Well you have to realize each person is different. I started getting good after attending my first novice autocross school in 2001, and then really fast when I attended my first Evolution School in April 2002.

Also realize it's not how long it takes, but how often you go to an autocross, ask for help, ask to jump in with an experience driver, have an experience driver drive your car, etc...

Someone could say oh I've been doing this 20 years but they still drive slow OR because they attend 1 event per year. Whereas one of my 1st students was an awesome driver his first year. Some people just pick it up quick.

For me I do about 30-40 events PER year, so I get alot of practice