I'm thinking about registering for a 2 day classroom course for novice and 1st year auto-xers. The first day is 4 hours of classroom and the second is 8 hours on a course. I haven't gone through all the stickies in this forum but just thought I'd ask if there are any specifics to look at for my 96 Max. Is it up to it? I see the list of all the other cars and it just doesn't seem right to put a 1996 Maxima up there. I may just take the classroom for the experience and then just go and watch the races but we'll see.

But the car runs just fine. I'm just wondering if there are a few specific things to check on before the first class. Also, what do I need to know as a novice driver?

 

What organization is this that has a 4 hour class about auto-x?

You're car is up to it, if it's a stick it you probably won't get out of 2nd, if it is in fact what the rest of us would consider an auto-x.

I have heard of some very high speed races, that because they have cones, are for some reason called auto-x'es. Most auto-x speeds are rarely above 40-50mph (and for very short durations).

This sounds similar to a NASA HPDE arrangement, you gotta give us more details.

 

well there is a 4-hour classroom day (no track time) and then the next day we head to the lot. it's through MAC, Minnesota Autosports Club. http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/...sevent_id=5139

that's most of the details. like i said, this i don't know much yet so it's hard to answer your questions. thanks for the reply. too bad this forum doesn't get much attention.

oh, and yes, it's a stick.

 

This forum gets attention, just not everyday. If you want you can look at the SCCA forums, but some of those guys are extremely serious, the org boys are more thrill seekers.

good luck with the racing.

 

I just want to try it out and see how I/the car do. I think the class will be good either way. Pretty cheap and the instructors are all professional drivers so I hope to learn a ton.

 

you will learn a lot, deffinitly, and if they have a class before i am assuming it is a pretty serious course. Deffinitly check it out and learn how to drive all over again! its awesome!

 

Seat time is the most important thing for autoX, don't worry about being fast early... you won't. Just try to be consistant and look for the places you can go faster, brake later, carry more speed..ect. Try and listen alot, and don't be afraid to let the instructer take you for a ride in your car. Just be aware he is going to go much faster than you, it does give you an idea of how slow you are. Most of all relax and have fun, that's what it is all about.

 

good advice. i just wish that i had a more suitable platform to learn on. the max can be a lot of car to handle at times. but it could be a lot worse. you guys have obviously proved that it can be done. the class should be good and i'll just take it easy for the first few events.

i'm almost more worried about the car and tire wear than anything! haha

 

I would be too... especially now--if I were to autox my car my pass side axle would probably snap before I was done with my second pass.

 

jeez, for real? wow if that's really possible, i would rather not take it out. is this kind of damage common???

 

LOL... I was just talking in my case. My CV is clicking badly right now. You should be fine. Just take it easy on the launch as wheelhop isn't exactly great for our cars. I'd also ask whoever was driving your car to do the same.

I've flogged my car up many a mountain road, hard. This will only be a few minute-long jaunts across a parking lot, not as big a deal as, say, a track day, where you spend hours on end driving the crap out of your car at very high speeds and burning up your brakes. Your car shouldn't really need any prep, just as long as everything's already working fine.

 

Definately take advantage of it. Where else can you get high-performance driving tips for $50? It's a heck of a deal.

Make sure your battery is secure and your wheel bearings are good (no play). You'll need working front brake pads and a seatbelt usually too. Depending on the number of "runs" you probably won't get much tire wear at all.

I've taken 4 days of auto-x classes now and only on one day did I get an noticable tire wear. That was 38 runs around the course and a couple instructor runs loaded with 4 people!

 

Well, tire wear will depend on what kind of tire you have... but yeah, it's not too amazingly hard on your car, just make sure everything's in good working order... which you should be doing anyway.

 

everything is runnning fine. i did get a cel for an O2 recently so i'll take care of that. also, new brake pads are going in. so far there are 25 people signed up (max of 60) so if it stays low, then we'll get even more attention from the instructors. i'll probably use my sawblades with 215/60/15 rather than heavy 235/40/18s. even with the big sidewall, i think it will be better than the heavy muranos.

 

The last time I went it was with my 17" Momos on Falken Zeix rubber. Really killed the crowns of my tires and shortened their lives but man was it fun!

 

The Ziex 512 is one of the softest tires out there, and has very narrow outside treads - it's a nice grippy tire, but will get destroyed in autocross....