, and came within two seconds of an XJ8 piloted by a seasoned club member. Hopefully I'll have better luck next time in terms of direction, but either way, I had way too much fun for the money.
Been auto-x-ing for 10 years now and have done a lot of instruction.
Sounds like your think-game is what let you down a little. Dont fret, MANY (most) new auto-x-ers fight the same fight.
Focus more on your course walk.
Recognize the "key cones", the ones that are your active constraints.
Learn to look around the ones that are just "noise", they are there, but they dont really impact the line you are trying to run. some are just pointers, some are just there to look pretty. (I.E. both cones on a gate will not be your active constraint, only one might be)
Memorize the key cones. You need to train yourself so that you know whats coming before you even see it.
Dont be reactive, be anticipatory.
Your goal for the coursewalk is to be able to close your eyes and do an imaginary run in your head. Know the course well enough to do that. Redo the closing of eyes and running the course in your head several times between your walk and running. Try to do it at least once when belted in your car right before you run.
Master that first. In order to win, first you must finish and in auto-x that means on course.
After you get that, its time to work on pushing the car, lines, and feel. Smooth, confident motions. Dont just jerk the car to the limit, you will overshoot and slide. Bring the car there and balance it on the edge of grip.
Lines, 99% of the time, late apex all the things. look to every element and plot how you are going to exit the turn with getting on the power as early as possible. If you get the exit right, the entrance will have come together naturally. (no stabby-stabby on the brakes!)
Thats my condensed general instruction for auto-x.
After doing rallycross, I figure the first time I do an autocross, I'm going to get totally lost in the sea of cones. At least for rallycross, you can see the worn spots on the dirt to know where to go!
What really helped me out a lot, was having a codriver that acted like a rally co driver. Yelled at me where to be looking which made a 3 second difference in my lap times. Helps to stay on course, but really pushed the fact I was focusing to much directly in front of me instead of farther out.
My first lap is still garbage time, but after that they pick up nicely.
Take a pen and some paper, walk the course until you can draw it from memory. Maybe show up early and help setup for some extra walk time as well.
RevRico wrote: What really helped me out a lot, was having a codriver that acted like a rally co driver. Yelled at me where to be looking which made a 3 second difference in my lap times.
Yep, this x10. Hard not to look where someone is pointing (thanks human nature).
Here's a trick:
When doing the course walk, picture yourself in the car. When you come to key points in the course, stop for a second. Squat a bit if needed to get your head at the same level as it would be sitting in the driver seat. Take a look around, and make a mental note to say, "when I get here, and see this, I will next look there". Actually practice the workflow with your eyes.
You'll get it.
Looks like one of my friends got some pics!
Majestic.
To add to Robbie's visualization comment, when you're there recognizing the key cone and the line forward, put emphasis on the important ones, point at them if you have to. When I gave novice course walks I would go "which cone is important HERE?" and draw attention to it, it helps cement the location and the view in your head for later.
We line our courses with crushed limestone "field marker". Newbies LOVE it as the lines simulate a roadcourse and they let lost much less often.
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