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+--- Thread: Beginners Guide To Autocross (/showthread.php?tid=4360)
Beginners Guide To Autocross - 981 S - 05-19-2018
What is Autocross?
Autocross is a motorsport that uses traffic cones to establish a road course in a large parking lot or an unused airstrip. Competitors are timed to see who can navigate the course the fastest. Autocross focuses on car control and precision maneuvering over outright horse power. With speeds generally no greater than those experienced during legal highway driving and an emphasis on safety, Autocross is one of the easiest ways to enter motorsports.
The Riesentöter Autocross program utilizes the Golden Gate Region car classification system to determine a handicap or PAX for each car. So no matter what you drive, a classic 968, a heavily modified 997.1, a showroom stock Boxster S, or anything in between, you have an equal chance to win an event.
Interested in learning more about Autocross? Check out the following videos.
North East Region "Introduction to Autocross"
Cool Video Nick Found
RE: Beginners Guide To Autocross - 981 S - 05-19-2018
HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUTOCROSS
REGISTRATION
It is recommended that you preregister online to ensure a spot. Registration opens at least one month in advance for each event and usually closes Thursday evening before the event. Depending on the venue, when registering online you will specify your car’s class and number. Most event sponsors will provided links in their registration to help you find your car class. If you need some assistance, make a post on the forum and our members will help you. Remember, even if you preregister, you’ll still need to check in at registration the morning of the event.
TECHNICAL INSPECTION
After registration, your car will need to pass a brief technical inspection. The tech inspector will visually check over your car for any loose suspension items, excessively worn tires, leaking fluids, loose interior items, or other potential hazards. The tech inspector will also check your safety equipment: the car should have seat belts, and you will be needing a helmet. Loaner helmets are often available.
Any loose items in the frunk, trunk and interior must be remove as well as your car’s floor mats. You must also indicate your car number and class on your car so that event officials can read it from a distance. Your numbers must be on the car before going through tech inspection.
COURSE WALKING
Before you run, make it a point to walk the course, preferably several times. In an autocross, you do not get a practice run, so the more familiar you are with the course, the better your initial run will be. Generally the number of runs is announced at the driver’s meeting before the event begins.
Many events offer a novice walk. It’s good for everyone, not just new drivers. Novice Chiefs will take you on a walk of the course, talk to you about cone penalties, the best line to drive and a lot more. Make it a point to ask at registration when and where the novice walk through will begin.
DRIVERS’ MEETING
A drivers’ meeting is always held at autocross events prior to the first car off the line. All entrants and anyone else on site are required to attend. The event chair and safety steward will cover any relevant announcements, the day’s schedule, standards of conduct and cone rules for working the course. Once the meeting is over, you will either be preparing to race or work, depending on how you were signed up at registration.
COURSE WORKING & VOLUNTEERING
No one at an autocross is getting paid to do their job or be there, so every event requires that everyone help to keep things happening. We require that if you are there to drive, then you will take a turn working or doing some task during the day. It’s only fair, as there are a lot of folks that spend a lot of their time to get an autocross scheduled and setup and running, and none of it is ever paid by any one or any company. (If we were paid, we’d be doing this 7 days a week!)
Generally, when you register at the event, you will be asked or assigned to work at one of several stations during one of the heats you aren’t driving: on a corner (flagging cars, fixing downed cones), at the registration desk, in the timing/scoring truck, announcing, watch the start line, coordinate cars in the grid, teching cars, etc.
Without the help of everyone there, our autocross could come to a standstill. Even if you’re at your first event, ask what you can do to help and someone will gladly explain how the event works and make sure you feel welcome.
DRIVING THE COURSE
There are many schools of thought over what to do for your first run. However, the most important thing for a novice to do is to try not to get lost. The course moves a lot faster in a car than it does at walking speed, so try to keep yourself prepared by looking ahead as far as possible. On your subsequent runs, you can increase your speed, but it is most important to be smooth and maintain control. If your car has street tires, they will make noise as you corner, but a constant howl likely means you’re exceeding their stopping/turning/braking capabilities. Lots of tail sliding, burnouts, and e-brake turns may look cool, but it’s not the fastest way through the course. You don’t want to wrestle the car, because your car will react better to smooth inputs. Unlike World Rally or ice-racing, you can use the available surface traction to your advantage, so you want to try to avoid sliding when you can. Don’t get stressed about your time, you’re there to have fun!
Hopefully your time improves with each subsequent run, if not, help is all around you: Don’t be afraid to identify yourself as a novice, autocrossers are a friendly & helpful bunch who want to share their love of their hobby with you. We want you to enjoy yourself so that you will come back and see us again and again! And, if at any time you’d like a little help, we have instructors available to ride shotgun with you and give you a few tips along the way.
END OF THE DAY
Once all heats have completed their runs, the day is not yet over! Extra help is always appreciated as cones need to be stacked, driven back to the trailer and loaded up. All registration and timing equipment also needs packed into the trailer. After all cleanup is complete, results are announced trophies are awarded.
Before you leave, remember to get back into “street” mode! Burnouts, donuts, street racing and speeding near the autocross venues can attract unwanted attention and threaten our ability to continue using the venue.
*Copied and edited from Susquehanna SCCA.
RE: Beginners Guide To Autocross - NumeroUnoPA - 05-19-2018
Anthony, Great description & Super Videos !!!!!!!!!!!