Going to autocross the BRZ on June 10

[mechaghost]

So, I signed up for Autocross as a novice for June 10. I've never autocrossed before so I am a little bit nervous.

Do you guys have any tips for a beginner like me?


Note:
1. Yes the car will be fully broken in by then.
2. I've done a 1/2 rally school and I really enjoyed that.

[miata]

Walk with an experienced autocrosser.
Walk the course three times minimum so you can memorize the course.
Do not connect the dots. Make smooth lines instead.
In slalom, turn early for each cone. Your apex is right behind each cone in slalom.
If you brake while turning be ready to catch the oversteer.

Make sure you don't get hungry. And have fun.
Watching other drivers is always helpful. If you can ride with good drivers you will see how it should be done.

[Captain Snooze]

Don't get too caught up with your times. Have fun instead. I have seen people being serious at these sorts of events, they are not having fun. Enjoy thrashing you car (and i'm not being sarcastic when i say that; you are off the street, you can be as merciless as you like.)

My 4 cents.

[Scooby South]

Heres something from a 4 time National Champion...http://www.tunnellracing.com/advice.html

my own advice:
-1st and foremost... HAVE FUN
-Learn what your car do
-don't worry about anybody else
-don't worry about the clock
-Did I mention Have fun..
-bring a tire gauge
-bring a cooler for snacks and fluids (no achohol..sorry)
-Don't be afraid to ask LOTS of questions...
-bring a hat, sunscreen and wear comfortable clothes
-if you don't have your own helmet..they have loaners...sooo bring Fabreez..


Along with the advise From Bob...you should be fine...

Bill

[MmmHamSandwich]

Keep an eye out for autocross schools. My first was a two day with nationally ranked drivers. I learned more in that school that I probably did in two seasons.

[Scooby South]

oh yeah...1 thing I forgot something that might help also..
Go to you-tube and just start watching Autocross Vids..
this one is me in the speedwagon..NA 2.2 Impreza wagon

[Brett]

I've only been to one, but I have 3 or 4 for June planned already. I found that everyone was super helpful.

• Get an experienced driver to ride along with you. That will help a ton.
• Sunscreen and a hat as someone already said. Skin cancer is no fun, and you'll be in the sun all day.

[Deslock]

They're lots of fun. In addition to the advice previously posted, I'll add:

• Smoothness = better times
• Sit a little closer to the wheel than you normally do
• Ride with an instructor on your first run or two (or more if it's helpful)
• Don't worry about going fast your first run; use it to learn the course (even if you got to do a walk-through)
• When driving, always look ahead to the next cone/maneuver (so you can set yourself up properly)

A few things you might want to bring (some of this was already mentioned, but I included it anyway):

1. A hat and sunscreen (may be less important in your climate)
2. Water (and maybe snacks)
3. Painters tape (the wider the better)
4. A plastic bin to hold your stuff or a small tarp to put your stuff on (or under if it rains). You'll need to remove everything from the car, including floor matts.
5. Comfortable shoes (you'll be standing a lot)
6. A tire air pressure gauge and pump (others will have this if you don't)
7. A motorcycle helmet, depending on its age and rating. Check the regulations of your club first to see if your helmet meets the requirements (note that DOT helmets are generally not allowed). There ought to be loaners there if you don't have one.

The painters tape is for numbering your car (without leaving residue). With a new car you might also want to use it to protect the lower bumper, fenders, and side-skirts front (right in front of the rear tires). Paint scuffs are possible depending on how dirty the cones are and the angle/speed at which you hit cones.

[NYC BRZ]

1. HAVE FUN!
2. Bring snacks, lots of liquids (non-alcoholic of course ), sunscreen, and a hat/sunglasses.
3. Invest in a decent tire pressure gauge and a portable pump (you can get one from harbor freight for $9.99 that'll do the job)
4. Pump up you front tires 4-5lbs over stock to start, rears 3-4lbs. You want the car to rotate without rolling over on the side walls where you'll lose grip. Drop the pressures when begin to get too high and the car starts to slide too much. Drifting=slow, Grip=fast.
5. Walk the course as many times as you can before the race with an experienced driver. Ask them to suggest a good racing line. Usually you'll get 6-8 runs or more at regional events so take the first 2 runs at a slower pace to learn the course.
6. Don't be afraid to hit a cone in a slalom. Its part of the learning process, it happens.
7. Set small goals for yourself and don't worry about other drivers times. Ex. "I ran 1:04 first lap, my goal for today is to break 1:00"
8. Ask questions of experienced drivers. Take an instructor out riding with you for a couple runs.
9. Wear comfy shoes. You stand a lot.
10. Bring painters tape (2" is the best)
11. HAVE FUN!!

To quote Chris Harris during his GT 86 review "Treat all tires as if they should die!"

[korinfox]

Some tips that I don't think were covered and some that were:

1. If the club allows it, go for rides in the passenger seats of the more experienced drivers.
2. Two pairs of shoes are probably helpful. One comfortable pair to wear when working the course, and one with thin soles when driving.
3. Be early in the slalom with your turn in. You're aiming to get the rear inside wheel next to the cone.
4. Take an instructor/experienced driver with you on all of your runs (if they're available).
5. Always be looking ahead. You should be looking at the next "element" in the course.
6. Bring painter's tape, paper towels, and some sort of cleaning fluid.
7. Lots of water, sunscreen, and a hat.
8. Bring some snacks in addition to a lunch (if they give you time for one).

And, since it's so important when driving, look ahead and keep your eyes up!! The car will go where your eyes are.

[feldy]

I have never seen a club that does not allow ride a long's. Most people will be up for it unless its the last few runs then they may say no. Try to see if you can run in the first heat if possible. Walk the course as many times as possible and take the rookie walk through. Walk the course with someone that knows more then you but then walk it by you're self as well. Walking with people is great but can get distracting. Water Water Water. Bring enough tape to tape on numbers and letters if needed. chalk the tires so you know if you are rolling over and adjust from there. Since there's is no info yet on this car.... I don't even know what to tell you to start at.

You may want to look into a co-driver who has been doing this for a while. I'm sure a few guys would be more then willing to co drive this car. This can help in a few ways. Get heat into the tires and they can help you stay on course and not get lost in the sea of cones.

My local club is concrete and I run 45 psi in the front to prevent roll over. with -2 degrees of camber. On asphalt I may run less then that for more grip. These are on extreme street tires of course. I don't remember what I ran when I first started with all seasons other then it was horrid.

I would tape up the car as much as possible cone marks can come out but I have had a few that does not. I broke my fender liner out the my first event. These can be replaced. so don't worry about them. Don't try and beat the people around you or you're friends that have done this before because you wont.

Most new people come in thinking they are great drivers... you will be humbled if you think so. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by NYC BRZ

To quote Chris Harris during his GT 86 review "Treat all tires as if they should die!"

Haha I remember watching that. Excellent review.

[mechaghost]

Awesome tips! Thank you everybody! I will definitely follow each and every one of those. Especially having Fun!

[Dave-ROR]

I'll be running mine on June 9th. I think my passenger seat has a list of riders that will at least equal the number of runs I'll have...

Best advice has been posted already, walk the course, keep your head (ie don't do anything stupid to save a spinning car or to cut an extra tenth, etc), ride with experienced people, etc, etc