New Driver!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
From: somewhere, in the, USA
New Driver!
Well, I'm 16, have only had my license for a while now. I drive a 1999 Honda Civic EX, which is completely stock (D16Y8) except for a DC Header. I want to be able to speed, corner, and all of the other good stuff LEGALLY; so I decided why not go autocrossing? I mean drag racing is cool, but only lasts 10-16, and will not be fun in a stock civic 
. I have some questions:
- Is this advisable for a new driver?
- Am I taking too big of a risk because I have not been driving for a long time?
- Is there even a point in taking a stock econobox to the track?
- I read somewhere you have to be 18, is that true? If it is are there any places that don't required to you to be 18 and just have you sign a waiver?
Thanks, sorry for all of the questions!
. I have some questions:- Is this advisable for a new driver?
- Am I taking too big of a risk because I have not been driving for a long time?
- Is there even a point in taking a stock econobox to the track?
- I read somewhere you have to be 18, is that true? If it is are there any places that don't required to you to be 18 and just have you sign a waiver?
Thanks, sorry for all of the questions!
Schumacher '10 WDC
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
Re: New Driver! (djessenz)
Honestly there have been several new threads made within the past week dealing with what you are dealing with, so try searching both through recent and archived threads.
To answer your questions:
Your a new driver, best to make mistakes where no one will get hurt, and you can get advice from other drivers as well.
Driving on the street is just as bad, on the track you have slightly more control.
I think you answered this question, why not? I haven't done it personally but from all the pictures it sure looks like fun.
Don't know about being 18, but I am sure as long as a parent signs a waiver you should be ok, but then again I've never done it.
Believe me when I first had my car, it was fun even in stock form, sure you won't be doing 100, but going around turns without knocking over cones 2 feet from your tires at 20 MPH, can't beat that.
To answer your questions:
Your a new driver, best to make mistakes where no one will get hurt, and you can get advice from other drivers as well.
Driving on the street is just as bad, on the track you have slightly more control.
I think you answered this question, why not? I haven't done it personally but from all the pictures it sure looks like fun.
Don't know about being 18, but I am sure as long as a parent signs a waiver you should be ok, but then again I've never done it.
Believe me when I first had my car, it was fun even in stock form, sure you won't be doing 100, but going around turns without knocking over cones 2 feet from your tires at 20 MPH, can't beat that.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 0
From: ct, usa
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- Is this advisable for a new driver?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Absolutely yes! Lean the skills now. It will also help you with car control that could someday save your life out on the street. Just keep the speeding on the autocross / track.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- Am I taking too big of a risk because I have not been driving for a long time?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I instruct at an advanced driving company as a part time job to support my racing habbit. Essentially we teach teens (also adults, police, ambulance drivers...) what is learned through autocrossing. The hardest people to teach are the ones with lots of driving experience and time behind the wheel; braking bad habbits isn't easy. Take a look at the company's website - it isn't autocrossing but as I mentioned before the same skills are learned through an autocross and will give you a better idea of how learning these skills will help you. It can also be an effective way of convincing your parents to support your autocrossing. If you happen to be located near a place that offers a similar course, do it. http://www.InControlADT.com .
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- Is there even a point in taking a stock econobox to the track?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Since I race an old '87 Prelude with 110 hp, I'd say yes.
I personally think these cars are the best to learn with. If you screw up, you will surly know it and can't mask mistakes nearly as easily.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- I read somewhere you have to be 18, is that true? If it is are there any places that don't required to you to be 18 and just have you sign a waiver?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Your parents will need to sign a waiver. Bring them to the event, and have them participate too!
Modified by granracing at 1:22 PM 12/7/2007
Absolutely yes! Lean the skills now. It will also help you with car control that could someday save your life out on the street. Just keep the speeding on the autocross / track.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- Am I taking too big of a risk because I have not been driving for a long time?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I instruct at an advanced driving company as a part time job to support my racing habbit. Essentially we teach teens (also adults, police, ambulance drivers...) what is learned through autocrossing. The hardest people to teach are the ones with lots of driving experience and time behind the wheel; braking bad habbits isn't easy. Take a look at the company's website - it isn't autocrossing but as I mentioned before the same skills are learned through an autocross and will give you a better idea of how learning these skills will help you. It can also be an effective way of convincing your parents to support your autocrossing. If you happen to be located near a place that offers a similar course, do it. http://www.InControlADT.com .
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- Is there even a point in taking a stock econobox to the track?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Since I race an old '87 Prelude with 110 hp, I'd say yes.
I personally think these cars are the best to learn with. If you screw up, you will surly know it and can't mask mistakes nearly as easily.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">- I read somewhere you have to be 18, is that true? If it is are there any places that don't required to you to be 18 and just have you sign a waiver?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Your parents will need to sign a waiver. Bring them to the event, and have them participate too!
Modified by granracing at 1:22 PM 12/7/2007
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,638
Likes: 1
From: Near Charlotte
Re: New Driver!
Listen to both of these guys they are correct.
And taking a stock car on the track and being "fast" can be more fun than having a fast car on the track and trying to go "fast". And when I say "fast" I am not talking about mph.
And taking a stock car on the track and being "fast" can be more fun than having a fast car on the track and trying to go "fast". And when I say "fast" I am not talking about mph.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Re: New Driver! (CRX Toad)
Nothing will make you a batter, safer driver on the street than what you will learn in a season of autocrossing. Most people have no clue what to do when their car reaches it's limits in an accident avoidance maneuver. Autocrossing will let you experience these things in a safe controlled environment. It has saved my *** several times and I think it should be mandatory for all new drivers!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SpeedSceneScott
Drag Racing
10
Mar 7, 2006 08:52 PM