Cornering Tips?

[metheores]

Okay, so I'm getting interesting in Auto Crossing, and Racing my car since it is a sport car, I would also like to go to the track sometime.
Now I know the MR2 has superb handling because of the MR layout and short wheelbase but due to this set up they are more tenant for inexperienced drivers to spin out (me!) Normally I Daily Drive the car and street race it sometimes, so I haven't experienced what is like to push the cornering limits to the car - and I do not wanna do it without intending to. I don't wanna ruin my car or myself.

So my question is what are some tips on cornering? and what are the cars limits before spinning or spinning out of control? what are some types of spins i would experience at the beginning if i do it wrong (i.e spin 180, 360 on spot, spin-out of control and die)

Noobish questions, just wanna know what I'm expecting, Also where is a good place to practice...like a big empty lot?

[Mr. Baskerville]

Best advice I can give you is to quit fooling around on the streets, where you can hurt other people, and register for a local autocross event. That said, the best way to learn about the behavior of your car under any set of given conditions is to drive it under those conditions. There isn't much anyone can tell you to adequately prepare you for a spin, since recovery is more a reflex than a thought process.

The general idea in cornering is balance. Brake before your turn, apply only enough throttle to keep the car balanced through the turn, and begin to accelerate as you exit the turn.

[metheores]

okay, thank you.

[mr2nv]

In a fast sweeping turn if you feel the rear end coming out you need to fight every instinct to lift off the throttle and instead get back on the gas to shift the weight back to the rear of the car. It's never a good idea to come off the throttle abruptly on a mid-engine car. Also, to get the car to turn, sometimes you want to brake into the turn to shift the weight to the front tires since there isn't much weight in the front of the car. If you brake too early, go into a turn in a neutral condition or accelerate to early, the front will lighten up and all you will get is understeer. I highly recommend going to an autocross so you can experience these things in a controlled environment.

[metheores]

Yes sir, thank you for your tips, I will sign up for autocross soon.

[Brinkman7mag]

I know i can take a 90deg. two lane turn at 50 mph and my 2 is still bone stock

[MR2 Drifter]

Don't autocross, they'll all laugh at you, best thing 4 u to do is find a huge empty lot and from there practice turning fast and controlling your car, only then will u really know what your mr2 is capable of and u will know your limit

[mr2nv]

Originally Posted by MR2 Drifter

Don't autocross, they'll all laugh at you, best thing 4 u to do is find a huge empty lot and from there practice turning fast and controlling your car, only then will u really know what your mr2 is capable of and u will know your limit

This is a joke, right? You're way more likely to have people laughing at you when you post things like this.

[Raptor13x]

Some things to remember for new drivers:

1) Never push it when there's a good chance you're gonna hit something if you f-up. Only push the limits of the car when you have room to spin out and not hit anything.

2) If the car begins to spin, and you realize you wont be able to recover, immediately push in the clutch pedal. This will prevent you from stalling the engine and possibly causing drivetrain damage

3) Practice at autocrosses first, then try out some track days if at all possible. It's better to spin at lower speeds in a wide open parking lot than take the chance of sending the car into a barricade on a track at 90mph.

4) If the car begins to slide sideways, immediately countersteer and apply mild throttle. Extremely quick and accurate countersteering is one of the biggest keys to good car control. Study up on the effects of weight transfer so you have an underlying understanding of the physics of what's going on with the car. Basically, as you let off the throttle or you brake, weight transfers to the front tires, reducing grip on the rears. When you apply throttle, weight transfers to the rear tires, increasing grip on the rears. If you apply too much throttle, you'll spin the tires and lose even more traction, so if the car is oversteering, mild throttle will ensure the maximum possible traction to the rear tires to increase your chances for recovery. Avoid abruptly lifting off the throttle or hitting the brakes- it's the kiss of death.

5) Drive with the radio off. It will distract you, and you wont be able to hear the sound of the tires. Pay attention to the 3 distinct sounds tires make. When you are approaching the limit, you'll hear a slight squeal to the tires. When you are at the limit and just crossing over, you'll hear a louder tire squeal. When you exceed the limits of traction and begin sliding, the tires make a different, very distinctive squeal.

6) Make sure the car is in good operating condition before driving aggressively. Check the tire pressures and tire condition, check the brake fluid (flush the brake fluid if you can't remember the last time it was changed- it should be changed every 2 years or so with high quality Dot4 brake fluid), check the oil, check the ball joints, check the brakes, check the suspension, and do a general walkaround, assessing any problems that may need to be taken care of.

7) Do not use the e-brake after you've been hard on the brakes. You can warp the rotors really easy. Just put the car in 1st gear when you shut it off.

8) Smooth smooth smooth! Make gradual, smooth control inputs. Abrupt control inputs not only make you more likely to lose control, but they slow you down. The only fast movements you should make are while countersteering, in which case you need to react very quickly to recover control.

That's all I can think of for now. Basically, be safe out there, and don't do anything stupid.

[metheores]

Originally Posted by MR2 Drifter

Don't autocross, they'll all laugh at you, best thing 4 u to do is find a huge empty lot and from there practice turning fast and controlling your car, only then will u really know what your mr2 is capable of and u will know your limit

I think i'll have more people laugh at me when i crash my car.

[kbrew8991]

Originally Posted by MR2 Drifter

Don't autocross, they'll all laugh at you, best thing 4 u to do is find a huge empty lot and from there practice turning fast and controlling your car, only then will u really know what your mr2 is capable of and u will know your limit

spoken like someone that couldn't even walk through an autocross course (because they've never been to one)

Its a great ground to cut your teeth and build a foundation for your skill, and if you get big on the competition side there are people that its all they ever do driving wise while others branch out and "graduate" from it so to speak.

just get out there and do a few to see how you like it. The NE is supposed to have *alot* of options. Just be sure to not hesitate to ask a question starting with "This is the first autocross I've done, so..."

[Servin]

Originally Posted by MR2 Drifter

Don't autocross, they'll all laugh at you, best thing 4 u to do is find a huge empty lot and from there practice turning fast and controlling your car, only then will u really know what your mr2 is capable of and u will know your limit

[MR2 Drifter]

I've autocrossed before and most of the ppl there r regulars who try getting the best times and if u don't know how to drive your car then your gonna have alot of ppl laughing at you. I went to an empty parking lot and practiced turning, shifting, drifting, and doing donuts and I know what my car can do and what I should do

[pothiawala786]

Originally Posted by MR2 Drifter

I've autocrossed before and most of the ppl there r regulars who try getting the best times and if u don't know how to drive your car then your gonna have alot of ppl laughing at you. I went to an empty parking lot and practiced turning, shifting, drifting, and doing donuts and I know what my car can do and what I should do

Noticed you're from Chicago, which event/club did you go to?

I regularly autox in Chicago and around Chicago, and havent had any issues with anyone laughing, etc. But then again, I really dont care if they did to begin with, so I never paid much attention.

If you are interested in autoxing with smaller local clubs (both of which i autox regulary with, and the people are actually pretty cool/helpful), there are two this coming weekend, in Melrose Park on Saturday and Sunday (let me know if you want more details). I'll probably be there at both, but I'm kind of getting used to it as well so cant help you much there.

[HeartbreakMR2]

In middle TN SCCA run the auto cross and they highly recommend asking questions, and even asking some of the more exp. drivers to ride with you to provide tips. They also have classes to help improve your driving skills.

Since they are laughing at people in Chi town I must be naive. I was under the impression that everywhere did things like middle TN or at least similar.

[Gairloch]

Originally Posted by MR2 Drifter

Don't autocross, they'll all laugh at you, best thing 4 u to do is find a huge empty lot and from there practice turning fast and controlling your car, only then will u really know what your mr2 is capable of and u will know your limit

Horrible advice. Ignore this.

Originally Posted by MR2 Drifter

I've autocrossed before and most of the ppl there r regulars who try getting the best times and if u don't know how to drive your car then your gonna have alot of ppl laughing at you. I went to an empty parking lot and practiced turning, shifting, drifting, and doing donuts and I know what my car can do and what I should do

The very best way to learn how to drive is on an autox or road course with an instructor sitting right next to you. Mostly what you'll do by yourself in a parking lot doing donuts is learning bad habits and annoy the people in the neighborhood.

Metheores, you might find this to be helpful.

Tips and tricks for surviving the HPDE experience

If you're interested there's a few very good books too.

[metheores]

Originally Posted by Gairloch

Horrible advice. Ignore this.



The very best way to learn how to drive is on an autox or road course with an instructor sitting right next to you. Mostly what you'll do by yourself in a parking lot doing donuts is learning bad habits and annoy the people in the neighborhood.

Metheores, you might find this to be helpful.

Tips and tricks for surviving the HPDE experience

If you're interested there's a few very good books too.

Thanks for the link man, I'll be sure to subscribe and post my experience once I've actually popped my track cherry

[MR2 Drifter]

Originally Posted by pothiawala786

If you are interested in autoxing with smaller local clubs (both of which i autox regulary with, and the people are actually pretty cool/helpful), there are two this coming weekend, in Melrose Park on Saturday and Sunday (let me know if you want more details). I'll probably be there at both, but I'm kind of getting used to it as well so cant help you much there.

I've been 2 the one in Melrose Park (5th and North Ave.) Right now my MR2 is getting a exedy clutch put in so i'm gonna be car-less for a week or 2

[fretburnr]

In my three years of autoxing, I've never had anyone laugh at me even with some wacky mistakes. You'll find most people are a lot more mature than you give them credit for.

[MR2 Drifter]

ok, maybe there not all gonna laugh but they will be talking crap like "what a noob" if u hit a bunch of cones