Proper throttle use
 

When racing (autocross) I always have trouble wondering how much gas to give when starting or when exiting a corner. What are techniques when accelerating.

Short answer for here: Brake early, get the car rotated and apply throttle only as you unwind the steering. If you try to accelerate and turn at the same time the car will understeer.

^ That's good rule of thumb

What I do (1st gen autocrosser):

When starting, spin the tires like crazy to get some stickyness (I run cheap, hard tires).

If I'm starting with a slalom, or any other type of turn soon after the start, then I will provide too much steering input, "crossing up" the tires, in order to get some heat into them (again, cheap tires).

Doing all of your braking before the turn is a good general rule of thumb, but you can also brake while entering the turn as long as you are prepared for the car to begin oversteering (if you end up understeering, then you simply went in too fast).

Coming out of a turn I'll either accelerate according to the traction I have, or in some cases over accelerate in order to get the back end around.

Of course all of this will depend on the driver's preferences, course type, surface condition, and about a thousand other variables. :)



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If you are spinning the tires you are loosing time. You want to be right on the edge. Try really hard to carry your car through the turn at a constant speed and roll on the throttle as you exit. It is all about momentum. What gen RX-7 (turbo-na)do you have? That will help with helping describe an answer.

What I do (1st gen autocrosser):

When starting, spin the tires like crazy to get some stickyness (I run cheap, hard tires).

If I'm starting with a slalom, or any other type of turn soon after the start, then I will provide too much steering input, "crossing up" the tires, in order to get some heat into them (again, cheap tires).

Doing all of your braking before the turn is a good general rule of thumb, but you can also brake while entering the turn as long as you are prepared for the car to begin oversteering (if you end up understeering, then you simply went in too fast).

Coming out of a turn I'll either accelerate according to the traction I have, or in some cases over accelerate in order to get the back end around.

Of course all of this will depend on the driver's preferences, course type, surface condition, and about a thousand other variables.



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i was told you want to roll on the throttle giving a little bit of gas coming out of apex so you as your getting the car straight your giving a little and little more gas until the car is straight out of the turn and you should be close to full throttle and then go for if your not yet but above are good techniques as well especially about keeping the grip he is right if the tires spin your lossing time and you never want to stap the throttle always smooth inputs

Give this a try: Worldcat Library Search for Carroll Smith's "Drive To Win"

Although it looks like the closest copy is ~150 miles away, unfortunately.

when coming out of a apex, if you give too much gas and have to counter steer, it was too early for that amount of throttle. Find those point. Build up to it. Pick a section of the track, and slowly give it gas sooner, or more throttle at that point. When you find yourself starting to over rotate, that's when you know your tires are losing the friction battle. Also, once you find that, steering input then become a factor as you want your line to be on key with your throttle.

I've got a 3rd gen on HKS HiperD coilovers, 265/35 18 & 235/40 18 RSR semi slicks. I find on hard acceleration the front end feels light. Is anyone else experiencing this? I'm thinking harder srpings in the rear might help, but just wanted to see if anyone else has had this feeling. Still running the twins, making about 300hp.

Especially noticable up and down hill. Not as much on flat road.

Thanks.
Chris...

SLow in fast out. basic rule of thumb. Throttle control is important, and rolling on it is best for most cases.

Something i've noticed mainly in Corvette drivers on an autox course ( mainly guys new to the scene) That they are either all throttle or no throttle. You need to train yourself to ease into it. Just do events and youll start to learn your car and your setup. I think the anwser will show itself.