Hi all! I have a serious interest in Auto X because it seems to be the least expensive way to push my car without doing to much damage. I have read all the noob required reading and printed most of the info so I don't go blind from the computer screen.

Iplan on attending an Auto X in Jan. in Palm Bay,FL. If anyone here is attending , it would be nice to know I might have some assistance. Being that I have no seat time whatsoever.

I have to admit it took me a while to post here. I have been reading as much as I can, but some of the info is just too advanced for me. So please don't flame me too hard if I ask a silly question (in your eyes), I'm just trying to learn. And yes I have been searching...a lot. Thank you and sorry for the long post.

Bill
P.S. Merry Christmas!

 

Welcome and a Happy holiday season to you.

There are NO silly or dumb questions-just a lot that get asked repeatedly . Good for you that you are using the archives. But when you want to discuss something-by all means.

My only advice about AutoX is to go and have a great time. Learn the course both by walking it and then driving. Watch others, talk to the people that are there. Buy or borrow an SA2000 helmet if you plan to do this more than 1 time (It IS addictive). Seat time as you know by now is critical to how well you will do.

 

good luck with autoxing bill. I am out at the palm bay autoxes all the time look for the black eg hatch #330. hope to see you there

later
matt

 

OMG.
This must be what Santa brought the AX/RR forum. A n00b that started off right.
Yes Virginia...

Welcome Bill. You can learn alot here.
Feel free to share good recipes as well. I'm partial to beef

 

Bill,
Welcome.

Post what kind of car and if any mods, and maybe we can give you some pointers before you attend your first autocross. I was hooked since my first autocross in 2000. Remember, motorsports is worst addictive drug known to mankind. Once you start you can never stop!

Merry Christmas!

 

What date is the Palm Bay event? If it's after the 21st, I might be there and could help you out.

 

Welcome Bill, Just be prepared to spend a lot of time and money after you do your first event, your gonna get hooked.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by WRXRacer111 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What date is the Palm Bay event? If it's after the 21st, I might be there and could help you out. </TD></TR></TABLE>

as of right now, all palm bay events are cancelled......they're still working, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, to get the site back.

Some dumb kids put mcDonalds trays under the rear tires and "drifted"....and it apparently scratched up the skidpad pretty bad.

 

&gt;&gt;So please don't flame me too hard if I ask a silly question (in your eyes), I'm just trying to learn. And yes I have been searching...a lot. Thank you and sorry for the long post.&lt;&lt;

Don't worry. If you ask the "wrong" question in this forum, your thread will be locked faster than you can say "*** hat".

 

It figures, I wondered why December's event was cancelled. Hopefully they get it back soon. Thank you for the positive feedback. I appreciate it. I am a sponge here to soak up knowledge. (just made that up)

 

Quote: Post what kind of car and if any mods


I have a bone stock 03 Civic Si. I am thinking of upgrading the brake pads with Hawk HPS, they seem to have the most positive response, as well as switching to the Motul brake fluid. Other than that I'm not sure what will come next.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Day_Old_Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Other than that I'm not sure what will come next. </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you want to autocross.... evolution autocross school is the shizzle. Link in the forum faq.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you want to autocross.... evolution autocross school is the shizzle. Link in the forum faq.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm assuming this is the same as an HPDE, or am I wrong. I see one of these coming up at Sebring. Doesn't list a cost though. Are you charged by the track or the group holding the HPDE. So I know where to look for a price. Money is a big factor for me, I have to spend wisely

 

Hey, Bill, nice car! Mine's an '02, and I've put a hard year on it (nearly stock) including an evolution school.

The evolution school is an auto-x school, not a road-race type of drivers school, and it will be the best money you can spend when the time comes, but only if you get addicted.

My advice on the EP in the first year:

1. Stay bone stock for a few events
2. Then go to the Honda parts counter and get the $11 front camber bolts
3. Get a performance alignement
4. Take the evolution school sometime mid-year
5. Find an excuse to upgrade the tires

When you get the modding bug, let me know or Todd00. There are lots of people out there who have tried different parts, and can help you pick what will work best for you. Im also known as BlasTech on other EP and auto-x boards.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Day_Old_Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm assuming this is the same as an HPDE, or am I wrong. I see one of these coming up at Sebring. Doesn't list a cost though. Are you charged by the track or the group holding the HPDE. So I know where to look for a price. Money is a big factor for me, I have to spend wisely</TD></TR></TABLE>

HPDE - High Performance Driving Event. On a big track, with an instructor. No competition, just driving.

Autocross - Parking lot with cones. Compete for times.

The school teaches you *alot* but i'd recommend doing a few (4-6) events before you take the school.

 

Welcome!

Depending on where you are in Florida, you might want to consider Gulf Coast Autocrossers who run events just outside Fort Myers. They have a novice school on Saturday, that is a good introduction to autocrossing basics, then competition on Sunday. I will be out of town the weekend of their January event, but there's a good chance I'll be there for the February event. They also have an Evolution school there in February, which is an excellent way to improve your skills.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Day_Old_Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm assuming this is the same as an HPDE, or am I wrong. I see one of these coming up at Sebring. Doesn't list a cost though. Are you charged by the track or the group holding the HPDE. So I know where to look for a price. Money is a big factor for me, I have to spend wisely</TD></TR></TABLE>
Both Chin Motorsports and the NASA Florida Chapter hold track days (a.k.a. HPDE) at Sebring. They also have events at Moroso and Homestead. Registration fees run around $300/event for either club.

 

The novice program looks like a good idea. I have to figure out how long it will take me to get to get over there. I live in Melbourne/Palm Bay Area. Thanks for the info.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

HPDE - High Performance Driving Event. On a big track, with an instructor. No competition, just driving.

Autocross - Parking lot with cones. Compete for times.

The school teaches you *alot* but i'd recommend doing a few (4-6) events before you take the school.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Gotcha. Took a little digging but I found the link. Very cool. Thanks

 

Welcome...

One question though. Day_Old_Bagel is the name but then you got sushi as your avatar? Sushi day old too?

Oh yeah, and dont do nothing to the car just yet. Just show up to an autocross and learn.

JS, who prefers Montreal bagels over New York bagels. And likes them luke warm 10 minutes after they came out of the oven... St-Viateur bakery rules....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
One question though. Day_Old_Bagel is the name but then you got sushi as your avatar? Sushi day old too?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

The sushi Has Nemo in it. Yummy, I found him!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OMG.
This must be what Santa brought the AX/RR forum. A n00b that started off right.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I too had to rub my eyes.

Bill, read the FAQs (as I assume you've done) and feel free to IM me. But more importantly...

Go to events. And drive at them. Don't go "just to watch." And ask people questions. Amateur motorsports folk are, by and large, extremely friendly and helpful. Kinda like the drug dealer that gets Billy hooked on crack with the first free hit

It's seriously refreshing to hear from someone who is an open-minded "clean slate" kind of driver. Stick around. Amongst the occasional fights and arguments, there's much to be learned here. And occasionally, some of the really fast guys (Foo, Fauth, the Redshift guys, Meredith, Puckett, Richman, Gray, others...) post. And many more lurk.

We also tend to like food here ...so if you've got any good recipes, please share...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Catch 22 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">OMG.
This must be what Santa brought the AX/RR forum. A n00b that started off right.
Yes Virginia...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

There are more of us out there than your might think that have read the FAQ's, know how to search, and are smart enough to keep our fool mouths shut while we learn the basics!

Jeff

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
JS, who prefers Montreal bagels over New York bagels. And likes them luke warm 10 minutes after they came out of the oven... St-Viateur bakery rules.... </TD></TR></TABLE>

It is very hard to find a true New York City bagel even in New York City. They are cake-like, almost like big rolls and not bagels anymore. It is sad. I think Breugel Bagels in other cities make better bagels than most bagel shops in NYC.

Whoops....went off topic...I couldn't resist, I love a good bagel

 

welcome to the board. something you also may want to pick up for your first event is a wide brim hat & sun block. two comfort items that everyone forgets.....and pays the price. if u stick with it, some rain gear wont hurt.
-spenc