A8 / A10 - Manually shift on the track / autocross or let the computer do it?

Need4Camaro · 09-24-2018, 05:51 PM

I've been pondering this.

For those who track (both 1/4th mile or Autocross / Road Course) - Do you manually shift or let the car shift itself? I was thinking on an Autocross it would be advantageous to manually shift so you can hold gears coming in and out of curves and downshift as you approach them...but I've been told in a straight line the computer will shift more effectively than I ever could. Opinions?

CamaroFred · 09-24-2018, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

I've been pondering this.

For those who track (both 1/4th mile or Autocross / Road Course) - Do you manually shift or let the car shift itself? I was thinking on an Autocross it would be advantageous to manually shift so you can hold gears coming in and out of curves and downshift as you approach them...but I've been told in a straight line the computer will shift more effectively than I ever could. Opinions?

The 6th gen ZL1, when it set a record lap at the Nürburgring,was in automatic mode. The driver never touched a paddle.
https://youtu.be/FrFnrcpBj5k
The one time I ran an autocross, with a manual trans, I just kept it in 2nd.

50MileSmile · 09-24-2018, 11:02 PM

The transitions in an autocross happen way too quickly for the automatic to keep up with the necessary gear changes. Running an event in one gear will work pretty well, but as soon as you need to shift up or down, the automatic gear changes will upset your car’s balance and possibly eat up enough time to render you uncompetitive.

OTOH, on a track you have the “luxury” of time, with long straights and some sweeping turns - plus the automatic’s programming is pretty good for upshifts and downshifts and usually will shift faster than you can shift a manual. However, the automatic can’t see or sense everything that’s happening on the track like you could and won’t be able to fine-tune every situation as well as you can with a manual.

Until you’re the fastest thing on the track, it’s really a matter of personal preference. I prefer full driver involvement, so I will never opt for any type of automatic transmission for track use. The DSG I had in my M2 before buying my 1LE 6-speed was an excellent transmission, but it absolutely bored me to tears.

09-24-2018, 05:51 PM	#1
Need4Camaro Drives: '17 Camaro 2SS & '99 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,836	A8 / A10 - Manually shift on the track / autocross or let the computer do it? I've been pondering this. For those who track (both 1/4th mile or Autocross / Road Course) - Do you manually shift or let the car shift itself? I was thinking on an Autocross it would be advantageous to manually shift so you can hold gears coming in and out of curves and downshift as you approach them...but I've been told in a straight line the computer will shift more effectively than I ever could. Opinions?

09-24-2018, 11:02 PM	#3
50MileSmile Drives: 2023 2SS, 2018 1SS 1LE, 1993 Z/28 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Midwest Posts: 819	The transitions in an autocross happen way too quickly for the automatic to keep up with the necessary gear changes. Running an event in one gear will work pretty well, but as soon as you need to shift up or down, the automatic gear changes will upset your car’s balance and possibly eat up enough time to render you uncompetitive. OTOH, on a track you have the “luxury” of time, with long straights and some sweeping turns - plus the automatic’s programming is pretty good for upshifts and downshifts and usually will shift faster than you can shift a manual. However, the automatic can’t see or sense everything that’s happening on the track like you could and won’t be able to fine-tune every situation as well as you can with a manual. Until you’re the fastest thing on the track, it’s really a matter of personal preference. I prefer full driver involvement, so I will never opt for any type of automatic transmission for track use. The DSG I had in my M2 before buying my 1LE 6-speed was an excellent transmission, but it absolutely bored me to tears.

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