I'm planning on attending my first event this Saturday at the NER event at Ft. Devens and feel I'm pretty well prepared, except for two things.

The first is I haven't had the chance, or can afford, to pick up a helmet. I know, or hope, there's one for me from the club. So this isn't really an issue.

The second is that I don't have any numbers. Is this going to be a problem? Any suggestions? I haven't seen anything in the forums talking about this and I think I saw somewhere that the SCCA or certain regions might, or did, make using shoe polish illegal.

Also on a side note, how much gas should I show up with in the car? Half tank, enough to make several runs with some spare. Full tank, to provide some weight and help rotate? I have a stock 95 GSR rear anti-roll bar so it does the understeer thing still.

I've read the info from folks in this forum, as well as other lists for first timers, but these little things weren't really addressed.

I have no illusion of finishing with a trophy, but want to make the first event a good start to many more. If it matters I'm pretty sure my car is prepped for STS.

Thanks for any help or suggestions

 

Oh and I should add that when I talk about rotating it's not because of something I read. I've spent time on the track, but not autocrossing.

Thanks

 

:sleep:

I guess I'm on my own....

 

You don't have to be on your own. Ask for rides and ask people to ride with you. At the registration desk tell them it's your first time and they will find someone to help you out.

Don't be shy! Ask questions! Specially the people in your own run group! As for gas it depends. I went to an autox once with a co driver. Have nearly 3/4 tank but we each did 10+ runs and by the end of the day the gas light came up. If you plan on doing 5-10 runs 1/2 tank should be enough. You never want full tank unless you are in the situation like I was.

When you walk the course, walk it with someone who is experienced that can explain the course to you.

As for number, they usually have paper number or a marker and paper to write your own number. Tape your paper number inside the window not outside. They fall off very easily.

Lastly understeer will kill you time (well so will oversteering), if you find your self understeering going through a corner or series of corners, slow down a bit more next time around.

Slow + smooth = FAST in autox.

 

Here's my help page: http://home.dejazzd.com/mlouie/autocross.html

That should answer all your questions. HAVE FUN!

 

Thanks for the help. As I mentioned I've spent alot of time reading forums and sites about auto-x, but none addressed these things. I'll definitely be looking for a ride along or two.

I'm not expecting more than 4-6 runs since there were 180 registered at the last event a month ago.

I'll post my thoughts.

 

There are usually loaner helmets available, but I would shoot the event host an e-mail to confirm. If shoe polish isn't being used, you can use blue masking tape on the windows (or print your number on a piece of paper and tape it to the windows). As for gas, I wouldn't run with a full tank. Gas is too heavy.
You might also want to bring an air tank to inflate your tires, since you'll need higher pressures. If you don't have one, you can probably borrow someone's or fill up your tires at the closest gas station.

 

CivicSiRacer: Thanks I was kinda waiting to hear from you . I've studied your site for the last few weeks making sure I was all set. Knowing I've followed those guidlines are why I think I'm ready for this. Just don't want to be the completely unpreared nube.

Thanks again for the info.

 

Actually becareful. Some cars do not have gas tank baffles and if you run too low you run the risk of fuel starvation and then BOOM! goes your engine. The Type R is one of those cars. And I think the S2000 also.

The Civic can go as low as the fuel light coming on without a problem (at least for me).

 

Don't worry. When I first started autocrossing there was only text web pages Tells you how long ago I started I learned from asking the best drivers what they do. And then autocrossing like 30-40 times a year.