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Autocross

Supported by the Boston Chapter; Sponsored by Bridgestone

Co-chairpersons: Larry Nicklas and Christo Tinkov

Tanya Barnum

Autocross events are an all-forward motion-driving-skill contest. Each driver is individually timed to the thousandth of a second, over a short, miniature road-course clearly defined using traffic cones. Cars compete one at a time, in a class with similar cars. An event can be held on any flat paved surface, usually a parking lot, or airport apron or runway.

Autocross emphasizes driver skill and vehicle handling rather than just speed. The corners are tight, and there are lots of them, so the driving is exciting and challenging. Autocross speeds do not exceed those normally encountered in highway driving.

The skills you learn and practice here; smooth transitions, enhanced braking, and skid correction, will have an immediate impact on improving the safety and skill of your street driving. Autocross is an excellent way to teach car-control to young drivers in a safe environment. A day of autocrossing is far safer for both car and driver than most people’s daily commute to work.

Autocross is also a very social sport, filled with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. The camaraderie of the drivers is a special part of autocrossing that is profoundly satisfying.

Cars are divided into categories and classes. Classes separate cars by performance, so that M3s compete against M3s, and 2002s compete against 2002s. Categories separate cars according to their level of preparation. Unmodified cars compete in classes in the Stock category. Cars with modifications to the suspension, intake or exhaust system, or different wheels and tires compete in the Racing Class.

ON BEING A NOVICE

You’ll remember your first event for a long time. The adrenaline that makes you shake at the start-line before your first run, and the even bigger surge of adrenaline you feel when you finish. That excitement is part of the sport, and it’s why we all do this.

Don’t let being a novice overwhelm you! Every driver, including national champions, had a first day and a novice season. Autocrossing is a skill that requires instruction and practice to see improvements. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be so competitive, or so fun. In fact, when experienced road racers come to autocross for the first time, we often put them in Novice Class. It’s not like falling off a log for them, either. The great thing about this sport, though, is that even when you’re going “slow,” it’s still fun driving.

The course may seem “busy” at first, because it's tighter than what you see on the street, and you're trying to attack it faster than you could in traffic. You’ll have fun learning the sport and learning to keep the car in control as you get faster and better with more seat-time.

With that said, here are some tips to give you the right novice attitude, so you don’t become discouraged:
Your goal is to have fun! That’s why everyone is here.
Your goal for the first run is to avoid getting lost on course (see course-walking tips)
Your goal for the rest of the day is to improve your time on each run

WHAT TO BRING TO AN EVENT

This list covers everything from sunscreen to snacks to tires pressure gauges. You will probably come up with your own list of things you need at an autocross event, but this will get you started.
You must have:
Your car and a valid driver’s license
A safety helmet
Extra air in your tires. Stop at a gas station and fill your tires to approximately 45 psi-Front/35psi-Rear for a front-wheel-drive car, or 40psi all around for a rear-wheel-drive car.
Suitable shoes for driving. The best are light-soled, with a narrow sole which does not stick out past the side of the shoe
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Clothes appropriate for the weather forecast
Rain gear / umbrella
A hat
A folding chair
Water
Cooler for lunch or snacks
Windex and paper towels
A good tire pressure gauge

WHAT HAPPENS AT AN AUTOCROSS

People begin arriving before registration opens so they can unpack their car, change tires and get ready for the day before registration begins. It is best to arrive at or before the beginning of registration so you will have time to register, tech your car, walk the course, and have ample time to talk to relax.

DRIVERS' MEETING

The drivers’ meeting is mandatory for all drivers. The event chair will hold the meeting approximately one half hour before the first car starts. Be sure to attend. This is where you will find out information you’ll need to know about the course conditions, number of runs, particular safety concerns, how penalties are assessed, and how work assignments will be handled. At the end of the drivers’ meeting, there will be a course-walk to familiarize yourself with the course.

YOUR RUNS

You will have a minimum of 4 timed runs, weather permitting. Depending on the event, you may get as many as 4 timed runs. Find out who is running before you and after you, so you know when to line up. Running in order makes the timing people’s job easier, and keeps the event running smoothly, but if someone gets in front of you, or you are running a little behind, don’t worry too much about it. The event chair will call out which classes are to come to the grid (line of 4-5 cars waiting to run).

Once you are in grid, you will wait for the cars in front of you to launch, and you will move up until you are on the start line. A starter will wave a green flag when it is okay for you to start. The green flag means go as soon as you are ready, the timer will not start until you pass through the lights. Don’t take too long if we are running two cars on course at once, because your start is timed to make sure you do not get too near the car already on course.

If you do get “lost” on course, take the time to orient yourself and continue. Don’t head back to the start line, because you may be pointed toward another car. Just take the time to get back on course, and continue the run as a practice! If the next driver catches up, they will be red-flagged and be granted a re-run (which they’ll use to its fullest potential).

Times are posted after each run. Your fastest run of the day is used to determine your finishing position.

GENERAL

All “Street Legal” cars must be registered or be capable of being registered for highway usage, meeting all DOT safety equipment and inspection criteria of the licensing jurisdiction.
The course shall be available for walking at least twice per day for 30-minute intervals as posted to all participants.
ALL participating vehicles must have func-tioning mufflers or electronic noise cancel-ing frequency generators.
FTD trophies will be a local option.
Instructors may ride with Novices upon request.
Passengers are not permitted in any class.
The Event Steward will resolve classification disputes/appeals.
The Event Committee may not compete in the event.

AUTOCROSS CLASSES

SAFETY

We are committed to running a safe event. Participants are required to wear a helmet while on the course. The required minimum helmet rating allowed is a Snell-rated SA2000 or M2000. The helmet will be checked upon your check in at the course. Bring a helmet with you, even if you have to borrow one. There will be a minimal number of loaner helmets available at the track for anyone who does not bring their own.
Cars or drivers judged to be operating unsafely will be removed from the course.

INFORMATION ABOUT AUTOCROSSING

http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm
http://www.tunnellracing.com/advice.html
http://www.tunnellracing.com/handbook.html