Autocross Performance Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop)

Offers great tips from all aspects of autocross. Everything from choosing a car, car classes, seating position, driving techniques, and more. I use the techniques out in the track and I can confidently say this book made me faster.

I like this paperback very much for its photos: much of the space on pages is covered by great exciting pictures with valuable comments under each image. This book is the unsurpassed reference on how to choose the best class for SCCA autocross; it has excellent descriptions of requirements of each class, actual for 2006 season. The major drawback of this book is the lack of references section. When you complete this book, you have no directions where to proceed; you have no idea of further reading. When the author quotes somebody, he gives no source. I see no shame in exposing the source. All prominent writers are dwarves standing on the shoulders of giants (previous writers). There are also errors in the names of products: "Motul" damper on page 25 (should be "Moton"), "Scroth" on page 113 (should be "Schroth"). The second edition of this book is desired. While most of the book is devoted to differences in SCCA classes, very little attention is given to driving techniques. For example, the author devotes only a quarter of textual page to "oversteer & understeer" with no illustrations. As a comparison, Carl Lopez in his famous title "Going Faster" gives 17 pages full of illustrations to explain these modes of car behavior. I highly recommend "Going Faster" to any autocrosser. In addition to this book, I would recommend "Winning Autocross Solo II Competition" by R. H. Turner & J.B. Miles; and "Secrets of Solo Racing" by Henry A. Watts If you need something deep on driving techniques (which apply to any motorsport, not just autocross), I would recommend "Competition Driving" by Alain Prost, "The Technique of Motor Racing" by Piero Taruffi, "Driving in Competition" by Alan Johnson and "Sports Car and Competition Driving" by Paul Frere.

Some good information. Also plenty of filler and some big mistakes that should have been caught by an "expert" editor. Moton shocks are called Motul which is an oil. That's sort of surprising. The content is mostly pictures. I wasn't surprised at the content because I'd already read some other reviews but I don't want to give an overly positive review. Was a little expensive for the quantity and quality of the material. Has some useful stuff on tuning dampers so there are definitely some good nuggets of information here. Disagreed with some of the opinions on swaybars versus springs but whatever. Different people will have different opinions. Most of the information is quite specific but dated since the SCCA Autocross rules change every year. Still, I'm happy I bought the book. Think it's giving me some more knowledge and some good ideas.

There's a difference between racing and running an autocross. I've done both. The old adage is that most great autocross drivers can become really good road racers. On the other hand not all road racers can become great at running an autocross. I think there's a lot of truth to that.

Good starter book for autocross, but they focus on SCCA Autocross in particular, and with all the recent changes in classes, a good portion of the info is no longer accurate. Still, if you have someone beginning with zero knowledge, this is a great book that you don't have to worry about them being overwhelmed with.

I've been interested in getting into autocrossing and purchased this book in hopes it would help me find my way. The book is full of color pictures, many of which I found interesting but after a while began to feel it took away from the substance of the written material. I will say the book also does a nice job of explaining the various SCCA classes and what is required to meet the class specifications. I also recently read another book that talks about how people can begin participating in motorsports including autocrossing - "Go Ahead - Take the Wheel" by Dave Gran. I would highly recommend that book to anyone interested in motorsports! Actually, if one buys both books and use them together, you'll have all the information one could need to get into autocrossing (and other forms of racing Dave talks about in his book).