Preparation for Autocross
By Ron Bauer

Autocross (Solo2) is racing that consists of individual timed runs through a course laid out using traffic cones and chalk on a paved surface.  The object is to drive through this course as fast as possible without missing any gates or hitting any cones. For every cone you hit you get penalized by time being added to your score.  Typically course speed are either 2nd (Maybe a bit of 3rd) gear through the entire course.  Most courses rarely exceed 75 MPH. Auto-x challenges your driving abilities to navigate, accelerate, turn, and brake all in the same course against other drivers in similar cars.

Courses are designed using a series of slaloms, chicanes, S - turns, straights, and corners.  Each course is different and will challenge any skill level and ensure you have a blast doing so!  This is not wheel to wheel racing.  It is you against the clock. Multiple cars maybe on the course at the same time but spaced 30 seconds apart to where they have no chance of coming near each other or slowing the other one down.

In Solo2 there are several classes running from stock up to highly modified, street tires to racing tires.  Classes are designed to allow all makes and models to be competitive whether your car is completely stock or modified for better power and/or handling abilities.  Don't know what class you are in.  Don't worry as there are plenty of friendly officials and participants who will help you.

Auto-x competitors are one of the friendliest bunch of people you will come across.  Racers are very dedicated to the sport and helping & cheering on their fellow competitors. 

Autocross is a safe environment to see what you and your car can do without the risk of damaging your car.  It will also sharpen your driving skills in a way you cannot learn on public roads.

Novices (Beginners):

Never raced Solo2 before...  Now is the time to start.  At every event there are new people joining and there are plenty of instructors on hand to help guide you through the course.  You need to start some where as we all once did and new people are always welcomed at any event.  Don't have a helmet, most events have loaner helmets and temporary car numbers you can use.  Solo2 is truly for anyone. Men, women, young or old, as well as entire families participate driving one car.  Most clubs have someone who will walk the course with Novices and give them pointers.

How an typical event is run:

At a typical event you will have a run group and work assignment based on your car class.  There is usually 3-4 run groups and 3-4 work groups often known as "heats".  You will drive one of these groups and work the course one group.

When you arrive you will be greeted by the gate workers and asked to sign a liability waiver and put on a write band.  You then have to go to registration to enter the event and pay the entry fee.  Have your membership card & drivers license handy.  Next you to go to tech inspection to have your car checked out or this will happen when it is your turn to grid (your assigned parking spot during the race).  Tech will inspect a few items (see requirement section) to make sure your car meets the safety requirements.

When you register they will give you a run group & work assignment.  Most likely you will be on the course chasing cones, keeping track of who hit what cone, reporting it, and running to put it in place before the next car gets to it.  There are many work assignments that range from course worker, radio, to safety, announcer, timing, and such...  Remember to be safe while working.

When it is time for your class to run, you will pull into grid (a line of cars) and a grid worker will tell you when your line is up next and to get ready to run.  You run your turn and at the end of it you will get your timing score.  You pull back into grid and wait your turn again.  You will run 3 - 5 times depending on the event and your best time will be used against the other competitors in your class to see where you placed.  Scoring is out to the 100th of a second and often it is just a matter of a few 100th's of a second that can separate 1st from 2nd place.  Depending on the event rules and how many people you have in your class you can get a trophy for 1st - 3rd place.  Once you have worked and raced your day is over.

Some clubs often have practice the day before a championship event.  These practices have a limited number of entries and will allow you to have a whole day of practice with 12-30 runs on the course.  Practices often allow passengers and are a great way to fine tune your driving skills.

A note on work assignments:

There will be a Chief of Workers that assigns you your work assignment.  There are many work assignments from corner worker who is out on course, safety, timing & scoring, setting up course, and grid workers...  Many work assignments require training and past experience.  This is a friendly environment...  I you don't know what your work assignment entails are doing, ask someone!  Be safe watch the car that is coming next, not the one that just past you!

Know the rules!

Keeping in mind that this is a "fun" event held by other enthusiast and you will likely learn more by attending an event then simply reading the rule book.  That being said you should still read the rule book!  You will need know what class you are in along with how the overall event is run.  Don't understand something - Ask!
It is wise to know the rules specific to the club event that you are participating in:
2008 SCCA Solo2 Rules
2008 NCCC Competition Rulebook

Here is a list of recommendation for getting ready for an Auto-x and what to bring.
There are more things you can do the more competitive you get.

Requirements:

• The car must be in top mechanical shape.
• You need a SNELL 95 or newer helmet (M or SA for both driver and passenger if allowed).
• Closed toe shoes. No sandals...
• You need 3 point seat belts like we all have.  A 4 or 5 point harness will keep you in your seat better...
• All flying debris must be removed from your car. I.e. floor mats, speaker boxes, anything that is not bolted down.  They will look inside your car as well as the trunk area.
• You must have a battery hold down bracket.  One should of come with the car.  If your battery can wiggle around then you do not have one.
• You need a gas cap, why anyone would not have one is beyond me, but they often look for this!
• Good wheel bearings.  Typically they grab hold of your tire and shake it to see if there is any slop in the wheel bearing.
• Drivers must be at least 18.  They do allow passengers & minors to ride along at some events.
• Oil, brake, coolant, and steering fluid to proper levels.
• Radiator overflow tank.  You have one unless you removed it!

Suggested things to bring:

• Sunscreen, as you will be driving half the time and working the course standing in the sun or rain the other half of the time.
• Depending on the weather - a coat and hat just in case it rains. (rain gear or poncho helps)
• Something to drink & eat.  Lots of water!  All the adrenaline makes me snack a lot!
• Gloves on colder days.  It gets damn cold standing on pavement.
• You can wear shorts, but bring pants just in case and a change of cloths (rain) if you get soak and wet!
• Folding chair to sit on between run groups.

 Optional recommended items to bring, most likely someone will have.

• Tire pressure gauge.
• Compressed air canister or cigarette lighter air pump. (for the truly prepared).
• Tire chalk.  You chalk your tires to see if they are rolling over and don’t have enough air pressure in them.
• Printed numbers, static cling or magnetic numbers (For people who use the same numbers all year round)
• Tools, oil, torque wrench, and a floor jack is nice to have.
• Tarp to cover your equipment while racing. (Rain)
• Pop up canopy tent for shade and weights to hold it down in the wind.

Things to do the night before an Autocross.

• Check tire pressure. 
• Check all fluids.
• Torque wheel lug nuts.
• Check belts and give the engine compartment a good look over.
• Fill the gas tank.  Nothing like taking a high G corner on a 1/4 tank and sucking air.
• DSM Specific: Check oil filter tightness as it tends to loosen at high RPM's

Comments.

Although some people use race gas for these events I do not.  Most of the time you are not at full boost on turbo or supercharged cars so I don't see the need for anything other than pump gas.

More questions? E-mail me

Copyright 2000 - 2008

Now you should be ready to race and have some fun!

© Rocky Mountain Region SCCA	© 2006 SCCA, Inc.	© Continental Divide Region SCCA
©Rocky Mountain Region NCCC	© 2003 California Sports Car Club	© National Council of Corvette Clubs, Inc.
Some of the above auto-x pictures were taken by Albert Pernia
© 2001 Northwest Region SCCA		© 2001 Oregon Region SCCA