I'am about to register for my first auto-x event and just wanted to ask a few questions I couldn't find the answers to:

1. What exactly is a "job" that you have to do at the event?

2. I was planning to run in a novice class, but there's no such option in MyAutoEvents registration form. Should I just select the class that I should be in according to my mods?

3. As far as I know my mods (in my sig) put me in STS. Am I correct or it's better to run in a different class?

4. How much should I expect to pay to borrow a helmet?

5. How much time does the the whole event usually take?

6. Is there anything you guys noticed during your first event that you wish you new before?

Thanks in advance!

 

Chase cones on the course, direct the cars to line up in paddock area, make people sign waivers, help with tech inspection, clean a toilet with a toothbrush....j/k
Seriously, if you can get in with the organizers and you plan to do this frequently, try to do something like stand at the entrance and make people sign waivers, or do tech inspection, those are the shortest jobs. Chasing cones is a one heat job, when the weather is nice it's sometimes really cool to be out there sort of close up to the cars on the course.

I think you specify that when you show up, if they have it, which normally they do.

I usually run in GS because I can, but that's a horrible class for a max to be in, it's me and the Mini's. You could do what Irish does to try to get tire contingency money, run in a smaller class like DSP or SM or something, you know what...forget it .....dont' worry about the classes yet anyway.

ZERO, especially if it's SCCA
You running NASA at Giants Stadium?

All freakin' day if they dont' do split heats like phillyscca does, 9-5, you can duck out early if you run early and work early though.

Make sure you take advantage of whatever Novice stuff they have, newbie/novice course walk-throughs with explanations, instructors available to ride with you and give you tips, instructors might be available to drive your car to show you things (if you're ok with that). If you're there all day and they are going to do fun runs at the end of the event, do more walk throughs during the break at lunch and take some fun runs.

The only other tip is try not to run with a full tank of gas.

Remember to just have as much fun as possible, compete with yourself, there will most likely be people there that have been auto-x'ing since the late 60's early 70's so they will have a lot more experience than you.

 

he covered pretty much everything

i did my first one last month and plan on my 2nd in on the 23rd

 

Thanks 97SE!! I'm running NJ SCCA in Old Bridge, NJ.

How are DSP and SM different from STS? I always thought that Maxima with basic boltons and 225mm wide tires should be in STS. To be honest, I couldn't even find anything in the rule book (very confusing book ) related to DSP and SM.

 

They will help tech you when you get there. In SM, the mods are pretty much endless as where STS is just some basic bolt-on's IIRC. I've ran in both and SM is a pretty tough to compete in competively. JMO.

 

Here's a nice comparison of STS and DSP (falls under SP) from the stickies here.
http://www.sff.net/people/dburkhead/prepcompare.htm

And here's the most popular novice link
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

For your first time out just ask lots of questions, go out at like only 75%-80%, and just have fun. If you feel pretty comfortable and want to improve it looks like they do run Pro and Novice classes. Watch the drivers in the "P"ro class as they'll have the best driving lines. Look for a car #76 STS - that'll be Cy Lee a very good driver.

 

Thanks!

You mean it was in the stickies?

Can't believe I overlooked it.

 

When did Cy start running in NJ???? He's a die-hard phillyscca boy, I used to run against him when he had his Mini in GS..um that was a while ago though.

 

Klop...btw, if you're running Novice class, you're only running against novices...your mods put you in STS class, so run STS (N) so your indexed time will be better.

 

gotcha, thanks!

 

Just say you're GS......

 

ugh...actually, if you have a Stage II LTB, then you have to run in SM!!!! The stage2 bar really bumps you up...which is why mine is only a stage 1.

This is assuming we are all being "honest" about what classes we run...

 

See my prior post....

 

It still won't matter, some Novice in a Mini will wipe the floor with you anyway. Say whatever you want, no one cares, honestly, unless you're in the normal pool of cars and are competing for points.

 

Nah... the first time will be in the proper class. It's better to play safe if you are a n00b.

irish: mine is also stage 1, so I'm still STS!!

 

<-----------stx In The House

 

Ah, so you're the other Max that pre-regged for the event! I was hoping I'd be able to find out who it was by checking the forums :P

I've been running with NNJR for a little while, currently in STX. Some GSR ran DSP during the second event, otherwise no one has been running in that class. SM is pretty competitive, so you might want to stay away from that, but it's your choice. Here are results from the last event if you want to get an idea of who's running where.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll have a good time no matter where you run.
I'll see you there, make sure you look for the green fourth gen

 

Yup, that's me. I was just about to post a new thread to find out who's "that green 4th gen" in the entry list.

See you at the event!

 

you guys should come down to the Philly region Ripken Stadium event on Aug 12th....

 

kinda far from here...

I thought about it, but considering that I'm invited to the wedding on August 13th, I'm afraid I'm not ganna make it to Ripken.

 

Rule #1 of autoX.... don't talk about autoX.



No, seriously... the #1 rule of autoX is to HAVE FUN. It's the most fun you can LEGALLY have in a car, guaranteed. After your first run, you WILL get "first timer's shakes." It's when you get out of the car, have SOOOO much adrenaline pumping through your system, that you can't help but jitter a little bit, and have a huge, poo-eatin' grin on your face, from ear to ear.



My name's Evan, and I'm an autoX-aholic.

 

try a HPDE, or a non-cage required time trial on a real track....you'll be jacked the rest of the day, and since you're usually out on the track for ~2 hours you'll be so exhausted you'll be drinking caffeine to make it home.

 

seriously, all of you should try it once......

 

So Evan where you running down there? Rantoul?

 

Yeah, I JUST got the car... actually, I'm doing the final "closing" paperwork for it in the morning. The dealership has been cool enough to let me cruise around in it... I just had to give them a grand in CASH to let me do so, as a deposit.


I used to race my 85 RX-7 at Rantoul all the time. Then I moved to New Orleans, and raced in the Delta Region of SCCA, where they bumped me from CSP to CSP-X, then to SM2-X. The X in Delta Region means "eXpert." I don't know if that's necessarily accurate, but with 4 FTD's, and 5 FTDI's, in 6 events, they moved me up. But then again, that car was built specifically FOR autoX, and was violent to drive on the street (290rwhp, N/A, aluminum flywheel, 4 puck unsprung copper clutch, front coilovers, panhard bar and lowering springs in back... the works. Plus it had a 12,500 rpm redline. ) After that, I moved to Jacksonville, FL, and raced at Whitehouse Air Field several times... took 3 FTDI's and 2 FTD's in 7 events, in SM2-X.


I've only been autoXing for like 6-7 years. My first time out, I got FTDI in CSP-N... the novice class. I was HOOKED after that.


I'm hopefully entering the next event at Rantoul... I think it's toward the beginning of the month.

--Evan

 

What happened to your 7?

 

"frame damage beyond mechanical repair"


I was at Roebling Road in Savannah, GA, and tagged the wall off of turn 1 at over 110mph.

 

Instead of starting a new thread I think I'll just bump this back up.

At my last event I noticed some people use tape to "write" numbers on their cars. Does it leave any residue on the paint? Do you guys know where I can buy it?

 

Get the blue masking tape from any hardware store... it's designed for painting, because it leaves no residue, and is easily removable.


I actually think Post-It makes a blue tape too... with the same adhesive that's on Post-It notes. I know for a fact, that wal-mart has the 1" wide rolls of blue masking tape for $4.77. (I just bought some yesterday.)

 

gotya, thanks!

 

magnets aren't really that expensive though, if you plan on doing this a lot.

shoe polish on the windows works, but if you forget and leave it on it's sort of hard to get off

 

you pulled a orange crush russ marshall then?

 

Yeah, I'll eventually get the magnets... It's just I'm kinda slow with this stuff.

 

You're kind of slow in general, aren't you, Forrest?





j/k of course...