Book Review: Winning Autocross Techniques

[Lisa Severy]

Title: Speed Secrets: Winning Autocross Techniques, by Ross Bently (2008, MBI Publishing). 157 pages. Soft cover. $13.59 from amazon.com. I have been a fan of Ross Bently's Speed Secret Series, especially the one covering mental imagery, so I had to pick this one up as soon as it was available. Mr. Bently readily admits that he is not a regular autocrosser, but that he had input from an expert named Per Schroeder, a name that did not ring any bells with me, but perhaps our regular National contingient will recognize it. I really like the way Mr. Bently writes. He is able to very clearly explain very complicated subjects and his words flow. The book was a quick "read" although it covered many subjects in great detail. The book, which has 18 chapters, covers subjects such as suspension/alignment, vehicle dynamics, car control, driver inputs, the "line", event strategy and mental preparation. Mr. Bently does an excellent job of describing all the subjects he covered, especially trail braking, slip angle, the "100% use of tires", application of throttle/steering/ brakes and sensory inputs. The illustrations in the book are excellent - clear and explanatory. I would definitely recommend the book for beginners and novices (1-2 years experience), as it provides the reader a great deal of valuable information and can be a great on-going resource. Reading the book, I felt "validated" as an autocross instructor because so much of what he writes are the things we teach newcomers to our sport at the Ladies School and the "open" school. A few things that are not covered, that I wish had been included, such as general preparation (including items/tools to bring to an event, preparing a car for technical inspection), street shoes versus driving shoes (and proper shoes for walking/working course), driving gloves or not, and (surprisingly) there is no specific discussion of tire tread compounds/treadwear ratings. There is a brief discussion of the pros and cons of left -foot braking and a significant amount of print covers heel/toe shifting. Although Mr. Bently mentions more than once that bad techniques can become habits/instinctive through practice as much as correct techniques can, I did not see any suggestions to get "in car" coaching/instruction or having a "successful" driver drive the "student's" car. I wonder why? At the end of the book, however, the Evolution Schools are listed under "driver devlopment" resources. With all of that said, book explains autocross/autocross techniques very well and it's a great bargin at the price. One last comment - I think Steve Eguina may have had something to do with the final "speed secret" (#41) for autocross - "Have fun!"

[Mako Koiwai]

Per does a lot of work with Grassroots Motorsports publication ... often in regards to AX and tire testing.

[Leonard Cachola]

I just got this book in the mail this morning so I haven't read it yet. However, I did notice that some of the topics Bentley covers on mental preparation are also in Inner Speed Secrets, one of his other books in the Speed Secrets series, so there's some good review there. Also, I like the photos and illustrations are in COLOR! Plus, there are some good illustrations on the racing line and how to handle certain elements that look pretty handy.

[Darren Cole]

Authors reusing content! NEVER!! This is the one with the yellow S2000 on the cover right. I saw it was available for pre-order on Amazon a few weeks ago. I was planning to get it the next time I order from them.

Or if Borders has it. I have a gift card, but they haven't had a single book i have been looking for since i got it. Borders is a book store right?

[Thomas Smith]

Per Schroeder, a name that did not ring any bells with me, but perhaps our regular National contingient will recognize it.

Not only does Per currently work for GRM as Mako said but he was also a CSCC member and autocrosser for a while running a DSP Jetta. I think he moved away around 1994 or so.

[Leonard Cachola]

Authors reusing content! NEVER!!

I was actually hoping it would be in there - good way to introduce beginners to the sport.

[Michael Palero]

Per write a book on VWs and performance preparation.

[Reijo Silvennoinen]

Here's a comment/story from Joe Cheng (former owner of the A-Mod Phantom) who's mentioned in the book (Ross is from Vancouver):

I am truly flattered that Ross mentioned my name in his book. As far as local drivers go, Ross is one of the few who went big time. He was the first local driver entered in Vancouver Indy when the race first came here. It wasn't until years later that Greg Moore got his Indy ride. He also ran Knox Mountain and is still ranked as one of the fastest top 10 individuals ever went up that hill. To raise part of the $350,000 (a typical Vancouver downtown condo was going for about $200,000 in those days) needed to enter him into the first Vancouver Indy, VCMC hosted a special autocross where Ross showed up. Sam O'Young arranged a dealer car (can't remember if it was a Honda or a Nissan) and all the drivers would try to beat him in the same car. The challengers would pay a per run fee to run against him. The total income of the event itself plus the challenge income was then donated to the Ross Bentley Indy Fund. It wasn't a huge amount compare to the total money needed, but it was a great gesture on VCMC's part.

Joe
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