| Autocross is a form of racing that not many | | | | with an experienced driver to get some pointers |
| people outside the sport know about. This | | | | on what to look for when you walk the course. |
| overlooked motorsport is quickly gaining popularity | | | | Many times the organizers will offer this |
| because of its unique blend of competition and | | | | opportunity to novice drivers prior to starting the |
| affordability. Autocross events are time trial | | | | event, or you might just look for someone to |
| competitions in which there is no wheel-to-wheel | | | | help you. It is generally best to walk the course at |
| racing involved, meaning that there is only one car | | | | least twice, so you have a picture in your mind of |
| on the track at a time. Competing vehicles are | | | | the course and the best way to run it. |
| not racing against each other on the track; | | | | After all the vehicles have been through tech |
| therefore, each driver races the course against | | | | inspection and registration is closed, they will hold |
| the clock, not against other cars on the track. | | | | a drivers meeting. Here they will announce the |
| The winners are determined by the vehicles that | | | | work and run order. Most large events will have |
| complete the course with the quickest time. | | | | three running heats of vehicles racing. You will be |
| Autocross is a great starting point for someone | | | | required to work one heat in addition to running |
| looking to get into becoming a race car driver. It | | | | one. By working, you may be picking up cones |
| is a safe and cheap way to participate in | | | | that drivers have knocked over, working the |
| competitive racing. Autocross events are generally | | | | start or finish line, or even announcing. You will |
| run by the SCCA, which is the Sports Car Club or | | | | also have a heat where you are not running or |
| America. These events are either sanctioned by | | | | working and during this, you can generally watch |
| the SCCA or run under their rules by independent | | | | and get a good idea of how the other drivers are |
| clubs. The SCCA calls their autocross events Solo | | | | running the course. By watching where they are |
| II. Generally speaking, any safe, street legal | | | | braking and accelerating, you can get a good idea |
| vehicle can compete without any significant | | | | for yourself when you run. When it is your turn |
| modifications to any part of the vehicle. Each | | | | to run, proceed to the staging lanes and the |
| driver is placed in a class based on their car's | | | | workers there will get you lined up and ready to |
| performance potential (including modifications) and | | | | go. When they direct you to, proceed to the |
| sometimes the racer's auto-crossing experience. | | | | start line to make your run. Follow the cones on |
| The only classes that are based on experience | | | | the course and try to have the best run possible. |
| are Novice classes which are for drivers in their | | | | Once you finish, proceed back to the finish line for |
| first season. There are also open classes and | | | | your next run. The most important thing for |
| ladies classes. Open classes are for all experienced | | | | beginners is to try to improve your time on each |
| drivers, and ladies classes are obviously only for | | | | run, rather than worrying about winning because |
| ladies. The best way to figure out which class | | | | being your first event, it is more important to |
| your car fits into is to order a copy of the SCCA | | | | focus on racing than winning. Improvement will |
| Solo II rulebook, which includes a summary of the | | | | come with experience and your times will improve |
| classes based on vehicles and modifications. In | | | | with practice. There is no substitute for seat time |
| general, a course is laid out using traffic cones and | | | | in autocross and you will improve as you gain |
| is usually set up in a large parking lot. Autocross | | | | more of it. |
| courses are configured to emphasize the driver's | | | | Usually auto-crossing entails three to five runs, |
| car control skills and car set-up, not speed. | | | | after which you head back to the parking lot. If |
| However, speeds up to 70 MPH may be attained | | | | you are working next, report to the tent and get |
| by faster cars. | | | | your assignment and head out to the course and |
| The SCCA and independent clubs hold events in | | | | get ready to work. If you are not working, you |
| locales across the nation throughout the summer. | | | | will have about two hours to do whatever you |
| The best way to find a local club in your area is | | | | want, but it is best to try to watch others and |
| to do a search for events on any popular search | | | | learn what you can from watching them run. This |
| engine. Once you find a local club, you can sign up | | | | may also be a great time to ride with an |
| on-line or in person for the next event. | | | | experienced driver to try to learn from them on |
| To compete in an autocross event, you must | | | | how they run the course. It is best to ask around |
| posses the following: a valid driver's license, be at | | | | and find someone who will let you ride-along. Once |
| least 16 years old, have a vehicle that will pass a | | | | you have worked once, ran once, and had a |
| simple safety inspection, and have a DOT and | | | | break you will be done for the day. You can head |
| Snell approved helmet. If you do not have a | | | | back to your car and get it packed up and ready |
| helmet, most clubs generally offer loaners. For the | | | | to go. |
| best results, you should clean out all loose objects | | | | The satisfaction of doing well in autocross is |
| in your car including the spare tire and jack, | | | | similar to doing well at tennis or golf. This is |
| subwoofers, floor mats, any cargo, and basically | | | | because driver skill is so much more important |
| anything loose that may get caught in your feet | | | | than the amount of money spent on the car. |
| while you drive. You should also bring your drivers | | | | When you do well at an autocross, you have the |
| license, the helmet, a signed consent form if you | | | | satisfaction of knowing that you were the reason, |
| are under 18, lunch, and proper clothing. On the | | | | not because you outspent everyone else. A |
| day of the event you should arrive early to the | | | | driver's skill usually accounts for at least 75% of |
| race site to get yourself prepared for the day. | | | | his or her success. On the other hand, if you |
| Autocrossing is generally an all day event and you | | | | enjoy tinkering with your car, there are classes |
| should be prepared to stay all day. The day will | | | | for modified vehicles as well. These classes can |
| normally start between 8:30 and 9:30am. This | | | | be quite expensive to be competitive in, but they |
| gives you time to arrive, check in with the | | | | do allow the owner to express himself with |
| registration tent, change your tires if you have | | | | different modifications. |
| race tires, look your car over, and get it | | | | Autocross is a form of racing that once you have |
| numbered for the event. For numbering, you can | | | | experienced it, you will be hooked like the many |
| use masking tape to do the job and upgrade to | | | | other enthusiasts. It is a great and exciting way |
| magnetic numbers when you have been to a few | | | | to spend a Sunday afternoon and you may find |
| events and want to look more professional. Once | | | | yourself at many events throughout the summer. |
| your car is ready and you have checked in, you | | | | As you gain experience, you will compete better |
| can go ahead and take your car over to the tech | | | | but remember that it takes time. Don't worry if |
| inspection area to get it race approved. At the | | | | you do not win a trophy or finish in the top half |
| tech inspection, the team there will make sure | | | | of the class right away because you are racing |
| your car is in good racing shape. This inspection | | | | against experienced drivers a lot of the time, and |
| will include making sure your vehicle has all wheel | | | | they have honed their skills. To get further |
| studs, the battery is secure, all loose items have | | | | information on getting started in autocross, you |
| been removed, the vehicle is not leaking any | | | | can visit the following sites: |
| fluids, you have a valid helmet or are borrowing | | | | - Rules, Local Regions |
| one, and that your car is numbered and ready to | | | | - Novice Handbook- Great Read!! |
| go. Once they clear your car to compete, you | | | | I hope you have learned a good amount about |
| can head back to the parking lot to get ready for | | | | how auto-crossing works today. Autocross is |
| the race. Make sure your tire pressures are good | | | | something every car enthusiast should try at least |
| and your car has enough gas so it is ready to go. | | | | once, as it is an experience you will not soon |
| Following the inspection, it is best to walk the | | | | forgot. You will also learn many techniques for |
| course. By doing this, you will be able to get an | | | | performance driving that will subsequently |
| idea of how the course is laid out so when you | | | | improve your daily driving. Check it out and have |
| run it, you will know where you are going. It is | | | | fun!! |
| also a good idea if you are a novice to walk it | | | | |