I am going to autocross my new 07 S this weekend. I have watched many times and i know the car pretty well. I guess maybe I don't know this one too well, it only has 1100 miles, but I had an 01 for a year and a half and this one drives much the same. Just wondering if you guys had any tips for me. Thanks!

 

Take a look at the Novice FAQs on the Atlanta SOLO website.

http://www.soloatlanta.com/

Walk the course at least three times. More if you have time. You dont get a time if you get lost and that is no fun.

If the club that allows passengers, ask to ride with some of the experienced drivers.

Main thing is to have fun.

 

Watch out for those little orange thingies...they like to jump out in front of you!

Seriously, look ahead, take it easy your first couple of times out, nothing to prove on your first couple of runs. Navigating your first AutoX is harder than most think but after a few runs you start to figure it all out. And most of all, have fun!

 

Look ahead. If you're unsure, take it slow. Take rides with other people. You can see their lines , approach, etc. Ask questions also if you're unsure. I've only met a few unfriendly people over the years. Above all, have fun.

 

Hey!! It's his first time out. Just finding the course and getting a time instead of a DNF is good. Save all that technical instruction for his second event!

Expected progression:

Find way around Course and get a time.

Next run 10 -15 seconds improvement in time.

Following run another 5 - 8 seconds improvement.

Another run? 4 or 5 seconds improvement.

And so on until you find that you are struggling for tenths of seconds.

Main thing is have fun!

 

1st time? Just have fun. There is a long way to go.

 

And part of having fun for a newbie, IMO, is to be realistic. You don't yet know just how technically difficult autocross is (heck, just getting through the course without getting lost can be tough).

Go out, take it easy, learn a bit each run, and in a couple of years, you may be competitive with the national folks. Unless you're very unusual, you'll be many, many seconds off the pace this time. It's ok.

The problem with typical autocross days is that you get so little seat time. What you need to look for, if you're going to play this game, is a practice day, in which you might get 30 runs, and with an instructor. Riding in a good driver's car, and having a good driver ride in your car ("Gas, gas, gas...") is very helpful, and getting a lot of repitition is priceless.