marks_lude
10-27-2008, 05:40 PM
Hey everyone, I talked to Henry last night and answered some of his questions about getting started in autocross, so I figured I'd throw some of the basics together in a post for everyone to use as a resource... After all, we do all own a very competitive, fun to drive car!
What is Autocross?
Autocross is a form of amature motorsports where participants race thier cars through a pre-designed 'Cone and Chalk' course in a parking lot. Cars run 1 at a time, and are timed from start to finish.
Resources:
Local autocross forum: www.mnautox.com (http://www.mnautox.com) (site policy, refer to autocrosses as 'events' or 'autocrosses'... not races)
Event registration: www.myautoevents.com (http://www.myautoevents.com) (most local events can be found under a search for 'MAC' or 'Mowog'. Other semi-local events can be searched under CVSCC, PCA or COM. This site contains registraion forms, entry lists, event info and the day's schedule.)
S2000s & autocross info page on S2Ki: http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172595
FAQ:
(I'll try to add to this as more questions come up)
Q: What do I need to do to my car to try autocrossing?
A: Nothing, just make sure it's safe. The only thing required is removing you floor mats, make sure your battery has and good tie-down (comes stock in our cars), make sure your lug nuts are torqued, have a number on your car (can be done with blue painters tape). Modifications are not recommended for and autocross. If you already have some, thats fine, but do not try to buy 'go fast' parts your first autocross. Drive the car stock first, and learn what autocrossing is all about.
Q: Do I need special tires?
A: Again, no! Give it a try first on normal summer tires to get a feel for the car, and how events operate. At first, you will be loosing a lot of time due to driver error. Special tires are expensive and unneccesary until you really learn the car. Locally, we have a very LARGE group of people who compete in 'Street Tire' classes, so there will be plenty of competition for you.
Q: Do I need a Helmet:
A: Yes, and it must be rated as Snell M2000 or better. If you dont have one, there are public loaner helmets owned by the club that can be used.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our local events have entry fees that range from $20-$45 depending on location and entry cap.
Q: How many cars come to local autocrosses?
A: 110-150 depending on each events location and what the lot can handle. We typically fill every event to the entry cap.
Q: What class will I be in?
A: S2000s are very very competitive in A-Stock. If you car is stock, or only has stock-legal modifications... this is where you want to be. Stock legal modifications allow aftermarket cat-back exhaust, shocks, air filter (using stock intake), any dot legal tire ,and front swaybar. Modifications beyond those require you to be bumped to a harder class such as BSP or SM2.
Note: Locally, we suggest starting in our SI (Special Interest) class. This class has to requirements for your car. It is simply there for beginners to try, and compete against other new drivers. Once you win SI at an event, you are banished and must go to your appropriate class for the next event (that way no-one can hang around and dominate SI).
Q: Will I hurt my car?
A: Autocross is very safe. They are designed to have very low risk by making sure that there are no solid objects anywhere near the course. You can expect to hit cones alot, but the worse they will do is put a black smudge on your bumper which will come out with polish or claybar. I have never seen a cone leave perminant damage... and I have hit my fair share! With that said, cars do break.... even during every day driving, but your engine is designed to rev, your tires are designed to grip. Many cars are autocrossed for years and years with no problems. Of course, everyone is expected to use common sense, and the 'Paddock' area can be busy/confusing so we ask that everyone keeps speeds under 10mph for safety when not on course.
Q: Will insurance cover me?
A: In the very unlikely event that you damage a car somehow, typically no. The club does carry and insurance policy for a major event such as bodily injury... but that is inplace for the "most-likely-will-never-happen" accidents... NOT for small petty damage to ones car or carparts that fail.
Q: How fast will I go.
A: For most novices, the typical run consist of reving through 1st, shifting to 2nd, and never touching the shifter again. Courses are designed for stock cars to never need 3rd gear, and speeds usually never exceed 65mph.
Other important Info:
-If you want to give it a try, be ready to register a month ahead of time online. Events fill up very very fast... especially early in the year. They open to online registration 30 days before the event at midnight (and sometimes fill up by morning the next day). I will try to keep everyone updated of upcoming events.
-Bring food, water, and sunscreen. It will make your day comfortable.
Disclaimer: I did not proof read at all, but I will do it later when I have more time or update information.
Feel free to ask any questions.
What is Autocross?
Autocross is a form of amature motorsports where participants race thier cars through a pre-designed 'Cone and Chalk' course in a parking lot. Cars run 1 at a time, and are timed from start to finish.
Resources:
Local autocross forum: www.mnautox.com (http://www.mnautox.com) (site policy, refer to autocrosses as 'events' or 'autocrosses'... not races)
Event registration: www.myautoevents.com (http://www.myautoevents.com) (most local events can be found under a search for 'MAC' or 'Mowog'. Other semi-local events can be searched under CVSCC, PCA or COM. This site contains registraion forms, entry lists, event info and the day's schedule.)
S2000s & autocross info page on S2Ki: http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=172595
FAQ:
(I'll try to add to this as more questions come up)
Q: What do I need to do to my car to try autocrossing?
A: Nothing, just make sure it's safe. The only thing required is removing you floor mats, make sure your battery has and good tie-down (comes stock in our cars), make sure your lug nuts are torqued, have a number on your car (can be done with blue painters tape). Modifications are not recommended for and autocross. If you already have some, thats fine, but do not try to buy 'go fast' parts your first autocross. Drive the car stock first, and learn what autocrossing is all about.
Q: Do I need special tires?
A: Again, no! Give it a try first on normal summer tires to get a feel for the car, and how events operate. At first, you will be loosing a lot of time due to driver error. Special tires are expensive and unneccesary until you really learn the car. Locally, we have a very LARGE group of people who compete in 'Street Tire' classes, so there will be plenty of competition for you.
Q: Do I need a Helmet:
A: Yes, and it must be rated as Snell M2000 or better. If you dont have one, there are public loaner helmets owned by the club that can be used.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our local events have entry fees that range from $20-$45 depending on location and entry cap.
Q: How many cars come to local autocrosses?
A: 110-150 depending on each events location and what the lot can handle. We typically fill every event to the entry cap.
Q: What class will I be in?
A: S2000s are very very competitive in A-Stock. If you car is stock, or only has stock-legal modifications... this is where you want to be. Stock legal modifications allow aftermarket cat-back exhaust, shocks, air filter (using stock intake), any dot legal tire ,and front swaybar. Modifications beyond those require you to be bumped to a harder class such as BSP or SM2.
Note: Locally, we suggest starting in our SI (Special Interest) class. This class has to requirements for your car. It is simply there for beginners to try, and compete against other new drivers. Once you win SI at an event, you are banished and must go to your appropriate class for the next event (that way no-one can hang around and dominate SI).
Q: Will I hurt my car?
A: Autocross is very safe. They are designed to have very low risk by making sure that there are no solid objects anywhere near the course. You can expect to hit cones alot, but the worse they will do is put a black smudge on your bumper which will come out with polish or claybar. I have never seen a cone leave perminant damage... and I have hit my fair share! With that said, cars do break.... even during every day driving, but your engine is designed to rev, your tires are designed to grip. Many cars are autocrossed for years and years with no problems. Of course, everyone is expected to use common sense, and the 'Paddock' area can be busy/confusing so we ask that everyone keeps speeds under 10mph for safety when not on course.
Q: Will insurance cover me?
A: In the very unlikely event that you damage a car somehow, typically no. The club does carry and insurance policy for a major event such as bodily injury... but that is inplace for the "most-likely-will-never-happen" accidents... NOT for small petty damage to ones car or carparts that fail.
Q: How fast will I go.
A: For most novices, the typical run consist of reving through 1st, shifting to 2nd, and never touching the shifter again. Courses are designed for stock cars to never need 3rd gear, and speeds usually never exceed 65mph.
Other important Info:
-If you want to give it a try, be ready to register a month ahead of time online. Events fill up very very fast... especially early in the year. They open to online registration 30 days before the event at midnight (and sometimes fill up by morning the next day). I will try to keep everyone updated of upcoming events.
-Bring food, water, and sunscreen. It will make your day comfortable.
Disclaimer: I did not proof read at all, but I will do it later when I have more time or update information.
Feel free to ask any questions.