Just competed in my first autocross in several months, and my first event on dry pavement in even longer. Looking forward to the coming season I had all sorts of plans to throw money at my car because I still didn't like the way it understeered. Well, yesterday, I walked the course several times, picked a line, and drove smooth and smart with my eyes well ahead.

Well, guess what, NO UNDERSTEER! Turns out I had just been overdriving the car. I would still like it a little looser but I may be able to tune in more oversteer when I swap out my stock shocks.

Anyway, my point is, as tempting as it is to keep shoveling our money (or Visa's money) into our car, it should occur to us that there is more room for improvement in the driver.

Also, it may be that taking a break in the off-season is a good thing, and allows us to return with a clean slate and fewer bad habits.

 

finally..... someone else gets it too

RJ - who was very enlightened when he attended an Evo school for a weekend

 

Excellent message. We'll see how many people listen...

Kirk

 

very few listen the first time around. I only wish i had someone to beat me upside my head when i started autocrossing. Would have saved me alot of money....

 

excellent point. the driver is the most tunable piece (in real time too) piece of hardware on the car...

in autox just ask a national caliber (or just local hot shoe) to drive your car to see how much it has left. in road racing, get a good guy to drive your car, you'll see the same thing.





[Modified by GhettoRacer, 9:58 AM 2/10/2003]

 

and by the end of this year Frank will have about 9,312 track days completed