Hello and looking first time Auto-X advice

[O-H-5-0]

So looking to go to my first Auto-X this Sunday. I've never been on a track with turns before so this should be interesting . Any tips for a first timer?

I've been lurking in the GT350 forum off and on for a while after my 2015 GT was totaled 2 months after I got her :(. Was out of a Mustang for the last two years after the accident, but picked up up a new 2016 F-150 Lariat. Love the truck, but I missed shifting gears and the V8. Finally decided to get something fun again in a 2017 AG GT350 . Few pics after Xpel Ultimate install last week (my baby had good company) and CeramicPro coating this week.

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[Trackaholic]

AutoX is lots of fun, safe, pretty easy on the car (except for tires), and a great way to learn car control.

First, be sure to walk the course. Try to walk the line you think would be best to drive, and walk it from the driver's position. If you have time, you can walk it a couple times. If there are confusing sections, I might crouch down a bit to try and get a similar perspective to my driving position.

When driving, #1 is to keep the eyes up, looking ahead. You want to be looking through the corner you are in, ahead to the next couple of turns. Glancing as far ahead as you are able and then back to where you are going. Once you have committed to a turn there is no point in looking at it anymore, since your path is already determined. Keep looking ahead to the next corner (and those after). Planning ahead so you know where to compromise a corner to pick up time later is a great skill, and will help you see flaggers and course workers more easily.

Finally (there are many details, but in terms of general things, here is the last one I'll mention), it is very easy to get overly aggressive and overcook the front tires. I haven't autoX'ed with the GT350 yet (other than the GT350 track attack), but based on larger tracks and some car control excercises it is usually best to go a little slower on entry to allow the front tires to have plenty of grip, get the car rotated, and then get on the gas while unwinding the wheel.

What often happens when going overly aggressive is you'll get understeer, you can't get the car turned, so you need to wait and wait to get back on the throttle.

I therefore find it best to do my first run @ 85% or so, in order to save some mental capacity for fine-tuning my understanding of the course at speed, remembering to look ahead, and getting a feel for the available traction on corner exit.

I will then gradually increase how much I push the car and will really go balls-out on the last one or two runs (usually with tail-happy, but slow, results).

I typically get my best time in the middle somewhere.

I also am routinely humbled by the other drivers, so you'll probably find plenty of people to learn from, chat with, and maybe some who will want ride alongs. I always let people ride with me, and often find that I am able to pick up pointers and maybe sometimes even help them out.

Have a great time!

In summary:
0. Have fun!
1. Walk the course.
2. Look ahead.
3. Slow in, fast out and build from there.
4. Have fun!

-T

 

[O-H-5-0]

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely be keeping that in mind when I go. I'm Looking forward to trying something new and willing to jump in feet first.

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