CougarFest AutoX questions...

[LinkMan]

I ran the autocross course at CougarFest this weekend, and had a blast. It was the first time I've ever done anything like that in my Cougar (in any car actually).

But I was paying so much attention to the things going on outside the car (brake, turn, go!) that I don't think I glanced at the instrument cluster at all. So...

Does anyone who ran that course and has more experience than me know what kind of speeds we were hitting on the straights?

And...

Was that a fairly simple track layout? How does it compare to a "real" autocross event?

Thanks!

[silverfrost99]

I didnt look at the gauges, but considering I didn't shift out of second gear, 55 mph, and judging from the sound of the motor, I would make a guess that my car was hitting somewhere around 45 mph. + or - 5 mph.

Fun times and I hope to find autocross events in my area now!

[sonza68]

My fastest runs were done completely in 1st gear. I just hit the rev limiter before entering the final left turn, so for me it was around 42-43 mph.

As for how it compares to other events, this course was a bit shorter than what I'm used to. This is because here in St. Louis we have access to a couple of lots that are quite a bit bigger than the one at IRP. On those courses I'm usually solidly into 2nd gear (55-60 or so top speeds). The layouts are usually a bit more complex without much of a straightaway and the correct line is usually not as obvious. Bottom line, if you felt comfortable out on the course on Fri, you should be fine at one of your local events.

[LinkMan]

Cool. I think I'm going to be checking out the local club, already looked up the website.
Now, what mods to do next... ;)

[sonza68]

Work on yourself as a driver first. You'll pick up more time working on your driving than by modding your car.

[LinkMan]

You'll pick up more time working on your driving
Oh, that's for sure, I have no doubt!

I'm just looking for another excuse to spend money on my baby ;)

[GuidoThePenguin]

42-45 mph max? :ugh:



Man, I hit the 60s and 70s regularly on our local courses. And this in my atx......

[sonza68]

On r-comps it was a 27 sec course. The lot wasn't very big and we had some obstacles (light pole, broken pavement, etc) we had to work around.

[EricF]

Course speed depends alot on lot size and course design. I designed the course, it was tight, having a bunch of Novices running
at 65 on that lot I wouldn't suggest. I've run upwords of 70ish at a national tour. Its the great thing about AutoX every course is
different each time(unless your region sets the same alot)

I ran first gear till the cross over, on my fastest run. expect the times to be about 15 seconds longer next year
now that I have had a much better look at the lot, I can exploit more space.

[LinkMan]

having a bunch of Novices running at 65 on that lot I wouldn't suggest.
Thank you! Better an easy track for the beginners (the better to hook them with) than challenge the people who do it frequently.


expect the times to be about 15 seconds longer next year now that I have had a much better look at the lot, I can exploit more space.
Thank you again. I hope I've been able to run some local events before then, and am up to the challenge.


Work on yourself as a driver first.
Point driven home by the fact I didn't beat Trevor's time in his Explorer.

Thank yous to all the experienced auto crossers who worked to lay out the track, find the SCCA gentleman, and made sure we beginners didn't do anything too stupid out there.

[EricF]

Originally posted by: LinkMan
...than challenge the people who do it frequently....

Believe me its still a challenge for experienced drivers, Trying to shave off a tenth of a second is sometimes tougher
than for a newbie trying just to find the course..

Not to worry though next years course will fun as well... nothing is really ever tricky about a course, walking the course
and inspecting it makes all the difference, as is example some of the folks who didn't get to walk it, and then just tried the course
ending up lost out there.