Auto-cross Virgin!

[daveybtv]

So after seeing an autocross event on Power Tour a few years ago Ive been wanting to do it but just haven't had the car or the stones to do it. I have dragged raced and done the car show thing for too long now, and this is the year to do it.

I'm looking for some tips for a beginner, I'm going to join my local SCCA their are a few meets this year locally to get my feet wet.
I'm doing allot work to the car this winter to give me a good base to work with, SC&C stage 2 plus, Baer Breaks front and rear, 17 in wheels, already have up graded sway bars and Hotchkis rear arms.

What I'm looking for are some things to prepare me for my first time, what safety concerns should I address? What should I expect? how do i know what tire pressures to run for the conditions... basically an Auto-cross 101?

Thanks for any help, I'm very excited and relay looking forward to getting some seat time and learning all I can.

[SRD art]

Here's responses I got from a similar question... https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?95242-What-carnage-to-expect-on-race-day&highlight= some good info in there...

[dontlifttoshift]

See if your local SCCA region does a beginners school at the beginning of the season. Even if you have to drive a little to get there, go. Get as much seat time as you can. Have fun! Get as much seat time as you can, even a ride along is helpful.

Everything else is secondary at this point.

[Rod]

So after seeing an autocross event on Power Tour a few years ago Ive been wanting to do it but just haven't had the car or the stones to do it. I have dragged raced and done the car show thing for too long now, and this is the year to do it.

I'm looking for some tips for a beginner, I'm going to join my local SCCA their are a few meets this year locally to get my feet wet.
I'm doing allot work to the car this winter to give me a good base to work with, SC&C stage 2 plus, Baer Breaks front and rear, 17 in wheels, already have up graded sway bars and Hotchkis rear arms.

What I'm looking for are some things to prepare me for my first time, what safety concerns should I address? What should I expect? how do i know what tire pressures to run for the conditions... basically an Auto-cross 101?

Thanks for any help, I'm very excited and relay looking forward to getting some seat time and learning all I can.

funny you ask I have a website that I have tried to give you some Autocross 101 the link is below to my web site "Autocross 101" hope that helps and ask anything you want, look at the autocross hand book page on the site

[daveybtv]

Wow thanks guys, alot of good stuff here.
Rod yoy site is awesome, thank you so much for that!

[Y-TRY]

Ditto on Rod's site. Great reference from a real car guy.

[SRD art]

On that site, in the V8TV video with Stacey Tucker they mentioned that tires make two tones of squeal, good and bad. Can anyone elaborate on this?

Inquiring minds want to know... ;)

[bret]

Squealing is good...Screaming is not. Kind of like raising a teenager.

[Rod]

there is a squealing that happens in controlled slides and weight transfer, and a squealing that happens when there is over braking, spinning out of control, over driving a corner, you will come to hear the difference, at first, to most it sounds the same, but you will hear the difference

[k9kevin81]

That site is great! Thanks Rod

[SRD art]

Squealing is good...Screaming is not. Kind of like raising a teenager.

Lol! So with my teenagers I knew the screaming is bad, but does this mean I havta let the squealing slide?:bicycle: Lol

Rod- I'll keep an ear out for it, if the rain ever quits and I can get out to play. :) Man do I long for winter to be over.

[SRD art]

What is typical for distance between cones on a slalom?

I had some ride alongs at RTTH 2012, anybody know what the distance between slalom cones were there?

I'd like to set some up in an empty parking lot and practice...