first auto x coming up

[johnyrengo]

There's an auto x that's going to be set up in my town in august, and my friend and I are deciding if we wanna give it a whirl. We would both race his '84 celica supra. What would you guys recomend in preperation for our first time autocrossing. Any advice for our first time?

[Neutrino]

take a look over my faq...you'll find some good stuff...

as preparation goes.....of you have money you can spend on improving the handling of the car....especilly better tires make the biggest difference......also realise that more mods will put you in a higher class....not that it matters that much since at the begining you'll try to improve yourself more than just get better time than other people.....


if you cannot aford mods for the car don't worry about it....any car can enter and even if you are slower doesn't matter its a very friendly non competitive atmosphere.....


what you really need to get is:
suncream
comfortable clothes
drinks
maybe some shade like an umbrella


if you need more specific advice just ask....also if you would like more specific info on car mods i can give you some pointers there too...


btw you'll love it

[Self]

Like he said, as far as mods go, TIRES will make the biggest difference. Have fun and let us know how it goes

[Self]

OH! And take pictures too if you can

[ac427cpe]

well, if you are going to go out and spend money before the first time, TIRES TIRES TIRES! but they get expensive, and if it's an SCCA event, be careful that they are DOT rated, or you'll be bumped a class or two! *they're stingy about stuff like that...*

aside from that

1. make sure you bought enough GAS to make it to the race, do the race, and get home (or to another gas station)
2. comfy shoes - you will most likely be doing a LOT of standing and walking.... and running
3. Liquids, water, soda, gatorade, ect... they won't let u bring booze, so don't try.
4. make sure that there isn't much loose stuff in the car, as everything that isn't fascened down normally has to come out. PASS TECH!!! IT"S IMPORTANT!
5. a positive attitude, and the acceptance that you will get whooped on by miatas (if it's anything like here in AZ)

good luck!
and like self said, PICTURES!!!

[Neutrino]

yes pictures......especially if there are hot chicks there.....then its a neccessity

[buymeabmwm3]

Take EVERYTHING out of your car that you don't absolutley need. Floor mats, glovebox articles, anything in the trunk, spare tire and jack (once you get there). Lighter makes you go faster, esp on low hp cars. I've considered taking my seats out of my daily driver for the weekend.... but thats probably excessive

[johnyrengo]

Thanks for the imput guys. Got a couple more questions: Can one car be entered twice, driven by two different people? And My friend and I are both 19, I think I read somewhere that you need some sort of parental consent if you are under 21, is this true?
Oh and another thing, are cone courses hard to follow? And did you guys learn racing technique just from going out and doing it? Of course, I've played video games which have little in common with real life physics, but I also ski race which seems to have some of the same applications as far as racing line are concerned. For my first time I'm just looking for a good time, and to gain some experience and learn. But I also don't want to appear as some movie goer getting lost in the autocross corse in trying to get to the mall.
Once again, thanks guys, you are most helpful.

[buymeabmwm3]

Yes the same car can be entered twice. Not sure about the parental consent. I did one while under 21 without it. Yes the cone courses are very hard to follow until you've done them lots. Its like playing connect the dots at 60 mph. Best advice for learning the racing physics: most autox places with have instructors. If not, most other drivers are more than willing to ride-along with a noobie, dont be afraid to ask. I had a ride-along instructor on my first autox, and it was the best thing i could do to learn. Highly encouraged. Although, the biggest thing he/she's going to tell you is be SMOOTH, with every input to the car. Thats the absolute key to staying in control and going fast. Also hardest thing to do.

[buymeabmwm3]

And walk the track before the first race to familiarize yourself.

[Neutrino]

yes walk the tack before you run...everybody does it.....


you'll find its not that hard to figure out the cones once you start driving.....

just take it easy the fisrt time and figure out the course

[ac427cpe]

walk the course, ride with people with the same car... ride with people in cars that you gawk at... autoX drivers normally gladly give rides out, just don't be afraid to ask. but.. before that, walk the course, once by yourself, then ask someone who has been there for a while (ask who would be best when u register, they'll be able to tell you) you will be able to see the line from an experienced racer, then walk it again by yourself without talking... only focusing on the course. but most importantly WALK IT LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO DRIVE IT!

and like buymeabmw said, smoother = faster, it may not feel like it, but it is.

drive slow to go fast... you'll understand when you are there

you will get more than one run, so on the first one just find out what the car will do on the course, then push it from there

try to memorize the course tho... if you have to think about the corner that you are on, you've already messed up that one and the next one. always be thinking ahead. and remember, even if you mess up IT'S NOT OVER! just use the rest of the run to get more of the course down.

ask questions!!! untill u start going fast they'll share all kinds of info

[r34-gts]

all ill say is put some real good tyres and shgcks there most impoertant.

[lorddarkice]

yes, tires tires tires. i have never run autoX persay... but our track at gulfport does have a track that they will let you run on fri. nights. ive done that a few times in my old 90 civic hatch (b4 i blew it up lol) 1st time i had the 'factory' wheels on it (the ones that are like 2' wide lol) couldn't stay on the track- slid everywere. 2nd and 3rd time i had acura teg rims/wheels on my car, made a HUGE differance!!