Hi Torque RWD on tight autocrosses

[GS787]

I met many of you at the April solo II in Tulsa and I had a slight case of the "oversteers", lol. I noticed many of you with hi power RWD's and did quite well. Graduating from CRX's to Vettes is quite a jump and was looking for some advice. Is anyone left foot brakeing and just keeping it in second or is it just a case of me sucking, lol. 

[grubby]

Joe, you're probaly used to the "stomp-n-steer" method of driving if your previous autocrosser was a CRX. The difficulty in moving to soemthing with as much HP as your Vette is that you still want to get on the gas like your used to. Throttle input must be carefully applied. Buck Morris (our local Vette autocrosser) is amazing in his judicious application of throttle - micro adjustments as needed. I'm sure he would recommend left foot braking as well to keep the car balanced. Ask Buck to ride with you at the next event - he's a fine instructor and knows the car well.

[Buck96LT4]

GS787,

Welcome to the jungle.  LFB all the way here.

Grubby has it right.  Work the throttle like there is a very stiff shock attached.  Slow changes instead of working it like an on/off switch.  It takes alot of self control to get it right, especially when you can flick your ankle and flame on.

It took me a while to learn how to get my big left foot to work the brake w/o stepping on my right foot and adding throttle.  The pedals and junk down there seem pretty tight.

Uncle Buck

[RacinAlt]

I don't think you "have" to LFB, but it helps if you can do it.  I have made it this far without.

Throttle Modulation is a must though with a Vette, you can get away with stomp and steer with sloppier cars like F-Bodies.

[nevr2qk]

I'm a big fan of LFB, even to the extent that I'll switch back and forth between heel/toe and LFB when not all corners require downshifting.  (This includes track events.)  I would certainly agree it makes balancing the car easier.

I'll second Grubb's recommendation.  In addition, you might ride with Buck.  You'll be sick at how easy he makes it look.

YMMV.  I guess what's most important is determining what works for you.

Brock

[GS787]

Hey Uncle Buck,

We need to chat. Also in response to your other posting, I'll send you my Cel # so I can be one of "Bucks Friends" ,lol.

[Buck96LT4]

Cool.

There's some stuff on my web site that may be of interest.  Its a bit dated as I've moved to a track only car.  Be sure and check out the tcos install.  It's probably the best mod I ever made to the 'vette.

I just drive the 'vette on the street nowdays.

www.buckmorris.com

[GS787]

thanks a bunch,

Hey Buck, would you consider joining me in a caravan I'm building of Vettes to go to Eureka Springs in Oct. for Corvette Weekend?

[gregaryus]

Another thing you might remember is where your drive wheels are.  I owned a Corvette for 12 years and did do a few SOLO events.  I went the opposite way, from Vette to Escort.  I was braking at the wrong time and going through the turns too slowly.  Then I remembered that my drive wheels were about 100 or so inches further forward.  I already knew that only ONE end of the car would help me through most changes in direction, unlike the Vette.  Every car has it's advantages and disadvantages.  The trick is learning how to take those disadvantages and turning them into advantages.
     The more cars you drive the more ways you find to drive them.  I was invited to attend a rallycross a few years ago by Paul Flores.  He had a Mazda 323 AWD Turbo.  The car handled almost identically at the rallycross as the Vette had on gravel roads at 40-60 mph.  Just plugging in that experience made me very competitive immediately.

[Buck96LT4]

GS787,

I appreciate the offer but I try to focus $$$ and energy on track events.

I have been wanting to get up there for that  Corvette event but so far I haven't been able to.

Your car is pretty cool, maybe we can run across each other at an event!

Uncle Buck.