Nov 15, 2014 - FAST Championship Event

[Solar]

helmets can be either auto or motorcycle as long as they are DOT, but do not need snell certification?

Correct, for a FAST event. Though if there is any question about your personal helmet, there are plenty of loaner helmets available for you to use.

[Loren]

That is correct for FAST events. Any DOT helmet is fine. If you're buying a helmet, consider that most other clubs require a Snell rated helmet, and if you ever want to do a track event, you'll probably need an Snell SA rated helmet.

[PurpleCatG356MT]

thanks for clarifying! Yes another track club I signed up with requires snell but they're much more expensive...baby steps lol...See you soon!

[Jamie]

thanks for clarifying! Yes another track club I signed up with requires snell but they're much more expensive...baby steps lol...See you soon!

FAST is very unusual in this respect -- most other clubs you'll probably run with will require at least a Snell M rating, and as Loren said, track work often requires an SA rating. That's not all that expensive -- you can find an open-face SA helmet for under $200, and M-rated helmets for less than that. Beats showing up and being told your hat doesn't pass tech.

[twistedwankel]

I recently got a RaceEquip SA helmet in case I can bum a ride with some of our guys who have a short life expectancy like me.

Google it.

[twistedwankel]

So you have a couple weeks to practice?

Won't help. If you're are running S1 you will meet the new/older Grey8 which has a V in there mid point.

Mario will help me sort it out this weekend. Remember him? The guy whose tail lights you envied last season.

The Mayor

[PurpleCatG356MT]

What are the throttle mechanics on the slalom? I know I'm losing a lot of time in this part.

[Jamie]

What are the throttle mechanics on the slalom? I know I'm losing a lot of time in this part.

For a constantly spaced slalom, find a speed (throttle position) and stick to it...concentrate on positioning the car and attacking the back of every cone, including the very first. Once you master that, you'll find you can rock the throttle a bit, but master position and steering first.

[Loren]

Time is running out to register for this event. Monday is the deadline. 6pm.

[Carracer]

Glad you posted this, I almost forgot to register as a guest for the first event. Is it alright if I bring my camera again ( for the early session ) and leave it in the timing trailer when I do my runs / work?

My transmission has magically fixed itself. I'm a bit worried but it's shifting nice and smooth again consistently ( I checked the clutch master and it seems fine ). I'll be getting a shifter rebuild kit after this event and hopefully some new shocks

[Loren]

Sure, you can leave your camera in the trailer. Be aware that we'll probably be cleaning out the trailer mid-day, so don't leave it then.

[PurpleCatG356MT]

What are the throttle mechanics on the slalom? I know I'm losing a lot of time in this part.

For a constantly spaced slalom, find a speed (throttle position) and stick to it...concentrate on positioning the car and attacking the back of every cone, including the very first. Once you master that, you'll find you can rock the throttle a bit, but master position and steering first.

Thank you Jamie! I'm finding it hard to get myself a good set-up going into it, so then i get behind and have to slow down as i go through them. I'll keep working on that back attack!

[Loren]

I'm not sure what the percentage of people who just naturally "get" everything about autocross (including slaloms), but I can tell you that in doing it for nearly 20 years, I've not seen more than maybe 5 of them. The rest require lots of practice.

Don't expect to skip that step.

[PurpleCatG356MT]

I'm trying to think of places to practice...are there any empty lot friendly owners around tampa? lol

[Loren]

Your best bet for autocross practice is to go to an autocross. You are fortunate to live here, where not only is there a FAST event every other week, but there are at least 6 other clubs holding events within about 2 hours of here. There's at least one autocross going on almost every weekend of the year.

[twistedwankel]

Soooooooooooo.
S1 is still short some entries.
There are still a number of slots available in the afternoon session.

I got some seat time in the new grey8 today. Ready for some new meat next weekend. Sign up. I'll give free rides.

The Mayor

[Jamie]

I'm finding it hard to get myself a good set-up going into it....

Slow down earlier, enough to let you position the car. Diving into the slalom too fast is a pretty common mistake; as you've already found, if you're out of position, you end up having to slow down anyhow. Pay attention to the first cone -- the tighter the slalom, the more important that first cone (and the approach) becomes! It's always easier to go in a bit slow, get the approach right, and add speed.

On this course, you'll have to position yourself right at the start, because you're into the first slalom before you break the lights.

[Loren]

Same applies to any turn, not just a slalom. Entering too fast is the kiss of death. "Slow in, fast out."

Learning to "challenge" your entry speed is really up there in "advanced technique" territory. As a beginner, learning to NOT blow your entry is critical.

Remember when I said there are two types of beginning autocrossers?

If you're in the "underdriving" group, then you need to get past that first. If you're in the "overdriving" group, you need to slow down where necessary to be able to accurately carve your way through a turn rather than spending 90% of the turn just trying to recover from the mistake you made in the first 10%.

[jesup16]

I'm trying to think of places to practice...are there any empty lot friendly owners around tampa? lol

Look up "autocross buddies" on FB. Our group posts all the events that we know of for each month. I'm doing 5 events this month with 5 different groups...it's a marathon month.

Also, you can seek advice there. Loren is definitely an expert and you should listen to him. I don't think you're going to get much different advice from any other expert in that group.

[Carracer]

I'm trying to think of places to practice...are there any empty lot friendly owners around tampa? lol

Look up "autocross buddies" on FB. Our group posts all the events that we know of for each month. I'm doing 5 events this month with 5 different groups...it's a marathon month.

Also, you can seek advice there. Loren is definitely an expert and you should listen to him. I don't think you're going to get much different advice from any other expert in that group.

Thanks for posting that group, sounds like something I could use as well

Now if only I checked facebook more than once a month.