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

[CaptainHenreh]

This post is a work in progress, but it's getting close. Feel free to PM me with errors, corrections, additions, comments, critiques and compliments. I loooooooooove compliments.


So you'd like to get involved, eh? Learn how to hone your driving skills, making your mind a razor sharp instrument? Awesome. But you're not quite sure how to get started. You're not quite sure what you need, what you need to do, and in fact, you don't even know the right questions to ask! Well, you're in the right place.

You can start by Reading MM's Frequently Asked Questions. Lots of good information there. When you're done, come back. I'll wait.

Here's a TOC for this thread:

• 
  
• How to prep for an Autocross
  
• How to prep for an HPDE
  
• How to prep for a Carshow
  
• How to prep for an Off-Road Excursion
  
• How to prep for a Karting Session
  
• How to prep for working an Event

And here's some General Things you should Keep in Mind:

Uncle Rex, my car is too slow to Autocross/HDPE/Whatever. I'll do it when I get my new car / engineswap / supercharger / turbo kit / nawzzzz...

Bollocks! That's not true and deep down inside, you know it. An average Honda Civic is faster than a 66 Mustang from the factory floor. Your car is PLENTY fast, YOU are the weakest link in the speed chain. I autocrossed my 1991 Geo Metro when I was in college. You want to talk about slow? Boy I've had dogs outrun that car. But I squeezed every miniature pony out of those three cylinders, and made my tires cry for mercy until you could make a thumbprint in them...all on my very first autocross. So don't talk to be about slow, young'n. Any idiot can do a buck forty down the front straight of VIR in a ZR1 Vette or Carrera GT. Takes actual talent to drive something slower.

What mods should I get before I do X?
Honestly, you should do X before making any modifications, with very few exceptions. Learn how to drive the car, and the car will tell you what it needs and more importantly, what it doesn't. If you must make modifications before doing one of these things, start with a nice, aggressive street brake pad (but not necessarily a race pad) and good quality tires. An extra set of wheels (so you can have dedicated track wheels) and tires wouldn't be bad either, but as a college student, space is at a premium.

Uncle Rex, this is a lot of information! Did you come up with it all?
While this may look like all Uncle Rexy's doing, this is actually a collaboration among a large number of people who have Been There, Done That. If you have anything you'd like to add, or anything that's not clear, please PM Me and I'll add, subtract, clarify, etc.

Unca Rex, this is a lot to digest, and now I'm more intimidated than I was before I came in this thread. Thanks a lot!
Hey. Tiger. Champ. Buster. Buddy. Turn that frown upside down. You can do this! Chances are anything you want to do in this thread, you can do as long as you've got a safe automobile that's actually capable of it. That's the key here. All you need to get involved in this stuff is a car that's not a total pile of shit and a mind that's the same.




Change Log:
07FEB2012 -- Created Initial topic. Added Autocross and HPDE. Requested topic be Sticky'd.
16FEB2012 -- Added "advanced autocross" to Auto-X section. Added Draft NASA Worker and Draft Wheelin' guide.

[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

[CaptainHenreh]

So you want to HPDE! (High Performance Driving Event)

You have always wanted to know what "she could do", but you know the streets and highways are not the place. NASA gives you and your car an easy, safe, and affordable way to get on the track! No speed limits, no pedestrians, but best of all-no tickets. The NASA HPDE provide you with an experienced racer to help guide you through the event, one on one, as you learn how to handle your car at the limit. You set your own goals and go as fast as you feel comfortable going.

There's two ways to get involved in HPDE with NASA, one is with a standard HPDE, the other is a "Hyperdrive". We'll talk about the Hyperdrive first.

HYPERDRIVE
A Hyperdrive is a single, short on-track session with an instructor. You'll be driving on a real racetrack, at speed, with a trained instructor right by your side. You'll also get some classroom instruction. The Hyperdrive has the same "pre-flight" requirements as an Autocross. So go through that checklist, and your "hardware" will be fine. Your "software" however, has to be a little different. HPDE's are not timed, and you're not competing. It's Education, not Competition. That doesn't mean it isnt' fun, on the contrary, it's awesome. but you'll need to keep that in mind as you participate.


HPDE 1-4
The "next" level up from that is a proper HPDE. This is going to be more punishing on you, your car, and your mind than any autocross. You're looking at a 2 days of classroom instruction, multiple track sessions. You'll get one on one guidance from experienced racers, as you learn to control your car and yourself. Your mentor will provide you with guidance as you learn to drive at the limit. You will address how to approach a turn, the fast way around it, what gear should you be in, how to brake, and how to exit. The session generally includes a lead-follow session. Passing is very limited in the Group 1 Sessions.

With the extra punishment on the car, it's probably worth doing a more thorough checkout but don't get intimidated. This kind of list will flow pretty quickly once you get started.

[CaptainHenreh]

So you want to Show your Car!

[CaptainHenreh]

So you want to go Wheelin'! (4WD Trail Riding)

So you've got your shotgun anna rifle anna four wheel drive, eh? Awesome. It's a totally different type of "motorsport" from racing, but is no less fun!

First off, if you're just going "innawoods" with a bunch of friends to hit that secret squirrel camping spot, you're probably going to be ok just planning for a long trip. Make sure to have a air-d up spare, some extra vital fluids, and make sure someone knows where you're going and when you can expect to be back.

If you want to get a little more 'hard core' and learn how to take the long-way-around, then here's some guidelines:


Trail/Skills Day Requirements:

1. Front and Rear two point, mounted to the frame/chassis with at least two grade 8 bolts
2. Working 4wd
3. Full size spare
4. Most parks and official trail rides require at least All-Terrain tires
5. Each ÔÇ£groupÔÇØ should have at least one rig with a winch

Trail/Skills Day Checklist (pre and post list):

1. Check Wheel Bearings
2. Jack up off road vehicle and pull the tires
3. Inspect the brakes front and rear
a. Lines for stretch/crack/wear marks issues when flexing
b. Pads and rotors to see if there is any life left in them
4. Check the wheels inside and out for cracks, gashes, etc
5. Check tires for nails etc. ***when you air down issues with your wheel or tire will destroy your tire***
6. Lube all the traditional suspension points and check control arms for damage and bushing wear
7. Ensure all skid plates are attached well and clean them if there is any oil or dirt caught in them
8. Check all suspension bolts and look for any rubbing issues
9. Check the transfer case and transmission bolts
10. Clean front and rear diff covers, check for
a. Leaks
b. Scars on the cover
c. Pinched gaskets

11. Reattach wheels (tq them) and ensure the vehicle will engage 4wd
12. Pop the hood and check for
a. Good brake fluid levels and no leaks
b. Oil levels
c. Radiator is in good shape and full
d. Top off fluids

Things to bring:

1. A friend: they are good conversation, good for spotting, and you can kick them out to gain that extra ┬╝ inch of ground clearance if you need to!
2. Good tire gauge (youll want to air down to around 15psi all the way around, some people go lower some people do 15pis up front and 10-12 in the rear before you hit the trail but after you get off paved roads )
3. Tow/snatch strap (when you decide this is what you like to do) and associated hardware
4. Extra oil, coolant, and diff fluid (you donÔÇÖt want to be 10 miles from a paved road and need some)
5. Basic tool kit and a big-ish breaker bar
6. Jack that can lift your vehicle. Someone will whip out their hilift, but you should still have your own
7. WATER ladies bring TP you are in the woods, pee there
8. Snacks you get hungry, it takes a lot of energy to off road. And yes you will be sore the next day if you push your limits and the rigs limits.
9. Hat/sunscreen/advil/etc you are isolated from society, it could be a long walk make sure you are prepped for a hike.
10. If you are going ÔÇ£real extremeÔÇØ you probably arenÔÇÖt looking at this checklist and you know to bring spare axel shafts and things like that for your rig.

[CaptainHenreh]

So you want to go Karting!

[CaptainHenreh]

So you want to Work an Event!

Madison Motorsports has had a looooooooong relationship with the mid-atlantic chapter of the National Auto Sport Association. We've been with them pretty much from the beginning, and now they're easily the best NASA chapter in the country.

So we supply many of NASA-MA's workers, and even were collectively awarded the "worker of the year" one year. Working for a NASA track event is a GREAT way to get a ton of experience and build lasting relationships in the racing community. Also, it's more fun than a barrel of monkeys. And you get paid. It's full of Win.

But you also need to prepare. Make sure you talk to Laura Cobetto to make sure you're on the worker list, and know what you're working. Worker spots are sometimes hard to come by, so make sure you get with her early. Maybe introduce yourself at an event where you are just spectating. Being able to put a name to a face makes it a lot easier for her to know where to put you.

Grid/Flagger Prep:

-Clothes for all conditions, multiple sets (rains on Saturday, your clothes will be horrible sunday)
-Rain coat/Rain Suit, if no rain pants, something that will dry quickly, cold and wet is not fun.
-Hand Warmers if cold
-Cooler or Camel Bak/Thermos with hot chocolate/coffee (Flagger)
-Comfy shoes, (boots if cold, sneakers if warm)
-Light pants, although they may be dorky, I prefer the hiking zip off style pants/shorts (Warm weather)
-White Shirt (Flagger)
-Any color sweatshirt or coat other then RED, YELLOW, BLACK (Flagger) This is because those are the colors of CRITICAL flags, and you don't want a red-misting racer to mistake your Capitals sweatshirt for a red flag. If you have it, wearing all white is preferred.
-SUNSCREEN and CHAPSTIK (regardless of temp or weather)
-Sunglasses
-LAYERS!!!!!! Wear more then you think you'll need, better to be hot and shed some layers, then freezing your dick off.
-i-Pod/fully charged phone, may not be officially recommended, but when HPDE 1 & 2 are out there, it can get boring as hell
-Lots of Tylenol/Ibuprofen for Sunday morning (typically VIR only)
-Re-wetting/Eye drops (if you have contacts, this is a must, exhaust on grid and dust from the track when flagging, will make your eyes hate you)
-Air Mattress/sleeping bag/pillow (unless your old and married, like me, your sleeping on the floor)
-GO TO BED FRIDAY NIGHT!!!!, Save up for partying Saturday, it can make for a miserable weekend if you don't get atleast a good rest on Friday (VIR, DAMN YOU TAVERN!!!!)

If you need anything, there's guaranteed to be some aluMMni wandering around. Mosey over to the tech shed and ask who the closest one is, they'll help you out with anything you could ever need.

[CaptainHenreh]

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[CaptainHenreh]

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[CaptainHenreh]

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