Some new autocrossers seem to get brain lock and try to steer through the course while holding a
constant speed that is too slow on the straights and then end up plowing the cones in the first tight turn.

I'm not really talking about that.

I'm talking about the people that have done it a while, have a decent idea of how they want to mod a car, and have a good feel for car control.... but they'll go around a sweeper 20 feet off the ideal line scrubbing speed the whole way because didn't brake on entry or just brushed the brakes. Their idea of being smooth and keeping momentum hasn't incorporated going slow in the slow stuff.

Nothing to be afraid of.
Nothing but cones to hit.
Start slow and build up speed.

Look how easy this guy makes it look, like he's out for a Sunday afternoon cruise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pq30VHSfbY

Questions about First Autocross & School
 

Sounds like you’ve got a good game plan already. Maybe also bring a bag chair. Maybe a pump for the tires. Even a bike pump will do.

Tips. Be ready to walk the course as soon as possible and multiple times if possible. Try to do it with an experienced driver and for sure don’t walk with friends while shooting the shit about cars. I tend to fall for this trap and end up not focusing enough to commit the course to memory.

Long hold TC off without a doubt. Never, NEVER forget to do this before each run. It will wreck the crap out of your runs if you forget to turn it off. You will probably turn the car off between each run so it’s easy to forget to turn it off again. Also keep in mind that you need to get the coolant temp up a bit before VVT is enabled.

Main driving tips I have are, look ahead, look ahead, look ahead. When in a slalom, don’t look at the cone you are about to apex, don’t even look at the next apex... look through the next two apexes. Also, learn to shuffle steer. Do it religiously while daily driving so it’s second nature. You would be amazed at the number of people that are flailing their arms all over the wheel and end up hitting their horns, wipers, headlights even rearview mirror. Hahaha.

Also, look ahead. [emoji3]

Oh yeah and ride along with an experienced driver and if possible, or even better, let one of them drive your car while you ride along them. It’s important to erase the thought that you are getting beet because “they have the better car”. Trust me, it’s not the car, it’s the driver.

Oh also, be prepared to be addicted and meet a lot of really cool people.

Edit: Just realized this is an old thread. Hahaha