[JimMueller]

With the exception of the 3-4 Evolution schools I've taken, I've only raced my car at an autocross. Since my car is down, I have been given the opportunity to co-drive a 400rwhp C5 with an automatic tranny. The car has received FTD at the first three events of the season. The guy who typically got FTD last year has been without his Z06, and when he drove this car he had difficulty getting used to the automatic tranny. I think he's got 315 V710's on all corners, and something like -2.5 camber. Recent changes made at the suggestion of Danny Popp.

This event will sorta be a mini-road race. When we run the course as an increasing radius sweeper, stock Z06's reached about 115mph on the back stretch. We'll be going the opposite way this event, however.

So, anything in particular I should know if I take him up on his offer? Let the car shift itself? How do I prevent it from shifting in the middle of a corner? What else?

[CMC #37]

After doing a few street schools at Thunderhill in the '97 TA, an A4 with a mild shift kit, my instructor said I was slower shifting manually. After instructing for years I have found that no-one I have come across has their student shift manually. Do an experiment to check this out. Just put the sucker in "D" and leave it there until you feel you are as fast as you can be then try it manually. I think your lap timer will tell you leaving it in third is best. You will need to modulate the throttle carefully to avoid shifts at the "wrong time."

Another thing to be aware of is "automatic drift" when the torque converter disengages... try to keep a little throttle on in these situations if possible to keep it from doing that. You will not always be able to avoid it though.

Good luck, and have fun!