Hey all,
I've never been to an auto-cross event before and am thinking I might want to try it. What is the best way to get "plugged in"? I want to probably just come and watch at least once or twice before trying it out. Is there a main website or anything with a calender that details when/where the auto-cross events are in the greater Puget Sound area? I did some google hunting and found these websites, for example:

http://www.nwr-scca.org
http://www.wwscc.org/
http://www.autosportsnorthwest.org/

I would also like to get involved in road course events too, like at Pacific Raceways and the like. Should I become and SCCA member? Someone who is involved in this stuff, please shed some light

 

Autocross- just show up and run! Many people will be out for their first time as well. For most events, they will have a novice meeting to help beginners understand the course layout, how to drive, etc, and may also provide an instructor to ride with you.


Road course events, HPDE, track days, etc...

Same thing. If it's your first time, the night before the track day is usually the time for a novice meeting. They'll go over basic car control, hitting the apex, etc. They will also assign an instructor to ride with you the entire day. Show you braking points, turn in, apex, lines, etc. Both are a lot of fun, but if you don't have much driving experience, I would recommend a few autocross before stepping on the road course at high speeds.

Autocrossers make good road racers, but not the other way around

 

I know Bremerton Raceways does a lot of auto-x events. You have to be a member of BSCC ($20) to do the events.

http://bscc.net/component/option,com...dar/Itemid,17/

and down at Pacific Raceways you can do Test n Tune race days ($225) and there is also All-Day Lapping Events ($225) but you have to have completed the High Performance Driving School ($535 w/ your own car). I don't know if you have to complete the school day before doing the Test n Tune.

http://www.proformanceracingschool.com
http://www.pacificraceways.com

Either way start out with some auto-x in your area and work from there...that's what I'm planning on doing.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, good info. I guess my main question then, is how do I keep track of the local auto-x events in the area? Does a certain organzation run the majority of them, i.e SCCA or something? Is there a website I can see the dates and locations?

 

nwr-scca/bscc are the main sites to check for events in your area. porsche club runs events too, but you need a PCA club member to sponsor you. nwr-scca is obviously sanctioned by the scca, and requires an annual membership - although there is a new weekend temporary membership program that can be used for a credit on a full membership. details at the event (i'm from oregon, and our program is different from the nwr i'm sure). bscc runs independently, but also requires membership. you can sign up the day of the event, no need to do anything in advance.

all events are held @ bremerton motorsports park in bremerton or hampton mills in packwood. chuckanut just started back up again too, in blaine @ the recently closed airport. their website:

http://www.chuckanutscc.org/

my advice? check their sites for the next event scheduled, show up, and see how you like it. chuckanut has one this weekend (but it's a trial event, and required prereg, and is already filled). bscc has one next sunday (19th) @ bremerton, and nwr-scca has one sunday, may 3rd @ packwood.

 

I'm running my first auto-X season this summer with BSCC. From what I could tell it was the cheapest to get involved with. I've done a couple events so far, but last months was canceled from snow and I'll be out of town for the one on the 19th. There's another guy on here, Eric (not sure his member name), who regularly runs his civic there too.

And there's always other guys. Everyone is really cool though. Just say hi, mention your a novice. People will help you out.

If you're a little hesitant, I REALLY recommend going to a novice practice day. Went to one last month and it was a HUGE help. You'll get to drive all day with instructors teaching you, and some of these guys are really damn good.

But showing up to an event is always a good bet too. I'm probably giong to be running an auto-X season or two before trying to move into road racing. Learn some of the basics for a lot less $.

 

This is the Western Washington Sports Car Council - http://www.wwscc.org/
Schedule for the region (including clubs), also links to everything else you're looking for.

This is the Bremerton Sports Car Club - http://www.bscc.net/
More details on them and their events.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/ - this is where a lot of the sign ups for events and classes are.

All these sights link through to each other through one way or another.

 

I just went to my first even last week. NWR SCCA is $45 if you qualify for first gear then $15 for each of the events.

I think BSCC is pretty similar $20 for membership then $30 for the events... It was a blast, just make sure you car is up to the task and show up! I'll probably miss next weekend's BSCC, but I'm going to try and make the next SCCA event!

 

just check out the schedule on this site here: http://www.wwscc.org/, they have all of the autox events going on it washington pretty much, if you've got one in particular you want to go to, let me know, and i'll see if i can make it so you've got fellow honda tech guy there. theres always a few hondas, but it can be intimidating with all of the nice cars there lol.