I spent Saturday at the Metro NY PCA "Fun in the Sun" autocross event. I learned quite a bit.

1. I have a natural ability to be very bad at autocross.
2. There is a lot more standing around in the hot sun than I had imagined.
3. Helmets are heavy and very hot.
4. Every time I heard my tires squeal, I was thinking "ka-ching, ka-ching" as in shortening the tire replacement time.
5. I need to enter the cone coordinates into my GPS so I don't get lost.
6. Autocross is a blast!


I earned first place in the "Old-clueless-fat-guys-with-street-tires" class. I probably wouldn't have finished that high if I wasn't the only one in the group.

 

This is the impression I got from watching autox videos. never tried it myself but was always curious.

 

1: HAHAHA!!
2. Yea right....I never actually have done the autocross though I have done many events just like it without a timer...the actual autoX gets too few runs in for me. Our DS days i can get 10 or more runs in and its twice as big as our AutoX
3. Helps cook the noodle - when done, serve
4. there is almost no actual wear to tires in a one minute run even if you spun 3 times, and burned out from the line (which I am sure you didnt)
5. the sea of cones....great place to be
6. yea right! cheap entertainment and you can do it a LOT before your car needs any upgrades


now that is plain funny!!
we have so much fun out at our day and poking at each other, egging one another on, joking and all....it really is a great way to spend some time and enjoy your day. the more you go, the more fun it is and those moves will help you drive better on the street too!

glad you had fun!

 

And just when you think you are starting to get the hang of autocrossing and are getting good at it, someone sends you this link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/vystrcil...&kw=motorcycle

 

"Old-clueless-fat-guys-with-street-tires"
I think I also qualify for this class... at least on the three points noted. Any other requirement other than Street tires... I am ready to go!

 

We do SCCA solo II (F125) and I couldn't agree more with your point #2. Autocross makes for a long, hot day with just a few minutes of driving--but it is too much fun. As for #4, tires squealing... the rolling eyes of the marshalls might sting more than the lost rubber from your tires To help me memorize the course I focus on a single car as it navigates the entire circuit. I try to visualize operating the controls remotely--as if I were driving an R/C car.

 

Bill.

I have run autocross when I had my 73 Targa. I have yet to do it in my 996 TT, but the moment of truth is coming up. Your six points are well taken. Yes, I am hesitating because of the ka-ching of tires, and the embarrassment of running over more cones than were left standing. But the one minute of adreniline rush is worth ALL of the points that you have listed.

It all is summed up in point number SIX. Yes, it's a blast, and anyone that hasn't tried it needs to do it at least once. It is addictive, and a wonderful safe way of figuring out what the limits of your car are, and the limits of your abilities. Glad that you're enjoying your 996. There is no better way of enjoying the car than to test its and your limits. Yes, it may be a DD, but you can't do that on the highway, and it is fun fun fun.

larry

 

Larry...you wont burn up much Ka-ching and there is NO one going to embarrass you for punting cones...till you become better friends with them

 

Now that I have autocross under my belt, I guess it's on to cliff-diving or full contact machete fighting.

 

Walk the course before the timed runs start. Helps you to not get "lost".

 

Eddie:

For me, walking the course at least once is mandatory. But there's certainly a difference between walking the course at a mild forced march, and driving it at speed - 30 MPH never felt so fast as doing a slalom around cones in a straight (zig zag) line.

larry

 

I walked the course twice but should have done it another time or two. The regulars in the group said that this was a particularly tough course and many of them had trouble too. I think I'll be a little less anxious next time now that I know what to expect. Plus I'll bring sun screen and cold water so I don't die.

 

And bring a hat in addition to your helmet. You want to protect your head and face from sunburn, and you don't want to be forced to wear that helmet all day.

larry

 

AutoX is an relatively easy way to learn about car control, great comradierie with fellow P-car nuts and simply a blast! Don't worry about cones or tires, just go out and have some fun and drive the baby!!
Yeah, you do need to pack like it's a track event, chair, cooler, water, food, sunscreen, bug spray, tire pressure gauge, helmet, etc., etc., but a great time no doubt. The cone marks will come off the car with some elbow grease, but the damage to your driving ego....well that may not heal so fast.........but you will have a "hoot" with the other guys and gals and the will be just as gulity of mistakes as you. Enojy!

 

Larry, drive your TT this winter, maybe you can upgrade to a gt3, they are a better tool for autocross.