What is an Autocross

[daepp]

Just curious, what is an autocross? I know I ought to know, so go easy on me!

[Dueller]

From the SCCA webpage (they call an autocross a solo II):

Solo events are driving skill contests that emphasize the driver's ability and the car's handling characteristics. This is accomplished by driving a course that is designated by traffic cones on a low hazard location, such as a parking lot or inactive airstrip. While speeds are no greater than those normally encountered in legal highway driving, the combination of concentration and car feedback creates an adrenaline pumping experience

[Dueller]

try this link:

http://www.autocross.com/

or this one (FAQ):

http://www.sfrscca.com/solo2/faq/auto.htm#102

[J P Stein]

This is an autocross.
Turn up the sound.

http://s59.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2J3UCQT2K55WV2V62UOCQHSULA

[Superman]

It's just about as much fun as you can possibly have in a car in sixty seconds.

[RSBob]

In a distilled nutshell: About 3 mins of pure adrenalin (based on 3 runs) and 10 hours of standing around/waiting.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by RSBob
In a distilled nutshell: About 3 mins of pure adrenalin (based on 3 runs) and 10 hours of standing around/waiting.

If you want to have fun autocrossing go and do this:

http://www.autocross.com/evolution/

ITs the same price as a DE and you'll get tons of seat time and instruction from national champs. If you are a good listener and quick lerner you will be very fast by the end of the weekend.

Tell Jean that Jim sent you.

[RSBob]

Thanks for the info Jim - never miss an opportunity to increase skills, but after the show leaves town - the only real cure for seat time is DE.

There is a huge, passionate AX crowd and I applaud their skill and determination. There are some true experts which are amazing. I have participated in a couple dozen SCCA and PCA events and I just go stir crazy standing virtually all day (even as a 'worker' - which I don't resent - you have to pay to play) for 3 minutes run time. I think I am too driven to be doing something other than standing - hence I am going to focus on DEs instead.

For the skilled AX group, I take my hat off to your skill, patience, and enthusiasm.

[Superman]

Well, that's probably a bit of an exaggeration, at least at our events. They run from 8 or 9 (I get there early to tech cars) to perhaps 3 or 4. that's not ten hours. And we get four timed runs, and then Fun Runs if there is time.

Still, it is an all day event for four minutes of fun. Sometimes in the rain. Yes, we are certifiably insane.

But as Rick hints, AX is EXTREMELY technical. Stuff happens really fast, and in one sixty minute run you make more movements with the steering wheel, gas pedal and brakes than you might on a trip from Seattle to Los Angeles. And if you make just one wrong move......tire smoke.

[RSBob]

And some insane spins - the fun ones are through the final timing lights and not hitting a cone.

[Joe Bob]

Sit around bench racing, getting sunburnt, then ya pull yer thumb out go do yer run and find out some crappy 914 beats yerass by a full 5 seconds....

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by J P Stein
This is an autocross.
Turn up the sound.

http://s59.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2J3UCQT2K55WV2V62UOCQHSULA

An awfully short and slow one compared to some we have up here at our favorite airport runway/taxiway combo. Just ask Superman.

[ted]

Find out for your self and enter or watch the Sunday PCA AX in San Diego at Qualcomm stadium.
Normally 100 cars entered plenty to see.

Check the site.

http://www.pcasdr.org/porsche_events/track_events/autocross/index.php

[Jeremy Cottrell]

See this site. www.solo2.com

[HarryD]

I really like Autocross.

Why?

Not the short seat time.

Not the standing around.

I like the intensity. When you are on the track, nothing else matters.

I like the competition and seeing my self measured against my peers.

DE is fun, but not like Autocross.

Try both. You decide.

[Dantilla]

I don't look at it as "stand around time", but more like hanging out with friends and cool cars, plus the chance to drive the car at (or past) the limits.

One of my favorite responses was after I gave a ride to a former F-16 fighter pilot: "It's like threading a needle at 60 miles an hour!"
His wife told me he said he almost peed his pants, and she needed to go for a ride with me.

"Why? So I will pee my pants?"

[Superman]

Originally posted by Dantilla
An awfully short and slow one compared to some we have up here at our favorite airport runway/taxiway combo. Just ask Superman.

Indeed. Without mentioning any names, I have to agree that we have some pretty gifted drivers here. EF is a good friend of mine but I have never rode with him. On some fun run I hope to. He's got a 914-6 that is well-prepared, he's been doing this for more than two decades and his runs are exciting, to say the least. Spin or Win.

Then there is GF. That guy has ten feet, I think. Want to see a Porsche dance? He's the guy.

Several others have been ON FIRE the last year or so.

The best possible AX run is one where the car is virtually always in a slide. A controlled slide. You jerk the wheel just in time to hook up the rear end so it barely gets out of the way of the next cone.

[cbeers]

we get about 8 timed runs around here, still a lot of standing around, but that's when I am watching other drivers for hints. It makes a big difference the next run out.

Plus, you have to love the cheap factor $30/day.

yes, my DE experience was waaaaaaay more fun, but also more expensive, more risk (potentially, I was at Sears) and isn't always very close by.

They are different games, both exciting.

-Chris

[daepp]

Sorry - but what exactly is DE?

[J P Stein]

Originally posted by Dantilla
An awfully short and slow one compared to some we have up here at our favorite airport runway/taxiway combo. Just ask Superman.

That'a true, it is short. We have a larger venue for the Parade, thank God.
I've been to Bremerton a couple times.....my record is prefect. I stunk up the joint twice.
The best venue I've been to was at Mather Field near Sacramento. I have a vid of that also but it's 32 mb.