| Author |
Message |
Brian Kennedy (Kennedy)
Junior Member
Username: Kennedy
Post Number: 65
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 9:42 pm: | |
Yes, I autocross; in both my M3 and my 360. However, I mostly just do the autocross schools. Why? Much more drive time than your typical competitive autocross.
Autocross is a different experience than track. Autocross is much more at the limit... if you're not drifting, you're wastin' time! They don't build slaloms on tracks like they do in autocross. Until you've autocrossed a while, you just can't believe how fast you can get a car to slalom!
Autocross is a great way to learn the limits of your car... and it makes you a better driver on the track. Looping a car in an autocross usually just means you have some cone rubber to wash off your car later. On track, the consequences are often much more painful.
The speeds are much lower at autocrosses (15-75mph, usually; rather than 40-140 on tracks); but the G's are higher, as you're at the limit and are operating at lower gears. Top drivers are known to go through maneuvers where they take the car around the entire friction circle right at the limit, all in under 5 seconds!
The best autocross schools are run by Evolution... http://autocross.com/evolution/ ... where you'll have a national champion autocrosser in the car with you! You can find lots of other autocross info at autocross.com as well. The SCCA, BMWCCA, and PCA commonly hold autocrosses. Other groups form in different areas as well.
Most Ferrari's are too wide and too heavy to be great autocrossers. Worse, they are often classed like they're world-beaters. But Ferraris are an absolute blast to drive fast... and where else can you truly take it to the limit without fear of harming it?!? Just do it!!
HTH,
Brian
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Jack (Gilles27)
Junior Member
Username: Gilles27
Post Number: 141
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 9:32 pm: | |
Tim, another alternative is to get licensed and find a reputable "arrive and drive" outfit for track racing. Terry is right about autocrossing, but it left me wanting direct competition. Plus you save the wear and tear on your own car. |
Ken (Allyn)
Member
Username: Allyn
Post Number: 360
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 9:31 pm: | |
Ferrais are expensive to autocross effectively in the lower classes; paint chips from cones, setting it up for track as opposed to road, etc. Buy an RX7, Supra, Eagle Talon, (Lotus Europa *S*) etc and you'll be better off...or if you're really in to it, do what some guys here have done and build a Ferrari expressly to race. I realize there are Ferrari owners here who do track their cars; perhaps they can chime in with the relative merits (costs) of this and if it's worth it for the average Ferrari owner weekend warrior. |
Terry Springer (Tspringer)
New member
Username: Tspringer
Post Number: 16
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 9:19 pm: | |
I have done a fair amount of autocross. Both SCCA and PCA. Its fun, but its also a ton of standing around for a tiny bit of track time. I would highly recommend it as a prelude to getting into track driving or racing as autocross will really let you learn car control and the "feel" of driving on the limit in a very safe environment. Early 911's make great autocross cars, low weight and high relative power. Weight is the key in autocross.
Terry |
Jack (Gilles27)
Junior Member
Username: Gilles27
Post Number: 137
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 9:09 pm: | |
Check with your region of the SCCA. They have a pretty extensive autocross calendar. Their site is www.scca.org |
Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 793
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 6:49 pm: | |
Is anyone involved in autocrossing, in any kind of car? It seems like something i want to get into. Does anyone have any information on how to do this? |
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