[atakacs]

Ok it's like this: At my last AX I was probably 6 seconds slower than the avg for my class, ESP on what was mostly a 50-60 second course. Most cars were mid to low 50s and a Z06 even ran a 49. My best was a 60. I am literally one of the slowest drivers at the event. I'm on stock tires which I know sucks, but... even when I let a buddy drive my car, he got a better time than me the 1st time ever driving it so I know it's me, not the car. I mean... there's a guy in a lightly modified CTS-V on street tires that gets better times than me!!!

I ran a few AXs last year... 3, maybe. How can I improve or practice without spending several years doing it? We get so few runs per event and then I couldn't attend the local driver's school, and I'll miss about 4 of the AX events over the summer for work as well as the EVO school. I thought about setting up some cones in a Wal-Mart parking lot after hours but I'm sure the cops would show up in no time... so I tried something different. I got a Logitech/Momo racing wheel & pedals for the PC and a few driving games/simulators like NFS and GTR2. I'm not sure how good they are at making you a better driver... unfortunately I think they made me more cautious, not more competitive.

So what do I do? I'd like to be competitive by the end of the year and recognized as the most improved this year. Do you think there's any hope?

This post has been edited by atakacs: May 11 2007, 08:21 PM

[Joe Silva]

our local regions(kansas/salina/KC/wichita) allow you to run twice as long as you work twice. Work 1/drive 2/work 3/ drive 4......This is what i did and it seemed to help me alot, I still do it from time to time. It really allows you to get some reflection while working the second time to see some of your mistakes and think about it, plus a chance to correct them!

SEAT TIME is the best way to making you faster, i also like the advice of allowing a better driver ride with you or co-drive with you in the same heat.

[atakacs]

Guys, I went to another AX today at Ohio Valley Region and I am still miserable. Fast time of the day was 40.x Most faster cars were 44.x My personal best was a 51.0. I wasn't the slowest car of the day... someone ran a 60. I asked about double entry at registration and I was told no. 5 runs = $30 & a 2 week wait for more runs (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I'm taking almost 3 weeks off and hopefully I will get a few events in during that time, including an EVO school at BeaveRun. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks for all the support.

[TrackAddict]

Guys, I went to another AX today at Ohio Valley Region and I am still miserable. Fast time of the day was 40.x Most faster cars were 44.x My personal best was a 51.0. I wasn't the slowest car of the day... someone ran a 60. I asked about double entry at registration and I was told no. 5 runs = $30 & a 2 week wait for more runs (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

I'm taking almost 3 weeks off and hopefully I will get a few events in during that time, including an EVO school at BeaveRun. I'll keep you updated.

Thanks for all the support.

You were over three seconds faster than me. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I'm right there with you, aiming for that "Most Improved" award. Of course, that means improving.

I've made out a calendar of events within a two hour drive of Columbus for the summer. If you want, you can run every single weekend between now and September, at least. There are events in Cincy, Dayton, Columbus (obviously), Toledo, Akron and Cleveland. BeaveRun does occasional weeknight events, and there are a few weekends that you can double dip and hit both Saturday and Sunday.

Miami Valley Sports Car Club is running this Saturday night at the Nutter Center. I'm probably heading down there with a friend/co-driver. You're welcome to caravan along, if you like. There are also events in Toledo and Cleveland on Sunday.

Thanks to all of the experienced guys with their comments, particularly the part about resisting the urge to get on faster tires. I have a used set of Azenis asymmetricals sitting in my garage looking for a set of rims (they were free). At what point should I ditch my off-brand all seasons (treadwear 480 (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) ) and graduate into those? I won't even think about running Hoosiers this season, as I'd rather spend the money on entry fees and gas.

This post has been edited by TrackAddict: May 15 2007, 06:33 PM

[atakacs]

You were over three seconds faster than me. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I'm right there with you, aiming for that "Most Improved" award. Of course, that means improving.

I've made out a calendar of events within a two hour drive of Columbus for the summer. If you want, you can run every single weekend between now and September, at least. There are events in Cincy, Dayton, Columbus (obviously), Toledo, Akron and Cleveland. BeaveRun does occasional weeknight events, and there are a few weekends that you can double dip and hit both Saturday and Sunday.

Miami Valley Sports Car Club is running this Saturday night at the Nutter Center. I'm probably heading down there with a friend/co-driver. You're welcome to caravan along, if you like. There are also events in Toledo and Cleveland on Sunday.

were you at the last OVR AX? Are you in Columbus?
I'll be at Ft. Lewis, Washington without my car for 2 months courtesy of the U.S. Army
Ugh... and I read this Saturday night...

[trackbird]

were you at the last OVR AX? Are you in Columbus?
I'll be at Ft. Lewis, Washington without my car for 2 months courtesy of the U.S. Army
Ugh... and I read this Saturday night...

I was going to come out and meet you (I already know trackaddict), but I realized that the last event was at the drag strip and I didn't have the time to travel out that far to say hi. However, pm or e-mail me for the next event you're attending and if it's in Columbus, I'll try to come ride with you. I'm not the fastest guy out there, but I might be able to help you out a bit. If I'm lucky, I'll have a car by then (though it will be under braked and on street tires for a little while), but I'll probably come drive it until I get it sorted.

And, yes, the EVO schools are worth it (though I haven't managed to attend one, I know many people who have and I know a few of the instructors and have seen them drive). Any schools you can attend are worth it. If you can do Evo and then a $26 SCCA school and attend them both, do it. Seat time is good.

[atakacs]

I was going to come out and meet you (I already know trackaddict), but I realized that the last event was at the drag strip and I didn't have the time to travel out that far to say hi. However, pm or e-mail me for the next event you're attending and if it's in Columbus, I'll try to come ride with you. I'm not the fastest guy out there, but I might be able to help you out a bit. If I'm lucky, I'll have a car by then (though it will be under braked and on street tires for a little while), but I'll probably come drive it until I get it sorted.

OK... it's either the EVO school at BeaveRun or OVR Pts 3 for me on Sunday. If you need a car, we could double drive mine. I bet I'd learn a lot.