It's really variant. I know one guy who started autocrossing in his Street Mod turboed Civic Ex this year. He is 18/19 years old. I met him in January and it was his first FIRST autocross.

He attended the Evolution School (Phase I & II) with us in April. And after that he went to the National Tours, ProSolos and every autocross within a 2 hour drive. He actually beat one of our BEST regional drivers in his 1991 CRX Si (our regional driver has a fully prepped Neon for GS).

I've been autocrossing for about 6 years and started getting serious in 1999 in my 1988 CRX Si. I took my first NOvice School in May 2000, and Evolution school in April 2002. I was asked to be an instructor this year due to my skyrocketing times, and since I'm also an instructor for TKD (so I have the skills).

I think it's really all dependant on how much seat time you get. AJ (newbie 18/19 year old) went to an autocross almost every weekend since April til now. Luckily his father supported him and went with him too.

The more seat time you get the better off you will be. He would also stay afterwards and do "fun-runs" with us until dark.