Auto-X Newb, AZ Expectations?

[the1sen]

Hi.

I recently met Diane at Blackwatch Racing (and her beautiful Bulldog ) and she suggested that I look into an Auto-X event to drive my car in. Arizona SCCA Autocross

I have a bunch of questions, and I have NO CLUE WTF I am doing at all. I used to photograph SCCA and PASA, but never Auto-X. I've never driven a 4 wheeled vehicle on the track.

Class - What class is my Elise? It's bone stock - aside from the new badges I got from Blackwatch... AS? From what I gather on their website, It's either AS or ASP...

Driver - Uh, am I in a class? Novice 1 - from what I gather... No Track Experience AT ALL in a car.

When I register, am I going to get an instructor in the car, or an instructor out of the car, or am I just jumping in the car, hauling ass through the course, and HOPING I get it right?

I'm looking to accomplish 2 things:

1. Have fun with my Lotus and enjoy the day

2. Become a better driver overall

Last - What should I bring?

I'm thinking Camera gear, water, snacks, more water, open mind, and maybe some cash for clunkers. What else should I bring?

[AZReason]

Your car is in SS and Novice 1.

Don't forget sunscreen, a hat and a tire gauge.

Make sure the battery bracket is tight and that the plastic battery cover is in place.

If you ask around I am sure you can find someone to ride with you. Otherwise, you can be by yourself. On your first autocross your goal is to have at least one run where you don't get lost.

The AZ region has a basic autocross school in December or January usually.

[Dragon]

Bring tools and a video camera.. You'll have a blast...

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[CosmosMpower]

Put some industrial strength velcro on the bottom of your battery, make sure your fluilds are topped off and clean, get a good tire pressure gauge. You'll need some vinyl numbers, blue painters tape since magnets don't stick or you can make a re-usable laminated panel and tape it to the car, PM me if you need the template.

[AZReason]

I think they still use glass chalk on your windshield for numbers. They have a good setup. Very well organized. Post on their forum that you would like someone to ride with you and you might get some volunteers.

[fzust]

I've done an autox or 2. I'll be at the next Phx event and can help you out. It would be good for you to ride with others. I should have the passenger seat back in the XP car by then.

Don't worry about numbers at our local events. Sun-screen, Water, Hat. Make sure you have enough air in the tires.

Don't freak. Its easy, addictive, and fun.

Lastly, I'll be teaching the Novice school in Nov/Dec that we put on in Phx. Getting a couple of events under your belt before that is a really good idea so you can get the most out of it.

Last but not least, I usually do a novice course walk at the beginning of the day to help people see and understand what is going on.

[knucklehead]

Start by not calling Fred "Diane's bulldog".

[fzust]

I *think* he was referring to Moya....

[Seb]

I had my first autocross experience in the Elise before I even got my license (don't ask), so I can give pretty good incite from a 150% noob prospective.

The first thing I realized was that ALL courses should be done in second gear. If you have a turn or a slalom after the start gate, you're going to want to short shift into second before you get too deep into them. Don't be afraid to kiss the limiter, that's what it's there for. Just don't sit on it. Third gear is pretty much useless and a waste of time, don't bother.

The second thing I noticed is because the car doesn't have a whole lot of time to get the tires warm, it's pretty slippery out there. Watch out for lifting, because you'll end up with the ass end in front of you in no time.

Instead of trying to go through the course quickly, more time can be shaved off by concentrating on your steering and throttle inputs. Try to keep abrupt adjustments to a minimum, as they will upset the car, throw you off the line, and slow you down.

Learning the course is a total bitch, and the best way to do it is to ride the course a few times. Walking it helps, but it's pretty crappy. I suggest you grab your helmet and tag along with a car of similar capabilities to yours to ride around the course with. After a few times of bumming rides, the course is pretty well mapped out in your head, even if you aren't aware of it.

Things to bring with you are just standard. Tire pressure gauge, water, fold out chair, a hat to shield you from the sun, and for SURE a camera.

[the1sen]

I was referring to Moya, that great big lump of sugar! I didn't know how to correctly spell her name and I didn't want to be disrespectful! I can't wait to see how she gets along with Marco! I'll bring my camera to photograph the event. Really looking forward to meeting Fred as well!

Thanks for all the tips. I am hoping to join in on at least one event and then do the school. I'll probably ask a photography student of mine to come photograph for me. Good practice for her, and a nice keepsake for me.

How is this type of event on tires?

[...m...]

...plan for your first year of events to spend in the novice division just learning how to read and drive the course - when all you have are a few cones to go by, the fastest line is often not at all intuitive to the uninitiated, unlike a track...

[fzust]

The event will accelerate wear on tires, but you won't kill them at one event by any means.

[knucklehead]

I should have guessed you weren't talking about Fred when the word beautiful was used . My mistake.

The1sen,
Do take advantage of all the help from Fred, Diane and other experienced drivers (ride with them and have them ride with you). You'll get up to speed much faster and you won't develop as many bad habits that you'll have to break later.

[the1sen]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

Do take advantage of all the help from Fred, Diane and other experienced drivers (ride with them and have them ride with you). You'll get up to speed much faster and you won't develop as many bad habits that you'll have to break later.

I am scared to ride with Fred in his monster creation. I will undoubtedly WANT a SC after riding with him and then it will be all down hill for me with the wife...

But I will do my best to restrain myself, sit back, and LEARN. I definitely don't want to develop bad habits.

[knucklehead]

You'll actually learn more if you have him drive your car.

[the1sen]

Ah, so watch the master deflower my baby , and then have at it myself... That, sir, sounds like a great way to learn. Of course, that would depend on whether or not Father & Mother of Moya would be up for doing that.

Should I be concerned with H&T in my car, as it's an '05 and doesn't have the nifty '06+ pedal setup?

I'm sure that it will all become clear after watching them.

[knucklehead]

No need for H&T in an autocross. Especially the shorter variety that I've heard the AZ chapters are doing. Shift into second and leave it there and concentrate on driving.

You should absolutely deflower your car first. Then have one of the Blackwatch hotshoes show you how they would do it.

[fzust]

Originally Posted by knucklehead

I should have guessed you weren't talking about Fred when the word beautiful was used . My mistake.

The1sen,
Do take advantage of all the help from Fred, Diane and other experienced drivers (ride with them and have them ride with you). You'll get up to speed much faster and you won't develop as many bad habits that you'll have to break later.

Thanks Jacob

One of the things we might tell you is "for the love of god turn down the rear rebound so you can keep the backend under the car!" Right, Jacob? Amazing how much faster it is then.....

Anyway, Next AZ event is on Oct11th. Registration opens online about 7-10days before the event. Don't forget some painter's tape for your sides & front.

[the1sen]

I'll bring the blue tape, and hope for the best then.

I may bring a buddy of mine. He's a seasoned track veteran but hasn't done Auto-X before. He's got an MR-2 Spyder, but wants a Lotus so bad that it's not funny. The guy showed me the Elise, and I fell head over heels for it years ago... and I'm the one who grabbed a Lotus first.

He also told me that the Arizona Motorsports Track is reopening now... says it's a nifty course, although across the world from us.

[fzust]

I signed up for Tucson for this weekend. Big courses and lots of runs. A good way to start if you are interested....