[CivicSiRacer]

As someone said to get practice in autocrossing your first year is your practice. There is no legal way to do it not during an event. Too much risk involved.

Anyway your first year is a learning experience, try to get as much seat time as you can. Whether it be in your car, a passenger in your own car, or a passenger with another driver (preferably with an experience autocrosser).

I would hold off on an Evolution School your first year, since at an Evo school you should know your car and what it's capable of and should not what settings are the best for your car already. The Evo school will capitalize/polish your driving skills.

I know my first Evo school I took back in 2002 since I wasn't getting any faster compared to my peers. I was already autocrossing for 5 years before that. Took the Evo school and knocked 2 seconds off my times from my first baseline run in the morning til the afternoon runs. Best $225 spent.

Realize there is also Phase II, III and the GEEZ school.