Just thought I'd share this story with you. Thought I would have done better but it would have helped if we were allowed one or two more runs.

I ran at an autoX this past weekend. I ran one last year with no supsension mods. Since then, I have upgraded to 17" wheels, RSB, FSTB, KYB AGX's, and H&R springs. I also have intake, Y-pipe, catback, and UDP.

I ran in STS and finished 7th out of 16. I was embarrassed when an older (early 90s) sentra SE-R ran 6 seconds better than me. I was also beaten by a couple of type r integras and prelude SH's. Is the Max too large for some autocrosses or is it me? It was my second autocross. Just thought I'd vent a little. Felt a little down afterwards since I thought I would have done better.

 

FYI, STS is one of the most competitive classes out there, along with G stock, B stock, and C street prepared.

Don't expect to be breaking any records in your 2nd autocross. There are drivers you are racing against that have probably been racing before you were born. Give it a year or two before you start becoming a little more competitive. The local region probably has a driving school available. If not, looking for an Evolution course in your area. Technique > mods

 

AutoX has virtually nothing to do with your car and everything to do with your driving. A great driver could wheel a firetruck around an autoX course better than a poor driver could do with a go kart.

 

I don't think you did bad at all... I'm going to be entering my first autoX in a couple weeks and I would be happy to do as well as you did. in the meantime I'm going crazy attempting to figure out how stiff and how low I should setup my car along with tire pressure, seat positions, and overall technique.

 

7/16, better than half the guys out there. Considering it's only your second time out. The key places to gain more time is to work on your entrance and exit into and out of a turn respectively. Which will include you seting up for the turn properly too. If you can, walk the track before getting started and find the spots where you think things might get tricky, also, watch the other drivers as they go around the track an analyze what they do.
Don't forget to remove any extra weight before you go next time.
Good luck.

 

Sweet thread! I am entering an autoX in 2 weeks here at RIT. This will be my first one. I've done many drag races but have not much in terms of road courses. ANy suggestions? remove rear seats ect? save weight?

 

Yaaa, learn your car dynamics in taking a turn. For example, braking and transfering you weight to the front wheels. How to take a turn, different turns demand different techniques. Also, know when to accelerate out of a turn.

 

I'm pretty sure removing your rear seats will put you into some other class. I take out my spare tire and jack. Not a whole lot other than that can be removed if you want to stay in stock or STS classes.

 

IMHO while the Maxima is not the most nimble car to autox, it can still achieve a level of respectability out there. I tried MomzMax this Saturday at autox with AGX/H&R combo and 17x8 wheels. The Maxima has possibilities! I ran in DSP because of my wheel/tire size and did get spanked by many cars but had a great time! With lighter wheels & race tires, exhaust system and upgraded brake fluid and new pads...watch out! My only advice to new autoxers is sometimes you gotta drive slow to go fast!

 

i've been in two different autocrosses so far and the first time i wasn't good at all. the last one i went to, i had only my fstb and rsb on and my big 17 enkei's and managed to sweep my class and ended up getting a better time than all the vette's and such on the course. i dunno if my car liked the course or what, but i was running the same times as the subarus and celicas that were leading their own classes. you just have to learn how to handle your car. one thing to think about is that you're in a fwd car. taking all the weight out of your trunk and leaving everything else in place won't necessarily help. make sure nothing is left inside your cabin, not even a few cents in the ashtray. i had my seat as low as possible, and my tire pressure if i'm not mistaken was medium/low. something that will make a big difference is learning how to accelerate well. don't try gunning through everything, but if you can determine when exactly to step on it out of a curve, you'll dominate. just keep at it and good luck!

 

This reminds me of Initial D... for those that dont know what it is, its a anime where this guy driving a AE-86 Treuno... aka 86 Corolla. Beats Skylines, Rx7's and Sylvia's on a mountain pass... Cause he drives really well...

 

Don't feel bad...
I once went to an autocross and ended up being the most absolute slowest driver out of 150 cars throughout the day.
It was only my first season and I had no clue how to drive and no clue how to make effective suspension mods either.

cjvurnis

 

Haha, you sound like my Dad.. Me (95 max), my brother (95 supra tt) and my Dad (96 300zx NA) all went to our first AutoX a couple weeks ago, it was quite an experience.. My Dad drove like the old man that he is.. He didn't really know what he was doing at all. My brother couldn't handle the power of his turbos and lost the rear several times, all in all I ended up beating them both!

Scott

 

Hope you used it to talk smack to your brother.

 

Your last sentence says it...driving slow to go fast. I think I felt like I had to GO GO GO GO to get my time better so I was flying and then braking. Too much stop and go. I think I need a lighter foot next time. Thanks.

 

Don't get down - you will improve. This was your 2nd time and it's 90% driver/10% car. My first time I placed 61st of 79 and melted my tires.
Oh the shame
Got serious and went to an Evolution school after that.

"would have helped if we were allowed one or two more runs."
try walking the course an extra time beforehand. I try to walk it 3+ times. Best drivers memorize the whole course and all the turns beforehand.

"I have upgraded to 17" wheels"
as you continue you'll learn that larger rims actually hurt acceleration and braking. Couple other Maximas have now dropped to 15"

"an older (early 90s) sentra SE-R ran 6 seconds better than me"
A '91 Sentra took 1st in Touring last year in Chicago. Again, it's 90% driver.

"Is the Max too large for some autocrosses?"
Yes. Small twisty 30sec Miata designed courses hurt us. Long straights we have an advantage - we can get to near 70mph in 2nd, try that Impreza's

Last weekend we had our annual school - a 3400lb Audi A4 took 2nd for new drivers.
2002 Chicago Learning Curve

And down in TX, a 3000lb Volvo S40 took 2nd in the National tour.
Houston Nat Tour results

Keep asking questions and going back. You will get better. Have fun either way.