Preparing for my first autocross, what do I need?

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
07/15/2015 at 13:29 • Filed to: None

Finally signed up and paid for my first autocross this coming weekend.

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Now I gotta figure out what I need to do in order to be best prepared. I know my car just needs to be in mechanically good shape, I will have to remove anything loose from it, and I will be wearing a helmet (gonna use a loaner at the event). For the car numbering, do I do that myself ahead of time? Anything else I should bring or do?

Found a useful PDF here that I have been reading through:

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DISCUSSION (20)

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 13:44

A roll of painters tape should be fine for numbers. You’ll have plenty of time to do that. Other than that, really just check your fluids, tighten your wheels, and air up your tires.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 13:54

Walk the course, memorize the course. Don’t start off at 100% you will hit cones and squeel tires. Smooth is fast. Bring a cooler full of gator aid and water. Be prepared to shread your street tires. Enjoy.

WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 14:00

Ask and let others ride with you.

The best advice I gave heard, which dropped 2-3 seconds off my time, is to keep your head on a swivel. Look ahead at the turn coming up. You may need to set your car depending on the layout.

nermal > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 14:02

Make sure you take a case of bottled water, along with lunch and some munchies. Drink throughout the day and stay hydrated.

Don’t try to take a dump after the mandatory driver’s meeting, the bathrooms are packed and extra smelly then.

Take a comfortable chair and an EZ-up or the generic equivalent.

Also, don’t forget sunblock.

MRtwo > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 14:20

When you drive in, tell the attendant checking registration and the tech guy that you are new. They will usually give you a few pointers on where to park what to do etc. Then during the course walk, try and walk with a worker and ask them for tips.

Don’t come in with an ego. There are plenty of people more than willing to help and give advice to newbies.

Painters tape for numbers, bring a folding chair, and water and a few snacks. You can’t take that stuff with you when you are running so bring a friend or a cooler to leave in the parking lot.

Ike > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 15:02

Sun screen, for when you are on the Tarmac

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Ike
07/15/2015 at 15:10

I do burn pretty easily so that will be essential. The copious amounts of rain expected might help with that though lol.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
07/15/2015 at 15:10

Yup, I will get a white roll of painters tape since the blue wont show up so well on my blue car.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
07/15/2015 at 15:11

Im really hoping to not totally shred my tires lol. Unless my all seasons do really terrible, I would like to keep them for at least this season.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot
07/15/2015 at 15:12

What do you mean by set your car? And yup the looking ahead makes sense. I have to also remember to look where I want the car to go and not at the cones.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > nermal
07/15/2015 at 15:13

Bringing a chair, definitely something I would have forgotten. Camping chair will be packed!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > MRtwo
07/15/2015 at 15:17

Learning is definitely my main goal for this weekend. So the more listening I can do the better. Its pretty hard to have an ego when you know that go karting a few times and playing grand turismo is your only “racing” experience. Im just hoping the likely rain doesn’t ruin the experience. I know my tires are bad in the rain lol.

WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 15:25

If you have compound corners or a late apex you may have to break earlier than you normally would so you will be setup for the next set of gates/cones.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 15:40

Most importantly have fun. Go balls out if you want. You won’t win, but if you can improve by 2-3 seconds by the end of the day it’ll be a success

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 15:45

It depends on the surface, I did an auto cross where they had just chip sealed the parking lot. We ruined a new-ish set of all seasons in two days of racing, or about 8 1 minute runs.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
07/15/2015 at 15:55

That's why im really glad it is a two day event. That will give me plenty of time to improve and more chances to have non-raining runs.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot
07/15/2015 at 15:56

Ahh yes, that makes sense. Gotta be thinking about the next turn before I exit the previous one.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 15:59

The most common thing people fail tech for is not having a battery tie-down. No, a bungee cord doesn’t count.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/15/2015 at 17:01

The stock clamp that holds the battery down is fine though right? I never understand how people lose those lol

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
07/15/2015 at 23:34

Yeah the stock part is fine. I’ve seen people turned away because their battery is zip tied in place