New here

[RoushenRichie]

I have been looking at the forums for awhile and have been wanting to hit one of your events. My wife and I have been dealing with a bunch of family problems and we have missed the last few events. Hopefully we will be able to make it to one next month. I'm really interested in autox and open track events. We have 2 new Mustangs that we have drag raced since that has kind of fit our schedule of going in the evening when business is done. Weekends we have been out of state most of the time or working on our ranch playing catch up. We have a 2012 GT/CS and a 2011 Roush Stage 2. We are wanting to improve our driving skills and have some fun in a way that is not in a straight line! Since I am a complete noob, I'm hoping for some good advice onsite. I have been reading everything that I can on here for new people. I'm already used to tech inspection and cleaning the car out for the drag strip. Anywho, looking forward to driving around some cones!

Here is the Roush.

Rich and Vicky

[Pants!]

I'm anti-American muscle, but I make an exception for the Roush.  

Do ride alongs with anyone else who has front engine, rear wheel drive and a V8.
They'll be the best at describing entry points for your car and handling techniques.

We look forward to seeing you out there!

[RoushenRichie]

Thanks for the advice Pants. I do have to say that Roush got the suspension right on this thing! I love the balance of the car and I'm a former Corvette owner. This thing flows through corners and I can stay neutral or kick it into a bit of a drift at will. I would really enjoy some ride-a-longs. That will help in a huge way. I'm completely unfamiliar with a tight course like autox. I guess my biggest fear will be getting lost on the course. Hopefully I can remember the walk through!

BTW, here is the Roush at the drag strip. I do have experience here. I've drag raced off and on since the 70's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCf6OW2lu50&feature=player_profilepage

[John Patterson]

There are two events next month. If you can find time, pack your helmets and come out to run.

[RoushenRichie]

I see the one for Dec 11th, what is the other date?

[John Patterson]

The next event is Dec 4 at SAR (San Antonio Raceway) sponsored by the Spokes club.

http://www.sasca.org/forum/index.php/topic,4352.0.html

registration info: https://axwaresystems.com/axorm/calendar_main.php?

[Speed3]

The Roush will be a blast for you in AutoX!  My brother-in-law has the Roush P51a and does a lot of HPDE in FL, and he always complained about the 'sea of cones' in AutoX.  I challenged him to find us an event during a visit this past summer.  He did, and what a blast I had in the car!  You are correct when Roush set the car up right!  It far surpassed my expectations on handling, and I placed fairly high in the event.  Careful throttle modulation is needed with all that instant torque.  I look forward to you joining us next month.

[Pants!]

*readying my camera*

[Lucario Runner]

I might have to go to that event on the 4th as well. Should be fun.

[RoushenRichie]

I can't make the 4th. My wife has call duty at her hospital. But I will try to hit the 11th.

[RoushenRichie]

*readying my camera*

Are you expecting me to kill some cones?!? LOL
If anything I will be going agonizingly slow. This car is also a show car without a nick in the paint. I'm considering taping the nose in case I hit one. Do people tape the nose? Or am I being paranoid?

[Pants!]

Are you expecting me to kill some cones?!? LOL

Maybe a spin or two from all that torque.  But theyre good spins.

This car is also a show car without a nick in the paint. I'm considering taping the nose in case I hit one. Do people tape the nose? Or am I being paranoid?

Ha, there was a guy who did that last event.  I thought the tape was there to keep his bumper on.
What I did note was his preoccupation with hitting cones.  He was so worried about it, he kept smashing them.

I don't drive a cheap car out there, and I've never been worried about cone damage.  It is not common from what I see.

[John Patterson]

If you are trying to prevent any damage to paint then consider buying some paint protection film and applying it yourself because some lots, especially at Retama, have lots of fine gravel and sand. I have seen cars with film or tape covering bumpers and fenders/quarter panels, rockers, etc, to prevent any nicks or scratches. One guy in the Dallas area had his car completely wrapped in film, but that was expensive.

[RavynX]

Thanks for the advice Pants. I do have to say that Roush got the suspension right on this thing! I love the balance of the car and I'm a former Corvette owner. This thing flows through corners and I can stay neutral or kick it into a bit of a drift at will. I would really enjoy some ride-a-longs. That will help in a huge way. I'm completely unfamiliar with a tight course like autox. I guess my biggest fear will be getting lost on the course. Hopefully I can remember the walk through!

BTW, here is the Roush at the drag strip. I do have experience here. I've drag raced off and on since the 70's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCf6OW2lu50&feature=player_profilepage

Hey Rich, welcome to the boards and to the fun!  Nice run out at SAR; that time looks to beat quite a few Z06s these days.  2-3 times a year we (SASCA) holds a Grudge Match against SPOKES (Austin autox crew) for fun out at SAR on the drag strip usually on a Wednesday night; you would be a welcomed addition to the team.    Anyway, as for your fears...

1) Getting lost on course.  Trust me when I say this, it happens to everyone.  Everyone!  Just have someone ride along with you and point you in the direction you need to go.  All it is from there is seat-time.

2) Cone markings.  In the colder months like it is now the cones are definitely more stiff than they are in 100* summer heat so try not to punch them straight on if you can but for grazing the side of your car you can normally buff the plastic off with a clay bar found at any auto stores.  Most cones you'll hit when you're beginning will be on the front bumper and fender.  When your skill starts to improve you will be hitting cones with the side panel behind the door from a late apex technique (which is what you want, not the hitting but if you do hit you want them hitting around the rear tire).

[RoushenRichie]

Thanks for the advice Pants. I do have to say that Roush got the suspension right on this thing! I love the balance of the car and I'm a former Corvette owner. This thing flows through corners and I can stay neutral or kick it into a bit of a drift at will. I would really enjoy some ride-a-longs. That will help in a huge way. I'm completely unfamiliar with a tight course like autox. I guess my biggest fear will be getting lost on the course. Hopefully I can remember the walk through!

BTW, here is the Roush at the drag strip. I do have experience here. I've drag raced off and on since the 70's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCf6OW2lu50&feature=player_profilepage

Hey Rich, welcome to the boards and to the fun!  Nice run out at SAR; that time looks to beat quite a few Z06s these days.  2-3 times a year we (SASCA) holds a Grudge Match against SPOKES (Austin autox crew) for fun out at SAR on the drag strip usually on a Wednesday night; you would be a welcomed addition to the team.    Anyway, as for your fears...

1) Getting lost on course.  Trust me when I say this, it happens to everyone.  Everyone!  Just have someone ride along with you and point you in the direction you need to go.  All it is from there is seat-time.

2) Cone markings.  In the colder months like it is now the cones are definitely more stiff than they are in 100* summer heat so try not to punch them straight on if you can but for grazing the side of your car you can normally buff the plastic off with a clay bar found at any auto stores.  Most cones you'll hit when you're beginning will be on the front bumper and fender.  When your skill starts to improve you will be hitting cones with the side panel behind the door from a late apex technique (which is what you want, not the hitting but if you do hit you want them hitting around the rear tire).

Thanks! The car does have 531 RWHP which is why I would granny drive it on a course at first! I'm not bad at open track, but have never driven a tight small course. I would be happy to join the group at SAR for the strip. I have a lot of experience at that and can cut some good lights.