Autocross And Trackdays In The Future.

[Clair Smith]

First off, I love the new Mustang. It absolutely ROCKS. That being said, I just can't leave it alone. How many people have autocrossed or gotten out on a road course with their Mustang? Any recommendations for racing schools on the east coast/NC area? I really want to get my car on the track and start driving it the way it is supposed to be driven :stig:

Any-hoo, I really am just rambling, but I want to get the car on the track and learning how to drive. I just found out how messed up my driving position was and I just have so much to learn and I was wondering if there is any words of wisdom or resources in the southeast that I should look into? Any information would be appreciated, I have been scouring the internet and I would like to narrow the search down some.

 

[Ronin38]

I've had mine out on the road course twice, but it is still all-stock (except for a Steeda tune). Since the stock all-season tires are not very wide nor sticky, I couldn't corner or brake like I really wanted to. It was still a lot of fun, the car handled great for the little bit I was pushing it, and really shows good potential, imo.

I was able to run both courses (Mid Ohio and NJMP Thunderbolt) in 3rd for the whole track, so the auto-shifter didn't really bother me at all. Once I get better tires (and then start upgrading the suspension...) I will start shifting more often.

 

[Wreckless]

I autocrossed my car a couple months ago for the first time. Be prepared to buy new tires.

Don't be afraid to let the car throw its back end a bit...in the beginning my times were incredibly slow because I kept trying to baby it in and out of turns to avoid throwing my back end. In the end my superior times were due to going from top down, not from bot up.

 

[Sharad]

First off, I love the new Mustang. It absolutely ROCKS. That being said, I just can't leave it alone. How many people have autocrossed or gotten out on a road course with their Mustang? Any recommendations for racing schools on the east coast/NC area? I really want to get my car on the track and start driving it the way it is supposed to be driven :stig:

Any-hoo, I really am just rambling, but I want to get the car on the track and learning how to drive. I just found out how messed up my driving position was and I just have so much to learn and I was wondering if there is any words of wisdom or resources in the southeast that I should look into? Any information would be appreciated, I have been scouring the internet and I would like to narrow the search down some.

I've done a few autocrosses and a couple HPDEs. I've upgraded all of the suspension on my '06 GT and the handling is excellent. It's not the fastest car in the world, but it puts a smile on my face when I take the corners fast.

 

[Clair Smith]

I can't wait, I need to go shopping for a new helmet. Gave my old one away to one of my co-workers. My suspension is stock for now, I want to improve my skills before I mess with it to much. I was going to go to an autocross event here is Norfolk Va last week, but I messed my ankle up and I could not hit the brakes hard. So, I skipped it for this month, but I will be in Jacksonville NC next month and I would like to see about going to one out there. Any of you guys go to a racing school here in the southeast? Or know of one that you would recommend?

 

[Clair Smith]

I've done a few autocrosses and a couple HPDEs. I've upgraded all of the suspension on my '06 GT and the handling is excellent. It's not the fastest car in the world, but it puts a smile on my face when I take the corners fast.

Nice picture, are you running staggered tires? What size and how does it feel compared to stock?

 

[Clair Smith]

I autocrossed my car a couple months ago for the first time. Be prepared to buy new tires.

Don't be afraid to let the car throw its back end a bit...in the beginning my times were incredibly slow because I kept trying to baby it in and out of turns to avoid throwing my back end. In the end my superior times were due to going from top down, not from bot up.

He, he...I have been playing with this a bit and I forgot to put it in sport mode the last time I went out to play and the electronic nanny killed my drive. Now, unless I have the kids in the car, I out it in sport mode every time I am in it

 

[Clair Smith]

I've had mine out on the road course twice, but it is still all-stock (except for a Steeda tune). Since the stock all-season tires are not very wide nor sticky, I couldn't corner or brake like I really wanted to. It was still a lot of fun, the car handled great for the little bit I was pushing it, and really shows good potential, imo.

I was able to run both courses (Mid Ohio and NJMP Thunderbolt) in 3rd for the whole track, so the auto-shifter didn't really bother me at all. Once I get better tires (and then start upgrading the suspension...) I will start shifting more often.

I am so looking forward to getting the car out onto a road course! Mid Ohio must have been amazing, what an awesome track

 

[Ronin38]

Hmmm... from Norfolk, it looks like VIR, Summit Point and NJMP are all roughly the same distance from you. Far away.

I've driven to NJMP twice, and it is worth the trip if you get in with a good group. They have 2 tracks there, I prefer Thunderbolt but Lightning is fun, too, and probably better for a new student.

 

[Clair Smith]

Hmmm... from Norfolk, it looks like VIR, Summit Point and NJMP are all roughly the same distance from you. Far away.

I've driven to NJMP twice, and it is worth the trip if you get in with a good group. They have 2 tracks there, I prefer Thunderbolt but Lightning is fun, too, and probably better for a new student.

Going to be moving to Jacksonville NC at the end of the month. I will have to make the trip back for VIR though

 

[Sharad]

I can't wait, I need to go shopping for a new helmet. Gave my old one away to one of my co-workers. My suspension is stock for now, I want to improve my skills before I mess with it to much. I was going to go to an autocross event here is Norfolk Va last week, but I messed my ankle up and I could not hit the brakes hard. So, I skipped it for this month, but I will be in Jacksonville NC next month and I would like to see about going to one out there. Any of you guys go to a racing school here in the southeast? Or know of one that you would recommend?

Track Guys has an event at Atlanta at the end of the month. I don't know if your ankle would be ready by then, but Track Guys put on an excellent open track school for sure. www.trackguys.com

There's also supposed to be an autocross at Mustang Week, right?

Nice picture, are you running staggered tires? What size and how does it feel compared to stock?

Thanks. I just wore out a set of 275/40-18 NT05s (all the way around) and I was a little tight on cash, so I picked up a used set of tires off of a GT500. Goodyear F1 Supercars in 285/40-18 rear and 255/45-18 front. I don't like the stagger at all. It made the car understeer, and the sidewalls on the F1s are very mushy compared to the NT05s, so it's not very confidence inspiring.

Regardless, it's what's on the car, so I autocrossed it that way. I ran mid-pack, which is really doing something since almost everyone there was on slicks. I attribute the success to my suspension setup. Once we get through the rainy season here in Florida (about another 3 months) I'm planning to daily drive on a set of 275/40-18 NT01s. I'm guessing they'll last almost a year.

Tires are critical on autocross or trackdays.

 

[BlockIsHot]

I've had mine out on the road course twice, but it is still all-stock (except for a Steeda tune). Since the stock all-season tires are not very wide nor sticky, I couldn't corner or brake like I really wanted to. It was still a lot of fun, the car handled great for the little bit I was pushing it, and really shows good potential, imo.

I was able to run both courses (Mid Ohio and NJMP Thunderbolt) in 3rd for the whole track, so the auto-shifter didn't really bother me at all. Once I get better tires (and then start upgrading the suspension...) I will start shifting more often.

How do you get on to thunderbolt? Its not too far from me

 

[Ronin38]

Keep an eye on the track schedules for NJMP. Pretty much any club will let you join in for a track day. BMW and Porsche Clubs of America (PCA) are usually pretty open to "other" cars. They're happy to get the money and another satisfied customer! For my "home track" of Mid Ohio, I usually go to the PDX events run by the SCCA. There are also events from NASA (not the astronauts!).

One of the other forums I'm on set up a track rental, this was our 3rd one there! We got help from the group Hooked on Driving for instructors and course workers, they're great! Lightning is a fun track if you like faster tracks, and/or don't have much experience. *IMO* it's easier than Thunderbolt, which is more technical. I prefer T-Bolt, myself.

http://www.hookedondriving.com/hooked-on-driving-events

http://www.njmp.com/racing/event-calendar/all-events.html