Autocross Tips | Autocross Talk Podcast with Kinch Reindl

Craig Wilcox Multi Time National Champion talks Autocross

Craig Wilcox is this episodes featured autocrosser.

Craig has 5 SCCA Solo Championships
2006 G-Stock
2008 G-Stock
2010 BSP
2016 STX
2019 SMF
6 ProSolo Championships and he said "Six painful 2nd place finishes for Solo Nationals".

On the first take we forgot about the crazy story of his Mini being stolen right before Nationals so we had another call to record that story.

Craig is one of the drivers with success in FWD and AWD. And unlike many he has gone back to FWD with a very fast SMF honda.

We cover all the typical questions relating to autocross including:
The metal side
What he actually does physically: looking ahead, walking courses to find the key elements
Tuning vs. Driving
Slower when overthinking
Tight line in the rain

He also talks about co-driving and the advantages of it.

Nicole and Jeff Wong are featured on this podcast they are multi time SCCA Autocross Champions Learn their autocross tips

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Nicole and Jeff Wong are featured on this podcast they are multi time SCCA Autocross Champions.

Nicole has 6 SCCA Solo Nationals Championships

Jeff has 4 SCCA Solo Nationals Championships
2010 ST Honda Civic Si, 2011 STX Honda Civic Si, 2012 STC Honda Civic Si, 2016 STS

They both have won trophies all 8 trips to Nationals.

SCCA Autocross Pro Solo Championships
Jeff was the calls winner in 2011 STX and 2016 STS

They started in STX and are currently back in STX after many years in the Civic Si, Civic Del Sol Si and CRX Si.

We cover a lot of autocross tips and thoughts in this 2 hour podcast including some thoughts on setup as well as what ProPartsUSA.com sells and services suspension wise.

We cover course walks and the mental practices of each of them as well as car setup.

Jeff's goal to set the car up for feel really stands out to me.

Jeff also recommends to get dyno graphs with shocks!

STS 1988 CRX si And STX Brz Jeff and Nicole Wong

Episode 1 Brian Peters your SCCA 2015 Driver of Eminence winner and autocross champion many times over

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This was a fun and insightful interview with Brian Peters who is a multi SCCA national champion and pro solo champion. He is fast and shares his thoughts with us.

Brian was the 2015 Driver of Eminence award winner and multi time national champion in SOLO and Pro Solo in many different classes.

Brian started out in 1999 when he got invited to an event – had a great time and realized he was good at it, been doing it since.

His first car: Toyota Cressida AT ‘80 - Check out a photo here.

In the beginning Brian hit some local events and traveled a bit. The first few years was just really about having fun for him.

Brian's thoughts:

One of his tips: It’s really just a matter of coming with a baseline and testing – maximizing car strength.
There’s no one way to drive – each driver is different.
Brian likes a stable car but he’s more about responsive car.
He thinks: How quickly can you get the car through the element?
There’s complications that won’t allow the driver to focus in front of the car like they should.
How far ahead do you scan? It’s a matter of really knowing what’s coming up – it’s too late to make changes. It’s really a matter of being one feature ahead. Timing is vital.
It’s more of a challenge on the front-wheel drive to keep the balance.
The first walk is important – you have to put together a good mental plan on what to do. Timing is really important too.
On walking the course: One or two casual walks at bigger events – then one for myself to focus.
Are you picking all the elements? I walk through my exits. I make sure I have visuals on every exit. You don’t look at single cones – I draw mental lines off the corners.
I don’t think about car placements on entries, I don’t look at entrances.

If Brian could drive anybody’s car right now? Kiesel’s will be high on the list.

If Brian could build any car? A Mustang - I kinda pick the underdogs. (I forgot to ask him then why a corvette...oh this was a question with unlimited budget 🙂

Awards - 2015 Driver of Eminence

National Championships

2008 CSP Mazda MX5
2010 DSP BMW 330i
2012 FS Mustang
2013 STR Nissan 350Z
2014 STU Nissan 350Z
2015 ESP Mustang

Pro Solo National Championships

2010 DSP Class Championship
2015 ESP Class Championship