FD Owners: how'd you learn to race?
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 63
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From: San Diego, CA
Wow thank you everyone for the great responses! I'm going to print this thread out!
I agree that an FD is a poor choice for a car to learn racing in, but let me just let you know why I bought it.
I'm not really interested in competition racing (for now), I just want to learn the basics of driving well, and contribute to a fun time on the track. The rx-7 is my dream car, I love it and I know once I learn to use it I'll love it more.
The rotary has always intrigued me, and although I'm not mechanically inclined (for now) I've realized its potential and uniqueness that adds to my love of the car.
The main reason I want to learn to drive it well is just to have more fun on the track and to NOT get my *** handed to me on the street by a car that would otherwise lose to an experienced driver.
Its funny, I used to own a 93 black miata a few years ago...guess I should have kept that and learned on it.
Grant tursmo is one of my favorite games and though it may not be a practical means of learning to race, I've actually learned quite a bit on it because of its realistic nature.
So, I will take everyone's advice, and probably save up for a 3 day excursion at skip barber. Before that I'll probably take my car to a track and just practice a little bit. I'm nowhere near racing prepared and may not ever want to actually race; Learning is my only goal right now.
I realize most people here have been around racing and what not for much of their life. I on the other hand have NEVER been around it, so this is where I'm starting...
Thanks again to all posters. As soon as my 2nd turbo stops acting up (I've taken it to Autotech twice now and still same problem) I'll get my ignorant *** out there and hopefully learn a thing or two.
Zeb
I agree that an FD is a poor choice for a car to learn racing in, but let me just let you know why I bought it.
I'm not really interested in competition racing (for now), I just want to learn the basics of driving well, and contribute to a fun time on the track. The rx-7 is my dream car, I love it and I know once I learn to use it I'll love it more.
The rotary has always intrigued me, and although I'm not mechanically inclined (for now) I've realized its potential and uniqueness that adds to my love of the car.
The main reason I want to learn to drive it well is just to have more fun on the track and to NOT get my *** handed to me on the street by a car that would otherwise lose to an experienced driver.
Its funny, I used to own a 93 black miata a few years ago...guess I should have kept that and learned on it.
Grant tursmo is one of my favorite games and though it may not be a practical means of learning to race, I've actually learned quite a bit on it because of its realistic nature.
So, I will take everyone's advice, and probably save up for a 3 day excursion at skip barber. Before that I'll probably take my car to a track and just practice a little bit. I'm nowhere near racing prepared and may not ever want to actually race; Learning is my only goal right now.
I realize most people here have been around racing and what not for much of their life. I on the other hand have NEVER been around it, so this is where I'm starting...
Thanks again to all posters. As soon as my 2nd turbo stops acting up (I've taken it to Autotech twice now and still same problem) I'll get my ignorant *** out there and hopefully learn a thing or two.
Zeb
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 528
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From: New York
im prettyt sure most people learn on their own when its late enough not to have to worry about pedestrians and cops and u just fins stopsigns and stop lights. i always felt bad launching near homes late at night so i would take it to the highways.... hehwheelspin and rx7's are like pees in a pod
Rotorally Challenged
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
Originally posted by HeX
You will all stand corrected after this next sentence... The "Best" way to learn all the techniques is to outrace a police vehicle. You will learn all about auto-x, drag racing, bracket racing, drifting you name it all in one rather inexpensive and easy to pay ticket. If you have your racing permit (insurance) and is registered under the PD racing registry (registration) you'll be set! You can race anywhere in the city and can go on for as long as you'd like (or till your gas runs out). Plus it all comes with complimentary T.V. coverage!! What a deal!!
-HeX
You will all stand corrected after this next sentence... The "Best" way to learn all the techniques is to outrace a police vehicle. You will learn all about auto-x, drag racing, bracket racing, drifting you name it all in one rather inexpensive and easy to pay ticket. If you have your racing permit (insurance) and is registered under the PD racing registry (registration) you'll be set! You can race anywhere in the city and can go on for as long as you'd like (or till your gas runs out). Plus it all comes with complimentary T.V. coverage!! What a deal!!
-HeX
Lives on the Forum
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,131
Likes: 2
From: IN
We stand Corrected
Best advice thus far 
Originally posted by HeX
You will all stand corrected after this next sentence... The "Best" way to learn all the techniques is to outrace a police vehicle. You will learn all about auto-x, drag racing, bracket racing, drifting you name it all in one rather inexpensive and easy to pay ticket. If you have your racing permit (insurance) and is registered under the PD racing registry (registration) you'll be set! You can race anywhere in the city and can go on for as long as you'd like (or till your gas runs out). Plus it all comes with complimentary T.V. coverage!! What a deal!!
Just kidding YO'.
Best way to learn is one step at a time and slowly. Take your time, get the feel of the car. Start by mastering the basics (shifting/clutch pedal), followed by the obvious (launching/wheel spin), etc,... You'll know because you start to build confidence. However, don't feel pressured to take your car to limits you haven't yet just because some other a-hole is reving his engine, or becuase you think that cute girl in your passenger's seat is impressed by Jeff Gordon DNA. Do your own pace. But most importantly, make sure you have good (I mean fn' good) tires and brakes. They can make all the difference in the world. Don't forget to have your vehicle in proper order (meaning it runs right). My best advice yet? USE COMMON SENSE!! <-- SHIET!!
-HeX
You will all stand corrected after this next sentence... The "Best" way to learn all the techniques is to outrace a police vehicle. You will learn all about auto-x, drag racing, bracket racing, drifting you name it all in one rather inexpensive and easy to pay ticket. If you have your racing permit (insurance) and is registered under the PD racing registry (registration) you'll be set! You can race anywhere in the city and can go on for as long as you'd like (or till your gas runs out). Plus it all comes with complimentary T.V. coverage!! What a deal!!
Just kidding YO'.
Best way to learn is one step at a time and slowly. Take your time, get the feel of the car. Start by mastering the basics (shifting/clutch pedal), followed by the obvious (launching/wheel spin), etc,... You'll know because you start to build confidence. However, don't feel pressured to take your car to limits you haven't yet just because some other a-hole is reving his engine, or becuase you think that cute girl in your passenger's seat is impressed by Jeff Gordon DNA. Do your own pace. But most importantly, make sure you have good (I mean fn' good) tires and brakes. They can make all the difference in the world. Don't forget to have your vehicle in proper order (meaning it runs right). My best advice yet? USE COMMON SENSE!! <-- SHIET!!
-HeX
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 167
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From: Houston Texas
Don't worry about it
I may act now like I have been around the track forever (actually, guess that it has been a while!!) but I started at 18 in a Mustang, totally stock. Drove down to Firebird in Phoenix Arizona with some friends and said that I wasn't going to race. It just looked like too much fun so ran through tec, got into the staging lanes, drove AROUND the burn-out pit, and smoked the tires with a tremendous 15.32 sec pass!! Still have the slip. I did 4 more passes that night with a best of 14.43. My reaction time was almost always over a second and a half but I had fun which was why I went there in the first place.
I usually offer this up as a good place to start since you won't get a ticket and its perfectly legal. Well, that and you can't beat the adrenalin rush of knowing that you are going to race!! Too worried at lights on the street when I started out, too many possibilities for problems, accidents, tickets...... Track is awesome. Even where I live now in Houston, they have Friday night where you can take street cars out from 5:30PM to 10:30PM and run as much as you want.
If nothing else great place to meet people and see those greasy motor babes!!
Nothing better then a hot, greasy, woman that can kick your ***!!
I usually offer this up as a good place to start since you won't get a ticket and its perfectly legal. Well, that and you can't beat the adrenalin rush of knowing that you are going to race!! Too worried at lights on the street when I started out, too many possibilities for problems, accidents, tickets...... Track is awesome. Even where I live now in Houston, they have Friday night where you can take street cars out from 5:30PM to 10:30PM and run as much as you want.
If nothing else great place to meet people and see those greasy motor babes!!
Nothing better then a hot, greasy, woman that can kick your ***!!
OG
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 1
From: Pleasanton,California
I guarantee 99% of the people on this board cant drive for ****...Are you kidding me...you realize how many "children" surf this forum.....now do I consider myself a good driver...**** NO..I went to a driving day and although I was probably top 3 or the "normal" people on this little autox track...the teacher bested my time by 30%...WTF....really puts you in your place...
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 971
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Aufklaren, try to word your topic a little better. It seems that all you really want to know is how to launch the FD, which you probably could have searched and found results for. It's not hard to find a place to launch the FD from a stop, just make sure no one's around.
It sounds like you're interested in pitting your car against other high performance machines in a straight line...That's fine, just, for god sakes, DON'T do it at the street races or around other such stupid people. Stupid people and fast cars (or fast moving cars) don't mix well together
.
Good luck with learning to launch the FD.
It sounds like you're interested in pitting your car against other high performance machines in a straight line...That's fine, just, for god sakes, DON'T do it at the street races or around other such stupid people. Stupid people and fast cars (or fast moving cars) don't mix well together
.Good luck with learning to launch the FD.
Thread Starter
Full Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Originally posted by Chronos
Aufklaren, try to word your topic a little better. It seems that all you really want to know is how to launch the FD, which you probably could have searched and found results for. It's not hard to find a place to launch the FD from a stop, just make sure no one's around.
It sounds like you're interested in pitting your car against other high performance machines in a straight line...That's fine, just, for god sakes, DON'T do it at the street races or around other such stupid people. Stupid people and fast cars (or fast moving cars) don't mix well together.
Good luck with learning to launch the FD.
Aufklaren, try to word your topic a little better. It seems that all you really want to know is how to launch the FD, which you probably could have searched and found results for. It's not hard to find a place to launch the FD from a stop, just make sure no one's around.
It sounds like you're interested in pitting your car against other high performance machines in a straight line...That's fine, just, for god sakes, DON'T do it at the street races or around other such stupid people. Stupid people and fast cars (or fast moving cars) don't mix well together
.Good luck with learning to launch the FD.
" I just want to learn the basics of driving well, and contribute to a fun time on the track. "
"The main reason I want to learn to drive it well is just to have more fun on the track"
"So, I will take everyone's advice, and probably save up for a 3 day excursion at skip barber. Before that I'll probably take my car to a track and just practice a little bit."
I don't see how you gathered that my only goal is to launch. That is part of what I want to learn, but I want to learn to handle the car just as much as launching it.
Anyways, thanks to all posters for their advice....I'm gonna try that police chase thing..I'm pretty good at it after playing Grand Theft Auto
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 971
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
aufklaren, sorry, I only replied to your initial post. It seemed very much so like you were gearing towards racing people in straight lines and you were concerned about launching the car. I figured you meant "off the line" as in on the street and "on the track" as in on the drag strip. Also, most kills in the kill section are based on straight line "drag races" done on the street.
Good luck with learning to push your car closer to it's capabilities!
Good luck with learning to push your car closer to it's capabilities!
The 7 can't lose!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 487
Likes: 1
From: Adelaide, South Australia
The first thing you need to do is forget about racing other people. To start with, you are only racing against yourself. Concentrate on being smooth and safe, and you'll be surprised how quickly your lap times come down, and how confident you'll become.
And definitely enrol in an advanced drivers class. You'll learn more in a day than 5 years experience will teach you.
And definitely enrol in an advanced drivers class. You'll learn more in a day than 5 years experience will teach you.
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