Autocross technique - 2nd gear?
 

I've been autocrossing for 3 years now and performing fairly well in the ASP class. I run Hoosiers in most events.
Just wondering what people do for gear changes at the average event? I tend to launch in 1st and switch to 2nd fairly quickly, then leave it there for the remainder of the run

That said, I know our first gear can be run pretty high... should I consider running more of the course in 1st? Or will that not be smooth enough in throttle transitions?

2nd gear. No question about it. :) I always cringe when I watch other 7s run a course in 1st gear, it's just so slow!



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How long do you hold first at the beginning? I usually shift at the first corner

Terrible... shift as late as possible.... watch my video
It was an average 41-45 second course. I did the first 10-11 seconds in first gear. That is almost 20% of the course in first gear.
I was 18th Overall out of 77 drivers.

It really depends on your set up/grip levels/power levels/course.

When I ran my FD in stock class with little 245 V710 on stock wheels it was definitely a leave it in 2nd proposition.

When I ran 295 Ventus TD on 18x11 in ASP with ~270rwhp it was basically like a Miata- keep it in 1st to use the extra pickup when the course allowed.

When I raised the redline to 9,000rpm and was running ~290rwhp 1st became even more useful as with the power drop the higher rpm/speeds 1st is even more manageable.

I would like to try with 26" rear tires, 3.9:1s and 9,000rpm.

Then again, if you are ~400rwhp with good turbo response 1st is waaay to twitchy.

In my FC for instance I often found my fastest times were just leaving it in 3rd the whole course.

I'd estimate I'm at 320ish whp, but I find that in first I end up with a ton of twitchy wheel spin, despite running 275 A6s.
Guess it's just one more thing to work on