Well, I really want to at least try autocrossing but am not entirely sure out to get into it. Right now I'm in college at UT Austin, and my car is back home in Nashville but hopefully it will be up here next semester. Nevertheless, I at least want to autocross this summer. Can someone tell me what I need to do? How much money should I look to spend just to get involved? Thanks.

 

"Try doing a search on "autocross" or "autox" or "auto x" within this competition board. There were some GREAT responses to this very same question maybe a month or few months ago. Well worth doing a search to look for answers."

quoted from davidnyc


[Modified by Dark R, 1:23 AM 11/10/2001]

 

It doesn't cost much to get involved.

1. Find your local SCCA region (www.scca.org)
2. Pay your local fees to race ($20 or $15 if you're a member of the SCCA)
3. Race with your street tires to learn on...

If you have any specific Q's, shoot!

It's as easy as that.

 

Check http://www.scca.org for your local region's website, then find out the schedule and show up to the next event. Dont really do anything different with the car and remember to do a few things:

1. show up on time (i.e. 2 hours before the drivers meeting)
2. empty your car, you can take the spare tire+jack out at the event
3. Bring food, water, sunscreen, a chair, a notepad, a pencil, a tire pressure gauge and a tarp, and rain gear (just in case)
4. Inflate tires to 5-8 psi more than usual, F/R.
5. Make sure all service is up today, including fresh oil change
6. Assume you know nothing... because, well at your first autoX, you dont

Then, show up at the event and go to registration and say "this is my first time, can someone show me the ropes?" And they'll get someone to help you out. Dont assume you know what you're doing, no matter how much fast backroads driving you've done - it is a totally different environment and car control and keeping the car smooth at the limit are very abstract terms out on course. On the roads, you're either at 5 or 6/10ths, or at 12/10ths (i.e. in a tree). Go slow, brake hard and brake late, and try to be smooth - dont try to be a hero - it takes plenty of time to learn, and there's nothing (read: zero, zilch) you can do that will impress anyone there on your first day out, except learn - following directions, instructions, asking for someone to ride with you, asking to ride with others, will gather you alot of respect in the paddock, and you will have that much more fun.

Best of luck. Also..... remember, that once you go out to that first autocross... after that first run... there's no going back. you will be hooked, no questions asked.

-Ryan 95SC2 #88ES <--- For sale, found a Miata R

 

post

Way to be helpful

 

Thanks a lot a guys...been plenty helpful. Also, I've heard a lot about driving schools on this board...does anyone know of any on the east coast near Nashville? Thanks a lot. Also, do I need a helmet?

 

Here's the 1st step:
Change your nick.. just move the No to All and All to No. Easy, right?

 

From your post I'm not sure if you plan on autoxing here in Austin or back home next summer. In Austin there are a couple of clubs that run autox events.

The Texas A&M Sportscar Club ( http://tamscc.tamu.edu/). I like the A&M events, it is a bit more of a drive to get to the event but they are well organized, don't draw HUGE crowds, and are run on a nice big runway at an old Air Force base with nice course design.

Spokes Sportscar Club ( http://www.ccsi.com/%7Evitek/spokes/index.html) is based in Austin and runs a full season of autox events. I haven't been to too many of these. These are more "official" - points are scored for a season long championship.

I'd be happy to take you out and show you around at one of these events next year. I'm not planning on autoxing much next summer because I am making the transition to track events - but I bet you could convince me to get out...

Also, check out: http://autocross.com/

 

Yeah, I'll be sure and change my name to AllGONoShow...Anyway, if I can get my car in Austin, it will be here after Christmas. But parking at UT is so bad I don't know if I wan't to bring it. Anyway. I will definately have it next year, so I might take you up on your offer.

 

autocross.road racing...im hooked.....just go w/ the flow and youll be fine..

 

i really want to get into this as well! i cant wait for a local event to come up!


hey allsho...didnt you have a black gsr awhile back? when did you get your R?

 

Malice:
come to the next one in LA (hollywood park) next sunday Nov 11

yoshi - who recommends all LA peeps to check out http://www.solo2.com (events)

 

next sunday the 18?! it says championships. can i still run being a newbie and all?

 

i wanna go too

 

ttt

 

Matt,
I would definitely recommend attending a Spokes event...they are really good with novices. They have novice course walks, pointing out how you should be driving the course and what to watch out for. You can catch a ride with an experienced driver during the early heats, then have someone ride with you during your runs. Just let someone in charge know you're a novice, and they'll take care of you. Only down side is that we're having a problem finding sites to autocross on...so the schedule next year may be a little up in the air.

There's an event next weekend, the 18th, being held over at A&M. I know that's blasphemy for you UT guys but come on out if you want to watch. It's about 1 1/2 hours away from Austin. Look me up and I'll let you ride along on a run or two.

Chris
#55 ES
94 Integra LS