Recommended Reading Options

[1997TA]

I have autocrossed for a number of years with the Utah SCCA. I don't believe my skills are up to par for road racing at Miller Motor Sports Park. I need to improve my understanding of race dynamics and what lines to take and why. I have read Speed Secrets Professional Race Driving Techniques, and Secrets of Solo Racing. What do you recommend?

This post has been edited by 1997TA: Dec 6 2007, 04:46 AM

[jensend]

I want to learn how to race on the track, what lines to drive, etc. I have read Speed Secrets Professional Race Driving Techniques, and Secrets of Solo Racing. What do you recommend?

Reading is an OK place to start, but it isn't terribly useful in isolation. I'd suggest you at least get some seat time autoxing and perhaps a day or two at an instructed HPDE event. After that, the reading you do will have a solid frame of reference. As for good general purpose "Readers", try "Going Faster" or "Winning".

[John_D.]

I have autocrossed for a number of years with the Utah SCCA.

...what lines to take and why.

I've heard that autocrossers often make good road racers but it doesn't always work the other way... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

One thing I had to work on was "forgetting" what I learned in Evolution courses about making tight turns as tight/small as possible.

Even with a slow tight turn at the Nashville course, the fastest racers were using all the roadway to make the entrance/exit as wide as possible.

[trackbird]

Even with a slow tight turn at the Nashville course, the fastest racers were using all the roadway to make the entrance/exit as wide as possible.

Yea, that exit from the bus stop that runs up onto the front banking is a fun one. I went through there 20 degrees "tail out" on at least one lap. The first two turns down into the infield are just as bad and even tighter.

Some great books have been recommended already. Beyond that, seat time, seat time, seat time. That's the best advice I can give you. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/2thumbs.gif)

[BigEnos]

"A Twist of the Wrist" by Keith Code. It's a motorcycle road racing book, but it's a pretty good autocrossing book, too. Better than any of the driving books I've looked at (I have not read them all).

[impact1968]

I have a twist of the wrist 1 and 2, great books. Also have "life in the fast lane" about f1 driver Alain Prost and several about Ayrton Senna (one of my favorite f1 drivers along with Michael Schumacher).

[Shortcutsleeping]

I've heard that autocrossers often make good road racers but it doesn't always work the other way... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Bwahahahahaahaha.

Seems like every autocrosser (that does not w2w) says that. <shakes head> Another internet myth.

The previously mentioned 'Twist of the Wrist' (both volumes) and Anderson's 'Winning, a Race Driver's Handbook' are the two that I like the most. The whole 'Speed Secrets' set are great also.

I'll also echo the 'get seat time' sentiment and do an hpde with a good instructor.



Costas
cars and such...

[John_D.]

Seems like every autocrosser (that does not w2w) says that. <shakes head> Another internet myth.

Yeah, I can't think of a good way to prove that one, one way or the other.

I suspect it comes in handy as a dose of confidence for folks thinking about making the jump to the other side (to the RR side that is). (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mitchntx]

I have most of the books listed in this thread.

But I keep going back to one ...

"Principles of Race Driving"
by Ayrton Senna

I found it in 1/2 Price BRT for about $10.

Short, simple, easy to read, easy to understand.