Eric Linnhoff wrote:
> Do autocross drivers make better road racers or do road racers make better
> autocross drivers?
That's a difficult question to answer... Some of the skills required for
the two forms of motorsports are similar, but some are very different. I
autocrossed for about a year and a half before going road racing (about 2
years ago). Here is my take on it.
Autocross is the *very best* way to learn car control and technical driving
skills. Accomplished autocrossers are better at finding the right line and
maneuvering their vehicles through complex (especially tight or slow)
corners than any other type of competitor. IMHO, anyone - club racers and
even professional drivers - can benefit tremendously by competing in
autocross. In fact, the very best racers that I have competed against (in
wheel-to-wheel racing) are also very accomplished autocrossers.
To be successful at road racing, you need to have the technical skills of a
"decent" autocrosser (but not a national champ) and the courage to go flat
out in 100+ mph corners with someone else only inches from (or even
touching) your car. You also need the ability to think
analytically/strategically in order to "outwit" your competitors. It's not
enough to just driver a slighly better line. You have to actually get past
them on the track in order to win. So, you have to be able to mentally
calculate the effects of different lines (lines will not be optimal but may
allow you to pass) in order to plan a maneuver that will allow you to pass
your fellow competitors.
Suffice it to say that it takes a little different set of skills to win in
wheel-to-wheel racing vs. autocross. But, I don't think that it is fair to
say that one type of competition is harder or more challenging than another.
They are both very challenging in their own way.
So, back to your main question. Do autocrossers make better road racers, or
vice versa? I'll answer the easy part first. Some drivers have both sets
of skills (like Jeff Altenberg). These competitors tend to be very, very
good at road racing (and auto-x) and very tough to beat.
Now, for the tougher cases. Road racers who have really bad technical
skills can be reasonably successful with a lot of seat time to help them
overcome their lack of technical skills. By running the same track
repeatedly, they can eventually figure out the line by mimicking others.
But, they will never be good autocrossers unless they pick up the technical
skills through coaching, autocross, or some other means.
Good autocrossers who are either intimidated by high speeds and
wheel-to-wheel racing or can't figure out the strategy part tend to have a
very difficult time with road racing. Mentally, they have to overcome the
fear factor (or learn strategy) to be able to compete. The stategy can be
learned with practice (just like you can learn technical skills with
practice). But, those who are unable to overcome the fear factor usually
give up on road racing.
Yours in speed,
Donn Vickrey
San Diego, CA
'97 M3 Coupe
'83 Spec RX-7 (1998 SP Div. Champion)
e-mail: dvickrey@camelbackra.com
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