from:larrybsp@aol.com (Larry Stark)
Seth,
After autocrossing for 20 some odd years I've
transitioned to road racing. The two are not comparible. Road
racing is much more physically draining than any autocross.
After twenty minutes in a fire suit, balaclava, gloves and shoes
strapped in a racing seat running flat out at Thunderhill on a
100+ degree day you'll under stand the meaning of dehydration.
Dehydration effects your mental acuity so you have to really be
mentally alert. Your traveling 100mph with a car in front of you,
behind you or next to you. There is no room for error. In Solo II
if you spin you take out a few cones. In road racing if you spin
you can take out yourself, others and a $100,000 dollars worth
of machinery. Believe me with the cost of road racing what it is
I have met no knuckle draggers. They couldn't afford it. Yes you
work up to speed as your tires and brake warm up. But once
your at speed if your going fast your pushing the limit the whole
time your on the course. Having made a mistake or been forced
off course I've taken a few 100 mph trips into the sage brush. It
happens so fast you don't realize it happened until after its over.
If your not in the mud you put it in gear and get back on course.
Solo II and road racing are truely different. They are not directly
comparible. I can say this. Someone with Solo II experience
can transition to road racing much faster than someone who
has never autocrossed. You just have to break some Solo II
habits. Enough said. FWIW.
Larry
In a message dated 12/20/01 7:33:35 AM Pacific Standard Time,
Sethracer@aol.com writes:
<< Subj: AutoX vs. Road Racing
Date: 12/20/01 7:33:35 AM Pacific Standard Time
From: Sethracer@aol.com
Sender: owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net
To: craig_autox@yahoo.com, ba-autox@autox.team.net
Hmmm I was surprised to hear John say this! So how
many out there autox because they can't afford to
roadrace? I'm sure most road racers see autox as a
poor man's roadrace. Or is it the brain surgery of
racing, one mistake and it's all over...Craig
How about a sexual parallel? Autocrossers do it by themselves (Solo TM?),
road racers do it with others? Hmmm? Either way is fun, but doing it with
others is potentially more fun, but more dangerous. Hmmm? With autocross, you
only have to be concerned with yourself, with road racing you have to be
(should be) concerned with others moves. Hmmm? Maybe we don't want to go
there, after all!
Seriously, now. Road racing can be physically more demanding,that is why we
have medical exams. Autocross is more mentally demanding (IQ tests, anyone?).
You have to learn fast, with no prior experience on the circuit. In road
racing, you can work up to the car's peak performance. In autocross, if you
do that, It's June and you are in seventh place in class! - Seth Emerson
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