BallGoFar

Tomorrow morning I'm attending my first autocross! I'm really excited. Mine will be the only 944 attending and I can't wait to show what the car can do. I'm in the Maverick (Dallas) Region PCA and new to it as well. Check in is at 7:30 and I'm pretty sure that I'll be there in plenty of time and a little eager.

Anyway, I went over my car and would like to know if there's anything I forgot. Here's what I've checked:
Oil
Coolant
Brake Fluid
Power Steering Fluid
Plugs
Tires have 3 pounds extra air
I cleaned and re-oiled the K&N
Put my brand new helmet in the back
Went and darn near Concours(sp) cleaned my car, if it has to be the only 944 at least it will be well represented!

Anything I forgot? Any last minute tips?

Dang, I haven't been this excited since I bought the car! Feel like a kid waiting for morning. Got a nice shiny car I get to go play with tomorrow...woooohoooo!

Skip

You're not carrying nearly the equipment I drag to autocross, so no way to give you a little tip I take a full toolbox (enough to damn-near rebuild the car) Why? Because I've had to damn near rebuild the car I also take a jack and stands (even if driving on the event tires), motor oil, tranny fluid, PS fluid, Brake fluid, Windshield cleaner, paper towel, simple green, nytrile gloves, latex condom, leather gloves, air tank, air pressure gauge, torque wrench, snacks & water, extra clothes (PacNW... nuff said), tarp to lay things on, chair, and some other stuff probably. My very first autocross with my Dad present, he stalled at the line... 2 hours later, with half the electrics ripped apart, we found the starter to alternator wire grounded to the block because the PO routed it under the intake(!)... many other small and large failures along the way. Don't be scared, my car's probably just a lemon

WALK THE COURSE over-and-over-again... most regions have a novice walk for beginners... don't be shy, hang with them... you certainly be no worse off. Drive the first time thru v-e-r-y slow. You're excited to start, want to lay down some rubber, and prove yourself... ain't gonna happen right away. Autocross is a motorsport just like any other... takes practice, practice, practice. Have an instructor ride with you, or even drive your car. Be safe... people do get hurt at autocross, but only if things go seriously awry. Watch for flags (red)... if there's danger ahead, or your car's spewing smoke, the course workers will stop you.

Not that anyone asked, but here's my own personal pet peeves. Be very aware in the pits and grid. If you run - you work... can't tell you how many folks like to take off after their runs, or feel they are exempt for whatever reason. When working the course... WATCH OUT... usually will have 2-3 cars on course... never turn your back to the course... watch the car closest to you and in your assigned area... you're not just there to count cones. Spectators spectate, workers work. Fun & safe do go together.

Oh yeah, and don't hit the cones

Good luck and have fun tomorrow!

Skip

Dave

[quote] Oh yeah, and don't hit the cones <hr></blockquote>
Skip, you know that ain't true!!! If the choice is OC or a cone...PUNT THE CONE.

Mike B

[quote]I also take a jack and stands (even if driving on the event tires), motor oil, tranny fluid, PS fluid, Brake fluid, Windshield cleaner, paper towel, simple green, nytrile gloves, latex condom, leather gloves, air tank, air pressure gauge, torque wrench, snacks & water, extra clothes (PacNW... nuff said), tarp to lay things on, chair, and some other stuff probably. <hr></blockquote>

WTF...I got to get into this autocross thing... <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Renntag

my god.........dont forget to bring a sink...you may need to wash up afterward...

Bring paper and pen to write out the course.
draw the course a few times to memorize it.
walk the course with the fast guys...someone driving the similar car is best.
sunbock
water, more water
money
lunch
pca/scca membership cards if necessary
tire pressure gauge...( you have a good one? )
shoe polish to mark your tread to check tread usage. ( helps when regulating tire pressure )

I dont know why some people bring so much stuff.
Go and focus on making your brain drive faster....the car will follow.


Good luck.

Dave

SO?????

How was it? Those on the list who havn't tried autox, might enjoy a little write-up from a first timer.

Robert Lavigne

[quote]Originally posted by Dave:
<strong>
Skip, you know that ain't true!!! If the choice is OC or a cone...PUNT THE CONE.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Same applies if punting the cone gives you a better advantage than the 2 second penalty. On some slalom sections it is sometimes faster to go straight than twist. This is not cheating but knowing the rules and were to bend them. The nice things about solo2 (autox) is that you have a bit more say in the track layout than say a road course with fixed curbs.

Robert Lavigne

[quote]Originally posted by Renntag:
<strong>
sunbockSunblock is handy too
water, more water
and event more water
tire pressure gauge...( you have a good one? )
a must, a PSI will make a noticeable difference when your tires start to balloon
e polish to mark your tread to check tread usage. ( helps when regulating tire pressure )
I tend to use chalk for the tire tread check to see if I am riding the side of the tire. This is a great way to achieve proper pressure until you get to know your car.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

BallGoFar

That may very well have been the single most addictive thing I've ever done! Is there any better way to spend a sunny Saturday?? I wish that I had thought of sunblock, I play a lot of golf and ALWAYS remember the sunblock, I didn't even think about it this morning, but I will next time. I did bring a tire pressure gauge and somebody there showed me about chalking my tires, that was a good lesson. I appreciate the tip about the pen and paper and I'll remember that one. I did stop early this morning and get a couple of bottles of water, glad I did.

The morning was on the skidpad, slalom and braking thresholds. Lunch then walkthroughs, then one lap with an instructor driving at parade speed. Then I got to drive 5 runs.

The morning went well, I was the only student to hit a cone during the slalom and was actually praised for it!

After much thinking, I decided early this morning to switch to my original wheels and tires. Most of the time I run 996 17" wheels and Potenza SO2 tires. I put the 15" phone dials and Michelin Pilot XGTs back on the car. My thinking was that if I make a mistake I could damage my 996 wheels and if I screwed up my phone dials, so what? Other than the wheels and tires my car is stock in every way other than a K&N filter.

Anyway, I was told thatI would be the only 944, but one other guy showed up with a spanked 944 so he really didn't count. It was a short track, nobody got out of 2nd gear and at the time it was plenty fast enough. My best time was 52.3 and I was told that it was a great time for a total beginner and that I would pick up at least two or three seconds with my other wheels and tires and after actually participating in an autox, I can't see how I could possibly hurt my wheels so they'll be on the next time and we'll see...
The best time of the day was put up by the guy that wins everything, his time was 45.5 in a heavily modified 914.

The next autox will be a longer track and I can't wait!!! Hmmm, think I can get my hands on some Koni Yellows and 250lb springs by Friday?? lol.

If you've never tried this DON'T WAIT!!!! Hands down, the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

BallGoFar

Anybody in the DFW area going to the DE next weekend? Or the next auto-X?