So you want to do a [Insert-Event-Here] -- A How-To!

[CaptainHenreh]

So you want to Autocross! (aka Auto-X, aka NASA-X, aka Solo)

Cool! Autocrossing is really fun, low risk, and easy to pick up! . An autocross, or as the Sports Car Club of America defines it, a Solo Event, is an event in which one automobile at a time is timed over a clearly defined course, with elapsed time and appropriate penalties for course deviations being the determining factor for awards. In other words, a course is set up in a large, empty parking lot or anywhere with enough open tarmac, using pylons to guide participants. Each car is given a set number of timed runs in which to try and get the lowest time they can. Most courses are between 30-70 seconds long. Each event typically only costs drivers $25-35.

Keep an eye out on the Events forum and the MM Calendar for upcoming autocrosses!

Basically, if you have or can borrow a helmet, and your car will pass state inspection, you've got everything you need for an autocross. Here's a basic "Pre-Flight" checklist you can print out the day before the event:

If you can check everything on that list, you are ready for an autocross. No joke.


Once you've done a couple, you'll definitely want to get more serious about it. You can't go wrong doing the HPDE checklist, but here's some autocross specific things to think about:

Advanced Auto-X prep:

Basics:
-Basic Tool set (sockets and wrenches, sizes most common on your car)
-Sun Screen & Chapstick (Regardless or temperature)
-LUG NUT SOCKET!!!!
-Shock adjustment tool (if you have adjustable shocks, this does not leave my glove box)
-Scotts Blue Shop Towels/Paper Towels/Rags
-Hand Wipes (clean hands are happy hands)
-Extra Fluids (Oil, Coolant or Water, Brake Fluid)
-DUCT Tape and Electrical Tape (if you drive a pile like I do, shit falls off....)
-ZIP TIES (See above)
-Note Book w/ Pen (record your tire pressures, temps, and any mental notes)
-Water/snacks

Basic Nice to Haves:
-Torque Wrench (good purchase, but you can typically borrow one)
-Tire Pressure Gauge (doesn't need to be fancy, just be sure you use the same one, the entire day, even expensive gauges vary from one to the other)
-Painters Tape (good to have your own, also something you can borrow
-Head Sock (Think, your in heat 3, its 98 degrees, and you are using a loaner helmet, can get one for like $15, or keep the cheapo thing you get from G-Force Karting.)

Serius Bizness:
-Battery powered Impact (18V or higher)
-Low Profile Aluminum Jack (If you are running different wheels)
-Torque wrench (This belongs in every tool box, regardless of what our doing. X-Mas time at Sears, for like $40-50)
-Mechanics gloves (Clean hands, and dealing with warm car parts)
-Water Sprayer (I have it but dont use it, depends on the tires your running)
-5 gallon air tank (To change tire pressures)
-Your own Helmet
-Head Sock (I may look retarded at an autoX with a head sock on, but my helmet won't smell like a sweaty line backers jock strap.)
-GO PRO (So you can be cool on the You Tubes, and brag about it on the FaceSpace)
-Magnetic #s/Class (For like $30-50, you can save yourself 10-15 minutes in the morning, cause you dont have to tape your #s and Class on, I got 2 "6"s, and a "1", this way you can use the "6" as a "9")

Miscellaneous:
-Small Cooler (Water, Gatorade, crackers)
-E-Z-Up Tent
-Folding Chairs