This is kinda long, but whatever ;-)

Firstly, I've been wondering for a while why theres a thread for virtually every track event and some rallycrosses, but I've never seen a thread about an autoX (on the Bay Area section). Hopefully that made sense, I realize theres threads on AutoX but I've never noticed one asking who's going, or anything like that

Secondly, I've been thinking about AutoX (I've gone to only 2) vs some kind of track thing (I've done one, a NASA HPDE thing) and am thinking that the track days are actually a better deal!!!!! I always figured AutoX was basically free, and a better place to learn due to less danger and easier speeds, but at 30 bucks for 3 runs of 60 seconds, it's way more expensive. I justify this since track days are ~200 and you get 4 runs of ~5-10 laps each which take a minute and therefore ranging from $10 - $5 a run.

Thirdly I have a question about the difference in handling of the two. Now I'm not sure about this, but to me, it seems like my car understeers a lot at low speeds (less than 40ish) but oversteers at higher speeds (50-80ish). I say this because when I did the HPDE, if I let up on the gas (as I stupidly did once) the rear end slides out if not immediately remmedied by insane driving skills (which I lack) or adding gas, it ends in a spin. But at low speeds (the whole AutoX) I felt I had massive understeer the whole time (I do have a upgraded RSB, a whiteline 18-22 set on the lowest (its a 99 OBS)) This was surprising and so I'm wondering if I'm just confused, or if my cars just stupid (as in abnormal), or if this is the case, and if so Why?

And fourthly I hella suck at driving At the AutoX I got 156 of 164. My dad, new to the whole autoX/racing thing as well (I beat him last time) got 128th. I guess I'm not surprised I suck at driving, but to be sooo bad (10 secs behind index and a whopping 18 seconds behind raw). Anyway, I'm willing to bet that I'm the crappiest driver on I-club :banana: maybe in a few years I'll become decent (yea, I doubt it too.

Anyways, thanks for all your stupid comments on my stupid post ;-) I was kinda bored, and have been wondering some of these things for quite some time (and suck at being concise)... Ok, I'm done

 

A good auto-x driver will always be a good track driver.

 

yeah, i've gone to auto-x before and i don't think it's worth it. like you said, $30 for 3 runs (1 min ea) is a RIPOFF. also you gotta work.

going to the track is worth it but it brings a lot more risk. kinda a trade off...

 

I view it as really 2 different sports. The skill sets, while they have some in common, aren't the same. Autocross is more of a quick reaction deal, in there there is NO down time mentally while on the course. You HAVE to ALWAYS be thinking 2-3 turns ahead as far as where to set up the car. In contrast, road racing gives you SOME down time on the straights, but obviously is more of an endurance game than autocross. The road course goal is to lay down several (to many) CONSISTENT (and hopefully quick ) laps, whereas one GOOD run is all it takes in autocross.

Suspension setup is not the same for the 2 sports either. Usually, an autocross setup will have considerably more oversteer and generally be "twitchier" than a road course setup. And while shocks/struts are important for both, the quick transient nature of autocross tends to magnify any dampening weaknesses on the car more than road racing.

Finally, I'll just make the general observation though that many who criticize autocross in comparison to road racing are doing so because their car control skills for autocross aren't where they should be