I'm doing my first autocross in a couple of weeks and I was looking to get a few beginner tips from any of you guys. As of right now, out of 148 cars signed up, there is only one other ITR enlisted to show the WRX and Miata guys a thing or two, all in good fun of course. This is a new experience and am looking to unleash without looking in the rearview every couple of seconds for cops.

 

know the course lay out. All beginner miss gate after gate. Know your car and know your course, that's about all to it. Make sure tire pressure is good too...put white shoe polish in 3 spots around the wheels from the top of the sidewall to the contact patch...this will tell you if you need to add air or deflate some

 

Consciously make a effort to look futher in front of where you're going. Most people get stuck looking right in front of them.

May want to bump up the front tire pressure. Are you running stock RE010s?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Emerika &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">know the course lay out. All beginner miss gate after gate. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Good point. Get there early enough that you can get your car teched, and have plenty of time to walk the course. Also, its a good idea to take the first lap slower so you learn where you're going.

Also, running 3rd or 4th heat I think is better because you work 1st or 2nd which gets you a chance to see where everyone else is having problems.

 

Azenis are on the car. Do most races provide loaner helmets from what you guys have seen? thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BlackeR2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Azenis are on the car. Do most races provide loaner helmets from what you guys have seen? thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

most do, but I would bring a bandana or something just in case -who knos what was in their hair

If they don't, most guys are nice and you could work something out with them to borrow one for your runs . But, if you have the money, a good helmet is something you could use for a long time!

 

Yeah, good point, I though about the whole dingyness thing. Bandana definitely...

 

Preregister online if you can

Give you car a once over and make sure everything is secure, no loose items in the engine bay, wheels are firmly affixed, interior of car s empty except for spare and jack that you will remove at the event, top off all fluids and check for leaks

Get there as early as possible, find a space to park and pit, then register and tech asap

Let the event organizers know that you are a novice and have never been to an X before

Join their Novice class that may include a walk through and will include in car instruction

Walk the course as many times as you can with an experienced driver

Raise your stock front pressures by 5 lbs, rears by 2 to 3 depending on tires

Pack a lunch and drink lots of fluids

When you have a work assignment Be Early for it and pay attention to it

Don't ever run in front of moving cars (sounds stupid but, I've seen some crazy ****)

Take a deep breathe before your run and breathe normally, not slowly not quickly, try not to be nervous

Launch off the line as you would in normal traffic the first time or so and gradually
increase your launches with each run, theres no need to smoke 'em like a drag run

Pay as much attention as you can to other front wheel drive cars and how they attempt to drive the course and any more seasoned drivers and especially instructors

Drive with an instructor for all of your runs

Don't do any mods to your car to prep for the event, as a matter of fact the more
STOCK the BETTER

Treat the event organizers how you care to be treated, with respect hopefully, even if you don't agree with them or your times

Drive for fun NOT competition, keeping track of times is cool but, you are there to learn more than be competitive

Don't even leave early and ditch a work asignment

Above all and I'm VERY serious,,, HAVE FUN!


Good luck,


A.

 

all good points...but one more thing....don't do anything dumb.

Sounds obvious, but people do weird things. Don't park in someone's spot, don't litter, don't driver fast around the even(the way there, leaving, etc), and just be courteous. Drive good, be nice, and you'll make some friends and most likely get some helpful pointers

 

thanks for the advice. It is PURELY for fun. I will be very nervous, but when the clock starts, everything will hopefully fall into place. I almost bought an ITR from a guy in Charlotte that did his first and only autocross last year and had the fastest time of the day! pretty cool. I totally believe him b/c he was modest as hell. I'm sure he could drive really well. Just thought it was a cool story.