How to Autocross Faster - Ep 1 - Analyzing Runs Using GPS to Find the Winning Line

How to autocross faster to win at autocross. Tips and tricks..
Topics and tips covered include braking, racing line, corner exit, early acceleration, and back-siding the slalom cones. Autocross drivers Jeremy Ault and Kent McKnight analyze their runs using GPS from the February 2013 Maverick Region Porsche Club Autocross #1 to learn how to be faster by finding the winning line and teach you autocross tips from what we learned along the way.
If you found this video helpful be sure to blip that LIKE BUTTON and slam on the SUBSCRIBE if you haven't already. Then, COMMENT below. We love to read comments and try to reply to every single one.
Episode 2 on Autocross Slaloms - • How to Autocross Faste...
You should not take anything from this video as being advice. That said, if you make the same mistakes we do or are new to autocross, maybe you may also find this video helpful.
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[@Maxyyy123]

Just goes to show there is never a perfect run, but the winner will be the one that makes the fewest mistakes. Exemplary runs, outstanding commentary. Thank you!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

You are so right! Thanks for the feedback.

[@codymac181]

10 yrs later and this is still an amazing video!

[@MsSupergenius]

This is very very helpful, I'm new to autocross, and was looking to understand the theories for each course element. Right on target

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thanks for the positive feedback. I hope to make at least one new autocross tutorial video a month. I used TraqMate with GPS to record the data on each run. It shows more than what I displayed here including speed and lateral G forces.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

I'm glad you liked the video. I'm working on another one now which should be uploaded soon and is sure to also be very helpful.

[@00mazone]

Best tutorial for autocross I have seen yet. Cant wait to try and apply what I have learned from your video's this weekend. The slow motion and gps tracker was very helpful.

[@MrAnonimo0010]

Great example of how you should drive in autocross events. Good job.

[@MoultonEd]

Great commentary and analysis, very clear and good job blending the data and video.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Glad you enjoyed it. Watch for more how-to autocross videos in the spring!

[@aaakchoo]

Thanks for sharing your experience and the cool graphics. It looks like what you're describing is when to go into a corner fast, or out of a corner fast. If a corner is followed by another corner, I'm going to slow down for the first and second corner, so might as well go in fast, or brake late. If the corner is followed by a straight, I want to set up for speed in the straight by braking early and accelerating at the apex so I can be full throttle at the straight. Love the tips on the slalom, hadn't considered back-siding.

[@NightClones]

well this is sure the tip of the day! to consolidate each turn and see what happens and what made you gain or lose speed that is definitely helpful, not talking about Racing line is the idea, trying to help people out is the main, i'm really glad i ran into this channel.. Autocrossing in Egypt is far different from states as we are using much lower speeds and much much tighter slalom courses, but the concept is still the same. just like past anatomy i hope next Ep would be on steering control.

[@motorsporthobby177]

Very informative analysis. Thanks for posting.

[@treplatano]

Thank you for posting this.

[@steveyoung4461]

VERY well done... one of the first videos I've seen on the tubes that REALLY laid out the information well. You really should be proud of what you've put together.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thank you. Be sure to subscribe as I am making more videos for 2019.

[@jamessuttie1261]

Great video. Well done!

[@traumawolf1]

Great video and thank you for taking the time. subscribed!!

[@misterchonger]

Thanks for sharing, I got some good pointers from this.

[@InstructorDriving]

Bravo Sir! I have an event this Saturday and my 2000 Mustang GT and I are ready!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

How did you do? Still Autocrossing these days?

[@loofeeturbo2]

Thanks for the video! Prob one of the best autocross education video I've seen yet. Best part I can apply to my driving since I also drive an Evo!

[@jonathannunez2702]

Keep in mind: If two cars are going the same speed around a track, you will ALWAYS catch up to the car ahead in the slow corners and they will ALWAYS pull away on the straights. The time delta is the same, but the gap increases as speed increases.

[@dpillen140]

Jonathan Nunez that's true... but only if they're on the track at the same time... these are desperate runs on top of each other

[@zz0rr]

it's true regardless. read his comment again, and think about this: speed = distance / time. if time delta is the same, distance goes down as speed goes down

[@caseybaker5550]

Amazing video. Absolutely exactly what i was looking for.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thank you for the positive words! Stay tuned for more videos in the works.

[@AllenStauffer]

Very cool video, thanks for making this!

[@VincentAnthonyE]

Great video and awesome explaination. I just watched the next video and answered that.

[@andrewparker5438]

Nice dissertation on the fine details for understanding the art of the sport

[@barbedwings]

Excellent video, really fun to watch! I will keep watching this series. I don't do much autocross, but useful for track driving as well.

[@christians131]

nice video looks like alotta fun in that evo

[@francisgovers4613]

Really enjoyed this detailed explanation on autocross - this really helps, thanks, make more!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

More coming this year - 2019!

[@ryansauer1373]

Great video! Surprised to see that finish. Subscribing.

[@thehubster118]

Great video man!! Awesome commentary of a very close race. it is a good testament to making sure that you don't kick yourself to hard for an early mistake because as long as you keep your cool you can come back from a mistake.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

That's right, John. If you make a mistake you have to instantly forget it and keep focusing forward. If you think about the mistake you made or try to look back you're only going to mess up more.

[@thomaswatson1956]

Switching between the overhead figure / on-board camera is a great format for analysing track times.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thanks! More coming this year - 2019.

[@mikedoingmikethings702]

I was gonna throw in a Dominic Toretto quotes about winning, but it's too cheesy LOL Thanks you for the tips! I'll be joining in on my first AutoX here in June and I'm trying to learn how turn smooth and clean 😁👍🏼

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

How did your first event go?

[@youngkristofer18]

Great analysis!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thanks! Be sure to subscribe. We are coming back in 2019!!

[@gtrance3567]

Great video

[@CaptainPetrolburner]

Great video, editing and content were very well executed. I think it was very easy to understand.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thank you. We're working on more for 2019 right now!

[@trialmaster]

Thanks for sharing this! It is very informational to see with real data that a foot can mean a huge huge loss of time, and how every single corner counts. Looking forward to more videos, and you now have me interested in gps data logging besides the normal on car vid to look back at, what an awesome tool (if only it was cheaper).

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Back in the 90's, Byron short and Jay Mitchell came up with The slalom formula which shows that missing a slalom cone by 1 foot means approximately 1/10th of a second lost. So if you miss 5 slalom cones by 1 foot each, your time will be 1/2 second slower than if you touch it. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss the next episode.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thanks! I really enjoy reading opinions which make me go back and look again and re-analyze. Despite our different lines coming out of the last turn, we both entered the slalom at exactly the same place. Look at 6:09 for Kent and 6:25 for me. I think what we see is me braking later and harder at the entrance to the slalom, which catches me up a bit, then running a tighter line in the slalom allowed me to pass. Kent usually doesn't overdrive - usually the opposite. I think he just went wide.

[@Sadokist]

That evo sounds awesome.

[@Saj5DJ]

Only thing I don't like about this video is that it was up for 2 years before I found it! Great insights, thanks for sharing these.

[@AhmedScotland]

This is an amazing autocross video!! Seriously, very informative and very clear, I'm turning my drag car into an autocross car so I'm glad I came across your videos :D

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

I'm glad you enjoy the video and I hope it helps. Be sure to check back for more videos where I will have tips from national winning champs.

[@AhmedScotland]

EvolutionAutocrosser Will do! Keep up the great work :D

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Glad you liked it the video. Thanks! I went and checked out some of your 115 videos. I'm running my Evo is SM as well.

[@111scotts]

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to give Harry's lap timer a go and pick up an external GPS sensor too. Keep the great videos coming. :)

[@jprock1980]

Liked and subscribed. Doing my first autocross this weekend. This video gave me a better idea of not only what's going on, but how to drive. Hopefully my car doesn't explode. :D

[@felipedasilva3909]

Thank you for this video! It really helps out. I'll be doing my first HPDE class, and plan on going to as many auto-x events as I can. It is very interesting how different mistakes and advances can greatly affect the outcome of two different drivers.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

I agree it's very interesting to see how little mistakes make a big difference.

[@VictoryAviation]

Fantastic breakdown. Thanks for the upload

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thank you! And you're welcome. More to come.

[@VictoryAviation]

Evolution Autocrosser my buddy is getting ready to do his EVOC for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department. I sent him this and told him to pay attention! 😁

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

@@VictoryAviation That's great! I hope he does well. The most important thing is to not overdrive the turns. BRAKE - then turn - then get back on it!

[@VictoryAviation]

Evolution Autocrosser totally agree. That and when your tires are screaming, they are angry. They need just the right amount of screening lol

[@maxwelg2]

Nice job, I'm only in my 2nd season of autocrossing and see where I can improve, time for new brake pads that bite better and smoother transitions from late and hard braking to late apexing :)

[@velisma]

More of this PLEASE! GREAT INSIGHT!!!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thanks! More videos are in the works!

[@transce]

That was great

[@bhtijerina]

You have to make more videos. Excelent instruction!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thank you. Working on them now for 2019.

[@RaheesGarage]

this reminded me of my TOEFL exams Lol, great video!

[@CaptTwo6]

Great and very informative video. I spend a lot of time on the track and I am always looking for ways to be a faster driver. The driver is the best mod ha!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

The only thing that helps as much as a better driver is better tires!

[@TheGnarTube]

Best autox video I've ever seen

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

I'm honored. More videos in the works and coming soon.

[@TheSkilledKiller]

Nice video. I suscribed.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thank you. More videos coming soon.

[@DriverGuy23]

Very helpful and confirms the early braking advantage. Wonder what the time would have been combining the best of both drivers runs.

[@JaySims]

Wow, I just got into auto crossing and am looking forward to applying what you taught in this vid. Im in Central Texas so maybe our paths will cross. Sub'd and liked!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Glad you liked it! There will be more videos summer of 2014 with a 2.4 stroker in the Evo.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

2014 Didn't happen but we're making new videos this year - 2019. Coming soon!!

[@lejink]

I'm subscribing to you, I'd love to see more driving tutorials in the future

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

In the works for 2019!

[@MrSlowestD16]

Fuck yes, this channel rocks, subbed. . You pointed out a bunch of issues with this vid that I would never have picked up on just watching the videos. As somebody who's trying to get good enough to run nats in a stock class (hopefully will start attending some nats next year), much appreciate vids like this.

[@MrSlowestD16]

Awesome. Can't wait!! . I was really interested in some tracking hardware/software but traqmate is a bit (way) too expensive and I feel its usefulness diminishes a bit if you're not dual driving, as you can't compare the lines to other people. Thought of something for accelerometer/TPS acquisition, but it's not as useful w/o brake data and the polling on OBD-II is most likely not frequent enough :-\.

[@Jaylyons1]

I'd love to get a comparison with one of my buddies like this. I'm normally at least a few tenths behind him. When I watch his vid's, I see some areas where I do much better and others where he crushes it. It's cool to see how with all the mistakes on both sides at different parts, both times were pretty close!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Hello, Jay. Data acquisition really helps to show where you do well and where you make mistakes. Especially when you have a good driver to compare your runs against.

[@satakal]

This is a great video. Make more!

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Now that my car is back-up and running, I'll be making more videos in the spring with a brand new data acquisition system and we'll dive deep to find out how to go faster.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

2019 is the year! First video of 2019 has been posted with more coming soon.

[@imrankaramat1762]

Great video, when's episode 2 going to be available?

[@brandondan1]

This is probably one of the best autox tutorial vids I've seen. Doesn't bore you with too many details. What software are you using for the graphs?

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Thanks! Sorry for replying 5 years late! LOL. I used a traqmate to make these videos.

[@okaythen001]

very nice vid thanks. top 4 cars best for autocross?

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Glad you liked the video. Best cars for autocross is a very subjective topic. Mod class and karts are surely the fastest. But for normal cars, it's hard to beat the price and handling of a Miata. C5 Corvettes and similar look like they have a lot of fun. The older Honda CRXs and Civic SIs can be very fast. And of course the Mitsubishi Evolution with it's AWD and turbo is both fast and fun - not the best handling car though - but very fast. Just my opinions.

[@homerdoh56]

@Scott Spear there are many smart phone apps that can be helpful. However, the built in GPS sensors are typically not high enough resolution or fast enough frequency to be effective at auto cross. Fortunately there are external sensors that can hook up to your phone for better resolution/frequency. Check out Harry's lap timer pro if you have an iPhone.

[@scottydiver5114]

Thanks for the great video What does it mean to 'backside a cone'?

[@111scotts]

Great video! Makes me want to start implementing data acquisition in autox too. Any idea if there is a smartphone app that can supply good data? I don't quite have the budget for traqmate this upcoming season.

[@jamie00091]

the person resembling the blue dot through the sweeping hair pins as said gets his breaking done early which allows him to get on the throttle earlier and get a better run out of the corner. the person resembling the blue dot breaks later, carries more speed into and through the corner (trail breaking) but doesn't have as quick of an exit speed. two different approaches to a corner with no gain or loss made really. better to be slow in & fast out in my opinion. but depends on the situation.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Many variables come in to play but the general point is that going in to the turn too fast will cause you to understeer off the optimal line. Braking earlier allows for early setup and early acceleration. But don't brake too early or you'll lose time there.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Above all be smooth and don't go in to the turns too hot. Brake well and set up for the turn to get a good apex, line up for the exit, and mash it. Don't slide the car around but slither it through. Look ahead! Good luck.

[@Doomkilla95]

I wish our auto cross tracks looked like this . It’s all like a big complicated circles

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Where do you autocross and with which club?

[@Doomkilla95]

Evolution Autocrosser SCCA SWL I’m at fort Polk in Louisiana , go to lake Charles and do auto cross there . Started back up when came back from Iraq but it’s like 1/2 the size of this and it’s all basically for miatas and shit

[@docmajor075]

Very cool and informative, many thanks ! wich hardware do you use for record and analyze the track ? Greetings from Italy

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

I use a traqmate in this video.

[@maddsperformance]

Nice video and breakdown. what do you use for data acquisition?

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

I used a TraqMate system for data acquisition.

[@rLipiner]

what software are you using to record the data for your autocross runs? i really like it

[@homerdoh56]

@Scott Spear there are many smart

[@schizobipolarjoe]

I wish some body would help me with tires. I have some nitto motivo (560tread wear) mid corner I get a wide push. I'm still saving up to afford autocross tires and wheels. but having awd kills me on tire prices. (sets of 4s :( ) your videos are really good. I like the teaching videos. must videos I come across are have good brakes, tires and bla bla. where you actually teach and shows what happens if braking early/late to lose on the cones etc.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Hi, Joe. I feel your pain. Tires are very expensive. When you run a "hard" tire such as a treadwear 560, they will not grip very well and you will get a lot of push. For autocross, I recommend looking for a tire with a treadwear rating of 200. The other option is an r-comp such as Kumho or Hoosier. It just depends on your budget and which class you want to participate in. Once you have the right tires, the car will become a completely different car for the better.

[@schizobipolarjoe]

what tread wear rating would you recommend if I only had enough money for one set, and need to it to be a tire I could drive on the street in summer,spring,and fall? I was thing something about half way from 560 around 240-320 . how many miles could I get out of 200 rated tires. Subaru impreza with 8k coilovers.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

schizobipolarjoe unfortunately, there is no good answer. If you autox and daily drive on soft tires, you will wear them out every 4 to 6 months. Been there done that. I wasn't paying attention to number of miles but I was changing tires 2 to 3 times a year. Yes, you can run harder street tires and they will last longer. But you won't be competitive. But that's ok because it's still fun and you will learn a lot about driving at the limit.

[@schizobipolarjoe]

thanks I guess I'll have to fight the bullet, and learn on these tires and ask I get better get a summer street tire, or tires for auto cross. guess I could always get some craiglist specials for wheels then save up for tires or buy each tire as I have the money then get them mounted.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

schizobipolarjoe it's ok to learn on bad tires. I did it for 2 years.

[@bcredeur97]

Is there software that I could use with a phone for this to compare my runs with each other visually in the way you did? I would like to see similarities between my runs. Video is good but harder for analysis.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

I used a Traqmate but I hear that AIM also makes a good system. Some have success in using phone apps but I've never tried any of them.

[@Prawnleem]

as a new competitor i love this, just one question what does backsiding a cone mean?

[@Prawnleem]

ignore this perfectly explained in later video

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Hey I'm glad you found your answer. For anyone else who wants to know more about back siding the cone, follow this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aojHen1paKmFbbM

[@loofeeturbo2]

Hopefully I didnt look too bad. I think I improved a lot in my few years of autocrossing. used to be really jerky with the wheels and brakes. Im much smoother now.. I think. lol

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

They do say - smoother is faster. It's about smooth weight transition.

[@turbosupra2jzdragracingtob249]

Nice...very cool vid...how can I do this? TYVM

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Autocrossing is awesome fun. What city are you in/near? In the Dallas area we have 5 different clubs that put on autocross events. Through the summer, there is an event every weekend. Try searching for the scca club nearest you and check their calendar of events. They should have autocross events starting in the spring. You can typically sign up and pay online.

[@turbosupra2jzdragracingtob249]

LoL..been auto-crossing 18 years some SCCA! PCA, and help manage local club point series events. Ty. I was referring to the mapping comparing multiple cars at same time. TYVM

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

@@turbosupra2jzdragracingtob249 Haha. Ok thanks for clarifying. Perhaps I should do a behind the scenes video this year where I show how it's done and the equipment used.

[@joelpierce3940]

You have some long straights. Where I run it favors small light cars.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Some courses have long straights but most are very tight so Miatas are always winning.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Let me know how the new techniques work out for you. I'd be interested to hear feedback if it improved your times or ranking.

[@dpandg]

I don't think that you gained any time on him in the last corner. I think that you definitely gained distance on him, but that was because both of you slowed down in the corner. A 1/2 second lead translates into a smaller distance gap during a corner but spreads back out when speeds increase. Think about it 1/2 second lead at 10 meters/second during a corner will be 1/2 of the distance gap of a 1/2 second lead when you're going 20 meters/second during a straightaway.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

dpandg OK I get what you're saying. But we can verify this by simply measuring what time we both reach a certain point in the turn. If we both pass a certain point on the straight one second apart but we both reach the apex of the turn a half second apart then I made up half a second on him.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

When you say he pinched the entrance to the slalom I assume you mean he front-sided the cone instead of going across the back side? I think you do have to go out just a bit before the slalom so you can turn in before the cone to get behind it. The good drivers probably do it without even realizing it. I'm not that good.

[@usaclaimsthemoon4198]

Okay cool, that’s what you meant by back siding the cone? Rotate the car once the bulk of your car is past the cone?

[@koolerthanapolarbear]

hello, wannabe autoX racer here. what is backsiding? and how does one go about executing such a maneuver?

[@siddsidd7794]

Old post but here's what it means. Backsiding a cone is a description of how the car should be positioned as it goes by the cone. If your walking the course and coming up on a cone, stop so that the cone is still in front of you. Looking at the square base of the cone, you'll have a front side (one closest to you), a left, a right and a back side (one farthest from you). The term backsiding means you want to turn in early so that the point of the cone where the back side and right side meet should be pointing right at your car as you go by. Because most autocross courses have many turns in quick succession, turning in early (backsiding a cone) results in you being setup for the next turn. You will end up backsiding most cones in autocross, but not all. When in doubt, backside. But remember, if you were in doubt, that means you weren't looking ahead (so fix that next time). :O)

[@siddsidd7794]

My description assumes your car will be going to the right of the cone.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Watch the part 2 of this video series. The 2nd video focuses on just the slalom.

[@lowlifeangler]

Keep RPMs up, brake early and less

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Brakes are over rated - they only slow you down. LOL. But yeah I get ya! Fast in and fast out is the fastest way around.

[@joncalon6014]

How do you even know where to go? Those cones are difficult to read on a straight

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

You get to walk the course as many times as you can before the event starts. Generally, with about two walk-throughs it all makes sense. It also helps if you look ahead while driving so you can see what's coming. That said, sometimes people get lost on course but it's not too common.

[@patricksearock5589]

I don't understand the term backside.

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

Patrick Searock when driving through a slalom try to drive immediately across the back of the cone rather than between the cones or across the front of the cone. I’m realizing this is a topic that I should make a video specifically about along with a diagram and demonstration.

[@patricksearock5589]

@@EvolutionAutocrosser Thank you I'm just starting out.

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

"Benefits of braking late and hard" are ruined brakepads 😉

[@EvolutionAutocrosser]

True. But also maybe a trophy to make up for it.

[@Slowcarfastbeans]

You guys just need to mind meld and become one person to exclude the negatives of each driving style and hope it doesn’t backfire to combine all the negatives.