Autocrossing the Boat

[Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's]

I'm going to take my Boat to the Rt. 66 Autocross on the 15th.

It is not sporty by any means, just doesn't have the bones for it, but I do have Michelin Pilot Sport 4S's and BC Coilovers, I think it'll be a hoot.
4.0L 1UZ V8, 300hp, 3800lbs
Since part of the SCCA requirements is that cars have a muffler, and be under 100dB, I got off my arse about building an exhaust for the car.

A friend and I, with help from a friend or 2 of his, built this over a Sunday. Full cat-back stainless 2.25" with an X pipe, Flowmaster mufflers, and :0
WHATS THIS?

Electronic cutouts. It goes from nearly grandma quiet to startling loud with the flick of a switch. I giggle every time.

Does OPPO have any autocross tips for a newbie? Never driven on a track, and I want to get into it and learn some actual car control. I hope it convinces me to get an actually sporty car.

I'm also going to Laguna Seca on the 19th for Lexus Performance Driving School and I am very excited to drive the famous Cork Screw turn. I also think it'll be good to have a tiny bit of track experience beforehand.

[JMKarstetter]

@bylan-hoarder-of-ls400-s I don't have any tips for you, but that LS400 looks fantastic.

[nowhere]

@bylan-hoarder-of-ls400-s Beautiful car and exhaust. I also envy you getting to drive Laguna Seca. I've only seen it once, when I went to the 1993 US Motorcycle Grand Prix. I had seen lots of pictures of the corkscrew but that didn't come close to preparing me for what it looked like in person. I would find it intimidating to just walk down that part of the course!

[BicycleBuck]

@bylan-hoarder-of-ls400-s said in Autocrossing the Boat:

Since part of the SCCA requirements is that cars have a muffler, and be under 100dB, I got off my arse about building an exhaust for the car.

One of the loudest cars I've ever heard was a kit car running open headers at an SCCA event. It was the first time I'd ever seen autocross. That car made me want some earplugs.

To me, the most impressive car there was a Buick Grand National. He pulled up to the line, stomped the gas, then whooshed away. That was when I learned that loud does not equal fast.

[Old Busted Hotness]

First autocross advice:
Unload all the extra crap out of the car. Walk the track, and make a map, then walk it again. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get lost in a sea of cones. Plan your run re: braking beforehand. Take the first run easy to get a feel for the track and how your car responds. Then, if you didn't get lost on the first run, go for it on the second, figure out where you're too fast or too slow. Third run for the money.

[HoustonRunner]

@bylan-hoarder-of-ls400-s I want electronic cutouts on all my cars. I don't care for the sound on the E28 currently, so maybe I'll try it on that first when I redo the exhaust.

[Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's]

@houstonrunner its definitely not appropriate for every engine sound, but this 1UZ sounds excellent opened up in my V8 loving opinion

[Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's]

@old-busted-hotness The car will be absolutely empty, already planning how to fit everything I bring into a bin or 2. Definitely going to make a course map as I walk it

[Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's]

@bicyclebuck I will be so happy if they let me run with the cut outs open.
Buick Grand National is no joke, turbo powah

[Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's]

@jmkarstetter appreciate it, it's been a lot of work haha

[Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's]

@nowhere I've seen it in so many videos, and driven it in so many games, and I still know it's going to amaze.
The car has many flaws, but looks great when clean. And OPPO has been loving gold wheels lately, I am all for it

[glemon]

@bylan-hoarder-of-ls400-s First bit of advice have fun, you have already gotten a good bit, I will add a couple things. In addition to walking the track if you have separate heats or run groups and you don't go first see if you can ride with somebody. The course will look much different from a car at speed than walking it.

Don't be a total idiot, but don't be afraid to kind of let it all hang out. The great fun of autocross is that you can, for a brief moment, drive at 10/10 without fear of harming yourself, others, or property, other than murdering cones (they don't really even die).

[t0ast]

Looks like it should be fun! I'm 100% on board with unconventional vehicles when it comes to motorsports. They bring some flavor to the multitude of regular picks and their drivers always seem to enjoy themselves the most.

Anyway, here's the mostly standard set of autocross starter advice:

• Bring sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes for the weather (no open-toed shoes though).
• It also helps to bring things for tire pressure adjustments, like a gauge, portable inflater, and some chalk or white shoe polish to mark the outer edges of your tires up. The main goal with those implements is to try and find the minimum pressure you can get away with without the tires flexing over onto their sidewalls. Don't fuss over pressures beyond that for now.
• Don't be afraid to let others know you're new or if you have any questions. Most people at these events are friendly and want everyone to have a good time. If you don't know who to talk to, there's usually some truth to the old joke of "the bigger the hat, the more they know".
• As others have said, walk the course multiple times. If someone is willing to talk you through one, great. Otherwise try to get away from distractions and take notes. Just remember that while there may be very many cones out there, only a few of them are actually important.
• While taking notes, one helpful trick they teach at Evo Schools is coming up with 5-8 short (1-2 word) names for each section of the course ("long left", "slalom", "wiggle", "gates", "sharp right", "loop", "cross", "cheetos", etc.). Doing so helps give your brain a shortcut into easily remembering and visualizing those parts before, during, and after your runs.
• When you're out driving, the absolute best thing you can do is look ahead, then look further ahead. It's too late to change where you're already at, so keeping a focus on the next thing is what will help get you where you need to be successfully. Your hands will follow your eyes.
• After each run, take a moment to mentally assess how things went. Note down only the 1-2 biggest things you want to improve on the next run and worry about the rest later.
• Having an experienced driver ride with you (for advice) or vice versa (so you can can feel what a fast run is like) can be immensely helpful. However, given Covid and possible restrictions or discomfort around the idea of multiple occupants, don't feel obligated to pursue this right away.

[Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's]

@t0ast excellent advice, I am hoping I make a friend or 2 to do some ride-along's lol
When the boat had basic all season tires, it was easy to reach the limit of grip and slide it around and such. With 300tw Michelins its a different game; the grip limit isn't reachable in a safe manner on the streets. I'm excited to kill some cones