Completely agree with Les.
Evolution driving school (
www.Evoschool.com) phase I is perfect for SOLO II. Focus is on smoothness, how to read the course, looking ahead . . . lots of the basics that are the foundation for fast driving. An instructor drives your car, and shows you what your car can really do, and then they show you how to get the same results. Getting your eyes up and looking ahead really makes driving fast easier. It takes practice, but it really is one of the "Ah-Ha" moments of compeititon driving.
Couple of good books:
1. Secrets of SOLO Racing by Henry A. Watts
2. Winning Autocross SOLO II Competition by Turner and Miles
(Turner teaches you where to go, and Miles teaches you when you will get there
)
Tip 1: For the Crossfire, loading the front end properly going into a turn is key. I've got a setup using Gran Turismo 4 on a PlayStation 2 with a wheel and pedals. GT4 has a N/A Crossfire, and after driving over 100 SOLO runs this year, I can confirm the physics of the game are exceptionally close to the Analog Crossfire. It validates what Les has posted about Loading the front end prior to the turn, trail braking into the turn, and carrying max speed out of the turn, and therefore can be practiced until your eyes bleed for free! Makes for some good off-season training.
Tip 2: Left foot braking. In SOLO II, there is little shifting after the start. I have a video on youtube where I do get into 3rd on the home stretch, but most of the time you get to second and stay there. After closely evaluating the GTech data, you lose about .2 sec if you have to move your right foot at a critical time. If you are slowing anyway, it doesn't matter. But with left foot braking, you can help balance the car in sweepers, and blip either the throttle OR brake to keep the car on the edge.
The lighter weight cars can beat the Crossfire through the turns, but the CF is has more power. Learn to drive the CF effectively through the turns and it will be a fun day.
Mike