Autocross technique - 2nd gear?
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?
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?
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 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.
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
Guess it's just one more thing to work on



I always cringe when I watch other 7s run a course in 1st gear, it's just so slow!


