Well i finally have the car i wanted (such satisfcation). Just need to actually drive it to its full potential now! I joined the PCA last week and will be starting to autocross once metro-NY's first event starts. There is a classroom seminar this week, but i am missing it due to a somewhat hectic shedual with school and preparing to ship out. April 30th is a 'Auto-X' school, will be signing up and hopefully attending.

I have two questions. One about helmets, the other about labeling your car.

1. I wear glasses, have contacts but hate wearing them (far to much maitenence). Is it possible to wear a full face helmet with with glasses or should i go with a open face? Also would it be reasonable to buy a motorcycle helmet for auto-x, or do i require different types of ratings? I have read the novice auto-x book thingy on Tirerack, but i am still confused in regards to the ratings of the helmets ...etc.

2. When signing up for events, i am supposed to designate a car number. Is this number given to me or do i just choose something? I was going to be clever and use 951...but then i remembered people will actually know what that number means! Also is it okay to just use masking tape to make a number on my door?

Cant really think of anything else right now. My only real concern is likely going the wrong way on the course or going through the wrong cones or something. I Was looking at a map of a old couse...looked fairly confusing! Im sure it wont be so bad when im actually behind the wheel though.

I look foward to April 30th!

 

First of all, congrats on you new ride and your obvious good sense for joining PCA! It has been a positive life altering experience for me, I'm sure it will be for you as well.


You can wear a full face with glasses (I do). You just have to take them off, put the helmet on and them put them back on. If you ulimately intend to DE, a full face is the way to go. If not, opens are a bit cooler in the summer, although I've done Zone events wth Metro and I doubt it gets particularly hot out there on the beach even mid summer. I know it gets pretty cool though!

951? Good luck. You're not the first one to have thought of this in the past 20 years. I doubt that number is available, but you never know. Typically, when you pre-register for the event you request a number and if its not taken, its now yours. I'd recommend against masking tape, the best low cost thing to use is painters tape. Remove it immediately at the end of the event and you won't have a problem.

Do the driver's school. It really only takes a couple of events and you'll start to learn the language of AXing, it will stop looking like a sea of cones and become more understandable. Best of luck and have fun!

 

Welcome, AutoX will be a lot of fun.

Go with the full face. If you get into doing DE's you really should use one. Yes, you can ware glasses with the full face just as easily as you can with an open.

No. You will need an SA rated helmet. A motorcycle helmet is unacceptable.

The above comments were basied on PCA regulations. What other bodies allow as acceptable is unknow.

An SA rated helmet has to pass a slightly different standard. It basicly the same as M but includes fire retardency and multiple strikes i.e. as in off a roll bar or such.

Usually they will assign you a number and if you run regularly, you will keep the same number event to event and year to year. You may be able allowed to select from any number that is not in usually. It all depends upon how the run their events. Some clubs have bar code cards to speed things up.

If you think it is a cool number, i.e. car designation, sexual, demonic. I has already been taken. Unless it is truely origional most likely you are out of luck.

Tape is acceptable along with shoe polish or the comercial car decorating paints. As long as it can be read from 30 feet.

Once your with a group and have a regular number. You can get magnetic ones or what I do is make up a meatball and number on the computer and print it out. Then for a $1 have it laminated at Staples or such and tape it in the rear quarter windows.

Wrong way? Shouldn't be a problem. They make sure your pointed in the correct direction be for saying GO!

Now going through the wrong cones....Definite possibility. All I can say is make sure you walk the course a couple of times and try to do it with one of the experienced regulars. They are more than willing to help out a newby. If for no reason other than the cones they save may be the ones they would have to pick up.

Have fun out there.

 

The metro NY courses are pretty confusing...I did my first autox with them and I got plenty lost.

Have you considered leaving the island to do some NNJR events? Their season starts earlier IIRC...

Generally I consider metro NY to be tighter, NNJR to be more open. Metro NY uses smaller cones (less/no cone marks to clean)... NNJR uses larger cones that you'll probably have to scrub at a little if you nail some.

I usually try to do both.

 

adrial, where are the NNJR events generally held? Easy to access from the turnpike? I wouldnt mind doing that every once in a while if it meant being able to run with a few Rennlist people. Seems to be a pretty active group in the NNJ area compared to NY. The only killer thing is the damn toll for the Holland tunnel, what is it $6 still? I dont even bother wanting to cut through Manhattan to take the Lincoln Tunnel (that is the Lincoln at the north end of the T-pike right?). I hate driving in Manhattan, i get fairly angry...and FAR to agressive. Cutting through the heart of China Town is bad enough getting to the Holland.

The Metro NY auto-x locations are all pretty close to me, two of them being about 20 minutes away, the other about 30. Easy to get home if i experience any problems . It would really depend on the length of the drive i think, i cant justify spending 3-4 hours of travel time (both ways) to auto-x! Not to mention if i have any problems with the car...getting home could pse to be a serious problem.

 

NNJR events are normally held at the meadowlands...sometimes at PNC arts center (which would be way too far for you). Meadowlands IIRC is a short way off exit 16W off the turnpike. http://www.pca.org/nnj

Without traffic, its probably not a bad drive...with...I have no idea. Tom R and some of the other members that seem to do the trip more often would know better...

 

Techo - NNJR events are right off the Turnpike (Meadowlands) or Garden State Parkway (PNC Art's Center). First NNJR event in April 24th @ Meadowlands.

If you already have a motorcycle helmet that's M95 or newer, you can use it at all NNJR events (Autox and DE) until the end of the year. Despite what Neil stated above, motorcycle helmets are acceptable in many regions, including NNJR. If you are planning on buying a new helmet, then I highly recommend buying an SA rated one vs. an M-rated helmet.

As for getting lost - NNJR (& Metro) always has some instructors around that are willing to help show you the way. (BTW: I instruct for NNJR autox). There is also a course walk and a novice walk in the beginning of the day. The course walk - you basically walk the course to get an idea of what to expect. A novice walk is the same thing, but with an insturctor giving the group of novices some advice along the way.

As for what else to bring: besides your helmet, bring lunch, plenty of H2O to drink, a tire guage, and one of those ciggy lighter tire inflator compressors. Both Metro and NNJR autocrosses are very social - so you'll make some new friends, and you'll also have a ton of fun!

Hope to see you April 24th!
-Z.

 

I will defenetley look into attending the NNJ event on the 24th. The following saturday is the auto-x school event, should be a fun filled week of driving! Just need to figure out the directions, will probably take the Holland tunnel as i am much more familiar with that route. Generally what time does this event finish up?

Should i really buy my own helmet? Are the loaners all nasty and decrepid?

 

Helmet? Check the rules where you want to drive. Some allow Snell M helmets but others are more particular and insist on a Snell SA rating.

Number? Selection as others noted. If you want to go the masking tape route, 3M makes two types of Blue "removable tape". The heavier stuff is easier on your paint.

When you go, be sure to let them know you are a novice and ask for one of the "old hands" to walk the course with you. Be sure you get an instructor as well to help you out.

Leave your ego at home. There is a high likelyhood some dude in a beater is going to blow you away (a fellow in Yugo did that to me for one of my first times). The good news ias that most guys like to nelp out the newer fdolks and want to see them being competitive. Ask for help. Watch the others. don't worry if you get lost (we all have done it). Most important, have fun.

Tell us how it turns out.

If you like book learning, the Henry Watts Books "Secrets of Solo Racing" is Autocross 101.

 

Should be done by 3 - 4 pm ish.
We have a bunch of loaner helmets - they aren't that old, so the sweat residue buildup isn't that bad yet! Just bring a bandana to use as a 'barrier' and you'll be fine!

Find me on the 24th! (Red 944S2, #42) and I can work with you!

-Z.

 

In many cases M rated helmets are allowed for autocrossing.

In some cases they are ok for DE. Never ok for racing.


You would need to contact each org to know what is allowed at each event.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys, i have decided to just buy my own helmet. Will put the order in a week or so. I opted for the G-Force Pro Force Hybrid helmet.

I will defenetely try and find you if i do attend Z-man, will be nice to learn with someone i 'know' so to speak.

 

Hey, that's my helmet! Good choice!

Hope to see you there! (Just don't beat my times!!!!)
-Z.

 

Doubt i will be beating any times, i will likely however beat the record for most cones killed and spin outs.

 

Techno, come out to the metro autox at Tobay this Sunday the 20th, get your feet wet