Going to participate in my first autocross event! Looking for pointers and help!

[Mr. McGuire]

Looking for those do's and don'ts. This June the Lancaster Pa Corvette Club is holding an autocross event this June. Being a new guy and this being my first organized event or race at all I'm looking for pointers and any help so I don't get lost in a sea of cones.
I'm running a low power 1991 Camaro Z28 with a few suspension bolt ons. I didn't want to start with a high horsepower monster for my first few events. I'm open to any help and suggestions. Wish me luck in the event :)

the suspension bolt ons I have so far are:

- Subframe connectors (weld on) (Hotchkis)

- Panhard rod (Hotchkis)

- Front and rear sway bars (Hotchkis)

-Tie rod sleeves (Hotchkis)

- Strut tower bar (Umi)

- front steering brace (Umi)

I plan on a QA1 coil over kit in the near future as well as a few other things like trailing arms.

I plan on just surviving and not looking like a dummy in this even. Not trying to come out number 1. Any help is appreciated!

[drktrrs]

My biggest piece of advice for your first event is to not be competitive but rather just HAVE FUN

[Mr. McGuire]

thats what I was looking to do. Is it ok to just walk around and look at other peoples cars kinda like you would at a car show? I'm for fun like you were saying.

[howehot]

Find someone with experience. Ask them to show you how to walk the track so you get familiar with the course. Ask for someone to ride along or even drive your car on the course. Go slow so you don't go off course and build your speed as the day progresses, working more on your line than speed. In the two years I have ran SCCA events I only go to get the experience and seat time, always asking the old timers where I can improve. And have fun.

[Rod]

look at my website I have a online handbook for novice autocrossers, Autocross 101 (http://www.autocross101.com/)....above all let the more experienced drivers know your a novice, we like to help then, remember everyone started some where, (we all sucked at one time) listen to what your told and for GODS sake dont tell the person helping you "I Know" I absolutely hate that, and at that point most will shut-up or send you on your way with bogus advice....and remember JUST HAVE FUN!

[SSLance]

Don't be afraid to let the others know you are a newbie, and ask around for veterans that can ride along, walk the track with you or just offer pointers. Most regulars are more than happy to help the newbies out as long as they are respectful while there.

Be there early and plan on being there most of the day. Not sure how they'll run their event but be prepared to have to work a bit (chase and replace cones on the course) before you get to run.

[1966longroof]

Great advice so far. Additionally, get as much seat time as the organizers will allow you. Have fun!!

[Project92rs]

Repeating what a few others have said. Let them know it's your first time and ask for help. You'll probably find plenty of people willing to let you ride in their cars, ride with you in yours, or drive yours for you at this and every event you go to. Ask for help and listen to what they are telling you. The last thing to worry about at this point is modifying the car unless there are mechanical issues that impact your ability to safely drive it. Once you're fully hooked you can start looking to mod the car more.

[BMR Sales]

Walk the Course a couple of Times - once by yourself & then with someone that is experienced. That way you can compare what you were thinking vs that of someone that has done it a few times. When I walk a course, I stop quite a few times to take Mental Notes.

Most Important thing at an A/X - Have Fun!

[Schubitzky]

Why wait until June? There are two autocrosses this weekend at Hersheypark! Check out www.scca-susq.com to register.

[rrelco]

Don't hit cones!!!!

[gflentge]

I agree with all of the comments here..... I began the "addiction" last year and found that the experience that will surround you at these events from "long timers" and the tech and support and advice that others can offer are invaluable .....

These are three of the basic rules that I have learned being a recent newbie myself....

Rule #1
Have fun.... Don't take yourself too serious, because remember, your are there to have fun (but be safe)

Rule #2
Be social, don't be shy or standoff-ish, as 99.9% of the people at these events are there because they enjoy the sport and will enjoy to meet others that enjoy the same.... Also, these new friends (as you will find) will provide endless support and pointers if you are accepting of input, ride along, walk, talk, laugh and learn..... If you get hooked, you will make a whole new family of friends

Rule #3
Run what you brung,,,,, from what you posted here on your car, and from what some of the experienced folks have offered to me, horsepower is great, but you better be able to turn and stop, otherwise you should be on a 1/4 mile circuit (lol.... Don't remember who told me that, but made me laugh).

Know the car for what it is..... My 1st event I ran my 2nd gen, sbc powered, stock brakes, with hotchkis front springs as the only suspension mod, with true 600 tread compound street tires,,,,,I HAD A BLAST, car did what I expected it would do.....finished mid-pack on road course and got schooled by Stacy Tucker in autocross head-to-head shootout.....(I was really hoping she hit a cone..... That's how I won the 1st head-to-head in autocross)

Don't be intimidated by the tech and performance that others have in their rides.....if you know your equipment and it is sound, it can perform as well as you can drive it,,,, you may be surprised on how well your car performs..... I went to an event where some guys were running Hondas and VWs that looked stock plus a good set of track day tires...... They were knocking down great times and having a blast.... Faster than some big $$ cars

Overall, have fun....

G

[Rod]

Your goal is to have fun! That's why everyone is here.
Your goal for the first run is to avoid getting lost on course (see my course-walking tips (http://www.autocross101.com/Course_Walking_Tips.html))
Your goal for the rest of the day is to improve your time on each run
Your goal for the second event is the same as the first.
Your goal for the rest of the season is to beat somebody (anybody!) and continue to make each run faster than the last



:drive1:

[David Pozzi]

Treat it as precision driving, NOT drifting!
Don't be too hard on yourself.
Have fun!

[BADNBLK]

I love seeing all this great advise from all of those above, and I personally never thought about tossing the keys to seasoned driver and have them help pick a line or help address an issue with the car/handling. I'm no pro or even would call my self a seasoned driver, only have 3 a/c events under my belt, and I learn something new each time.

My advise considering we drive the same car, or very similar. Stay smooth. If your fighting the wheel your letting the gas pedal take away the advantage of our great factory suspension. Our cars handle well out of the box. The quirk you may find is that the suspension and power of your car will likely overpower your factory brakes. Make sure your brakes are in good condition, and of quality to handle some heat.

Have fun! I look forward to playing in the cones this year!

[Mr. McGuire]

Thanks guys, I Really appreciate the advice! Sorry for just getting back to the thread now. I know its gonna be a little intimating at first being the newbie but I am looking forward to having a great time and making friends.

[JEFFTATE]

Look way ahead down the track .
( Keep your eyes up )
anticipate your next move , don't exactly focus on the apex where you're at .
Look ahead .

[juniorjohnson]

Dann,

We have ONE spot left for this weekend's Evo School in Jennerstown PA. If you can swing it, our program will cut your learning curve in half I promise. If you don't think so, I'll give you your money back..

This past weekend in Doswell, VA we had a guy who had never autocrossed before, and he started with a 61 second time, and finished the day with a 40.xxx.

We've been doing this for 21 years, and I'm sure that there are plenty on this forum that will stand behind our program.

Here's the registration link if you are interested: http://www.evoschool.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=509

[Rat Fink]

As a new newbie with only two Goodguys events last year, you will be half as fast as you think you will be, but you will have twice as much fun as you thought! Don't overthink it because you will get a ton of good advice and it's easy to think too much about it. Get a couple of laps in and then you will start to settle down and really pay attention to what you are doing (right or wrong). Expect to have loads of fun and a burning desire to do it more!

[Space Dynamics]

On your first few runs it is really important to stay calm and !Go slow! I have such a hard time with this 'cause the adrenalin just goes straight to your right foot.

and don't forget to bring;

sunblock

enough water/food

sunblock

sweater in case it gets cold

sunblock

tape

chalk

sunblock