So I can't do it this summer b/c I'll be swamped with classes and MCAT's prep classes...and the MCAT's themselves....

...but is there a site I can go to read up on rules/guidelines for autox's? Is it worth it (tires and shit)?

Also, do a lot of people mess up while on the course? I'm kinda worried about my first...and second...and well, yeah, just messing up in front of everyone...are there people with large egos that make you feel bad for messing up? I don't mind messing up, it's just the fact of having people making fun of me or thinking I suck that bothers me...

and the big money question, Is it FUN?

Thanks guys, I hope to do it next season when I have more free time, who knows I might stop by and watch if I can find free time this summer :)

So I can't do it this summer b/c I'll be swamped with classes and MCAT's prep classes...and the MCAT's themselves....

...but is there a site I can go to read up on rules/guidelines for autox's? Is it worth it (tires and shit)?

Also, do a lot of people mess up while on the course? I'm kinda worried about my first...and second...and well, yeah, just messing up in front of everyone...are there people with large egos that make you feel bad for messing up? I don't mind messing up, it's just the fact of having people making fun of me or thinking I suck that bothers me...

and the big money question, Is it FUN?

Thanks guys, I hope to do it next season when I have more free time, who knows I might stop by and watch if I can find free time this summer :)

hope u can find sum tyme oof to make it to my BBQ this Saterday...

My wife just thought the same thing, but when she crossed the line the first time and everyone was cheering, she soon learned that no one cares if you mess up. We are all out there to have fun and to learn about what our cars can do, and what we can do in those cars. You do have time to autox, because it only takes half a Saturday or Sunday.

Preppy.... you have to remember we were all beginners at some point. :)

As long as you aren't a jackass plowing over like 50 cones, doing burnouts and dadocrossing, the autoX community is usually very helpful and supportive. There are plenty who will ride with you and help guide you along... so no worries! :buttrock

Don't worry chris, we won't make fun of you to your face :D

Seriously, no one makes fun of anyone because everyone is real slow their first couple of times. And i've spun out a few times and done some bone-headed moves, everyone knows it happens and it's just apart of the game.

Check out the CCA site for car classification too, come out and you'll have a great time!

I got my first taste on saturday, man it looked like a blast I really wanted to just jump in my car and kill some cones.
I'm hooked now, damn you all!

Sweet. That's all I wanted to hear, is that everyone is there to have a good time, rather than 'kill' each other. Yeah, I'm not a bonehead driver in general so I doubt I'd try anything stupid :)

John, trust me, all of the free time I get, whether it be half of any day, I will be spending it sleeping, working at the parents business, or working on the car...

Queenz, yeah I definitely cannot make it this weekend man, sorry, still got school and finals to worry 'bout :)

My wife made time, you can too. Self-Employed working 6-7 days a week, and taking 2 grad classes per semester at Hopkins. I don't see her much, but she made time for it. NO EXCUSES!!!!

:stickoutt

So I can't do it this summer b/c I'll be swamped with classes and MCAT's prep classes...and the MCAT's themselves....

...but is there a site I can go to read up on rules/guidelines for autox's? Is it worth it (tires and shit)?

Also, do a lot of people mess up while on the course? I'm kinda worried about my first...and second...and well, yeah, just messing up in front of everyone...are there people with large egos that make you feel bad for messing up? I don't mind messing up, it's just the fact of having people making fun of me or thinking I suck that bothers me...

and the big money question, Is it FUN?

Thanks guys, I hope to do it next season when I have more free time, who knows I might stop by and watch if I can find free time this summer :)

There are a few good sites for the rules of AutoXing.

www.autocrossers.org has links to the SCCA rules and schedule for 2004. Also the national Capital Chapter site has the BMW class rules and Schedule (you can find quite a few links on the team Bar website that give you the basics as well).

I would start out at a BMW event or a MWCSCC event because they have a much more relaxed atmosphere. Don't worry about people giving you a hard time when you start out. They won't. Everyone at the BMW and MWCSCC events are very supportive, open and helpful in trying to get you up to speed.

The money question- Events usually cost somewhere in around $20-$35 depending on who is hosting the event.

Is it worth it? Definately. It's a ton of fun.

You should try to scrape a half day and come out. Take a ride with someone and see if you want to give it a try.

The real goal in this after all is having fun.

Pete

Hrm maybe I'll stop by towards the end of the summer, after mcats are over... :)


Happy now John??? ;)

Yes :D

Chris, I just go to have fun. I don't take it seriously...and I find I have a more enjoyable time.

You can make time. It just takes planning. All studying...and no play.....is not good. You can come out for a few hours. Most of the autoXs are toward the DC area anyway.

saturday was my first auto-x ... it's really not a big deal at all -- no one will say anything negative and everyone is really willing to help.. as far as getting used to it goes, it's a RACE and all, but at the end of the day it's really just driving around some cones in a parking lot -- it takes skill and practice to do it well and be competetive, but any jackass can go out and do it just for fun.

.............but any jackass can go out and do it just for fun.

I guess that makes me a jackazz. :( :help

:D

I guess that makes me a jackazz. :( :help

:D


I was referring to myself ... but now that you mention it, if the shoe fits.... :eek:




:stickoutt

and the big money question, Is it FUN?


as probably the slowest driver here, I can assure you that it's still lots of fun even if you're slow. It's much more fun to be slow (and clean ;)) and get faster, rather than just plowing cones and driving out of control. It's pretty amazing how easy it is to reach the limits of any car on an autocross course, and you can do it in a controlled manner where there is little risk of damaging your car.

and, in case you were wondering, it only takes one event to understand why many of the guys on here drop thousands on event specific tires and suspension mods. Like Golf, it's an individual sport that nobody is great at their first time, but there is a powerful addiction that drives people to spend lots of time and money to improve.

The good news is, there are always lots of people appreciating your improvement when you're slow, and lots of friendly competition motiviating the faster guys to faster times.

I'd like to autocross too. Maybe I'll set up my own course somewhere.

I'd like to autocross too. Maybe I'll set up my own course somewhere.

Sounds like a good idea. Might I suggest I-495 around 7PM?

Do get it on video...

Sounds like a good idea. Might I suggest I-495 around 7PM?

Do get it on video...
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'd like to autocross too. Maybe I'll set up my own course somewhere.

NO DIC! It's hard enough trying to find lots for legitimate AutoXes, and with people doing things like that, it only makes it harder.

as probably the slowest driver here

Once again everyone forgets about me... :(


Also, do a lot of people mess up while on the course? I'm kinda worried about my first...and second...and well, yeah, just messing up in front of everyone...are there people with large egos that make you feel bad for messing up? I don't mind messing up, it's just the fact of having people making fun of me or thinking I suck that bothers me...

and the big money question, Is it FUN?


Chris,

Don't worry about going slow or messing up in front of everyone. Take a look at the results (when they are up) and see how many people were off course. As long as someone is in the car navigating you can blame your cone-killing on them. :D

---Eric

As long as someone is in the car navigating you can blame your cone-killing on them. :D

---Eric

Yes! Soooo, who wants to ride with me? :D

Any one of us will, just ask us that day.

any of you guys remotly close emmitsburg or even fredrick? i go to school at mount saint marys and i would love to check some autoxin out, the clostest to me back in ny is like 4 hours away

any of you guys remotly close emmitsburg or even fredrick? i go to school at mount saint marys and i would love to check some autoxin out, the clostest to me back in ny is like 4 hours away
Dude, you've got some nice roads back there, i used to drive up to Westminster cause my ex gf lived up there, on the way back home I'd drive over to Emmittsburg and then down through Frederick (not taking hwy15 though) gosh I miss those drives...

yea on my 1st time i didn't hit a single cone and my tyme was 58.. but only had one run do to the fact i was dumpin fuel

indeed i do have some nice roads, just found about 25 miles more of nice roads, during the day time nobody is on them, most of the time i can hit triple digits easily for miles and not even worry about another car, its just the weekends when its populated

yea on my 1st time i didn't hit a single cone and my tyme was 58.. but only had one run do to the fact i was dumpin fuel

You were off course, though.

and the big money question, Is it FUN?

Oh yeah. Want proof? When registration opens, it fills up in about 15 minutes. :eek: