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Throttle feel

Old Jan 26, 2006 | 05:23 PM
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Default Throttle feel

I have tried autocross a couple of times, including one novice class. Had a blast! I noticed that I was having trouble with feedback from the throttle pedal. With the light spring force I found it difficult to not get into the gas too hard. Bad thing to do with rear wheel drive and lot of power Anyone else have this problem and if so did you come up with a fix?
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 06:07 PM
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er.. can't say i've had a problem...

what were your problems exactly? rear end coming out?

you just need a lighter foot
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by jun14scr
er.. can't say i've had a problem...

what were your problems exactly? rear end coming out?

you just need a lighter foot
One time the rear end would break loose and then the next time I would be too tentative. I never felt like I could smoothly apply the power. At the end of the class (about 12 runs) the little muscle in the front of my shin was sore.
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 06:48 PM
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u got 12 runs?
****... the first auto-x i went to i got 5 runs bro...
i think you need to practice throttle adjustment like not hammering it to the metal like what the instructors tell u (well thats what they told me lol ...) you have to watch how michael shumacher drives cuz his foot is always adjusting the throttle like many times a second... thats why he is so fast

yeah ... i agree that the rear end is bit of a b!tch mainly because courses are set up toooooooo tightly and we have too much torque on the immediately delivery... thus overpowering the traction...

i'd practice with some markers (or cones) in an empty lot sunday morning or in the afterhours ... like setting up ur own mini auto-x...
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by jvanquish
u got 12 runs?
****... the first auto-x i went to i got 5 runs bro...
You want some good seat time take a class. The 12 runs was for the Level 1 course sponsored by the Washington DC region SCCA. The level 3 course promises 40 to 50 runs! I'm going to take the level 2 course this spring (20 to 26 runs). Check with your local SCCA region to see what is in your area.
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 07:19 PM
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WDSCR is my home region! cool. i will be at the DC prosolo @ fedex later in the year. we should meet up.

generally i like my car set up a little loose so i couldn't really give you any advice other than.. unwind the wheel more before you get on the gas? i mean.. are you talking about exiting tight corners or just when you get on the gas in a sweeper or just getting on the gas?

i think you need some tires
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Pete62
You want some good seat time take a class. The 12 runs was for the Level 1 course sponsored by the Washington DC region SCCA. The level 3 course promises 40 to 50 runs! I'm going to take the level 2 course this spring (20 to 26 runs). Check with your local SCCA region to see what is in your area.
o...
thats sick!
washington is like 2 1/2 - 3 hours from me though...
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 08:09 PM
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May be closer than you think. Level 1 and 2 classes are in Frederick, MD and the level 3 class is in Aberdeen, MD. Check out this link.. http://solo.wdcr-scca.org/noviceSchool.php

I think the Philadelphia region also does their classes in Aberdeen. I know their regular events are there.
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 03:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Pete62
I have tried autocross a couple of times, including one novice class. Had a blast! I noticed that I was having trouble with feedback from the throttle pedal. With the light spring force I found it difficult to not get into the gas too hard. Bad thing to do with rear wheel drive and lot of power Anyone else have this problem and if so did you come up with a fix?
Throttle feel is critical for being smooth and fast with the car.

The Zed is blessed with above average throttle response when compared to other throttle-by-wire cars, so it's good to try and take advantage of that.

I'd start by recommending a set of snug and light sole running shoes, or even driving shoes. That will help improve the feel of the pedal.

Also, try adjusting where you rest your heel on the floor and the ball of your foot on the pedal. You don't need a lot of foot on the throttle. I'd say only the top 1/3 of my foot actually touches the bottom half of pedal.
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 04:03 AM
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Originally Posted by FritzMan
Throttle feel is critical for being smooth and fast with the car.

The Zed is blessed with above average throttle response when compared to other throttle-by-wire cars, so it's good to try and take advantage of that.

I'd start by recommending a set of snug and light sole running shoes, or even driving shoes. That will help improve the feel of the pedal.

Also, try adjusting where you rest your heel on the floor and the ball of your foot on the pedal. You don't need a lot of foot on the throttle. I'd say only the top 1/3 of my foot actually touches the bottom half of pedal.
i agree
the Z isnt a miata or an s2000 in terms of overall feel and auto-x mastery but it is above average

i'd goto footlocker and pick up a pair of puma driving sneaks (like $70 bucks?) and see it... i use a cole haan sneaker (air estadio lace) and it functions pretty well ... the reason saying that is because like your normal sneaker/running/tennis etc etc the sole is too cushioned... i actually tried to do some backroad performance driving while im wearing a dress lace up (with leather sole and everything) it felt better than wearing the sneaker because of the sneaker's soft rubber sole...

oh yeah... the philly region does goto aberdeen ALOT i do mean it... this coming sunday and 2/18th are in aberdeen
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 05:58 AM
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Driving shoes! Before I never even considered them, but it makes so much sense now. I noticed the problem primarily during the class and I wore walking shoes because they warned us that we would be on our feet a lot that day. Next time I am taking two pairs of shoes. Thanks!
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 06:04 AM
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yeah bro...
the puma speedcats are nice..
i'd love to have them in black or even red
lol
but my cole haan air estadios (nike air technology + cole haan leather) feels better... because its leather inside instead of traditional synthetic lining which breed germs (bad odor) and make it hot..
http://www.colehaan.com/colehaan/cat...uctGroup=85994
something like that...
bit costly compared to the speedcats but it is more luxurious and comfortable
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 06:12 AM
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The driver look alike Puma shoes are not that good for driving. I have a pair and the sole is still too rigid to really fell your pedals. I still prefer my OMP driving shoes.

As far as throttle response go, if the engine is cold, the fuel injection will be sloppy. Make sure the engine is warm so the injectors fires in sequence instead of in batch. You will get way better response that way.
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Kolia
The driver look alike Puma shoes are not that good for driving. I have a pair and the sole is still too rigid to really fell your pedals. I still prefer my OMP driving shoes.

As far as throttle response go, if the engine is cold, the fuel injection will be sloppy. Make sure the engine is warm so the injectors fires in sequence instead of in batch. You will get way better response that way.
heh... goto Nordstroms and try on a pair of the cole haans i was preaching
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 08:58 AM
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On the subject of shoes, I drive wearing a pair of saucony jazz. Good solid sole, relatively wide (for heel and toe) but not so wide that I'm clipping pedals unintentionally. And the heel has a pretty sharp point for good pivot action. They are also comfortable as hell, and cheap!

On the subject of throttle and power, if you find yourself running into a lot of throttle-induced-oversteer, try driving lines with a later apex. This will allow you to straighten out the car a little more before you're on the throttle, unloading the tires from the corner so they can do more work accelerating the car. We have a pretty big power advantage when it comes to autocross, and a late apex line will let you exploit that. On a long straight, a proper late apex corner before the straight and a good early to mid apex at the end will let you pick up a second or more! It's also important to make sure the car is settled before you get on the gas. For instance, transitioning immediately from hard braking to hard throttle will almost guarantee you a slide. Bring the throttle in smoothly, and you'll let the tires do their maximum effort.

Again, I recommend "Secrets of Solo Racing", it goes into all of this. Really opened my eyes to why it's beneficial to drive the lines we do.

Secrets of Solo Racing
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 08:59 AM
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On the subject of shoes, I drive wearing a pair of saucony jazz. Good solid sole, relatively wide (for heel and toe) but not so wide that I'm clipping pedals unintentionally. And the heel has a pretty sharp point for good pivot action. They are also comfortable as hell, and cheap!

On the subject of throttle and power, if you find yourself running into a lot of throttle-induced-oversteer, try driving lines with a later apex. This will allow you to straighten out the car a little more before you're on the throttle, unloading the tires from the corner so they can do more work accelerating the car. We have a pretty big power advantage when it comes to autocross, and a late apex line will let you exploit that. On a long straight, a proper late apex corner before the straight and a good early to mid apex at the end will let you pick up a second or more! It's also important to make sure the car is settled before you get on the gas. For instance, transitioning immediately from hard braking to hard throttle will almost guarantee you a slide. Bring the throttle in smoothly, and you'll let the tires do their maximum effort.

Again, I recommend "Secrets of Solo Racing", it goes into all of this. Really opened my eyes to why it's beneficial to drive the lines we do.

Secrets of Solo Racing
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 09:22 AM
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i recommend these.

http://www.soloracer.com/nikeshoe.html
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 03:44 PM
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the shoes u recommend r full race sneakers...
if you wear them out other than a full prep race event, you'd be labled a NASCAR maniac!
the shoes i recommend are real sneakers but with thin rubber sole and full leather (not fire proof for serious racing of course) but when u wear it out... its a normal high quality leather oxford sneaker so you wont look ridiculous...

get it?
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by jvanquish
the shoes u recommend r full race sneakers...
if you wear them out other than a full prep race event, you'd be labled a NASCAR maniac!
the shoes i recommend are real sneakers but with thin rubber sole and full leather (not fire proof for serious racing of course) but when u wear it out... its a normal high quality leather oxford sneaker so you wont look ridiculous...

get it?
Well, do you wanna race?
Or do you wanna look like you wanna race ?
Old Jan 28, 2006 | 03:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Kolia
Well, do you wanna race?
Or do you wanna look like you wanna race ?


lol... ight mate lets race!

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