Rookie Mistakes When Autocrossing Your Car
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- Опубліковано 22 гру 2024
- Participating in a local autocross event is something almost anyone with a decent set of wheels can enjoy. It's also a haven for rookie mistakes. Here are some of the most common rookie mistakes to look out for at your next autocross event. If you think of yourself as a veteran of autocross and have your own rookie mistake to share, drop a comment below and let us know!
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#rookiemistakes #autocross #fitmentindustries
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Yes
I'm glade you liked our Sea Of Cones ,Autocross Documentary Video. I noticed the the San Diego Autocross Sample videos..LOL
The guy in the corvette needs those Wheels more than I do. You should give them away to him
Maybe even a new suspension.
BOGUS! 😂
He doesn't deserve them 😂
What the fuck was he doing... Did he yank the handbrake and clutch kick? Haha
who the hell makes an autocross course 10 feet from a curb?!?! Never in my life have I seen that
Autrocross: a good excuse to upgrade your parts
@Clay S. very true. Street (stock) class is great for getting your skills up and you can do a hand few of modifications in case you can’t control yourself😂😂
Lol accurate about to start in my stock Miata soon
The only real dumb mistake I've ever made at an autocross event was forgetting to bring a tire pressure gauge and air compressor. While auto-crossing, your tire pressure can change because your tires are getting hot and the heat can increase the pressure in your tires. After my 3rd lap on Willow Springs I found my car sliding a lot more than the previous 2 laps, so I pulled off. I had to release air from my tires to get them down to 35lbs 3 times throughout the day, but when the event ended and my tires went back to a normal temperature I found I needed to pump the pressure back up and the nearest gas station was miles away.
Also, being a Californian, we drive everywhere in sandals or barefoot. I have gone to auto-cross events where people don't bring proper shoes...don't be that guy.
You should also clear out everything in your car because while going around a track EVERYTHING will come loose. That can in the very back of your car? Prepare for it to be under your brake pedal if you don't remove it.
I'd also invest in a good helmet, gloves, and actual driving shoes. When I got into auto-cross all that stuff was 3X as expensive as it is now. Just spend the money. Also, bring a jack and some stands and a breaker bar/torque wrench. Even if you don't end up using them, you will be a hero for someone that needs them.
Otherwise, oil change, make sure your fluids are all topped off, your tires have some decent tread, and your brakes have some bite in them and prepare to become addicted to just about the most fun you can have legally in a car.
Great input from someone with some killer ass experience 😂
60 to 12 haha literally impossible. I have auto x and tracked from age of 18 and I'm 33 and never seen anyones tires go up more than 6 to maybe 10 psi. In full competition events with some of the fastest amateur drivers in the world. We all pretty much start at about 5-7 psi from target psi. And rarely is anyone using nitrogen. Those that I've seen run it are slow anyways and are looking for an advantage that doesn't exist.
I never seen anyone use nitrogen before. Might be because it's just too expensive and too heavy to bring a tank of nitrogen to events when air is free. And 60psi is a lot. It sounds like you're running tire pressures 50+psi cold or you went out there with a faulty tire pressure gauge, which is never fun. Was tracking with a Vette guy and he was having unstable car issues due to his tire gauge failing to read correctly. And if you're tires are all the way down to 12psi from 35psi, it sounds like you ran over a nail and developed a slow leak or again, failing gauge. This is why I would highly recommend getting an electric air pump (like what I have, a Ryobi P737) and a really good tire pressure gauge like the ones I bought from Pegasus Racing Equipment. While the gauges are expensive (I think mine costed $50 for just the gauge), the Ryobi pump is fairly cheap. Both great investments and tools for the hobby we do. Some event organizations even have air pumps to use too along with most race tracks providing free air.
Clayton Yates every Costco or tire pro in California has nitrogen for your tires. It’s super common out here.
PiroFyre my first time at the track I had to pull off the track probably 3 times to air down throughout the day. The first time my tire pressure was crazy high, the second and third were just minor corrections. Also, Willow Springs is in the California desert, the temperature on the track that day was well in excess of 100 and the asphalt temps where way up there.
We all think we are great drivers...your 1st autox is very humbling and addictive
I think you mean your 1st 50
People being to quick to modify their car to compensate for bad driving is one of the biggest mistakes I see in autocross. This is probably the hardest thing to learn in this motorsport. 9 times out of 10 people are out driven not out engineered. Having experienced drivers beat you in your own car by 2 to 3 seconds makes this pretty apparent. lol
Need to learn how the car handles stock before you start modding. Good drivers can get away with it, but they'll still learn more about the car with time. Gotta dial it in, not just guess!
First mistake is thinking the cones won't mess up your paint. A cone strike in the right place can do some real damage to the paint.
You can't just traumatise people with that opening!
Ya that into messed my day up!
I like the reference to Tokyo drift. "Making sure your Tabasco sauce is tightly packed away in case you were to tip over". Lol that's great
I was looking to see if anybody else got it hat reference!
Honda fit is a great autocross vehicle because of the chassis rigidity.
See #Gridlife FitSpec (its an actual competitive class)
Lowie T correct, my uncle had 2 fits. One 1st gen and one 3rd gen. He put slicks on it and was competing with high end cars, and that was with a automatic transmission.
Short wheel base is one of the most important things in autox any short wheel base car that doesnt tip over will beat even a longer Porsche with less turning radius lol
@@invertedv12powerhouse77 true
LOwOie I mean yes unless you’re trying to win a national championship
Number one tip: look ahead at where you want to be, don't look at the cone right in front of you. As you see the course you will naturally set up for the following corners. Your inputs will smooth. Your head will learn to move with your eyes. Learning to do this alone can bring most people up to pace and able to graduate from novice class.
I have been doing autox for around 15 yrs. Some great tips. My top tips are: Prepare the day before by checking tire pressures, checking fluids, remove anything loose (floor mats). Torque your lugs to spec. Bring a cooler with water, snacks and sunscreen and an umbrella. Bring a helmet and numbers or tape to put numbers on the car. Show up right on time and walk and study the course as much as possible. Ask others to ride with them on their first two runs when they when it is unlikely they will be competitive. (I often see new drivers getting lost on course.)
Try not to overdrive. You want to stay at the limit and not go past it. Try to drive fast and smooth. Don't hit the timing gear as it will end the day and be costly.
Lastly get some sticky tires if you want to be competitive. Bridgestone RE71R are by far the most popular up here in Victoria BC Canada.
Do they have a class for trucks I have a 2011 gmc Canyon with a 4 cylinder ?
@@jerryjohanan1940 You can definitely run your truck and will get classed appropriately. A buddy used to bring his Supercharded TRD manual Tacoma out for fun. We are hoping to get started again in May if restrictions ease.
Just took my 13 FRS to my first autox today. Running again tomorrow. Had an absolute blast today. Community is great, everyone was eager to help and I rode with a bunch of people before my runs on the course and took some vets with me on my first runs. It is extremely fun and easy to pick up on. If you are hesitating dont. Just go and enjoy the experience. I'm glad I did and now I'm hooked.
Randy Pobst drove my car at autocross last weekend. It was awesome!
He won a championship last year in the car I drove for the 4 seasons before that. He's a great driver and an even better human being. Everyone loves Randy Pobst :)
@@chkltcow the lamborabbit?
@@zexiali6483 Yup... "Lamborbunni" :) I'm back in it for Nationals this year
😂
Zexia Li Randy is an awesome dude!
1:17 To be fair, that was actually a pretty good recovery
I've been doing autocross in my 06 GTO for years loved it everytime always improving with every event attended bonus we had the owner of willwood brakes sponsor the event
2 more tips; have good (unworn out) tires, and try to have as close to stock suspension as you can, that way you can improve it as you learn the reach the car's current limits. I've seen too many people throw a ton of parts all at once and be slower than stock cars and got frustrated
sephiroth1386 on the flip side, don’t do a me and don’t run your first event on Hoosiers
One big thing that helped me get faster on the track was realizing the importance of steering with the wheel *and* the throttle. Smooth steering wheel control keeps you gripped, but smooth throttle control is essential for speed.
My biggest advice for novices that haven't done a single event yet to having done a few events is navigation. You'll find out that even after walking the course, you'll still get lost. Because if you get lost, you end up slowing the whole event down and the 1-2 cars that went after you will need a re-run. It's good to walk the course to get a feel but for sure, you won't remember most of the turns. So navigation is very important and would be the first thing I tell anyone new to this whole shindig that's called autox.
Other then that, the M2 Comp Lars drives looks good. He should get some grippy tires like RE71Rs though to help him gain some confidence behind the wheel. But of course, the pavement at Road America Motorplex isn't exactly ideal for cars as it's less grippy than a parking lot.
Great video and lots of good tips and great to see Qualcomm stadium in San Diego courtesy the ">Toronto" clips. I instructed for years and I would say the biggest takeaways I would try to teach was: USE your brakes, (I was surprised how many people were starting to show up and said they thought it would be faster to just "turn the wheel"). This leads me to, a LARGE part of the new drivers THINK their cars understeer terribly, when in reality it's because they did not slow enough for the corner so they crank the wheel harder hoping it will work. And LASTLY, as you mentioned, get someone fast or good to drive your car. They can tell you if it is set up right AND if they beat you by 5 seconds, save your money on go fast parts UNTIL you learn how to drive what you have!! THEN you will be Blazin when you get the go fast goodies!!
I’m in line right now to do my next run hilarious that I see this now
Alex is still in character from that one car meet video lmao
This is a great video about the sport! I usually tell people the biggest regret you'll have going to an autocross is that you didn't try it sooner!
Turning wheels even more when you are understeering is the hardest thing to overcome I think
You really have a reflex to just turn more when car isnt turning when the opposite thing helps
Krzysztof Dolecki yup, I still remind myself “unwind the wheel”
I'm going autocross this Sunday, if this comment gets 70 likes I'll bring my base model Nissan Versa (instead of Porsche gt4) and film.
Got 10 lol 😂🙏🏼
You'll probably learn more in the Versa
Versa gang
run stock tires 1st timers , dont be afraid to slam on the brake slidding your tires isnt gonna get fastiest times run close as possible to the cones find the apex of each turn
Aside from the sun screen, I think the most important tip is..... just get out there and do it. A lot of people overthink the preparation phase and get stuck on needing 200 treadwear tires or coilovers or big brakes or whatever. All you need is a car that’s safe to operate on the road. Check fluids, tire pressures, and wheel nut/bolt torque and go have fun. There is no better place to get in tune with how your car behaves at the limits of traction than at an autocross.
The only thing i actually recomend car setup wise (and i clearify its not absolutely needed)
Is good 200 tw tires thats all a car will be an absolute blast on 200tw 🤣 any car!
@@freedom24v86 cept they automatically put you in another class with 200 or less tw
Doesn’t matter what you have bring it out to your local event and have some fun, I started with a Jetta turbo wagon and now I have a dedicated mk7 gti that I started at national events;most importantly Have Fun with your car!!!
Never done this, but I've been told by my local wheel/tire dealer that it's a great way to learn the limits of your car. (new owner to a big bore v6 rwd coupe that is also the fastest car he's ever driven owned himself)
GTpro if it’s a v6 mustang he is on crack.
@@mrsmagik1680 Genesis Coupe R-SPEC actually.
GTpro ahh good choice those are very nice
Yup! I highly recommend it!
Got my first autocross event next week, had to get some tips wish me luck, driving my 02 civic coupe NA bolton
Luckily... here in the PNW we have airstrips for our events lol
Thats Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA. I've seen an ISF lose control and fly over that same curb and t-bone a civic on the other side.
Diego Tobar dude in the civic must have been happy asf
Rip civic
and most the other Videos are San Diego SCCA.I know the guys in the video..LOL
A lot of that footage is from Qualcomm stadium parking lot I use to go there all the time to watch them sucks they are gonna take the stadium away in a few years
Great video! I'm actually trying to build a car for autocross at the moment so this video was just what i needed! Those sweet Cosmis wheels I picked up from you guys will be getting a workout very soon! Thanks again!
Pro tip: don't build the car😂. Just make sure it works. Afterwards you can purchase more parts gradually and you get better faster that way
Do you guys know if there is a course around Los Angeles???
Not sure!
Yes! CalClub!
My first AutoCross is this Sunday 29th WOOOOT im such a rooky noob never been to one
There is an old autocross video where a Corvette at an autocross event hits a by-standard that was taking pictures.
The single hardest thing to beat into someone's head as far as "mistakes n00bs make" is....
"Turning the wheel more will NOT fix understeer. It will make it worse. Unwind the wheel until your tires start doing something again."
Let's also throw in a "You need to sit closer to the wheel" and a "No, you have to brake first, THEN turn.. not the other way around". Round it off with a "You don't have to hold your car in gear.. keep that hand on the wheel" and we've hit all the top things I have to say while instructing.
I've never even experienced understeer before so if I'm honest I didn't know how to correct for it
holy shit yeah. I bet so many crashes on the road couldve been prevented if instead of turning the wheel to lock, they wouldve unwinded it until the tyres started doing something.
@@whysoslow1999 It's completely counter-intuitive to steer less to turn more, but it's something that people have to figure out. That's why I think schools like Street Survival and BRAKES are so great!
Top tips right here
Duck I’ve actually had to tell people to get off the wheel before.
But what if I want to trail brake? :P
Awesome video guys! Love that there's another group doing videos of autocross for newbies like us! AutoX is such a fun sport. Subscribed.
my local autoX is having more Prius lately. its quite funny to watch.
Dont know why but when i seen the Corvette slide i thought it was a drift video. Lmao
cuz matt field bro
I did my first autocross this past weekend. It was an absolute blast even in my heavy and under powered A6. The understeer was frustrating as hell lol. However, I didnt break anything, didn't hit anything except a few cones, and from my first run to my second to last I shaved a bit over 9 seconds off my time. I went from a 58.7ish to 49.3 It was a ton of fun. Everyone there was very friendly and willing to give tips, ride alongs, and ride with you. I might be hooked lol
So you want a 335i...
30ff code low boost
Yes I want it... why???
because BOOST
How to change your N54 into a N52 with one code!
For a person who wants to get more into Motorsports and hasn’t raced a full size car before (coming from karting) which you guys recommend doing first, track day or auto cross.
As someone whos into 3rd season of autocross and track days, I definitely recommend autocross first. It teaches you how the car behaves at the limit and the consequence of making a mistake is very low. Ive seen people push themselves for the first time on track and wreck their cars
I really want to do some autocross next year after my car is in actual shape to do so. I'll definitely be doing some autoX when I get an Evo for sure bc I've heard those are an absolute blast
Get some new booooshings
Lured me in with a sexy fc, but autocross seems fun
Zachary Lindahl it is fun!
Good video. I'll add one thing - never put your car on the line. If there's risk of damage on a corner exit, slow down. It's not worth it.
I've not gone to autocross yet, but one thing I've always wondered is, can I go in mid season? For example, this sunday is SCCA's "Point Day #4" for the 2019 season. Do I have to wait until a test and tune day? Great vid as always dudes.
S&E Garage you can go in mid season and race but you’re not going ruin anything by just showing up. However it recommend at the start of 2010 season you attend auto cross school with the Scca in your area
Probably not gonna get a season trophy starting mid-year, but there's nothing stopping you from doing it. Just jump right in and go. Most regions have a Novice class that will get you an instructor and put you with similar novices, which is nice.
thanks for the responses guys! very helpful
Dang it I misread the title. I thought it was Rookie Mustangs Autocrossing. Now that would be a video!
I'm a truck driver and want to do this. I have a 2011 gmc Canyon with a 2.9L. So is their a class for this ?
Wish I'd stumbled across this before my first event. I thought sliding meant you were killing it, til i saw my times.
The amount of people I know in this video is crazy. Tons of National footage.
Chris D yup!
I just did my first autocross in a built bmw 335is. Seriously the most extreme sport I've done!
Just your friendly notification gang member passing by
Wadddup!
Thanks for the videos. Keep the plugs coming. 👌
If you are in central FL Martin sports car club does some great events once a month. it is cheap to enter , Don't be afraid to ask for help. they are fantastic people and very helpful in learning . If you volunteer to be an official you get the day free i think . You're car needs to have brakes that stop in a straight line with no hands on the wheel from 30 mph . No leaks obviously , All beginners will be in novice class for 3 events unless you win , then you will be classed with cars in you're group. like corvettes and 911's are in a separate class from Miata's and mini's . They had helmets last time i was there but that policy may have changed for germaphobes, so bring one. There is a stock class and novice driver will have to walk the track with the marshal before they are allowed to drive it. So get there on time good luck. One of my favorite times out there was when the leading driver got called out because his car was too fast. So he went home and got his mom's Mxima put his slicks on it,and beat all the classes by a half second . Including a viper and 3 auto Corvette's . Thus proving it is the driver and tires not the car.
They boys were amazed when I took my vibe on the windy back country roads with my d2racing suspension and continental true contacts.... I wanna see a so now wnt on it
Awesome Fitment Industries! I’ll make sure to try auto-cross!
Uploaded 25sec ago and I’m here 😂😂
Ayeeee!! 😂
here at kelowna we got thursday autocross. Thursday! like wtf@😞😆
I needed this for game
Sup Alex.. seeing a Toyota Celica drift would be great but a " so you want a Toyota Celica" video would be even better. Hint hint
Cool I'll take my dirt nasty low 94 civic..
rollthelosingdice probably wouldn’t be that bad.
I'm a shifter kart driver for the scca and I think key one is to get the jitters away. Veterans will help you out if you need anything
The Tabasco hot sauce😂 I literally stopped to watch that scene lmao
Starts at 1:55
😅
you guys should carry rota wheels
Shoot us an email at shop@fitmentindustries.com and we can see what is available for your ride!
Can you guys do a video on go karting too? Like k1 style
My few tips from experience in Autocross. 1) Have fun. 2) Open minded and ccepting criticism because you'll improve little by little each event you attend. Finally, 3) Cones will get hit, thus you will hit cones. Just have fun with your car, it's a great learning opportunity, for your first time, it's okay to go a little slow.
This video deserves more views
I never, ever, ever, ever done autocross. But moto gymkhana, yes! Should I do autocross or no?
One of the best autocrossers in my club used to be a motorcycle racer. He adapted very well.
Can you do a video on how to enter formula drift?
So my biggest thing when I first started auto crossing (and it still kinda gets me after two years) is using all the brakes. My car doesn’t have ABS, so I’ve got to be careful, but the later and harder you are on the brakes, the faster you are. Really, you want to spend as much time on the gas as possible. The sooner you get through a corner, and the later you brake, the more time you spend accelerating and the faster you go. Autox is a game of thousandths so braking 6” later could mean the difference between 1st and 2nd
I forget who it was but they said 30 feet slower into a corner can mean 300 feet faster coming out
3:30 you're a legend if you get that reference😂
Can I just have some used rims? Gotta be better than my original 03 celica rims
best tip:
smooth is fast
This is so spot on 🤣
can you autocross an fj cruiser
No
Can you please do a So You Want a Pontiac G6?
No idea it would work but have you guys thought of making a app where it would be easier accessed on our phones?
Working on it, It takes some time!
Fitment Industries no rush!! I’m just glad my opinion was heard lolol
Post card it is!!
Autorossing sounds like it would be so much fun.
ALEX!!! Or Gels!!! Or Dakota!!! Or possibly jasper.. but maybe not.. For the giveaway is it any konig any style any finish or only the ones displayed on the giveaway page????
Any style any finish!
Yessss gonna win me some gloss black baddies
At Cruisin the Coast, they have an autocross for registered cars. A lot the cars are like driving Miss Daisy, but some are pretty fast. I slipped my NA Miata in and learned a lot. My hard all season tires sucked. If I wasn’t spinning out, I was pushing the front tires. During my fastest pass, I was faster than a Corvette, even if I never got out of second gear. They caught to my Miata being too young to be a registered car after that. Participating car clubs get to bring whatever they want so that might be enticing for me, besides the fun of being in a car club.
1. Make sure your car is mechanically sound. Brakes work. You're not leaking any fluid (antifreeze/oil/transmission fluid/etc) No missing lugnuts. Ensure your battery is secured and not just riding in the engine bay etc.
2. Show up as early as you can! When you are new you wont have a pre-race routine yet, and you'll be scrambling to figure out what class your car is in, getting your car teched, removing all the loose items from the car, putting numbers on the car, getting registered, setting up your GoPro, walking the course etc.
3. Walk the course as many times as it takes till you are 150% sure you have it down, then walk it one more time (nothing is more embarrassing and screams NOOB like DNFing half your runs because you didn't walk the track enough) I walk the track a minimum of 4 or 5 times. The track and cones can be confusing, don't be afraid to ask someone if you're not sure where the course goes, or what a pointer cone means or what side of the slalom to enter on!
4. Don't try to show off, people will think you're a D-bag...plus all the regulars are better drivers than you are anyway, you're not going to impress them. In a season or two, you'll be one of the regulars rolling your eyes at cocky newcomers ;)
5. Just because your car is fast doesn't mean you are a fast driver. Ask for pointers, tips, rides with fast drivers, ask fast drivers ride with you. You will be amazed at how much you improve as a driver from the beginning of your first season to the end of it
6. When it is your turn to work, use that vantage point out on track to watch the fast drivers and pay attention to the line they are taking, and their braking points.
7. If your car has traction control/Stability Management, leave it on for the first handful of events till you know your car better on the limit
8. If your car starts plowing, turning the wheel more will not fix it. It is counter intuitive, but you actually need to unwind the wheel till you feel it bite and start to turn the car
9. Just because you don't have a "sporty" car doesn't mean you can't come out and have fun! I've seen everything from Nissan Altima's to Buick Regals , to pickup trucks blasting around an AutoX course (the car/truck has to be wider than it is tall in order to compete)
10. Don't take the competition aspect of it too seriously, find the limit of your driving skill and work to improve, but mostly just have fun!
I got a question is it weird to cook hotdogs in water ?
Rebaone Kgoadi yup. A little
😭
Fry that shit in a pan with butter and be amazed
I do it all the time. Best thing is drinking the water!!
will mann pls tell me you joking 😂😂😂
konig rs3?
Mmm. Tobaccooo accident. Ben there, done that. After it even our car lost it radiators
I think if you but a brighter more colorful background behind alex it would draw more focus to him. The dark kinda has a negative feel to it.
Great feedback I will relay this to Steve the lighting professional!
lol i have a honda fit and i want to auto cross it haha
Take it to the big track bro!! Good luck
you should. i drive an econo sedan and i use it for autocross.
Do it!
😳 ima auto cross my prius 😂😂😂 but first I gotta buy one
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂B😂😂😂I😂😂😂T😂😂😂😂😂C😂😂😂😂H😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
not sure about the hybrid version but the 1nzfe is a bulletproof engine, if it's lacking in stock power
I got that Tabasco sauce reference.
I brought a car with you much power to a cold autocross in early spring
Autocross is great, I do it at least once a year.
That first clip has me shook. Was not expecting that lmao
nearly spat my coffee out watching that corvette
Good video, my buddy sent me it because my car is the cover picture.
I'll be going to my first event in 3 weeks in a ford focus I bought for 1500 bucks, fwd ses 4 door sedan lmao
I only watched 2 minutes of this, did it ever eventually show the videos we came to watch?
That was a funny looking mustang at the beginning.