Slalom

[clarkSteiner]

I have an empty parking lot which is never used and it's big enough to set up 100-150 cones roughly 10 feet apart. Two guys who drive Vettes say they'd really like doing a slalom, I don't have a Vette yet.

What is the smallest cone I can use and still have drivers see it?

I've read some guys will intentionally aim for the base of the cones, running over the base but try to leave the cone standing is (from what I've read) the best way of getting good times. Does anyone here use that method?

When you run over the base and leave the cone standing do you feel that you've made contact with the cone? If you do notice you've clipped the cone, how much of that has to do with the tire and how much with just general driver awareness?

[UstaB-GS549]

A 1" tall cone might be difficult to see... I think most autcross pylons (cones) are about 18".

Hitting a cone is usually a 2 second penalty and might just as well be a DNF as most AX wins are determined by thousandths of a second. I try to get close, but an inch or two may not make a practical difference. Maybe at the Nationals...

My advise is not to use construction cones. You will know exactly when you hit one as it will probably damage your car. Otherwise, AX cones are very soft in warm weather and I can never tell if I hit one until the corner workers call it in. You are supposed to be looking forward and not in the rear view mirror.

I think you need to set cones about 60 to 100 feet apart for a decent slalom. It has been a while since I set up a course, but I think the minimum is about 45 feet unless you drive a very small car with tight turning radius.

Have fun.

[DennyM]

[quote=UstaB-GS549]A 1" tall cone might be difficult to see... I think most autcross pylons (cones) are about 18". QUOTE]
Yes, a one inch high cone is hard to see ...

I've done about 20 in the last 15 months; mostly NCCC events by local Corvette clubs. You may have one in your area. Here's the link to the National page ... you can find your regional clubs off of it.
http://www.corvettesnccc.org/

Alternatively, for AutoX, check the SCCA events in your area and go to a lo-speed AutoX and see how they set them up. You may find someone eager to set up your space, especially if there are several AutoX'ers in the area to decend on it. If you go to several you'll find they're all different, with different turn radaii and cone intervals in slalom sections, but most are run in first gear. Enjoy!