so im going to my first autocross event

Darkproducer · 08-09-2011, 11:25 PM

i've registered for the August 14th SCCA solo event 7 at the Bank Atlantic center in south florida. this will be my first event and i was wondering if you guys could give me a few tips and advice on what i should expect. I'm running in the stock class as my 8 is bare stock except for a K&N drop in air filter (the replacement for the stock filter not a cone filter). I've took the car to the dealership today to change the oil and to check everything out to make sure everything is good for sunday i didnt wana do it myself seeing as the car is still under warranty (2008 touring) so yea. also wondering if anyone here is going to be there. i also am making a list for future upgrades on the car not sure if i should post it or not.

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6MTGirl · 08-10-2011, 09:46 AM

Are you the one registered in a Phantom Blue RX-8 without a class? If so, you should be in C Stock. I'll be there (#333 STX), find me and I'll be happy to ride along with you and give you pointers. I'll probably be there early setting up the course.

A few things I would bring:
- Lots of water and maybe some snacks. We should have a cooler with water too, but I don't know if we'll be breaking for lunch.
- Sunscreen. A poncho wouldn't be a bad idea either this time of the year.

- Car numbers and blue tape - it's best if you can print them out on a 8 1/2x11" sheet of paper for each side of the car, then you can attach them with blue tape at the event.

I would suggest being there by 7:30am. You'll need to check in with Registration and tech your car. You can get a loaner helmet at Registration before your runs. Walk the course as many times as you can. Around 9:00am or so there will be a novice walkthrough, which I'd highly recommend. Also, there will be instructors available to ride with you and answer any questions.

I wouldn't worry too much about upgrades until you have a few events under your belt. The RX-8 is a very capable car even stock. Other than that, have fun! It's nice to see more 8s around.

TopGear8 · 08-10-2011, 10:12 AM

Watch some videos on how to autocross before you go, and when you get there remember to look ahead. Other than that just have fun and learn as much as you can!

Darkproducer · 08-10-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6MTGirl

Are you the one registered in a Phantom Blue RX-8 without a class? If so, you should be in C Stock. I'll be there (#333 STX), find me and I'll be happy to ride along with you and give you pointers. I'll probably be there early setting up the course.

A few things I would bring:
- Lots of water and maybe some snacks. We should have a cooler with water too, but I don't know if we'll be breaking for lunch.
- Sunscreen. A poncho wouldn't be a bad idea either this time of the year.

- Car numbers and blue tape - it's best if you can print them out on a 8 1/2x11" sheet of paper for each side of the car, then you can attach them with blue tape at the event.

I would suggest being there by 7:30am. You'll need to check in with Registration and tech your car. You can get a loaner helmet at Registration before your runs. Walk the course as many times as you can. Around 9:00am or so there will be a novice walkthrough, which I'd highly recommend. Also, there will be instructors available to ride with you and answer any questions.

I wouldn't worry too much about upgrades until you have a few events under your belt. The RX-8 is a very capable car even stock. Other than that, have fun! It's nice to see more 8s around.

i think your the person my friend told me about "there was a girl driving a blue RX-8 there she was pretty fast in her class" my friend was at the other event at PBIR hey was driving a supercharged 1st generation miata.

C stock is that CS on the class choice? and i signed up for "course setup" on the work assignment. im really excited about this XD

scolon · 08-10-2011, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopGear8

remember to look ahead

That will be the difference between getting completely lost and actually finishing a lap. Have someone ride with you for the first few so they can guide you throughout the course and give you immediate feedback about your performance.

tpdrx8 · 08-10-2011, 09:41 PM

Don't forget to add some air to your tires and stick with Teddy, she'll help you a lot.

Darkproducer · 08-10-2011, 09:59 PM

i was actually messing with the tire pressures the other day... :U it was spur of the moment kinda thing cause my low tire pressure light wa so i went to the gas station and pumped all 4 corners to 35psi. it reacts a little differently it reacts fast then before when i turn the steering wheel but it seems to accelerate a bit sluggish...i guess its just me tho.

6MTGirl · 08-10-2011, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkproducer

i think your the person my friend told me about "there was a girl driving a blue RX-8 there she was pretty fast in her class" my friend was at the other event at PBIR hey was driving a supercharged 1st generation miata.

C stock is that CS on the class choice? and i signed up for "course setup" on the work assignment. im really excited about this XD

Yeah, that's me. I had a couple of people tell me last time that they're bringing a friend with an RX-8, but when you said S/C Miata I figured it was PJ.

CS is the right class, but you can also run STX with the rest of us RX-8s, even though you don't have any mods for the class. There's another guy with a stock RX-8 (erroneously registered in STR) who will be in STX because STX has an easier index than CS. This only matters for the indexed (PAX) results. It's totally up to you which of the two classes to pick.

We usually meet at 6:00am for course setup, which would obviously be a very long day for you and we wouldn't want you to get overwhelmed your very first event. However, you can sign up to work the course ('General Setup') and that would be very helpful because you'll get to watch other cars on course and memorize the line better, see where people tend to make mistakes, etc.

Check out my thread about Bank Atlantic Center in the Southeast section, there is an old vid in there so you know what to expect from the site and course.

Darkproducer · 08-11-2011, 02:15 AM

when i took my car into the dealer the other day i looked under it and notice my front underbody brace was bent. im worried this will effect the handling.