Official ASCC Rookie Autocross Guide

Taken from both experienced members of ASCC and other club's across the country this is an introduction in almost every aspect to autocross.

Read down the list and visit the links, if you have any questions please don't be shy and post a thread in the Rookie & Beginner section on the NORA Forum and someone will be more than happy to help.

To Begin here; there was an interactive flash video made by Rocky Mountain SCCA which you can view here:
Click here to watch the video
This video has all the introduction that is necessary with graphic demonstrations

 

Once you've completed that video; here is a chart displaying the differences between Stock, Street Classes, Street Prepared Classes, and Street Mod.

chart

 

Working the course is mandatory when autocrossing, some wise words and specific NORA explanations are below some of this is explained in the flash video and or guides below:

Everyone who competes in an autocross event must also work. Work assignments vary. Most people will work somewhere out on the course, helping pick up downed cones, etc. However there are various other work assignments that exist (computer timer, announcer, spotter, starter, etc). Report for your work assignment as soon as you hear your group announced. The place to get work assignments will be announced in the drivers' meeting. This will make for a speedy transition from group to group.

When you participate in an autocross, you are expected to be at your work post on time, and to perform your duties in full. We try to put a novice with an experienced driver on a station. For a little bonus instruction, ask your co-worker to talk about the techniques of the cars on course. Learn by watching the better drivers and faster cars for brake points, turn in positions and race line through turns.

Some Work Assignments & Descriptions:

Working Grid
If you are assigned to Grid, arrive to grid early and help cars park in the designated grid area with enough room to open car doors, store air tanks and other supplies safely between cars. Always park the 2-driver cars in one area then arrange all other cars by class. It is best to start with the 2-driver cars then run ½ of the single drivers followed by the second driver of the 2-driver cars before the remaining single driver cars. Repeat in the same order for each of the scheduled runs. Always give the drivers at least a 5 car warning before their turn to stage. When a timing trailer personnel approves a re-run, have that car wait for 5-10 cars before staging for their re-run. Also, keep entrance to staging area clear of spectators. Remember, your main responsibility is the safe movement of cars within grid/staging and to & from the grid area.

Working the Course
- Make sure your station has adequate supplies; extra pylons, fire extinguisher, radio and red flag. Know your area of responsibility.
- Make sure cones are in their proper place when you get to your station, and check them periodically during your shift. (All the cones on course are marked with a chalk box. If a cone gets knocked out of place, run to it quickly and safely, put it back in the box, and return back to your station.)
- When communicating with the spotter/timing trailer (Applicable to Corner Captains), hold the radio talk button down and speak clearly. Give your corner number, class & car number and cone count or DNF then repeat. Wait for conformation from the spotter.
- Pay attention to cars on course for accurate cone counts and most of all - your safety. It is best to watch the back of the car and the cones themselves to see the wobbling cone which may have left the box.
- Replace cones as soon as possible, another car will be coming through in as soon as 20 seconds.
- Be prepared for exposure to sun/rain, wind, heat/cold while on station. Keep red flag in your hand, unfurled (but not flapping) ready for immediate deployment and stay alert for unexpected pedestrians and vehicles.
- Understand the pylon rules, pointer cones do not count if hit, and a car is off-course (DNF for Did Not Finish) if they pass on the wrong side of a cone.
Dont's
· Do not use cell phones or cameras while on station.
· Do not sit down and do not wander away from your post.
· Do not turn your back on cars on course. Safety First!
· Do not red flag a car unless it is an emergency. However, if in doubt, error on the side of safety!
· Do not litter
· Do not pick up hot parts dropped on course because of risk of burns.

Course Clean-up
Once all the timed runs and fun runs, if any, are complete, everyone helps clean up the course. This involves bringing in the radios, fire extinguishers and flags, cones and timing equipment, and storing them in the trailer. The pit and paddock area needs to be checked for trash. When everyone helps, this can be completed in fifteen to twenty minutes.

 

Rookie & Beginner Special NORA Pricing:
While our membership price is about 1/2 of what other clubs charge and our event pricing is about the same as anywhere else, if you are totally new and just stumbled onto us and wanted to try an event, it could be a bit pricey. As much as $40 assuming that you do not know or understand how the membership works or preregistration for events. So I came up with this...

If you are totally new to autocross with no experience at all you can pay a 1 time trial entrance fee of $30.
You will only be allowed to run in the Rookie Class
You will have to attend the Novice Course Walk
You will be paired up with an experienced worker



Additional readings can be seen at the following sites:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

See you out there and Remember to have FUN!

What Happens At An Autocross/Solo II Event


By soloracer.com

Car Prep

When you get to the event site, get your car prepped for the upcoming tech inspection. Remove all the loose items from the interior and trunk. If you have hubcaps or lug nut covers on your wheels, remove them as well. This might be a good time to make sure your tire pressures are where you want them. If you are fortunate enough to be running race tires, get changed over to them ASAP.

Registration

Registering for an autocross event requires a valid driver's license and an entry fee (usually $15 to $25). Knowing your class and car number ahead of time will also make things run smoother. You will also be asked to sign an insurance waiver.

Tech Inspection

Your car must pass a tech inspection before you can compete. They will check to make sure your car is safe to compete by checking over various items on your car (tires, wheels, battery, brakes, etc). They will also require that any loose items in your car be removed (jack, floor mats, spare change, etc). Once completed, the tech inspector will sign your card if you pass, or recommend changes to make the car pass. Make sure your class numbers and letters are on your car and bring your helmet to tech inspection!!

Course Walk

After the tech inspection, it is imperative that you walk the course. This is especially important for first timers, but it is a must for any autocrosser. Without a course walk, you will be lost once you get out there in your car. Most events will also have a novice course walk just before the drivers meeting. Try to have the course memorized before you go on the guided walk, and definitely before its time to run. If course maps are not provided, we recommend a pen and paper be used to draw the course out. This will be handy later if you are having trouble remembering something from your course walk.

Drivers Meeting

The drivers' meeting is mandatory for all drivers. The event chair will hold the meeting approximately one half hour before the first car starts. Be sure to attend. This is where you will find out information you'll need to know about the course conditions, number of runs, particular safety concerns, how penalties are assessed, and how work assignments will be handled.

Racing!

This is what you've been waiting for! Most autocross events will have between 3-6 runs per event. This means that you will get between 3 and 6 laps around the course you walked earlier. It doesn't seem like much, but once you finish your first run, we guarantee you will be hooked. Cars will be gridded by class in the run groups announced during the drivers meetings.

Working the Course

And you thought that all you would be doing is driving. Everyone who competes in an autocross event must also work. Work assignments vary. Most people will work somewhere out on the course, helping pick up downed cones, etc. However there are various other work assignments that exist (timer, announcer, flagger, etc). Report for your work assignment as soon as you hear your group announced. This will make for a speedy transition from group to group.

The Awards

Well, if you did well, you will definitely want to attend the awards ceremony after the event. Most clubs give out small prizes for each class, and also usually for Fast Time of the Day (FTD). This is also a good time to cheer on your fellow competitors...and check out your competition.

Course Cleanup

This is a must. Please stick around and help clean up after the event is over. Many people have worked their tails off so that you could compete; now it's your turn to return the favor and help collect cones and so on.

Course Walking Tips

Walking the course is one of the most important things you can do come race day. The better you know the course, the faster you'll be. Here are some suggestions...

Driving Tips

The driver is the most important piece of the puzzle when it comes to autocrossing. A fast car helps, but without a competent driver, that fast car, will end up having slow times around the course. Here are a few tips...

Things To Remember On Race Day

Here are a FEW general things to do/remember on race day...

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