Being that I DEFINATELY have a problem with my AWD, I should be able to improve my times in auto-x. I know that when we were at Tirerack, my tires were spinning at least 3 times around that track, almost antime I had to shift to first. My tires, even with the Falken Azenis Sports with proper pressure according to other TT'ers (40F/38R) I will always spin my tires in 1st with no clutch, just gas, as soon as the turbo kicks in around 2800-3000, it spins the tires and I have to REALLY feather the pedal to get any speed.

I am really looking forward to getting this resolved before the next auto-x so I can see if I can put down some really good times.

While at the auto-x yesterday, I took a ride with a few people and I have to say I think I learned a little too.

First I took a ride with my TT buddy Mark, who by the way won first place in his class (B) by a large margin, I think 4 or 5 seconds which is HUGE in a track that takes less than a minute to go around. He has a totally STOCK TT and the way he drove it gave me ideas.

Second I went on a ride with Ken K. Most of us know him here, as he has been with the club for a long time. He stated that he was rusty and I was impressed with his rustiness. He took me for a ride that not many people get to go on, a ride that was 53.xxx and most of you know that he took 1st place in his class as well, another TT'er in 1st place, this time in the C class.

Third I took a ride with this guy in a WRX STI and man that was another awesome 53.xxx run. I would love to drive that car. I think it had a great amount of power and incredible gearing. The handling was impressive to say the least and it was a blast to have another ride in a another type of AWD car,

Lastly I took a ride on one of the fastest of the day for me, and I think one of the fastest of the day period. I was with good ole Bob and his little 3 series Bimmer. That ride and his OVER 10 YEARS of auto-x'ing experience REALLY taught me a great deal on HOW to drive an auto-x course.

All of these drivers beat my best time obviously, as my best was a 55.015, and then on a fun run I had a 54.5xx.
They had some incredibly fast hands, and they kept their cars smooth for the most part, as well as having different lines, they all had one thing in common, Driver Knowledge and Experience.

I think I am starting to get this thing called driving, after over 25 years of driving, this has been without a doubt my best year ever.

Thank you all for all of your help.

P.S. Not responsible for mispelt werds or anyting liek dat. no lol's here.

 

but I should have had better taction anyway - I think

 

hehe

 

your screen name should read.... UNeekTT(long) from now on

 

Tires - what are you running and at what pressures?

 

I found on my 2nd set of runs that the more I slowed down, the more I could carry momentum throughout the whole course.

Adam, you have such great equipment already, you need to focus on driving. You could have fast Audi time of the day in your car the way it is set up.

It's not wheel spin, you need to carry more momentum through the course, that's what will lower your time.

Go slower next time.....

 

Word. Well stated Paul.

 

During the runs when I pushed too hard, my times suffered. Same as always, and it's a lesson I always have to try to beat into my head.

You are looking for "flow" and smooth transitions and these are many of the same skills you are looking for on a big track. Sure you have to throw the car a bit more at an auto-x due to the constraints of the layout, but ham-fisting it is never the answer. Sure the course in general favored higher horsepower cars, but if those cars didn't execute correctly in the box turns and the slow portions of the course, their times were crappy anyway.

 

uh...I hope my car is done for the next one...this wait is driving me nuts

 

And let's not forget Blackhawk in August, Gingerman and Road America in September...