AUTOCROSS BASICS
What to Expect
Before we dive into the day’s mechanics, here’s a nice video that New England Region (PCA) produced – enjoy!
NER Autocross Video – watch me!
The autocross day starts early. Organizers (volunteers – become one!) will be on site around 6AM to start creating the course, and testing equipment, but generally participants should arrive about 7:45 (unless you want to help). When you arrive, park by a friend or others with cars similar to yours. Unload your car of everything that is not screwed down, including map pockets, glove compartments and trunk. You do not have to remove your spare tire, though you may. The earlier you arrive the more time you have to put numbers on your car, sign in, get your work assignment, socialized and most importantly – learn the course!!!!
Sign-in and work assignments will open up around 8:00. In general we require pre-registration on motorsportreg.com. Get in line, know your Class /assigned car number ready. In order to provide you more drive time (runs), we sometimes limit our registration. Prices vary by event and venue, but are typically:
- PCA Members: $90 (pre-registered)
- Non-Members: $100 (pre-registered)
Pre-registration is via nnjr-pca.motorsportreg.com.
Note: the last few events have sold out online, so if you do show up, there is no guarantee there will be space for you.
The basic format of autocross is that half the group races while the other half works, and then we switch.
What you need to do before racing begins:
Check in and get your work assignment
When you pre-register, you are not only creating a registration, but selecting the class your car competes in. If you wish to drive, but not compete, you may simplify this by choosing the “FUN” class. In either case you must know your assigned class and car number. Our Autocross Classes Worksheet is in the “Forms & Info” tab.
The most important information you will receive when you sign in on site is your flagging (Course Worker) assignment . Flagging is crucial to both operation and safety, and involves reporting cones that have been hit in the vicinity of your station, replacing cones and stopping the action if an unsafe condition presents itself. Autocross only functions if we all work, making it possible for others to run! There are also specialized work assignments, including early morning set-up tasks. If you are interested, inquire weeks ahead – these take time to learn (but you will be very valuable and appreciated member of the team).
Put numbers on your car:
Using painters tape, shoe polish or any other means, put LARGE, EASILY READ numbers on both sides of your car. These must match the computer issued numbers from motorsportreg.com.
Go through tech inspection:
In most cases we have a tech line. Go through that line for safety tech once your car is empty, you are signed in, and numbers are on your car. Bring your helmet – it must be checked as well. Tech inspector(s) will ensure your car has been properly emptied, tires and suspension appear safe, your helmet meets requirements and there are no obvious fluid leaks. When you have passed tech, there will be an indicator (typically a tape mark on a headlight) that you car has passed tech and the number recorded.
Immediately after registration/check in we will announce that the course is open for walking. You should (it is really essential) walk the course. You cannot walk the course too many times. No matter how well you think you know it, it will look different through the windshield at 45 mph. Walk with other people and discuss the “line”. There will be a special walk-through for novices conducted by an expert, probably around 9:30. Listen for the announcement. Being able to walk the course several times is the BEST reason to get to the event early.
Finally there will be a driver’s meeting around 9:45. We will discuss safety and the conduct of the program. We will announce whether odd or even numbered cars will be running first. The non-running car drivers will be flagging, if they have a morning assignment. Cars that are running will be asked to bring their cars to the staging area.
Ready? Good luck!
We also recommend that you download and read “Details of a Day” (in downloads)