This Sunday, I will be participating in my first ever auto-x, a PCA run event here in MA. I picked up a nice new helmet today, got my driving shoes out of their bag, and even put my car into sport plus for the first time to see how it behaved (just reached 1000 miles this morning).

Aside from having fun and not getting hurt, any advice from 911 drivers, specifically any of those with C4S PDK cars, on how to attack the course? I've had some limited track time in the past, never in a Porsche tho, and have never run or attended an auto-x event. What to expect, what to do, etc, would all be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Some recommendations:

Listen to your instructor.

Make sure you have lots of brake linings on your pads, 50% is a minimum to go to the track with, 50% pads on the street and AutoX are fine but they will not dissipate the heat generated at the track, the last 50% goes quickly on the track.

You need plenty of tread on your tires (50% min for the track) and that your tires are in good condition, no age cracks, be prepared for some wear on your tires. For AutoX I would start with normal pressure +1 lb. Mark your sidewalls with chalk and make sure that wear does not go beyond the wear bars.

Bleed your brakes. If you are more ambitious change your brake fluid - you will use your brakes quite hard, if you intend to track I would recommend a better fluid with a high boiling temp, ATE Super Blue or Gold are great, the blue will stain all the internals of the braking system ,swapping between Gold and Blue simplifies fluid changes.

Make sure your wheel bearings are ok, Jack the car up and check for play.

Buy or borrow a helmet, Snell SA2005 is normally required for AutoX and DE's. They are usually available at PCA DE and AutoX events you might have to get there early to secure a helmet.

When you get to the event, you should take your spare tire out and clean out any other stuff that you have either in the ****pit or trunks so that it will not distract you by moving around.

An oil change is cheap insurance; you will be driving your car hard.

Plenty of water(for yourself), sun block, wide brimmed hat (for when you are working the AX course) chair, tire pressure gauge, Blue painters tape to tape your number to your car that they will assign, some people like to tape up certain areas of their car like the bumper and wheel wells.

Did I say “Listen to your instructor.“

Overall AutoX is low stress on your car compared to a DE and if you feel that your car is in good shape, show up and have fun, chances are that until you have driven a few events everything will be fine.

I tracked and AutoX my 987S, it is great fun. The PCA website has lots of info.
If you want to compete in AutoX you need to class your car in the region, it is simple to do so in Zone 7. If you don't want to do that most AutoX events allow you to run in a "Fun" and just collect your times.

First timers can usually get instruction at AutoX events, don’t be put off by the rules and the expertise of the long timers, just go and have fun and don't worry about your time, some older guy whoi has been AutoXing for ever driving a beat up 914 will beat everyone so just have fun!

 

check pressures before you go.
walk the course.
have someone knowledgeable with 911 dynamics ride with you for first couple runs.
try not to run over cones.
bring a roll of blue tape that is almost all used up 'cos someone is going to borrow it from you and then they let someone else borrow it and then let another borrow and it never comes back to you.
the pics are usually free and have no watermarks unlike trackday events.