driving techniques

[losdiosdeverde86]

so i finally got ym wife to let me autocross the legacy in 2 weeks.

here's what's up.. it's lifted with outback struts and has 205/75r15 trail marks on it. they are pretty sticky though.

i feel that my real problem lies in that it's an automatic..

do you think i should let the tranny do it's thing when it thinks it needs to, or should i use 1/2/3 shifter to do it my way?

please, i'd prefer no speculation from people who havn't done it.

[Huffer]

Lock it into D3 for the first run.
Lock it into D2 for the 2nd or 3rd runs.

First run is a feeler run... your last 2 runs should be your quickest times, unless your tires are shredded by the pavement.

An autox will highlight ALL the weak areas on a car.

PS. The lifted struts will mean you'll have to crawl around any 90deg turns...or you'll lift wheels on the inside.

[losdiosdeverde86]

Lock it into D3 for the first run.
Lock it into D2 for the 2nd or 3rd runs.

First run is a feeler run... your last 2 runs should be your quickest times, unless your tires are shredded by the pavement.

An autox will highlight ALL the weak areas on a car.

PS. The lifted struts will mean you'll have to crawl around any 90deg turns...or you'll lift wheels on the inside.

what do you think would happen if i locked in my 4x4

[shazapple]

Trust me, the automatic is the LEAST of your worries. Put it in D for starts and then shift down to 2nd for the rest of the course (unless theres a high speed part)

If this is your first time autoxing then i can guarantee you having a manual will not make you faster. A lot of AutoX is driver skill.

Inflate your tires to a few psi below max (i have mine set to 40/38)
Memerize the course, remember each turn and where you have to go
Be smooth, not quick. Jerking the wheel around and mashing the gas isnt going to get you anywhere but the bottom of the list. Once you stat getting better then you can speed up

[SHOfast]

so i finally got ym wife to let me autocross the legacy in 2 weeks.

here's what's up.. it's lifted with outback struts and has 205/75r15 trail marks on it. they are pretty sticky though.

i feel that my real problem lies in that it's an automatic..

do you think i should let the tranny do it's thing when it thinks it needs to, or should i use 1/2/3 shifter to do it my way?

please, i'd prefer no speculation from people who havn't done it.
Your biggest time killers are going to be your lack of experience (unless you are a pro, I do not know) and your tires.

Unless you are on some crazy speed course, which I rarely see, you will never need to see above 2nd gear. Most courses (read tight courses) you will be fine keeping it is 1st, except for a few straights, but keeping it in 1 and just not going that little bit faster will actually yeild a better time.

Your tires are more than likely going feel like greased lightening.

[Plays_with_Toys]

I'd be worried about your classing. Won't you have to go into a higher modified class because of the lift? Competing with cars that have tricked out street suspension? I thought beginners were supposed to go in the stock class where very minimal mods are allowed???