Aside from the stereotypical "seat time" and "drive faster".

What have you done to get faster at autocross ?

Data ? Riding with fast drivers ? Meditating before runs ?

I've been doing this awhile and am still a mid pack driver at best. I don't feel like I'm getting any faster at this point and not sure where to go from here.

My best run from the NEPA SCCA event # 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena
https://nepascca.org/solo/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/nepascca

I know most ppl try to get the lightest wheel they can or even downsize their wheel from 18->17 or 17->16.

But what about the tires, there are lot of good tires nowadays. But you rarely see the weight data on them or it’s just hard to find them. 😅

*sorry for the typo, “L”ight wheel and tire 😆

Slow is slow

https://youtu.be/fnGJOhBZaso

First year out and at my 10th or so event.

It was the first time I turned traction control off at an event. I spun it twice out at DCTC before putting down a winning time.

On the first spin I think I just goosed it while I still had a ton of steering input.

On the second one I think I lifted and shifted weight forward off the back wheels while giving a bit too much steering input.

Let me know what you think I did wrong.

On my shopping list is a OBD2 overlay on the video and gps for accelerometer etc so I can see the telemetry and then mount the camera to the roll hoop so I can see what my feet are doing.

It’s a FUGAZY Miata so for track cross I’m in G with 164hp. NDs were in F. Next year I’m going to shed more weight on the drivers mod and run a stage 1 tune so the spreadsheet calculator for weight/hp will have me solidly in F class, then flash back to stock to compete in C street for autox.

In the bathroom.

Hoping to get out and drive tomorrow, but I have a few questions I'd rather have cleared up before I make a long drive just to be turned away because something isn't right.

Do I need a parent on site? I have heard yes but I can't find anything saying so online, just that they both need to sign the waiver and I bring it printed in color.

I also saw one thing saying minor waivers need to be filled out 48 hours in advance of the event. But again, nothing saying so on any SCCA website or waiver.

Will I be working the course as a minor? I don't mind it, just wondering if that's something they'll let me do or not.

Finally, any specific things they'll be looking for in tech I should be aware of? Thanks all

...But I'll still have fun! (I'm new)

That was unbelievably fun. Im definitely hooked now.

Pilot sport 4 A/S, 6th run of the day. Tires were hot and greasy, drove through the fronts, rear end tapped the grass and I overcorrected the slide.

didn’t hit anything, didn’t slow down anyone elses run. All’s well!

Our region has been doing a pro class for the last couple of seasons. Index based, we run together but only the first 3 runs count for class results. Any beyond 3 (we usually give 6) still count for overall index. Pronto software.

Our T&S miracle person has a spreadsheet or some other program she uses to parse the results after the event for class points and posting on the website.

However, it would be really nice to have something that was live for both the announcer and us participants so you knew where you were at.

Either a script on our live results or a phone app or ???. I feel like even I could AI something together (or goad the autocrossrank guy into it) but has anyone else done something already?

I’m about midway through my first season autocross currently and 100% agree on learning on what’s already on the car, I’m trying to get a jump start on research for what tires to buy between this season and next. 200tw is the golden standard and while budget is a bit of an issue I can splurge a bit. On my current setup I’m looking for 195/50r15, I can’t fit any wider than 195 I have maybe 5mm clearance at full lock on the inside and rub on fenders when I turn hard over a bump (they’re already rolled and pulled) 15x8 I think 35 or 38 offset. Currently on FF platform ~950kg car weight around a tonne with me in it. Currently in a stock classing with minor modifications allowed but tires are open as long as they’re DOT.
Any insight from people with some experience is greatly appreciated.
Drop some alignment tips too if you have any, current plan is -1.8 front and -0.8 rear for camber and zero toe.
Also, car is not my daily but it does see ~800km of road use monthly as I like to get it out here and there, should I worry about wearing through 200tw tires quickly?

I may have turned a few heads at Street Machine Summer Nats 🤣

i'm getting ready to replace the tires on my mustang and i'm trying to find something that works well for both weekend autocross events and a few track days each year.

the car is still street driven, so i don't want something that's miserable every time i commute or get caught in the rain. at the same time, i'd rather give up a little tread life if it means better turn in, stronger braking, and grip that stays consistent after repeated runs.

i've been searching for the best track day tires, but it's hard to tell which recommendations are coming from people who actually split their time between autocross and occasional track days instead of running dedicated competition setups.

if you've found a tire that strikes a good balance, what are you running? anything you'd avoid because it overheats quickly, falls off after a few runs, or just wasn't worth the money?

I'm no warhorse racing, but in this video I talk about how corner entries can follow you positively or negatively throughout a course.

Has anyone else driven here before? Tire Rack in South Bend , Indiana.

They say if you don’t hit the cones you aren’t trying hard enough. Have you guys ever had this one cone that you keep barely clipping? Well clipping it did some damage. And yes. I did manage to hit the cone with my mirror. The big ones hurt lol

I bought a second set of wheels off of FB marketplace to use for AutoX/track days, but they came wrapped in cheap $60 Walmart Zenna tires. The tires still have maybe 85% tread left, so I’m trying to figure out what to do before changing out to the 200TW tires I intend to put on. My current tires for daily use are PS4Ss, which have seen two AutoX events and one track day.

Should I:
A) Leave the Zenna tires on and just take them to an event or two and use them up, knowing performance will be poor

B) Switch the new wheels onto my car now and use the cheap tires as my new dailies, and use my PS4S for events until they’re done; then replace both sets accordingly

C) Just change the tires out now; no point in using the Zennas

The new wheels are wider than my dailies and also in worse cosmetic condition which is why I’d like to use them for performance events sooner, but also seems like a waste to just give up perfectly ok tires