FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions !

What is an Auto-x Event ?

Autocross (Auto-x) events are low to medium speed car control events. Most events are held in large parking lots or airports but some events are held on race tracks and go-kart tracks. Courses are created using traffic cones, and sometimes outlined in chalk to help with visuals. Drivers take to the course one at a time with results determined by comparing each drivers time to complete the course. Penalties are given for significant contact with a cone or if a competitor misses part of the course.

Who participates in Auto-x ?

Many types of people autocross. Men, women, young and old are all found at events. Some may not own a racecar so they bring out their daily driver and some hard-core members will bring out vehicles set up specifically for autocross. There will be novices wanting that first experience and veteran road racers keeping their skills sharp. Family and friends compete together. Whoever it is that comes to events they all share a love for motorsports and most of all, the desire to have FUN!

Why should I Auto-x ?

First and foremost, autocrossing is fun. It is also an inexpensive way to get involved in motorsports and can be an activity for the whole family. It can also make you a better and safer driver. By discovering the limits of your car in a safe, controlled environment, autocrossing will help improve your driving skills on the road as well as on a track.

How much does auto-x cost ?

Prices for entry fees for local EIR SCCA auto-x events cost between $30 and $50 to enter, depending if you are an SCCA member or not, and if you are participating for 1 or 2 days of a weekend event. Costs are generally related to the cost of the site, and also cover event operations and insurance. SCCA national series events cost between $100 and $150, depending on the event format. First time drivers ar EIR SCCA auto-x events get a discounted $25 entry fee.

Will auto-x damage my car ?

Autocrossing can have an effect on how your car wears standard consumable items such as tires and brake pads, however it is extremely unlikely that it will threaten the structural integrity of your car. Tires are the most notable consumable, and many competitors choose to have a separate set of wheels mounted with autocross tires for this reason.

Can I just watch ?

Absolutely. All that we ask is that you sign our liability waiver upon entry onto the event site. If you are curious about autocross, find an event near by and check it out. Feel free to ask questions, and don't be surprised if someone offers you a ride-along to experience what the sport is all about.

Do I need to be an SCCA member to participate ?

Membership is required for all SCCA events. With this membership you gain access to a wide variety of member benefits, including a subscription to Sportscar magazine and discounts with club partners. For those just wanting to try an event, you can buy a temporary weekend memberships just by filling out the form at the event site.

Are there special tires for auto-x ?

Although the only tire requirements are safety-focused, some tires will work better than others. There are a variety of good options for autocross tires on the market. For beginning drivers, a quality set of performance road tires are recommended. You may want to opt to have these mounted on a separate set of wheels for autocross use only. This will keep you from wearing out your daily tires autocrossing or your autocross tires commuting to work. There are also extreme high performance, or "R-Compound" tires on the market that can provide the maximum grip, though their life expectancy is significantly less than that of a performance road tire and it will affect what category your car is classed in.

How should I prepare my car's tires for an auto-x event ?

Praparing your tires for autocross is not complicated. As long as they do not have cuts/damage or have any cord showing (or are not about to have cord showing) your tires should be ready for the event. It is suggested that you raise your tire pressures 5-10 psi over factory settings to minimize wear on the edge of the tire.

When I arrive at the event site, what should I do ?

First, if this is your first event, let someone know. The EIR SCCA region has a person responsible for assisting novice drivers at their first event. They can answer any questions you have, direct you where to park, and help you with event registration forms. You should also do a quick once-over on your car. Be sure to check the fluids, check the battery tie down, shake the wheels and remove any lose items. You will need to check in, and have your car inspected at "tech," both of these should be well marked and easy to find. Finally, make sure you leave enough time to get a few course walks in. There are no practice sessions on autocross, so walking a course is crucial in being ready to do your best lap.

What is "Tech" ?

Every sport has is acronyms or shorthand. "Tech," is the short word for technical inspection of your car. This inspection is made by other more experienced autocrossers to check the safety of your car. They check for a working seat belt, good return on throttle, brake pressure, a secure battery, tight lug nuts, play in suspension and bearings, interior free of lose items including floor mats, street tires must have measureable tread left and no cords showing. Any car in reasonable condition should pass a tech inspection no problem!

Do I need to do anything special to my car ?

The best thing you can do is make sure it's mechanically well maintained and that you keep up with fluid changes. The technical inspector is going to check to make sure your car is safe, with attention given to the proper installation of wheels, removal of loose items and properly functioning controls. You will want to confirm these things as well as check that the battery is tied down and secure. Drivers and passengers seat belts need to be in good working order. It is also highly recommended that you raise your tire pressures 5-10psi in each tire. In autocross there is a lot of load transfer, so increasing the pressures gives your tires more rigidity to manage the energy.

Who will I be racing against ?

You will be driving against people in your car class. The classes are separated into groups of comparable cars of similar performance for the fairest competition possible. If you are a novice driver, the EIR SCCA region has a Novice class, which is limited to only novice drivers. In this case, you'll be running against people with similar experience as yourself.

What should I bring to an auto-x event ?

You need to bring your car in good working mechanical order, a valid driver's license and a helmet (loner helmets are available at EIR SCCA auto-x events). You may also want to bring a tire pressure gauge, dress in multiple layers for changing weather conditions during the day (coat, sweat shirt, sweat pants), work gloves, a cooler (water, pop/soda, sports drink, lunch), comfortable shoes, towels, rain gear, sun block, a hat, folding chair, and anything else that you would want for a day spent outdoors. At most events we take an hour long lunch break in the middle of the day. Generally lunch is not available on-site at most of our events, so be prepared to bring your lunch with you or make a quick trip to a nearby food establishment.

Will there be more than one car on the course at a time ?

Most SCCA regions have courses in the 40-60 second time range and try to release a car every 20-30 seconds. The EIR SCCA events usually try to run 2 cars on the course at one time, but far enough spaced out that they do not interfere with one another. There will be a series of work stations on the course, each with a red flag. Should someone spin or stop on course, any other car on course is stopped (red flagged) and granted a re-run.

Can I share a car with another driver ?

Absolutely! A car can have as many as two people running it in a class and it can run in other classes that are running in separate heats. This is a great way to save money, get to drive well prepared cars and compare yourself directly with other drivers.

What if I am under 18 years of age ?

Competitors under 18 are welcome at SCCA autocross events. Minor drivers need to have a SCCA permission form completed and signed by both parents. Competitors with a drivers license or learners permit may compete in the same configuration as they are legal to drive on the street. For example, many states require drivers with a learners permit to have a parent or guardian in the car, a driver with a learners permit would then be allowed to compete at an auto-x event provided their parent or guardian was riding along.

What if it rains ?

Autocross is a rain or shine sport, an event would be paused or shut down if severe weather occurs (such as lightning or high winds in the area). For rain days plan to bring some plastic bins to keep your stuff dry, a towel to dry off hands and feet before driving and something to protect you from the elements. An umbrella does ok, a poncho is a little better, but the seasoned competitors will all be in full rain suits. 

What are top speeds experienced at an auto-x event ?

Autocross courses are designed not to exceed normal highway speeds. For most cars, that means staying in 2nd gear, and topping out around 55-60 mph. That doesn't mean they are slow. Well designed courses will feel plenty fast as you attempt to maintain that speed through a series of elements. Imagine slaloming every barrel in a 55 mph construction zone, and you will start to get the idea.

What should I do if the car "spins out" ?

"Both Feet In!" Get your left foot on the clutch and your right foot on the brake to bring the car to a stop (for a manual car). Hard on the brakes for an automatic or other clutchless cars.  When you have your car stopped, take a deep breath, relax, and wait for the course workers to direct you on where and when to safely proceed.

Do's and Don'ts

Take your work assignment seriously. Part of autocrossing is helping with various tasks that keep the event running. Giving your work assignment 100% of your attention will ensure that you are not having a negative effect on someone else's event. Be sure that you arrive on time or early for your event work assignment, as tardy workers often delays event start times.

Arrive Early. Give yourself plenty of time to get yourself together, register, tech and walk the course a few times. It’s always better to have a little spare time to chat with friends than be scrambling.

Look for opportunities to help. Few are able to bring their full garage to an event, as such often people need to borrow a tool. If you have a tool someone needs to borrow, let them borrow it, or better yet, offer them a hand. Autocross is a community, everyone is there to enjoy the day and helping someone else enjoy theirs will certainly come back to you in the long run.

Respect the Site. Autocross sites can be challenging for a region to secure, and require a relationship between the site management and every person who participates in the event. Simple misjudgements, such as disrespectful driving, littering or excessive noise in and around the site can strain this relationship and put the usage of the site in jeopardy. Being mindful of this balance at all times is a essential part of being a member of the autocross community.

Be Honest. Despite the very best efforts of all involved, mistakes do happen in the timing and scoring of runs. Generally, the first person to notice is the person it benefits. If this ever happens to you, whether you were assigned the wrong time, or a penalty was over looked, own up to it. You will appreciate it the next time when someone does it for you.

Allow others to prepare for their runs. Autocrossing is a largely mental sport. Many drivers require a few moments to become prepared for a run. Be aware of this when you are in the grid, and be cautious of when you approach someone with a question. Most autocrossers are always willing to help out, but there is a preferred time and place.

Save the performance driving for the course. Whether it is for the preservation of the site, or safety of those around you, there is a place to play with your car, and there are many places not to. Any unsafe practices puts everyone at risk, and should be avoided at all cost. If you speed on roads leading to or from the event site, it not only puts you at risk of a speeding ticket but also can give the club a bad reputation. This hurts everyone involved.

Remember, we are all in it for fun and the people organizing and running the events are all volunteers. You may not get why some of us do what we do, but if you step back and look at the sport we are all in it for fun. We come out here to drive cars, but most of keep coming back to hang out with great people. Stay positive, have a great attitude and you'll rarely have a bad event.