Looking ahead in autocross

rumatt · 02-11-2006, 09:40 PM

My biggest problem in autox is looking ahead. So this winter I've been "practicing" while driving on the street. When driving around corners, I try to look across the corner.

I find that I am definitely better setup for the end of the corner, but I am much more likely to screw up my positioning earlier in the corner. I've now almost curbed my wheels twice. My natural tendencey is to move too far to the inside. I try to "drive where I'm looking", but in a straighter line than I should.

Here's an example:

Assume that gate 5 is at a tricky angle and is very important to get right.

A beginning autocrosser won't look at gate 5 until after passing through gate 3. An advanced autocrosser will look at 5 well before 3 and use it to determine how to enter 3.

I'm somewhere in the middle. I try hard to look at 5, but in doing so, I lose mental focus on gate 3. I totally guess at the car positioning and am very likely to hit one of the cones.

How do others avoid this? Is it just practice? Is it a peripheral vision thing? Am I peripherally challenged?

*clyde* · 02-11-2006, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

n00b blather

This what you do:

This is what fast people do:

Any more n00b questions?

rumatt · 02-11-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

n00b blather

rumatt · 02-11-2006, 10:15 PM

How does one "visualize placement and heading at that location" without looking there.

Do you scan back and forth?

rumatt · 02-11-2006, 10:23 PM

Photo added for clarity. It must be the big eyes that help you.

Pinecone · 02-11-2006, 10:57 PM

I use the term looking through the corner to look from where you are, through how you get there, to where you want to be. And street/track that means look towards the apex, but seeing the track out point. So the sequence goes look to turn in point until stabilized under braking, then look to apex, seeing the trackout point, once you turn in, look at track out, but still seeing the apex.

The other thing is when you look that far ahead, yo uhave to visualize what attitude you want the car to be when you get there. That will help get it right for your example.

And lastly, use your peripheral vision. Just becaus eyou are looking at gate 5 doesn't mean you can't see the intermediate gates if needed.

bren · 02-11-2006, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

This is what fast people do:

Any more n00b questions?

Actually, I think fast people would be much closer to the inside of 3 and 4

*clyde* · 02-11-2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Actually, I think fast people would be much closer to the inside of 3 and 4

think showcase turn on the North course last year...tight was slow

rumatt · 02-11-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

think showcase turn on the North course last year...tight was slow

If I remember correctly, the evo instructor who analyzed that segment of the course said you should stay tight.

I stayed tight.

Even the wife noticed that "all the fast guys seem to be going wider there than you are."

BahnBaum · 02-11-2006, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

If I remember correctly, the evo instructor who analyzed that segment of the course said you should stay tight.

I stayed tight.

Even the wife noticed that "all the fast guys seem to be going wider there than you are."

Isn't she also the one who today said, "Cop!"?

Alex

02-11-2006, 09:40 PM	#1
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Looking ahead in autocross My biggest problem in autox is looking ahead. So this winter I've been "practicing" while driving on the street. When driving around corners, I try to look across the corner. I find that I am definitely better setup for the end of the corner, but I am much more likely to screw up my positioning earlier in the corner. I've now almost curbed my wheels twice. My natural tendencey is to move too far to the inside. I try to "drive where I'm looking", but in a straighter line than I should. Here's an example: Assume that gate 5 is at a tricky angle and is very important to get right. A beginning autocrosser won't look at gate 5 until after passing through gate 3. An advanced autocrosser will look at 5 well before 3 and use it to determine how to enter 3. I'm somewhere in the middle. I try hard to look at 5, but in doing so, I lose mental focus on gate 3. I totally guess at the car positioning and am very likely to hit one of the cones. How do others avoid this? Is it just practice? Is it a peripheral vision thing? Am I peripherally challenged? Attached Thumbnails

02-11-2006, 10:23 PM	#5
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	Photo added for clarity. It must be the big eyes that help you. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by rumatt; 02-11-2006 at 10:28 PM.

02-11-2006, 10:57 PM	#6
Pinecone Carmudgeon Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,717	I use the term looking through the corner to look from where you are, through how you get there, to where you want to be. And street/track that means look towards the apex, but seeing the track out point. So the sequence goes look to turn in point until stabilized under braking, then look to apex, seeing the trackout point, once you turn in, look at track out, but still seeing the apex. The other thing is when you look that far ahead, yo uhave to visualize what attitude you want the car to be when you get there. That will help get it right for your example. And lastly, use your peripheral vision. Just becaus eyou are looking at gate 5 doesn't mean you can't see the intermediate gates if needed. __________________ Terry Carraway 2002 Topaz E46 M3 2000 Dakar M Roadster 1995 Alpine E36 M3 LTW 1990 Red/White Spec Racer

02-11-2006, 10:15 PM	#4
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	How does one "visualize placement and heading at that location" without looking there. Do you scan back and forth?