Valuable Driving Tips from Goodguys AutoCross Veterans
There are a lot of benefits to showing your classic car or truck at a Goodguys event and being able to take a lap or two on our AutoCross track is one of them! That’s right, when you register your hot rod, truck, or muscle car, that also includes the AutoCross (or burnout competition, or special parking groups, and more) at the events where we host them. Of course, you do need to come prepared with a helmet and your car needs to pass tech inspection, but the opportunity to get on the course is there.
If you’re curious about what it takes to make it around the track, be sure to visit the AutoCross area to watch a few rounds of action. You’ll quickly get the feeling of how it works. Don’t be afraid to walk through the pits and even ask a participant about the track or how to prepare. Chances are, the racers will be happy to share their experience and give you a few pointers (unless they’re in a pit thrash or in line for their lap). It’s a friendly group that welcomes first-timers and can help answer your questions.
Speaking of which, we reached out to a few regular drivers from the Goodguys CPP AutoCross series to get their recommendations and driving tips to share with any race rookies. They understand that getting on the track for the first time can be a little intimidating, but they all agree that after you take those first couple steps (laps in this case) you’ll be hooked and searching for new parts to improve your car’s handling performance – and be ready for the next event.
Scott Fraser
Scott FraserBruce Cambern’s 1966 Shelby Cobra
What would you tell someone who is thinking about signing up for the autocross?
DO IT! Just get whatever car you have (of course make sure it’s safe) and get out there. Who cares if it is a stock little engine with pizza-cutter tires. Take it easy the first few laps and build on your speed. It is more difficult than it looks and pretty intimidating for your first time, but it will be fun and you’ll learn something.
We want to have more people out there trying it out. Talk to some of the other drivers and let them know you are new and definitely ask for a ride along. They all started at some point and understand how you feel as a first timer.
What common mistakes do you see inexperienced drivers making?
Overdriving, and trying too hard is a common mistake. If you watch a fast driver closely, the car looks easy, almost too easy. Of course, if you were in the car you would feel and see the truth. Talk to a more experienced driver and see if you can get a ride or even ask if they are willing to jump in and ride with you to help coach. Most people are more than willing to help coach as long as they aren’t running around trying to fix something.
For drivers just starting, here are a few things to consider: 1. Walking the course is a big deal! Walk the course enough that you can describe it with your eyes closed, this will help you avoid the dreaded getting lost problem. 2. Your first event will be slow and should be slow. Those walls are close. Build your speed every corner and every run. Times will drop and your skill level will build. 3. Look ahead. If you need to make an abrupt input, it was because you were NOT looking ahead. Look around the corner or where you want to go, not where you are. If you are looking just over the hood it’s too late. Keep thinking to yourself about what is next. 4. Don’t get frustrated. One little bobble isn’t awful. Keep pushing and don’t try to make up for it. Every corner is a new challenge.
Tips for rookies on prepping their car before heading out on the track?
Check the easy stuff for your first event. Tire pressures, maybe add a few pounds of air to help with tire roll over and it’s always easier to drop pressure than add it later. Make sure you have enough fuel, some cars will fuel starve with 1/2 a tank, so know your car. Check for loose wheel bearings and get everything out of the trunk and car. I have had people dent the trunk from the inside because of a jack left by mistake!
Josh Leisinger
Josh LeisingerSummit Racing 1964 Corvette
What common mistakes do you see inexperienced drivers making?
A common mistake that even some very experienced drivers make is not “looking ahead.” What I mean by that is if you are racing on a Goodguys CPP AutoCross series course and you are looking straight ahead and braking for a corner, you are already behind with your eyes. You should be looking at the exit of the corner already, planning on how you need to set your car up for getting the most speed out of the corner to the exit. You need to look ahead.
The next mistake probably has to be not transferring weight correctly with your car. If you drive too deep into a corner and you are hard on the brakes, all the weight is on the front tires, resulting in a “push” or understeer as you have your steering wheel cranked all the way right or left and the car just keeps going straight (not a good feeling). This can be corrected by many things but as a driver you need to feel what your car can handle and determine your braking points to slow your car enough to then turn the wheel, so your car becomes responsive and turns into the corner.
Now you are in the corner and you just want to gas it but if you give it too much gas you are either going to have too much weight on the rear of the car and the front is going to become light and you won’t be able to steer again, or the back tires are just going to break loose and you’ll drift around the corner like Fast and the Furious (cool but not fast). You need to slow your racing mind down and feel the car, feel it roll slightly side to side loading that outside rear tire, and feel that tire get grip. That’s when you are going to be fast.
In short, flatten out the car in the corners. Not too much weight in the back and not too much weight in the front.
What’s more important, power or handling?
Why not have both!
Robby Unser
Robby UnserTeam Speedway 1970 Camaro
What would you tell someone who is thinking about signing up for the AutoCross?
I think autocross is one of the best ways to learn the finer points of driving and become part of a very fun, positive, and helpful community. It’s a terrific way to get out and drive your car for a weekend in a safe environment while challenging yourself and to see what your car can really do. Then, once you get your driving technique down a bit, you can start making changes to make your car what you want it to be. I really enjoy the driving challenge of AutoCross.
What common mistakes do you see inexperienced drivers making?
Slowing down too much or over braking is probably the biggest mistake I see people make. You really have to learn how much your car can do in the middle of the corners and then push that.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in Goodguys CPP AutoCross racing?
The most important lesson that the Team Speedway crew and I have learned is how demanding the events are on the cars and components. The events have been invaluable for us to test and improve our suspension, brakes and other components. The format really is demanding on the components. For me personally, again it has to be how challenging and absolutely precise the driving is in AutoCross.
What are the most cones you’ve killed?
Cone killing is like a long hunt. It’s not how many you get at once, it’s how many you kill in a season. Honestly, too many. I’ve lost track, but you have to take it all in stride. You win some, you lose some, but you just have to keep trying until you put it all together and have that one great run.
Tyler Gibson
Tyler Gibson1972 International Scout
Tips for rookies on prepping their car before heading out on the track?
AutoCross is great because you can safely try it in almost any car that can pass a basic tech inspection. For your first event, forget messing with tire pressures or suspension components and get a feel for your car. The only thing to be afraid of is that you might get addicted and end up building a dedicated AutoCross car.
What common mistakes do you see inexperienced drivers making?
One of the most common mistakes is trying to stab the throttle whenever possible or locking up the brakes. The quickest laps are smooth and sometimes even look slow. If you want to lower lap times, you have to maximize traction with careful throttle and brake control.
What appeals to you most about AutoCross racing?
AutoCross is a lot of fun because you can get started on a small budget. Aside from that, a good course will challenge drivers of all skill levels and crams a lot of excitement into 60 seconds or less. It’s relatively safe and easy on wear parts, plus you will meet some really cool car people.
What are the most cones you’ve killed?
I’m pretty sure I killed five cones in a single run. At least once!
David Carroll
David Carroll1973 Chevy Vega
What’s more important, power or handling?
I’m a big power-to-weight ratio guy and my ’73 Vega is built with that ratio in mind. Most of the cars I’m competing against have two to three times more power and torque than I have, but thanks to my GM 2.0L turbocharged engine, I can still run right with them. My car weighs only about 2,650 pounds with around 250 rear-wheel horsepower. So, if you plan a build wisely, you don’t need 600 or 700 horsepower to be competitive – or to have a bunch of fun.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about signing up for Goodguys CPP AutoCross?
Just do it! Come out and enjoy the fun with whatever you’ve got. I always enjoy meeting new drivers and am open to taking people for a ride, helping mentor them and answer their questions. Be warned, it may turn into a slight obsession! I had several racers help me as I was getting more involved and one lesson that sticks with me came from Mary Possi after a ride-along in my old Z. She told me to learn how to modulate the gas pedal and that tip has stayed with me. So, just get out there in what you have and have fun.
What are the most cones you’ve killed?
I typically try to avoid cones, but I think I once took out 3-4 after a full spin going too hot into a corner.
Photo by @cwr_photos
Nick Relampagos
1970 Camaro
What are common mistakes a rookie can avoid?
The most important driving tip I could give a beginner would be to not overdrive the corners. I recommend going slow into the corner and then hit the throttle coming out. Stay in control by going slow-in and fast-out. Actually, I still have this problem and with over 800 horsepower on my right foot, it’s easy to overdrive. Take it slow into the corner and make it quick out of the corner.
Any pre-race rituals?
I’m a stickler about tire pressures and temperatures so I check the tire pressure before every lap and immediately afterward, along with temperatures of the tread on the inside, center and outside. Track conditions change, ambient temps change so you need to be prepared before you go on the track.
Also, I tend to lick my fingers before making a lap. All of them. The moisture helps grip the steering wheel.
Tips for rookies on prepping their car before heading out on the track?
Goodguys is a great place for beginners and it’s always good to see people trying it out for the first time. I’ve seen some cars take to the course that you would never see on the AutorCross before. That said, take it very slow the first lap or two. It looks like an ocean of cones out there and can be overwhelming and confusing at first. Go slow, you’ll get more chances.
Also, when it comes to tire pressure, if you’re running more of a stock-ish, high-profile tire, pump the air pressure up. That’s right, go higher on pressure. The extra pressure will stiffen the side wall and entire tire for a tighter feel behind the wheel. If you lower the pressure, the tire becomes sloppy, which will make the car handle poorly.
What are the most cones you’ve killed?
I missed a corner once and took out a 4-5 cones, then took out another few to get back on the track. I gathered myself and figured I might as well go for it through the rest of the course and ended up taking out a bunch more. Like 15 or 20. I probably should have just idled through instead!
Eric Sheely
Eric Sheely1972 Corvette
Tips for rookies on prepping their car before heading out on the track?
New tires are always great but first make sure the car is safe. Bleed the brakes and do a good nut and bolt check on all the suspension parts is where I would start. From there, tires, tires, tires!
What appeals to you most about AutoCross racing?
For me, it’s two things. First, it’s family. If it wasn’t for my dad getting back into AutoCross about four years ago, I would not be racing. Also, my 15-year-old daughter is really into it now, so being able to have her at the events makes it even better and she will probably start running a car in 2022! The second thing is that AutoCross scratches that itch that most car people have to drive their car fast! I’d get in trouble driving like this anywhere else!
What are the most cones you’ve killed?
Oh man, we have a Factory 5 Cobra Daytona and every time I run that car the first turn is doughnut time. Once in Del Mar I think I had to hit at least 10 cones just trying to get that thing around the track. Fun, but a major handful!
Bret Voelkel
Bret Voelkel1967 Camaro
Tips for rookies on prepping their car before heading out on the track?
A general safety check is always a good idea; torque the lug nuts, check for firm brake pedal, throttle return spring, make sure all suspension components are in good condition, make sure the battery is securely mounted. Beyond that, the biggest challenge, especially in older cars, is keeping the fluids in the car. Vintage muscle cars were never designed to experience the lateral loading you may see in an AutoCross situation. It takes special effort in some cases to keep the gas, oil and transmission fluid where it is supposed to be!
If you could do only one major modification to improve lap times, what would it be?
Tires play the most important role in cornering power, but you’ll find that as grip increases, other weak points will expose themselves. Most older cars could greatly benefit from some simple bolt-on suspension components to correct camber gain. In the ’60s and ’70s, the OEMs thought it was “safer” to induce positive camber gain on the loaded tire [tire leans away from the turn]. When you reverse that and lean the tire into the turn via a taller spindle or taller upper ball joint, cornering ability is greatly enhanced.
What’s more important, power or handling?
Handling by far. In an AutoCross situation the speeds are relatively low. Any power above about 400hp is wasted and can even be detrimental to an inexperienced driver.
What are common mistakes a rookie could avoid?
Most novice drivers are too aggressive going into a corner. I tell people that every 1/10 of a second you give up going into a corner will reward you with 2/10s coming out. The other thing I see a lot is excessive use of the throttle. Doing a burnout off the starting line can cost you a half a second.
What appeals to you most about AutoCross racing?
AutoCross is a great way to hone driving skills and optimize suspension setups at speeds that won’t kill you or the car.
