General Driving Tips
Timing Equipment
The timing equipment the SCCA uses allows the driver to take their time and prepare themselves before a launch. When your run approaches the grid organizer will you have you line up behind the start, usually two or three cars deep. Get your helmet on and secure, and fasten your seatbelt. The “lock and scoot” trick is extremely helpful for stock belts and will be reviewed later. The cars in front of you will eventually go and you will be called up to the starting line. Watch the starting worker to guide you where to stop. There is a light that will turn on when you can enter the course; however the timing does not begin until you pass through the starting gate, and ends when you pass through the stop gate, so you can take your time executing your launch.
Launching
The ideal launching procedure is relatively simple. Rev the engine (to what speed varies by each car), and release the clutch quickly, the ideal launch has just a small amount of wheel spin. As a general rule, the more torque your engine has, the lower you need to rev for an effective launch. For quick reference, a BMW I-6 engine can be effectively launched from 2-3000rpms, and a Mazda Miata usually requires 4000rpms, where as some all-wheel-drive Subaru’s and Mitsubishi’s can be launched from redline. All of this is dependent on your individual car, driving style and the traction available on the course. It’s easy to get a feel for, and you’ll probably be doing it effectively after your first few runs. If you have an automatic or some form of clutch-less manual, refer to the “Special Transmissions” section.
Braking
You should complete your braking for a turn before you enter the corner. This follows the old racing adage “slow in, fast out.” In short, when the car is under braking, the weight of the car is transferred forward, and the front tires are charged with the task of slowing the car down. This leaves you little to no lateral grip. Releasing the brakes before you enter a corner relaxes the chassis and helps it behave more neutrally throughout the corner.
Shifting
Most autocross courses are designed so that the driver only has to shift once, from first to second. Often times attempting to downshift again for corners only damages your time. However, sometimes a course may slow down enough for it to be effective to downshift into first gear, or depending on how your car is geared, fast enough for you to hit third, requiring a change down into second. Heel-toe is the proper and safest way to downshift a car, both on the track and on the street. Have you ever had your tires chirp or the rear end step out when you downshifted? Heel-toe eliminates this by matching the speed of the engine to the speed of the transmission allowing a buttery smooth gear change, all while using the brake to slow the car down.
The Apex
The Apex is where the driver touches the inside line of a corner. There are several techniques debating where to apex, but generally, you want to travel from the outside of the track, through the corner to the inside of the track, and back towards the outside of the track, allowing the car to follow a larger radius and maintain a higher rate of speed. A late apex is a technique that shifts the apex further towards the exit of the corner, causing the car to complete most of its turning earlier in the curve and allowing more throttle to be applied on exit.
Special Transmissions
So far this manual has referenced driving techniques referring to cars equipped with a traditional manual transmission, so I’ll include a quick section about the alternatives. Traditional Automatic transmissions can still compete in an autocross event. It is recommended you do not perform a “neutral drop” to launch the car. Revving the engine in neutral and shifting to drive can be very damaging to your drive train. However, you can approach the launch line in gear and hold the brake with your left foot, gently applying throttle causing the car to squat a little. You can quickly release the brake and still get a somewhat effective launch.
If your vehicle is equipped with “Steptronic, Autoshift, Tiptronic” or the multitude of brand names for what is generically referred to as a “manumatic” or “slapshifter,” you can set your transmission into that manual mode and gain some control as to where on course it shifts. If you have a more traditional automatic, you may still be able to restrict the transmission from shifting into too high of a gear by selecting “2.” You may also have a sport mode which would be wise to engage.
Also, beware of your “kickdown” mode, or the switch at the bottom of the throttle pedal travel that forces the vehicle into the lowest possible gear. Accidentally engaging this could cause the vehicle to slide or just unsettle its driver. It’s best to read up on your owner’s manual and decide how to set your car up from there.
If you own a new or exotic enough car it may be equipped some form of clutch-less manual transmission. BMW is known (perhaps infamously) for its SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox), which it has recently abandoned to offer a DKG (Dual Clutch Gearbox). Porsche offers a PDK (are you ready? Porsche Doppelkupplung) and Volkswagen offers a DSG (Direct-Shift Gearbox). These are some of many of a growing breed of transmission that are manual in technology, controlling the clutch when the driver moves the lever or flips a paddle.
These transmissions, to the dismay of a large group of motorsport purists, are offering quicker shifts and better performance than the same cars equipped with traditional three pedal manual transmissions. Most of these transmissions offer a launch mode which Volkswagen describes on its webpage for the DSG as “simply put your DSG® transmission in sport mode, press […] keep your left foot on the brake, and then press the gas pedal to the floor. Take your foot off the brake. Blast off.” If your vehicle has one of these transmissions, read up on how to activate your launch mode in the owner’s manual.
Traction Control
Most newer and higher end vehicles beginning in the late 1990’s or so are equipped with some form of traction control. Traction control in general works by monitoring the drive wheels for wheel spin and adjusting power to those wheels until traction is regained. There is a multitude of other systems of various complexities, but they all revolve around the same basic principle. This is a fantastic safety feature for every day driving, so much so that it is becoming mandated for new cars. However it can impede high performance driving.
If you vehicle is equipped with traction control and you are nervous about turning it off for your first event, I would suggest you leave it on, and turn it off when you feel comfortable. You will probably find yourself outgrowing it quite quickly and turning it off after your first or second run. Consult your owner’s manual if you are unsure about how to turn it off, as some system requires holding the button for a certain amount of time to fully shut the system down.
Pushing the Limits
Autocross is one of the safest forms of motorsports, and it requires the input of all to keep it that way. Drivers are encouraged to learn the limits of their cars and their own abilities. Occasionally losing control of your vehicle is an integral part of that process. However pushing the limits and acting recklessly are not the same thing. The SCCA appoints a safety steward to observe the driver’s behavior, they can tell the difference between a driver attempting to learn and a driver acting recklessly. If the safety steward pulls you aside, listen and adjust your behavior or you may be asked to leave.
Bailouts and Red Flags
Red Flags can be shown for any number of reasons, including an obstruction on the course, or an issue with yours or somebody else’s car. Keep your vision open and be alert for the corner stations. If you see a red flag, stop the car as quickly, but safely, as you can. A tip for drivers, the faster a flag waves the more concerned you should be about stopping! You may lose control of your vehicle, and if you do your job is to bring the vehicle to a stop. Don’t panic, keep both hands on the wheel and bring both feet down on the clutch and brake, stopping the car as quickly as possible. When you collect yourself, proceed around the course.
Red Flags can be shown for any number of reasons, including an obstruction on the course, or an issue with yours or somebody else’s car. Keep your vision open and be alert for the corner stations. If you see a red flag, stop the car as quickly, but safely, as you can. A tip for drivers, the faster a flag waves the more concerned you should be about stopping!