Planning for first autocross April 16 - Sacramento

[sgernon]

I am planning to attend my first autocross on April 16 in Sacramento (Mather), assuming I get the new engine built and installed in time. I have read up on all the prep articles online but as would be expected I am am a little nervous. I was curious if anyone else is planning to attend the event. It would be nice to meet some people in general. I also would not mind some advise and/or to share my nervousness with other newbies.

My biggest concern come with getting my car teched. Is there any way to have my car tech'd in advance? Can anyone give some advise on common areas I should look into for before heading out?

Thanks

Steve

[Derek69SS]

It's usually a pretty simple tech-in process...

battery secured, wheels/bearings are tight, steering is tight, brake pedal is firm, Helmet meets your club's requirements, no noticeable leaks, etc.

Don't leak oil or antifreeze on course, in grid, or at the starting line.

If there's anything questionable, even if it's not something they check, fix it just to be safe.

Have fun, and take advantage of instructors that many clubs provide. I know a lot of very good experienced drivers that still occasionally take an instructor with for a run, just looking for a 2nd opinion if they're attacking an element correctly... there's no shame in asking for help, especially when it helps you get faster.

Also, see if you can find the host club online, and introduce yourself now... it will help to let people know you're new, and will be looking for help. Someone will likely step up and help get you familiar with how the events work... and you'll probably make some new friends in the process. :

[mdprovee]

Most of all have fun. I too had the nervousness, and the unknown. I went to Mather a couple of times last year for my first ones. Everybody was very welcoming. Ask questions if you are unsure of something, tell them you are a newbie, they are helpfull. Take the course walk, even a few times to try and memorize the course in your head. Even try to walk it with an experienced driver that helped me.

Basic safety stuff as mentioned above for inspection, also nothing loose in the car, no floor mats.

Unfortunately I will be in Redding on that weekend, so I cant be there. I am going to try and make the May 7th, maybe see you there.

[cobragt]

with some clubs they they check battery hold down, hoses and belts and tires, seat belts and helmet. MSCC down in Florida had us do a hands off wheel brake test to make sure the car stops straight. But every club is different. But tech is almost always the day of, unless they do a test and tune the day before. Also make sure there is nothing in the car that can fly around. Spare tire and jack need to be either bolted down or out of the car. Have fun at the event!

[JayR]

Don't forget a neutral safety switch if you're running a manual and get rid of everything that isn't bolted down. Most auto-cross clubs are grassroots organizations so there isn't a real uptight attitude and people are extremely helpful and generous so don't get psyched out. it's not like it's a track day with the Ferrari club. Get there as early as possible for tech and the course walk and see if there's a a novice course walk which will help a lot and then walk the course as many times as you can before hand. If they run like my club, you'll likely be in the 2nd run group as a novice which puts you on the track as a volunteer first which is a great opportunity to see how things work like that particular club's SOPs and what lines and approach angles the fast cars are taking and what isn't working at all for others so pay attention, even to mundane things like staging lanes, run orders, etc. Bring a duffle bag or a backpack with a few basic tools and fluids that you can leave on the ground all day. If the club has rules on their website, read them twice.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[CamaroAJ]

don't forget sun block.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

it's not like it's a track day with the Ferrari club.

Hahaha...words of wisdom!

[sgernon]

Thanks for all the advise. Hopefully the weather changes over the next month and the sunscreen is needed rather than an umbrella. I know my car is built well but a hands off brake test still sounds a bit scary to me. Might need to find a parking lot to try that out just in case. I'm curious to know how straight it stops

Sounds like I should be fine for tech but need to check for the nuetral safety switch and am concerned about my helmet. I have my clutch switched but not sure if I ran it to the trans as well. Luckily the engine and trans are out now so it should not be too much of an issue to rewire. How do I check if my helmet is Snell '95 M/SA or later?

I also have a battery in the truck, do I need to have the battery/alternator disconnect install? I have all the pieces but just need to make time to complete it.

[JayR]

Sounds like I should be fine for tech but need to check for the nuetral safety switch and am concerned about my helmet. I have my clutch switched but not sure if I ran it to the trans as well. Luckily the engine and trans are out now so it should not be too much of an issue to rewire. How do I check if my helmet is Snell '95 M/SA or later?

I also have a battery in the truck, do I need to have the battery/alternator disconnect install? I have all the pieces but just need to make time to complete it.

The SNELL date on the helmet is usually right under the liner and is easy to get a look at for just such reasons. You shouldn't need a battery on/off switch until you're doing track days but it does definitely need to be secured well and maybe vented depending on their rules.

[Gitter Dun]

Well, since Mather is less than 30 minutes from me this sounds like an inexpensive opportunity to test the new watts link. Thanks for posting, I didn't think SCCA was going to be at mather this year.