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Start at the Beginning
What is Autocrossing?
An autocross is a test of handling and driving skill on a temporary race course marked by cones. Usually held in a large parking lot or an airport tarmac, drivers race one at a time against the clock to see who can negotiate the course the fastest without hitting any cones. Autocrossing is the most affordable, accessable outlet of motorsports in the country with a following in the tens of thousands nationwide. The vast majority of all these events are sanctioned by regions of the Sports Car Club of America (that's us) under the name "Solo2" or "Solo II." For our purposes, "autocross" and "Solo2" are interchangable.
Is it Safe?
Solo2 is designed to be a legal, low-risk competition against the clock at speeds of 25-65mph. Rather than emphasize raw speed, autocross events focus on an intense driving experience that rewards precision driving in a twisty course. The potential for damage, wear, and tear is kept to a minimum, allowing a variety of drivers and cars to participate at low cost. For $20-30, the family station wagon can be a racecar on Sunday and carry the groceries on Monday.
Check the basic requirements on our Solo2 Information page, and show up. That's it!
Get Ready
Prepare for Weather
A little rain doesn't scare autocrossers. Downpours and lightning can halt an event, but racing will continue during a light rain or wet course. Wear close-toed shoes and dress in layers, and don't forget winter gear, shorts, umbrellas, or sunscreen as the forecast demands. Water will be available, but bringing extra never hurts.
A lunch break may be nothing more than grabbing a snack on the run, or it may be a 30-minute break if the day is going smoothly. Prepare accordingly.
Prepare your car
Autocrossing is mainly hard on tires. Street tires typically need a lot more air than normal to prevent sidewall rollover and flex, often 10psi or more. A quality air gauge is a good investment.
Autocrossing doesn't typically see speeds high enough to overheat or fade brakes. A set of regular brake pads with a safe amount of pad material left will be fine. If it has been a while since you flushed or bled your brake fluid, now is good time to check on that.
A regularly maintained car should have no trouble surviving an autocross, which makes it great for trying it out in the family sedan.
Your First Event
When You Get There
At the entrance, sign the safety wavier and get an armband. If this is the first time you have run in an OMR autocross this year, you will need to get a registration card and fill in your contact and car data. Take this card with you to tech inspection and registration.
Find an unoccupied spot to park, and unload anything not safely secured. This usually includes the spare tire, jack, floor mats, subwoofer, or anything loose that could move around while autocrossing. Once you have cleaned out your car, move your car to the tech inspection line or tech area. Open the hood and trunk, and a tech inspector will check your car and initial your information card.
Then you can park and go to the trailer to register. They will ask you for your class and number (covered in Part II), and sign you up for a work assignment. No one likes work, but someone has to keep the event running while the other half race. Watching cars on course as a corner worker is a very good way to see how to go faster. If you mention that you are new to the sport, registration can usually pair you with a more experienced corner worker.
Now is a good time to go walk the course and get to know what you will be racing. If in doubt, follow others around the course and don't hesitate to ask for directions.
Racing Time
A drivers' meeting is held a few minutes before the start of competition, and all drivers must attend. The event chairman will cover announcements, the day's schedule, number of runs, standards of conduct, and how to work a corner station. Once the meeting is over, you will either be preparing to race or work, depending on how you were signed up at registration.
If it is your "heat" to race, pull your car to an empty grid spot. Cars are staged here between runs, and the grid chief will work down the line of cars until it is your turn. Be ready with helmet and seatbelt in place. The starter will hold you until it's your turn, and then it's up to you!
When you're done and pulling off course, remember to slow it back down to a walking pace as you pull back to your grid spot. If you are using a loaner helmet, don't forget to return it.
End of the Day
At the end of all heats, extra help is always appreciated. Cones need to be stacked, driven back to the trailer, and loaded up. After that, results are announced and trophies are given to the top third in class.
Remember to get back into "street" mode at the end of the day. Burnouts, donuts, street racing, and speeding near the site attract unwanted attention. We would like to keep our site!
So far, so good? Next learn how to "class" your car and get some more helpful information:
>> Solo2 Novice Guide Part II
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