Experienced RWD people

[maloneyracing]

We've finally finished the Mustang, and we were hoping that someone could give us some help/suggestions. We've been driving the IS, which is an automatic without a LSD (or much power anyway), so we're really gonna have our hands full. Maybe Lee? Or one of the Corvette guys? Or the guy with the M3?

[washburn]

Cool...power is a double edge sword! What specifically is your question? Set up or driving tips?

[maloneyracing]

Originally posted by washburn


Cool...power is a double edge sword! What specifically is your question? Set up or driving tips?

Yes it is! Probably more driving tips, but setup would always be helpful too. I don't really have any specific questions now, but I'm sure I will after a few runs!

[StevenMosley]

Look up Mike Skillingstad. He drives a Mustang with a little bit of power and also knows
how to drive. He finished first in the winter karting league and I think he took FTD up at the last COM event. He will be able to help you out with your stang.

[washburn]

The biggest problem with a lot of motor and not enough handling is taking too much speed into your entrances. Make sure you brake in a staight line and get it hauled down before your turn in point. Figure out how to finesse your right foot! Getting the power down is a challenge. Ideally, you will drive more of a "point and squirt" line than an HS speed maintenance line. Resist getting into the throttle too early...wait until your rotated and your unwinding the steering wheel so you can really lay into the power. Be patient and try to figure out how to get a controlled run in before really getting on it. Have fun!!!!!

[phile]

Originally posted by washburn


The biggest problem with a lot of motor and not enough handling is taking too much speed into your entrances. Make sure you brake in a straight line and get it hauled down before your turn in point. Figure out how to finesse your right foot! Getting the power down is a challenge. Ideally, you will drive more of a "point and squirt" line than an HS speed maintenance line. Resist getting into the throttle too early...wait until your rotated and your unwinding the steering wheel so you can really lay into the power. Be patient and try to figure out how to get a controlled run in before really getting on it. Have fun!!!!!

Pat is correct. There is a continuum of how important SIFO (slow in, fast out) is depending on the characteristics of the car. A powerful ponycar is way up on the top of this continuum.

A while ago, a guy on autox@autox.team.net outfitted his car with data-acquisition stuff and proved that entering a corner too slowly never really cost much time, but that entering a corner too quickly always costs you big time.

If you take a proper late-apex line, you can gently feed in more power as you straighten the steering wheel. If you have started to add too much, you can stop adding while you continue unwinding the wheel.

You never want to lift a lot during the exit section of the turn. If you find yourself having to do this, enter the turns slower and work more on your line. Remember that the late-apex line will require that you enter slower, turn in later, and turn in sharper. The payoff on the other end is more ability to put down the power for higher exit speeds.

The power-oversteer method that looks so cool (and is the basis for the judged sport of "drifting") is very seldom the fast way way around an autocross course. But you knew that.

You want to set up the car so that it oversteers off-throttle and understeers on-throttle. Then drive that way.

To make this whole system work with maximum efficiency, you must come very close to the important cones. This will take practice. Don't be afraid to hit some cones while you have the car perfectly under control. This is how you learn where the edges of the car are. There are two basic reasons to hit a cone. You are out of control, or your line is wrong. The second one is the one that teaches you how this car fits on the line.

[miken]

This is some good information. I have a 82 Z28 with the same issue.. Lot's of power and this topic will help me out alot. I have been talking with some of the guys on the aarf board and they offer ride alongs to help you get the feel of the car on the track and how it should be done. This is something I am going to take advantage of before I put my car on a track. I know there road racing isn't as tight as autocross but I think it will help at any rate. :)

[miata#37]

If you make it down to waterloo this sunday, you'll likely run into an exceptionally quick F Stock driver by the name of Roger Christopherson. He likes helping out fellow autoxers with their driving too.

[maloneyracing]

Thanks guys. Now I just need some seat time. See you on saturday!

-Kyle-