I am new to autox and noticed they will be in my neck of the woods, has anyone gone to them and is it worth it?

absolutely

Never been to one myself, but the common consensus here will be an outstanding "they are worth every penny, go, go, go!"

Totally worth it, especially if you want to seriously autocross.

No matter how modified or stock your car is, you will see improvements in your times, and you'll have a better idea of what you need to be trying to do to improve even more in the future.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">absolutely</TD></TR></TABLE>

ditto. better $$$ spent than any mod on your car.

to Evolution.

Karen

I just wish that the only one in my area wasn't a 12 hour drive

Austin

Seriously consider makin a trip out of it and do the 12-hour drive. You won't regret it.

It was one of the more intense learning experienced I've had.

I never heard of the Evolution Performance Driving School. Where can I learn more?

If you are really new to autox, I would say skip the school and spend the money on going to more local events. This is in no way saying the school isn't helpful (I've been to Phase 1 & 2 myself). But I think you will get much more out of it once you have the basics of autocrossing down. Once you know your way around a course, and think you are going as fast as you possibly can, sign up for the school and see how really slow you are !

More info at : http://autocross.com/evolution/

Chris

Thanks for all the replies guys and gal.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tail Happy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you are really new to autox, I would say skip the school and spend the money on going to more local events. This is in no way saying the school isn't helpful (I've been to Phase 1 & 2 myself). But I think you will get much more out of it once you have the basics of autocrossing down. Once you know your way around a course, and think you are going as fast as you possibly can, sign up for the school and see how really slow you are !

More info at : http://autocross.com/evolution/

Chris</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was thinking that I would get more seat time taking the class than I would than just going to my local events once a month. What can I expect out of phase 1, if I decide to go? Thanks.

You should probably get a half-season or so first, ask for lots of help from your local guys.

You'll go into the Evo school with your head fully removed from your *** and ready to learn *alot* Its a great experience and it will really open your eyes.

Great school, great instuctors, data acquisition was awesome...I'd say it's worth it. It started raining in the middle of the day and I was faster in the rain on my last run than I was in the dry...just to give you an idea of how much I improved.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You'll go into the Evo school with your head fully removed from your *** and ready to learn *alot* Its a great experience and it will really open your eyes.</TD></TR></TABLE>I don't know, Ryan.... I thought the point of going to an Evo school was to cure craniorectal inversions....

Karen

Better register early before they're full, and they fill up fast.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Essence of Chicken &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Better register early before they're full, and they fill up fast.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just registered. I figure if I go in with a cranioretal inversion I may see the light by the time I get out.

One day at an Evolution school is easily worth 1/2 to a full season of AutoX time.

My 4th time ever autoXing was a phase 1 school at Evolution and I can't tell you how much it helped my times.

One ride along with a Regional Champ knocked about 2 seconds off my following run. You don't know how fast you can go until you see it, first hand. Seat time is important, but if you can I totally encourage people to ride along with instructors. This is usually a free addition at any local autocrossing venue.

I found Phase 1 to be the best autocross seat time I've ever had. The instructors were first rate, and yes I did see an improvement.

"Look ahead,... no further ahead."

i am attending evo phase tomorrow. is there anything i should be prepared for that i wouldn't normally bring to an auto-x. prepping car, driver, etc? just want to make sure i get as much out of my experience as possible. if this is as good as everone says is i will be one stoked individual. thanks for all the replies in advance

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nfurno &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was thinking that I would get more seat time taking the class than I would than just going to my local events once a month. What can I expect out of phase 1, if I decide to go? Thanks. </TD></TR></TABLE>
You would get more seat time at the evolution school than one event in a month. The reason some (including myself) suggest going to a few events before the school is because there's a ton of information overload at the school. The instructors are top drivers so they do everything well. If you've been to a few autocrosses and got the basic basics down, then you can pick up on a lot of what the instructors are doing that you wouldn't even be aware of if you hadn't done it before. I learned a lot in phase 1 that wasn't technically the emphasis of phase 1 because I had enough background to pick up the cues. Does that make sense?
As for what to expect, you do a lot of driving, so be ready to be tired. Mostly they'll work on looking ahead, what going too fast for a turn causes, & too slow (the skidpad is good for this), and being smooth. Note: Everyone will tell you to work on being smooth. This does not mean that you should feel like you're on a Sunday drive. They mean smooth with your inputs, not that the ride should 'feel' smooth.

i have heard that using tires other than what you normally race in is also helpful. i.e. if you run a sticky tire at auto-x, it would be a good idea to run something a little more unforgiving. allowing you to concentrate more on the proper techniques and inputs (smooth of course) as opposed to using a tire that may mask some of your mistakes. can anyone back this info?

I'd say learn on what you are planning to race on. But you will be puttin a bit of a hurtin on them. But by the end of the day, you should be able to drive 'smarter' and not cook your tires down unnecessarily.

Hmmm. What else? Oh yeah, take a poop the night before if at all possible.

Otherwise, take your vitamins with breakfast, and bring something to write with.
It will be one of the funnest days you'll have in your car.

That class was awsome! I learned alot. Not only am I quicker now, but I'm alot smoother too. I'm kinda glad I took it right away cuz I now have a better feel of the car and could work with it instead of against it.

Thank you everyone for recommending this class.

good to hear it helped. Becasue of this thread, I am seriously looking into this.

EDIT: WHY ARNT THEY COMMING TO CALI???? Did I already miss out?