Well guys yes I'm taking the 5at auto x'in and I have no clue what I'm doing as far as what to do and how these things work (I've never been to one). I was wondering if our resident auto x'er zixor could lay out how these events work for me and give me some tips on what I would need to bring and how to behave as to not embarass myself
Incase any SoFla people want to pass by its at Hialeah Park on May 15 I found out about it through crsx so you can go there and go to the United States-Florida forum and check it out for yourself

 

You should check to see if you need a helmet first.

 

gotta spell my name right to get help

autocrosses in different regions are run differently, but in general in an AutoX part of the day you will be driving and part of the day you will be working the course while others drive (picking up cones, using radio etc.) Everyone has to work the course since its a volunteer event.

to prepare, make sure your tires are properly inflated (usually better off inflating them higher than normal), and you have enough gas to get there, but not too much. and full tank would unnecessarily weigh you done. bring sun tan lotion as you'll be outside all day, a fold out chair, possibly water, cooler, lunch. wear something comfortable, and have good shoes for driving and standing. sunglasses are useful when working the course. umbrella if weather calls, a garbage bag to cover your stuff.

when you get there you'll need to register and do a tech inspection. clean out your before the inspection, take out loose articles, mats, hang tags, cds. Your trunk needs to be clear, but taking out the spare and tools is up to you, I usually do for the sake of it. go to tech and they'll make sure your wheels are attached solidly, your car is clear of junk and your throttle works. all regions i know of have loaner helmets which you can pick up and return during your run, they should be availabe to you for free.

find out how your region does numberng, do they use shoe polish on the windows, or do they require paper or magnetic numbers or ones made out of painters tape? speaking of painter's tape, I suggest buying some from HD ($6 for a big blue roll) and line the bottom of your bumper if you car is light. on my PWP when I hit a cone, some black tire residue can rub off, a cone even chipped some paint on a corner once. the painter's tape will cover your bumper in the areas you could make contact.

make sure to walk the course at least once, and see if they do a novice walk through to explain how you should tackle the course. try to identify pointer cones and these will guide you and help prevent the "sea of cones" disease that affects newbies as it can be hard to see where the course goes your first time.

as far as driving, when your heat is called, go stage at the starting gate. workers will instruct you what to do, follow what others do. no need to launch your car like a drag race, I usually accelerate out of the start gate like normal. You can most likely run the entire course in 2nd gear, I wouldn't worry about shifting back down to 1 in slow areas, just concentrate on driving. if you hit cones its ok, don't stop on the course, you're better off just taking your penalty. my suggestion is just try to improve every run, and as you get comfortable push it a little harder.

for working, when your heat is called to work, try to be a course worker and follow someone else who's done it before. you'll go out onto the course and watch if a car goes off track or hits a cone. if it does, your station will have to tell HQ and then run and set the cone up. If a car is stuck on the course or there is a problem you can wave the red flag to the next driver to let them know to stop.

to not embarrass yourself, just be considerate of other people, don't jump in front of cars in staging, watch your back when out on the course. observe other people as much as possible to see how they race the course, work the course and stage. you should be fine, its not too complicated if you keep your eyes open.

 

He basically covered it all. If you can though, bring your own helmet. They are like bowling shoes or boxing gloves in my International Martial Arts and Boxing Academy... a bit funky.

Arrive early, generally events run from 8:00am to 5:00pm and the walk-through is early, if possible arrive 20min. early, you'll also get a closer parking spot to staging the earlier you show.

Bring someone else to watch you and your stuff when you're on the track and to video tape your runs. You can usually ask someone there near your parking to watch your stuff as well. People here are usually cool and wouldn't mind helping out.

Don't be afraid to ask questions to veterans and the like.

Brake just before and during turn-in to maximize traction if needed. Keep both hands on the wheel unless +/- shifting.

Look into the turn, even out your side window if necessary. The A-Pillar on the TSX is huge...

Race your own race, don't try and beat someone elses time, just improve upon your own. Analyze what you could've done better after each run and apply it on your next.

Most of all... HAVE FUN! & Good luck!

 

Don't forget to throw some huge Hoosiers on before you start

 

I think that this is the worst way to start auto-x'ing. R-compound tires "hide" many little mistakes that would otherwise be a factor if you were to run on street tires. IMO, the best way for a newbie to start is to run on completely stock car with street tires. And don't change a thing until you master the art of driving more before you start doing things to the car.

 

 

Not to mention that you would no longer be in the street prepared class... you'd be running with a pack of whole new type of beast (race prep'd cars that will surely decrease your confidence)... but like I said, race your own race...

 

well he'd be in street touring w/ street tires and would be in street prepared w/ r-compounds.

 

I ran pretty good times with my stock tires, too bad they get all torn up from the autox, probably killed a few thousand miles from their life in three hours.

 

I ran my entire 1st season of Solo II on all-season Michelin Pilot H4s in my Civic. Trust me, I learned a lot running on steet tires (and I fared very well too).

Last season I ran on summer tires (Toyo T1-S) which were a bit better than the all-seasons, but getting times as good as the guys running on R compounds was nearly impossible. That said, I still had lots of fun, and really, that's the most important thing.

I agree with everyone else -- drive on regular tires for a while first before investing in a set of R comps. I bet most of the guys in my motorsport club would agree too.

 

I will have to be more careful about my flippant tongue in cheek comments lest they steer somebody in the wrong direction.

I agree 100%, newbies should always start with street tires. My first few times out were on my daily street tires too but I eventually got comfortable pushing them beyond what they could do, and like mentioned above, it eventually tears up what can be pricey street tires.

(PS: plus I have to add I haven't autox'd or tracked the TSX yet, this is in my other fun car)

 

I haven't auto x'd for about 6 years back @ Rte. 66 Raceway in the Chicago Region, but yeah you're right, got 'em mixed up...

 

Bring your own helmet!! The borrowed ones smell like old cheese! AutoX is pretty big here in JAX. Unfortunatly it's like a sea of cones. In Ganesville it's a hell of alot better it's more of a street course. I have never Auto X'd a TSX, and I am looking forward to it!!

 

WOW great tips everyone. Im thinking about joining a car club and doing some autocrossing myself. Ever since i got my TSX i have been crazy about it and want to do more with it. Thanks again for the info

 

Just got my helmet yesterday. My buddy let me borrow his b/c he used to have a motorcycle but he sold it, so he doesnt really need the helmet now.