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.

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

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

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.

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 SA2005 or M2005. 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