I went to my first AutoX event (not using my Max, however) and loved it, so the decision I've been putting back as to when to start has finally been answered. I did a general search on google outta curiousity and found a few "schools" that would teach you the basics of Autocrossing for a fee. One specific one was the Evolution Performance Driving School (I believe that's the name).

Has anyone ever attended this or any other school and did you feel it's worth the money? I found that the first phase of the Evolution school's program would run $225 but it seemed a bit much for a novice. Are these classes more suited for those who have prior experience despite requiring the person to go through what sounds like a introduction phase?

I can see $225 better spent on things like gas and mods and if I need advice to improve, I would ask and hope that one of the more seasoned drivers would help me out. Then again, it is the driver that is the biggest factor, so maybe these classes can yield a better return over anything of equal value mod-wise?

 

ive never autoxed, but i am thinking about getting into it soon

people have told me that the schools ($50-$75) are def. worth it. check with your local SCCA and they should run cheaper, but worthwhile schools every once in a while. i think they are usually 2-3 day weekend classes

gl

 

seat time, seat time, seat time.

It's the best teacher. for your first few times (half a dozen or so), I highly recommend just going out and asking better drivers to ride with you and give advice. After you've put some time behind the wheel and know the car, it's a good time to learn some more advanced techniques...

There's always the other aspect of learning correctly FIRST, so you don't get set into bad habits on the course, but I still think it's better to spend some time learning and having fun than paying $$$ for a class just to find out you're not into it and don't want to spend the time/money to autoX seriously.

I recently did a high-speed touring day at a local road course, and will probably never auto X after that. it's just nothing compared to getting out on a 2 mile road course and being able to top 100mph and throw the car around a corner at 50-60-70-80mph! forget cones, I'm saving the money to play on a REAL track!

 

I went to my local SCCA auto-x school ($75) and it was worth the money. I think that $225 for a class is a lot of money but you have to look at the agenda and what they have planned for you during this class. Like matt said seat time is your best friend...

 

Matt's right on. Try 4-6 events before the Evolution school. Then you'll know more about driving techniques, verbage, etc. As soon as possible take your regions local class if they offer it (usually the beginning of each year). They're usually very helpful and cheaper.

At some point let an experienced driver drive your car with you in it. Then you'll know how much more you can improve without even a single mod. At that point take the Phase1 Evolution or similar and focus on your skills.

I've been through both the Phase 1 & 2 so far. Cancelled out of Phase3 because I'm back to working on exact car setup. Will be doing that and more as I learn myself.

 

those classes or ride alongs with experienced drivers are real worth it.. imo u can get the same outa just having a pro auto-xer ride in your car during a normal auto-x session.. and have him drive your car to demo for u too..

 

Well it really depends on the teacher. Sometimes you may luck up abd get an evolution driving school instructure to help but most likely you won't.

My advice would be to goto the evolution school if you going to take this seriously. Seat time is good but if your practicing the wrong techniques, you're going to have to unlearn those bad habbits first before you can get better. Trust me thats hard. This is my 4th year of autocrossing and the 1.5 yrs I practiced all the wrong techniques except for aggressive driving. I still find my self not looking ahead as much as I should.

BTW the Maxima isn't competive when it come to winning Nationals but it can be a contender. If I didn't choke as hard as I did last year I could have placed at best 13 to 16 out of 60+ but I ended up ~32nd.

Good Luck

Blade

 

Aaron, how the heck are you? What've you been up to this year?

 

I agree with Matt93SE completely about the road course events. HPDE's (high performance driving events) give you way more seat time and thrills than autocross and costs less $$$ per driving minute. Most events also involve some classroom time for beginners.

HPDE's (real track events) can also be more dangerous. The two that I have been to, Road America and Gateway International Raceway, I have seen a car flip or be totalled at each event. make sure your insurance will cover it!

www.tracktime.com
www.midwestdriver.com both are good classes here in the midwest.

(note: I didn't drive my Max at the event... i took my M3!)

 

A couple of excellent books that I have learned a lot from are Speed Secrets by Ross Bentley and Secrets of Solo Racing by Henry Watts.

 

The last weekend in August I went to Beaver Run, PA. Drivers education on a 1.5 mile roadcourse. I had never been on a track, or autox before that weekend. I figured I spent enough $$ on suspension, and brake upgrades, might as well use them. Most fun I've had in a long time. I will def do it again...

Here are some pics

http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~mitch33x/BeaverRun%20Pics/

 

cool pics, how much did the course cost? it looks fun

 

It was $285 for a 2 day event. Each day there was 3, 30 mins sessions on the track. It was fun as hell...

 

Driving is the biggest factor. Since you are in Brooklyn, you should go to the many autoxs around you. Start searching. I know SCCA NYRegion runs @ Nassau Coliseum. WSCC just got a site @ Orchard Beach. The NNJR runs at Englishtown. They used to have a great Novice school where you were assigned a "instructor" for the first half of the day. Alas I see nothing on their website. Check out:
http://www.autox4u.com/nnjr.htm
http://www.wscc.org/
http://www.nyr-scca.com/solo.htm
http://www.psccny.com/ (my club, we race @ Orange County Airport)
If you look at the NYR page you will see the list of people that won at the National Solo 2 championships this year. Of the 7 that are listed; 4, Pat, Mike, Diane, and Bruce are members of the PSCC.

Go to more autoxs, ask for help, everyone is very friendly, there are ALWAYS novice classes.

What's fun is asking a "pro" to drive your car once, then you see what it really can do. That also proves it is the driver that makes the car fast. Stop modding for a little bit and have some fun with your car.

BTW the Evo schools are very good, just expensive.

 

Good advice. Also, ride a few laps with friends that have similar or identical cars. Odds are they will be faster on at least part of the course -- and you learn to be faster there too. One of my early lessons was when I let a national level driver use my car to "check out" an autox course. Omigod! This guy was talking & commenting about possible changes to the course and all the while the tires were constanly squeeling. Maybe 10 runs later, I finally equaled the time he got -- in a strange car/ on his 1st run / when he wasn't trying.

 

You can run some events that have schools like in the Boston Area the SHO club, Maita club as well as a few others and it's like $30-$50.

Most autocross will provide you with a instructor if you ask, come up this way and I'll teach you

 

http://www.mazdarevitup.com/

I did this last year, the sign-ups for this year are not up yet...
39 bucks to beat the crap out of a mazda 6!!!

You can drive it how ever you want, no worries, NOT YOUR CAR!!

This got me hooked, the 6 is slow compared to a Max, only has 190 fp tourque, but it's a front wheel drive car that you can beat on.

Check out the site, it's all about last years contest. Nothing up for this year yet, but anyone thinking about getting into autoX it's a must.

Wish Nissan would do something like this!!

 

WOW wish I had heard of this walier. The NY event already past!!!

 

Mazda Rev It up is awesome, I also did it last year and cant wait to do it again this year. This year instead of mazda 6's its the new Mazda 3. Its lots of fun and they let you practice all you want before the actual timed race. My advice is to go earlier so you can practice more often.

 

Sign-up NOW!!!
http://www.mazdarevitup.com