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This year AutoX event, I'll be competing with a couple of my friends and it's going to be really intense since, I guess "pride" is on the line. So I can't afford to lose to any of them and I seriously don't want them to brag about it or use it against me for life, like how they still make fun of my friend that crash into a tree, I find that hilarious, still.

So, these guys has never been to an autoX event nor road course, besides drag strips. My car, all it has is a bigger RSB and borla header and maybe a few piggie stickers and JDM parts here and there, lol.(STS)

 So, I was wondering if I can get an instructor to ride with me on the first 1-2 runs to see how I'm doing, I usually don't get the course till the 3rd run or so. I would have my own personal driving instructor here but he's far away and probably won't make it.

 The cars that I'll be running against is a, '00 S2K, '96 Sentra, '95 3KGT, MiniCooper-S, and some old school Mercedes. Now all of them guys have no experience whatsoever, so my concerns is mostly towards the S2K. It has wayy more power over my car, maybe even corners faster for being a RWD, that's if the driver can drive. So, yes, I want to set things up ahead of time and maybe get there earlier so I can walk the course a few times and see how how much I've improved on my driving. So, are their any instructors on here?

Other thing is that they make fun of Civics!!! damn them, I've been looking for one but just can't find one!!!! >_<...I can't afford to drive my car like that all the time.

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There are a lot of instructors on here.  Have you been to a Milwaukee autocross before?  There will be a driver's school before the first event in Milwaukee where you can get a big advantage over your friends but I would recommend that they attend too.  At the driver's school you will get a lot of looks at the course and have instructors with you all day and they can even drive your car for you to help you see the way to drive the course.  It can be fun for all your friends to compete every weekend.  There are classes that will not pit your car even against the s2k.  Every car is on an equal playing surface with something that is called an index.  That way a Lotus Elise that gets through the course 1.5 seconds ahead of a Civic si are actually pretty close in time after the index.  As far as walking the course, you should already be doing that.  And the final note about civics, if they show up in Milwaukee, they won't be making fun of our civics.

Sign up early for the driver's school

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Jimmy

Highest Quality In-Car Digital Video Systems, Bullet Cameras and Accessories www.datatoys.com

4th HS 2008 Nationals
6th STS 06
7th STS 05

Sponsored by: whoever lets me drive their car. :)

When you get to the event, let registration know you'd like an instructor. Should be no problem finding a "coach". Keep watching the schedules- several groups run Milwaukee, and they usually have schools available.

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Keep it STImple, supid

I agree with Jimmy (theman631) on all accounts.

The local schedules should be coming out soon, SCCA-MKE will have a drivers school, as well as WAI (later in the year I believe)... I would recommend attending both of them if you serious about improving.  I took the drivers school the first 3 years I started driving and learned something new, or at least sparked my memory on something I was supposed to be doing, ever year.  This sport is all about seat time, the more you get, the faster you will get.

If you are forgetting the course then I would recommend you get there earlier and walk the course more, I would say that a minimum of three course walks is needed for newer drivers.  I know it still takes me 2-3 walks to remember, YMMV.  However, extra walks aren't going to hurt you. 

Oh another thing, during your course walks, concentrate on the course and how you are going to attack it.  I like to have social time as much as the next guy when walking, but it gets to a point when I just need to 'break-away', walk by myself, and not be distracted.  Constantly be looking ahead on the course planning where you need to be, just like you would be when driving.

Now, if you are going to get 3+ course walks in that means that you can't be showing up at 8:30am, you really need to be there before 8am if you plan to register, clean out your car, tech, and still have time to get 3+ course walks.  You can also shorten your required time to unload you car if you do a little pre-cleaning at home, don't bring anything you don't need because you'll just end up pulling it out of the car anyways.  I also find that having some large Rubbermaid containers to put my stuff in helps.

And yes, I don't think they will making fun of too many Civics in our region.
 

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Jason Frank
Bridgestone / datatoys.com / Redshift Motorsports STS Civic Si

TeamUndercoatRacing.com

I've been to, lemme see, 10-12 autoX events, including WAI, twice in the rain. I would love to take the class to help me improve on my driving but I also have school and I work 2nd shift and I'll have to work every other weekends during the summer. Where can I sign up for the driving school?

When walking the course, I do try to find the best line, when to brake, when to turn in, when to accelerate. I do know to look ahead for the next turn so I can setup myself for that next turn. I guess it would be best to walk the course by yourself with no one bothering you so that you can concentrate on the course. I live about an hour away, so I usually have to get up at 6a.m. to get ready and make it on time before traffic gets busy and dealing with Port Washington police.

Thanks for the info guys, I really appreciate it. I'll definetly be there this year more often to compete and maybe become a member of SCCA. I was also wondering if I can hitch a ride in the passenger seat with someone during the event?

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I think you may be stuck becoming a member of SCCA, at least for the day.  If I'm not mistaken, SCCA put through a rule change that all competitors must have an SCCA membership.  If you aren't a member they were going to sell one day memberships at the event site.  The idea was to "encourage" people to become regular members.  Someone in the know should correct me if I'm wrong on this, but I know it was at least talked about.

Best thing is to hook up with someone early.  Having an instructor walk the course with you, say on your second and third walk through, can be worth many walks.  Not enough people take advantage of the instructors IMO.

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Patrick Washburn
STU Evo - SOLD!
<----- 2009 - Regain the coveted Tri Pod Trophy for the Hiedi's

I was able to take advantage of the driver's school at the beginning of the '07 season, and it was a big help.  The tips that you pick up from more experienced drivers are great.  My instructor was Dale Schubel, and although he drives a vastly different (and much cooler) car than I do, his insight was greatly appreciated.  Also, you can't beat the amount of seat-time that you get.  I would like to go to this year's DS too, if there are going to be enough openings.

Another thing that I might comment on is that you need not get too caught up in the goal of beating your friends.  Relax, and have fun.
 

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Paul Greif
927 STS
2006 Hyundai Elantra GT
(2,800 lb. nose-heavy pig)
http://www.elantraclub.com
http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/

Civic's are gay.....

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Colin Fiedler
07 STI
Milwaukee Region
Bridgestone and Racecomp Engineering
2008 STU National Champion

pinkertonpunk:

Civic's are gay.....

 So is taking index in an illegal car.....

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~Sam Karp~
1994 Mazda Miata R, ES
SCCA-Milwaukee

oooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooOOOOO  !!!!

 

Oh wait, I guess I won an index with an illegal car too, LOL.

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Jason Frank
Bridgestone / datatoys.com / Redshift Motorsports STS Civic Si

TeamUndercoatRacing.com

We discussed DSQ'd both you of cheatin fools for YTD 2008 points due to your prior cheating.

Clean it up for 2008.................

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~Sam Karp~
1994 Mazda Miata R, ES
SCCA-Milwaukee

LOL !!!!!!!  Go ahead, give it a try... my wife will love you for it.

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Jason Frank
Bridgestone / datatoys.com / Redshift Motorsports STS Civic Si

TeamUndercoatRacing.com

Mugenlude:

my wife will love you for it.

Well, if thats what it takes! Sam needs some lovin in the oven.

Fielder is still a cheater. Honestly, how could you guys go that fast with that 2004 car? Must have had a diff...... Then there was the missing spare wheel cover in the S2000....slap on the wrist my aunt fanny! Now this.  Its almost up there with the Tim White "the boost controller is there to turn down my boost" line. Higher boost is more reliable!?! My gosh......

You know, my Civic is more reliable with 2 degrees of extra camber in the front? Can I do that?

You know, race tires have more grip that street tires. Therefore, a STS car with A6's is safer than with RE01R's. Sounds like a safety modification to me.

Steve, can we get a ruling here?

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~Sam Karp~
1994 Mazda Miata R, ES
SCCA-Milwaukee

How did I get dragged into this?  Be nice Sam.

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Tim White
F125
Milwaukee Region

I was nice to you for a day....at the banquet. Thats all I can take for the next year.

PS-I'm suprised your post got to us, you being in Kohler and all, I thought it would take days to show up on the forum. Things must be getting fair sophisticated up there! Gave running water yet?

PPS-Tim is naming his child after me.

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~Sam Karp~
1994 Mazda Miata R, ES
SCCA-Milwaukee

Quit hating man.

Fat chance I'm naming my kid after you.

Way OT, what are you driving next year?  Still STS Civic with Dan?

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Tim White
F125
Milwaukee Region

whitet777:

Way OT, what are you driving next year?  Still STS Civic with Dan?

I am driving in E-Stock. 1994 Mazda Miata R. Fully prepped and locked in for E-Stock/Tim White domination. Even on Kumho's!!!

Joking aside, it is the Borowski's car that I have arranged a co-drive deal with. They won't be racing the car at SCCA-Milw events, but have agreed to drive it to the events and hand the keys over to me (and Bill Nealis) to race at the event. When the event is done, we take the race tires off and they drive it home.

You won't have much to worry about Tim. Getting use to no power, RWD and no ABS is going to be rough for me. Plus, we may drive in Pro just for ease on the Borowski's (they will likely be driving Pro as well, that way we can run the same heat as them and they don't have to wait for us to get done).

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~Sam Karp~
1994 Mazda Miata R, ES
SCCA-Milwaukee

The Borowski's might drive in Pro!?!?!?  WTF is this world coming to?

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Colin Fiedler
07 STI
Milwaukee Region
Bridgestone and Racecomp Engineering
2008 STU National Champion

Gefiltefish:

Getting use to no power

You should already be used to that, coming from any Civic

BTW - nice Avatar.  Is that the new Cup team for all the Jewish fans?

-Steve