Autocross first time-need your advice!

[exophthalmos]

Hello guys, I will be doing my first AX event next week. I'm stoked. Can you guys tell me what I should be doing to my 996 c4s, so it will be all ready for the event? ie. tire pressure? taping the car, etc. TIA. John

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[Ken]

autocross speeds don't require tap. Drop you tire pressure 10# because your tires will heat up.

Do NOT set your parking brake after a session - they could "weld" together.

You will love this - the stadium is a lot of fun and the SDPCA crew is among the best. Grab one of the instructors the first couple of sessions and they'll show you the "line" -

This is why you buy a car like this - enjoy

[cheap]

Documentation. Keep track of your variables like tire pressure and temp (at least a wag) so that when you make changes you can keep track of what works and what doesn't. Play with your tire pressures a little... experiment. Talk to others there, especially those that look like they've done this a lot and get advice. Bring tape to make the # for your door (no need to tape the headlights or anything though). You may want to consider taping the skirts behind the front tires and the rear bumper immediately behind the rear wheels if you care that much.

Try to make sure you can walk the course in the beginner's group - there's no shame and you'll learn a lot about the line and different techniques about how to handle the course. Keep in mind, some techniques will be drive-specific (rwd, fwd, awd). Plan on spending more time looking out the side windows than the windshield, because you'd better be looking way ahead on the course.

Check out http://www.tulsavetteset.com/autocross/autox101.htm for some generally good advice.

[cheap]

Also if you find that you enjoy autocrossing, stay away from HPDE. It will RUIN autox for you! 20 minutes of track time vs 60 seconds is day vs night.

[driver8]

@exophthalmos,

There is a lot to learn at your first autocross, it will seem very overwhelming. If you are not sure of something ask questions, no matter how simple they may seem. +1 on asking for an instructor, they have a lot to offer beginners.

I disagree with dropping your tire pressure 10lb's, that is way too much. ( I am assuming you are running street tires) I would start with stock pressures and see how the car feels. Any adjustments made to tire pressure should be made in 1-2lbs increments.

[raiyu]

If you are using Pirellis or Michelins you'll want around 32-33F and 33-35R, after a run check your PSI to see if its gone up much.

That will depend on how much you are braking, accelerating etc, if its gone up, bleed off till you are back at 32-33.

Check your tire pressure right after your run, dont wait till your tires have cooled off.

You definitely want to pay attention to your tires because over inflating them will destroy them pretty quick and most auto-x courses aren't held on the best pavement, so unless you want to spend a fortune replacing tires make sure you are getting even tire wear.

Oh and look ahead

[BoxsterGirlie01]

good for you! i LOVE autox! i was hooked after my first time. i ran out afterwards, bought myself a pink helmet, driving shoes, and jacket to match. haha!

aside from the info the guys posted in the thread, you'll want to be sure you pack something to drink. if you have to work the course when you're not on the track, you can get pretty thirsty out there! also, bring something comfortable to wear and something warm in case it rains and you get soaked.

as far as gear goes, you'll probably need to bring or borrow a helmet. some places have helmets you can use, but you'll want to double check for sure. wear comfortable shoes as well. make sure you bring a tarp to cover up all of your items that you'll be taking out of your car (loose items). or bring a bag to put it all in and cover up in case it rains. you can also bring some chalk to mark your tires.

don't worry too much about your times. just concentrate on the course and your driving. the times will come naturally. there will be a ton for you to remember! walk the course as many times as they let you. and if you can, grab an instructor to walk it with you.

best wishes!!! let us know how it goes!

[mathism]

Beware of light poles.

[cheap]

Oh, right. Clean all loose items out of your vehicle to include the floor mats. Floor mats can prevent your accelerator from reaching 100% throttle, especially if you have adjustable pedals. Bring sunscreen and probably a hat too, and the water is a great suggestion. Check to see if you have to join the club or not (bay area SCCA required that, which added a few $$ to the day). If you have a helmet make sure it meets their requirements, whatever they are (usually snell2000 or newer will be a safe bet). If you have one, bring a small air tank or portable air compressor too. I found that on my car it ran best with tire pressures in the low-mid 20s which was significantly lower than my street pressure, so it'd be nice to be able to bump them back up (especially if you accidentally let out too much air while tuning).

[Teuton]

A few words of advice since many have offered great info already. Take a school. You'll bridge a huge learning gap in the 1 or 2 days that a club or evo school can provide you.

For your first, autocross, worry about staying on course. There is no shame in asking for a instructor ride along as thing go buy much faster than you think when your on course. Bring a good tire guage and some chalk as you are going to want to baseline your tires as to what pressure they like. Chalk the edges so you can see where you are wearing up to (edges of your tread) and adjust pressures accordingly so that you are using all of your tread.

Tape can help prevent minor scratches that occur from coning but it's not necessary as most cone juice just wipes off with some spot detailer and a rag. If your anal about your car's finish, just tape the lower front edges of our bumper in front of your wheels, lower skirts (in front of the rear wheels) and you should be ok.

Above all, have fun! don't worry about placing or your peformance. That will come in time and no one is really that fast to start with. It's a complex and fun sport that requires seat time to get really good. I've been at it for over 6 years now and it's still horrendously fun.

Only other thing I can recommend is buying a little air tank. You can find them for $20 at wallmart and it's nice to have them to air up and adjust tire pressures and not have to bring a little compressor and wait until it fills you up. It's easy to bleed, but not so much fun to air up if you have one of those little compressors. There's lots more advice but this will get you started.

Good luck and let us know how you liked it.