spun Vtec

well now its time. Ive been working on my car for about a year only to autox it. i have waited a long time and the moment has finally arrived. my car is done and my first autox in on the 7th of sept. anything i should know or tips of any sort? Ive had ridealongs in both autox(mid state pa) and roadraceing (vir) but actually haven't driven myself and im so pumped to go out. im a decent driver but im not really sure im going to do so well my first couple times. but i guess everyone has to learn.

here's my setup:

suspension:

suspension tech. 22mm front & rear sway-bar's
front & rear strut bar's
front lower tie bar
rear lower tie bar
nuspeed race springs
kyb agx shocks
91 crx si rear disk's
99 si rear caliper's and rotor's
front 10.9' 99 si caliper's and rotor's
91 crx si mastercill
91 crx siperportioning valve
energy suspension bushing kit
nuspeed stainless lines
15' gsr mags (94)
205 55 15 falken azenis sports

engine/trans:

rebuilt d16z6 (sohc vtec) longblock
new d16a1 pistons (12.1:1 cr)
stock z6 rods shotpeened
arp connecting rod bolts
felpro gasket kit
d16y8 intake manafold
d16y8 fuel rail
d16y8 head gasket
adj fuel presure regulator
full obd1 conversion
p28 ecu
y8 throttle body
AEM cold air intake
airmass hedder
2.25 custom bent exhaust
revolution muffler
M&R short throw shifter
energy suspension shifter bushing kit
underdrive pully
centerforce dual friction clutch
si trans (soon to swap zc trans w/intermedit shaft)
AEM 3 bolt camgear

so im just asking for any advice that any of you might have tia!
i cant wait!

larry

nwdave

—You have to go slow to go fast.

—Brake really hard.

—Help out with the course setup and/or teardown.

—Have fun. It's quite an addictive hobby

EH339

Walk the course several times. Drive smoothly. Drink water and don't forget to eat. Sunblock. Have fun.

Your car sounds nicely setup, but when you're just starting out, it's best to have a car that is more stock. All those mods will bump you up to classes with more expreienced drivers. Sticky tires is really all you need in the beginning imo.

.RJ

Dont change the car. For at least 10 events. Ask to ride along with the fast guys and have them drive your car. Do this at every event.

Even though you're best to start out with a mostly stock car to learn how to drive, work with what you have and make the most of it. Every time you dont like something the car is going and have the urge to make changes... its not the car.

Mohudsolo

Show up early, ask to help. That gets you working with the people who run the event, most are experienced and will help with more advice than you can possibly digest.

Walk the course enough to know where you are going. Do your first runs slowly enough to stay on course. Ask about instructors, many times they are available. Listen in the driver's meeting, different groups run thing differently. Make sure to show up for your worker assignment. Don't expect to be showered with trophies your first event. Don't worry about looking fast. If you can, watch other cars.

Bring water, food, sunscreen, air compresser or tank, pressure guage. Make sure the battery, seat, suspension are all properly attached. Clean the windshield. Have footware you can walk in. Remember to have fun. Kiss your free time and extra cash goodby.

emwavey

... and remember, no matter how many times you pee, you'll feel you have to pee again once you're strapped in, helmet on and the start line approaches.

Here's a checklist that may help too:
http://www.nerdsracing.com/Xlist.htm

The most important thing: Have Fun!

Brett@SoloRacer.com

A few links...
http://www.soloracer.com/autoxguide.html
http://www.soloracer.com/autoxequipment.html
http://www.soloracer.com/autoxchecklist.html

Racer_X

Deffinatly walk the course. It looks easy at 5 mph but at speed the track will look very different. Look for the apex, Pretend your driving as u walk. Do not talk to friends while walking the track. PAY ATTENTION to the track. The worst thing is to blow a lap because u got lost on the course. Just try to drive smoot clean laps. Speed will come later.

MattG

1. Eat a big ol' piece of Humble Pie you have a lot to learn young grasshopper.

Find out what class your going to run

sunscreen
Lots of water and a cooler
Do any novice or rookie programs the region has
The brake pedal makes you go fast

Start slow, drive the lines, and build speed as you get experienced. Its easier to create the good habits than break bad ones later.
Ask questions

Have fun

illusion

a year of preparation.. wow. dont hype yourself up too much... youre first event you almost certainly will not do well and you might be in for a discouragement. go into it with a good attitude and willingness to learn. after a few events youll get the hang of things and start improving. then its all good.

tnord

be prepared to get your **** handed to you by cars that you think should be 1/2 as fast.

example........my first HPDE event i got passed on a STRAIGHT by a mostly stock miata in my 222hp 300ZX.

now my 170hp 240sx is turning laps about 4 seconds faster than the 300 ever did.

RangerDan

Breathe. Breathings important.

Heres a good sight that explains how to position yourself in the car among other things.

http://www.turnfast.com/

Be prepared for a long day...driving and working. Speaking of being prepared...have all preparations done a day before. Its nice to just have peace of mind for a few hours.

Man are you gonna have fun.

Timmah!!

I have only done one Auto-X, and that was in my bros miata ( my car had the crank pulley fall off pulling out of tech... DONT ASK ). Unfortunately I did not get a chance to walk the course, and got lost in all my runs, and I was in an unfamiliar car. Biggest piece of advice is to WALK THE TRACK!!!! And make sure to take it easy.

MEANB18

It's been said a bunch, but walk the course first and foremost. Clear your mind before you walk it, memorize it. Walk it with no one infront of you so you can see exactly where you are going. Stop every few gates, and take a look behind you, to kind of trace where you just came from and how to set up for each obstacle.

I can't stress enough how much your first autocross shouldn't really be that competitive. Your first run should be just a feeler run, go out and understand how the course flows, and where you can pick up time. DON'T GO OUT THERE AND EXPECT TO SET A TRACK RECORD ON YOU FIRST RUN. I've seen soo many people do this, they try way too hard their first time autocrossing, wipe out and take a bunch of cones, go home that night to find there are tons of scratches all along the side of the car from the cones.

Just go out and have fun, don't think too hard and just have fun!

Andrew 825SM

Most important thing I've learned: LOOK AHEAD!

Looking ahead is key because it makes you smoother with your steering, braking, and throttle inputs. Being smoother makes the car better in balance which is a good thing. Good Luck!

Bailhatch

i wish someone told me to look ahead and brake HARD. besides figuring out the course before you drive these two things seem like they would have helped me out my first auto x.

It is amazing how such a small amout of time driving hard can teach you so fast if you are focusing. It will only be like under 10 min all day but it will feel like you drove all day cuse you have to focus. Eveyone i bring comes back with me the next time. Now we go in a group of like 8 cars. too fun!!!!

JV

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by emwavey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... and remember, no matter how many times you pee, you'll feel you have to pee again once you're strapped in, helmet on and the start line approaches. </TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL. I thought that only happened to me.

BTW: Are you the guy that has the black CRX, and wears the straw hat at the autox's in Atco?

EH339

It seems that this question keeps getting asked in here. Could we make one of these 'first time autocross tips' threads a sticky perhaps? Or a sticky master first timer post?

spun Vtec

thanks for the help guys ill make a lil list with the info gathered so far:

1.) WALK THE COURSE
2.) To finish first you must first finish (drive within your abillitys)
3.) in the begining dont feel bad you suck.
4.) brake hard before turns
5.)look ahead
6.) the having to pee feeling is normal.
7.) dont change the car for the first 10 times
8.) ask alot of questions to other drivers
9.) get there early to help set up and be an active member
10.) its all about fun

you guys can add or change my list if you want

Lord Quaalard

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by emwavey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... and remember, no matter how many times you pee, you'll feel you have to pee again once you're strapped in, helmet on and the start line approaches.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

LMAO, every time.

Think about smooth imputs and two turns ahead.

Also, Get ready to have sore cheeks...from all the grinning you'll do that day.

tubedriver

1) Look ahead
2) Cones are not the start of corners

SDEKSi

Wow! I've just learned awhole lot just from reading this thread. I'm also starting to get into autox...there were alot of things on here I wasn't aware of when first starting out especially abt walking the course to become famliliar with it. I know I didn't ask the question but thanks for the input for first-time autox'rs