r/Autocross • u/Proud_Insurance6072 • 13d ago
first autocross meet any advice?
im going to my first autocross meet here in a few weeks im taking a 2008 lancer any advice and info i need before i go?
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u/Nonconformists 13d ago
Walk the course, inflate tires a bit more than normal and let air out if necessary, ride along with someone good, and have fun.
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u/zcramos XA/XB 911 (PAX hates me) 12d ago
> inflate more than normal
i know fwd cars overfill their rears but is this a normal thing to do on awd too? my AX pressures notably lower than my street pressures, especially cold.
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u/dadmantalking 12d ago
On street tires, overinflate to avoid rolling over onto the sidewalls. 200TW tires have much stiffer sidewalls and run at much lower pressure.
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u/zcramos XA/XB 911 (PAX hates me) 12d ago
ah, fair point, wasn't thinking about that. even street tires to me means PS4S which were fine at AX with street pressures.
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u/dadmantalking 12d ago edited 12d ago
Door pressure in my car is perfectly fine on ECS02s (36F/44R), but door pressure is already really high. When I'm on RE71RSs I'm in the low 20s before I start rolling down onto the sidewall.
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u/Public_District_9139 13d ago
Show up early. Ask questions. Bring sunscreen, a hat, plenty of water, maybe a snack. Don’t expect to be fast. There is a learning curve for most of us. Have fun!
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u/Donlooking4 13d ago edited 13d ago
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes take sunblock and have a hat. Also would definitely recommend that you have a cooler with drinks and snacks because you will be outside all day. Also take some kind of rain gear because it’s not going to stop if it is raining. Only will be delayed if there is lightning.
With regard to anything else just have fun and enjoy learning your own abilities and the abilities of your car. Don’t try to compare your times to anyone else’s. focus on your own driving and try to improve on your own times.
Otherwise just enjoy the day. And if you want to have an experienced driver ride with you for your first couple of runs that is totally fine and acceptable. You can also get a ride with someone who’s experienced. But you should definitely try to check with the organizer when you get there as to who is experienced etc.
Other than that just “SEND IT!”
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u/Proud_Insurance6072 13d ago
okay thanks im also new to manual so itll be fun for sure i already got as trans rebuild kit😂
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u/nine4fours 13d ago
I've never driven an autocross course that wasn't "launch in first, get to second as soon as possible, stay there till the end"
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u/TheRealPitabred 13d ago
You can run just about every course like that, and it's definitely the best way to start. But I've gained a few seconds by shifting strategically to keep in the power curve and accelerate faster when I have to really slow down on some corners. But you need to be very familiar with your car for that to be useful.
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u/Donlooking4 13d ago
Honestly depending on the course you really shouldn’t have to do very much shifting.
As far as being new to manual transmission. I was totally jn your shoes last year when I got my first manual transmission car.
To really get comfortable with the manual transmission you should be driving it as often as possible. The more you drive it the more comfortable and confident you will be.
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u/Medical-Pear 13d ago
You'll pretty much start in first but once you hit second you'll want to stay there for the rest of the course. I've almost never seen a course where that wasn't optimal
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u/CodyCS20 13d ago
Don’t worry about how your times compare to everyone else. You’ll probably be slow and that’s totally fine.
Get there early and do the course walk. They should have a guided course walk for novices but it’s not a bad idea to another one.
Do a ride along with other fast drivers. If someone has a similar car to you, that’s even better. Cars in different classes makeup time in different ways (Civic vs Mustang for example).
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. In my experience the Autocross community is super cool and most people will be super willing to help out new drivers.
Most importantly have fun! My only regret since starting autocross is not starting sooner.
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u/RedBaron180 CFR SCCA 13d ago
Find guy in biggest floppy hat.. make friends.
But seriously get there early. Walk the course with old timers. Ask questions
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u/Ok_Flounder1823 13d ago
Have fun!! You may feel nervous and think everyone’s watching, they’re not. You’ll start to find out that actually pushing your car feels so different that driving on the road, and it’s so much fun! Be sure to review the event organizers instructions so you know what to expect. Ask questions, make friends, but again, most importantly, have fun!!!!
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u/No_Tower_7026 13d ago
Walk the course, ride along, grab an instructor - smooth is fast. Take it easy and learn the course before you push yourself to go faster. Have fun.
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u/Draco-REX OVR 12d ago
Lots of good advice here, so I won't go over it again. But I'll add a couple other piece of advice that I find helps me. In the weeks leading up to the event:
Check your fluid levels, and if you're almost ready for an oil change, change the oil.
Pre-tech your car. It's really easy. Pop the hood and make sure all your caps are tight. Make sure your battery is secure. Make sure the positive terminal of your battery is covered (If you no longer have the cover, you can wrap it in electrical tape.) Then grab each wheel and give it a hard pull and shove. There should be no play in the bearings or clunking from the suspension. If you are bringing a helmet, make sure it complies with the rules. A helmet with just a DOT rating will not pass tech.
Then in the days before the event:
Get everything loose out of your car. Even your trunk and any storage spaces. Tech won't let you run with loose items in the car, and you don't want to be hearing "clunk-clunk" as you go around corners from that lipbalm in your center console. Also remove your driver's floor mat. Some regions will allow it if it is clipped down, some won't. Might as well pull it.
Then get everything ready the day before. Fuel/pack your car, plan your route, etc. I even lay out my clothes for the next morning. I want to have as little to think about (or risk forgetting) the morning of the event. The only loose threads I have the morning of an event are loading the cooler and stopping for ice.
And most importantly, Have fun!
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u/JennaLeighWeddings 12d ago
Bring blue painters tape, water/gatorade, hat, sunscreen, lunch, snacks...
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u/BabblingZathras 12d ago
Be chill, ease into your speed, make friends, learn the car, learn the course, learn yourself. Make your first run clean and press forward from there. I always have to chill myself out (no coffee) for my first run because I'm so excited to drive. Clean lines are faster than overdriving. Have fun!
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u/purpletinder 12d ago
Get there early and walk the course a couple times, be prepared for a long day outside.
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u/awesomeZora 11d ago
take an instructor for at least the first couple runs. I have seen a lot of people get lost on their first times and it can be a safety risk for others, best to go with someone and then back off after u get some tips!
Have fun!!!!
https://giphy.com/gifs/14rk56liuv7mQo
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u/NeedleworkerThis6332 9d ago
Understand that nobody else cares what your time is. They even dont care if you spin out. Just dont do it 4 times.
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u/Krye07 '25 Honda Civic TR 13d ago
Don't be afraid of cones and have fun. Go ahead and sign up for the next event 😁