I know it takes balls to get the fast corners right. I feel like that is where I can make up some time. Problem is, the car feels really loose going into the one big corner we have at every autocross (same lot everytime, and that dictates the big sweeper.). It is a 180°, and either uphill or downhill depending on direction and day. It has some camber. It has expansion joints. It is always going into a tight slalom and usually a loose slalom leading into it.
my problem is the car is rather loose at the top of second gear going in and it can be hard to get the line right with the kink coming up into the slalom. What usually happens is the car gets loose mid turn, and then I struggle to find balance between "hang on, you're seeing god" and "that went well, +2 seconds".
in STR, so no aero mods allowed. Running 245's on 9" wide wheels. Alignment is
Front: 1/4 total toe out. 1° camber. 5.7° caster.
rear: 1/8 toe in. 1.5° camber (I need to fix this, but figured it should only be helping high speed stability).
https://youtu.be/nO9Q2kp0vXQ
corner in question starts at 1:57. Notice the kink in the middle. Lots of trouble getting the car settled here, and again entering the slalom at the exit.
So I watched several times and the car is unsettled mid corner.
My usual question is what exactly are you doing at the moment the car unsettled? On the brakes? Coasting?
What is your level of comfort with oversteer?
This is a case of one corner. How is the balance in the other corners?
If it's only one corner where the balance is not good I'd be reluctant to make big changes.
Also how old are the dampers/shocks? The car seems to be pogo a bit mid corner.
In reply to Tom1200 :
A few things: that isn't me. That's a friend. Sorry. Should've pointed that out.
the moment the car is unsettled and over steering is definitely throttle lift, but that's me trying to bleed speed and judge how far I have/haven't overbaked my entry.
im comfortable with oversteer, but it doesn't feel faster when I have that level of slip angle.
it's just this corner, as it's the only high speed one. Dampers are brand new Koni, non adjustable. Progressive rate springs. Not too harsh either. Sways are adjustable, but I have them set softest so I can dial in the ride.
in low speed corners I can rotate with the usual throttle modulation fine. Slaloms are controlled.
In reply to Countingcrowbars :
Can you simply stay on the throttle and rotate the car by simply left foot braking in the fast sweep?
The other thing you could try is backing off the rear bar one notch.
In reply to Tom1200 :
So both bars are softest settings. I could stiffen the front. Left foot braking is something I've been thinking about. I can practice it and see if it makes any improvement. You're talking about left foot braking for stabilizing the car right?
Are there cones on the left defining the corner? All I see is the slalom at the exit. If there aren't cones or only one or two cones there are lots of different ways that corner could be taken based on your car and driving style. I'm. Not sure treating it like a big sweeper with a big fault in the middle is best.
Countingcrowbars said:
In reply to Tom1200 :
So both bars are softest settings. I could stiffen the front. Left foot braking is something I've been thinking about. I can practice it and see if it makes any improvement. You're talking about left foot braking for stabilizing the car right?
What I'm talking about for that corner is staying on the gas through the whole corner (whether that's full throttle or 1\4 throttle).
When you get to the spot where you need to rotate the car, instead of lifting, you reach up with your left foot and give the brake a slight squeeze.
The difference between LFB and simply lifting is that the instant you come off the brake the weight transfers to the rear. Basically by staying on the gas while braking the backend catches instantly.
The only other thing I can think of is straightening out the car over the bump using a slow in fast out approach.
End of the day I wouldn't dial the car in for a single corner, especially since you said it's good everywhere else.
In reply to Tom1200 :
We racers who live up here In the arctic tundra have an advantage. Learning to drive on ice teaches you how to transition and maintain a steady radius driving with the throttle alone. We get 6 months or more of practice. Not just a few moments at an autocross.
If you must have more power, try dirt sprint car racing. While not as touchy as ice, dirt will teach you the fine art of sliding.
In reply to Tom1200 :
I like this. Thank you! I will report back after next weekend's event.
AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:
Are there cones on the left defining the corner? All I see is the slalom at the exit. If there aren't cones or only one or two cones there are lots of different ways that corner could be taken based on your car and driving style. I'm. Not sure treating it like a big sweeper with a big fault in the middle is best.
There are no defining cones there, but there is a pinch cone in the middle of the corner to encourage slowing. Technically, you could call it two corners since the pinch cone makes for an apex. But the arc makes it like one.
Countingcrowbars said:
AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:
Are there cones on the left defining the corner? All I see is the slalom at the exit. If there aren't cones or only one or two cones there are lots of different ways that corner could be taken based on your car and driving style. I'm. Not sure treating it like a big sweeper with a big fault in the middle is best.
There are no defining cones there, but there is a pinch cone in the middle of the corner to encourage slowing. Technically, you could call it two corners since the pinch cone makes for an apex. But the arc makes it like one.
Now that we know this which slalom is faster in or out?
i just want to move to oregon and autox in the trees like you
In reply to malibuguy :
Hoodoo is beautiful. Just bring skeeter spray.
AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:
Countingcrowbars said:
AnthonyGS (Forum Supporter) said:
Are there cones on the left defining the corner? All I see is the slalom at the exit. If there aren't cones or only one or two cones there are lots of different ways that corner could be taken based on your car and driving style. I'm. Not sure treating it like a big sweeper with a big fault in the middle is best.
There are no defining cones there, but there is a pinch cone in the middle of the corner to encourage slowing. Technically, you could call it two corners since the pinch cone makes for an apex. But the arc makes it like one.
Now that we know this which slalom is faster in or out?
Slalom going into the corner is faster.
