the last auto cross i did was about 8-10 minutes of total driving time for a 10-12 hour day. It is still the best $35 i ever spent. You not only get to push your car to the limit without fear of hitting something/someone, but you also get to see how other people drive, and can pick up very valuable tidbits just from watching.

 

The good thing about buying a NEW s2000 is that there is a break-in period for the engine. I was glad I had to put over 600 mi on before really getting on it. I learned a lot about the car during that time but still, I did loose it around a turn you may be familiar with.
I live just south of Rincon Pt, and when I go to CArpinteria, I take the back route (the fun way). The turn between 150 and 192 is between 170 and 175 degrees. I dropped down to 1st and stabbed it too early breaking loose twisting sideways and almost lost it.
As scared as I was, it taught me just how far I can go.

Anyone new to this car MUST take time to get to know it. Once you do nothing is more fun!
Good Luck

rmmmm

 

This is what autocross is.

For the record, that's Mrsideways from this forum at last year's national championships. He didn't do super well last year, but he came in third this year...

Steve

 

Wow, thanks PedaFaster, makes me want to do it!
rmmmm

 

rmmmm, http://www.solo2.com/ has information and schedules for Los Angeles-area autocrosses. Unfortunately, the next one on October 4 & 5 is not appropriate for beginners. Hopefully, I'll see you at one in November, or at the school on 10/18-19.

 

The wet handling characteristics of this car are fine, with the right tires. I drove 250 miles in a downpour last night from Watkins Glen (where I spent a day on the track) to my home north of Baltimore. My speed home averaged about 70 and there was nothing about the handling in the wet that was cause for alarm -- the car handled beautifully. I have Michelin Pilot Sport tires, whcih are superb in the wet and dry.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ojaibob
By the way I bought the car in Santa Barbara for $1000 below MSRP.

 

payneinthe, Thanks for the pointer, I'll give it a try when I have time.
I've been carving the mtn roads behind Santa Barbara for the last year and having a ball, but video PedalFaster pointed to sure looks like fun. Must have been on an airport tarmac somewhere.

rmmmm

 

After spending yesterday at Watkins Glen, I would say track time is very valuable. The big difference from autox is that you go much faster and learn how to handle the car in turns at much higher speeds, which has valuable benefits on the road, not the least of which is staying calm and doing the right thing when something goes wrong.

 

AutoX is fun, I tend to drift around the turns. I can t wait to for a track day with instruction to see how to drive fast without the fear of spinning.