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[thehubster]

well i am registered for my first Autox this weekend and i cant wait. reading here and listening to some people that have done it before it sound like it should be alot of fun. I drive an SVTF that is pretty modd'd. i am in the STX class though when i go this weekend i will be running in the novice class. and the one i am going to there are like 90 people signed up for it. Are there ussualy this many people that go to these? Anyway just thought i would let everyone know. i plan on getting some pics up when i get bakc from it. maybe even a video. we will see. thanks for the influence guys.

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[2007ZX3Stick]

have fun and drive smart, when you walk the course (yes you always should) look at the best way out of a turn most turns have and easy or hard entrance and an easy or hard exit. look for the hard entrance but easy exit. you will know what im talking about this weekend. as far as the number of people thats small for a weekend around here we normally have anywhere from 120-160 per event and get 6-8 runs. if you need an idea of a poor mans camera mount pm ill send ya a few pics so you can see mine.

[steve35svt]

You'll have a blast and hopefully be hooked. Learn the course, don't worry about breaking speed records. BE smooth, stay on course, and have fun. You'll be surprised at how many seconds you will drop from your first run to your last. Our club does novice walk throughs, if they don't theres always someone to help a new person.

[2007ZX3Stick]

oh if you work rest run see if you can go for a ride while you are "resting" it will help you a ton or see if someone on rest can go for a ride with you. that helped me alot i had aaron williams give me a ride along and go for a ride (if you dont know who he is check last issue of the focus fanatic mag he had the black svt on the cover). start slow learn the course then last run go balls out and see what time you get lol.

[thehubster]

Thanks for the advice guys. i am kind of scared i am going to loose myself in the cones. i have been watching a few videos of autox and trying to follow the courses. i know its hard cause i don't know their course and its hard to see the cones on a video. i have heard alot of people say that looking ahead is important. How far ahead do you guys look? i really can't wait. i have been reading about it since i registered. haha

[2007ZX3Stick]

it depends i usually look two ahead but it depends on the course

[jayel579]

Originally Posted by thehubster

Thanks for the advice guys. i am kind of scared i am going to loose myself in the cones.

You are going to, everyone does. You are not going to ace this the first time out, even the pros miss stuff. Autocross is not a natural way to drive, it takes practice. No one will be pointing and laughing because we all know we were the same way when we started. Take an instructor out with you given any opportunity possible. It took me probably half a season (3-4 events) to be comfortable just looking down the course and being able to react to the cones telling me where to go.

Your next step will be to take Phase I at Evolution School, www.evoschool.com :) This stuff is addicting!

[thehubster]

Thanks for the input guys. i have been reading alot. this forum is awesome by the way for anyone looking into doing autocross. there are some really good threads here to learn how the car is going to react as well as plenty of info on the sport. So one question i wanted to ask was how about gas. i am driving a good distance to get there and will have a little control over how much gas will be in the tank. how much should i make sure is there? or should i just fill it up? thanks

[2007ZX3Stick]

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=177260

that thread has the videos from my rookie weekend, one time i lost the steering wheel and another i hit the wiper switch they are both in the vids. the wiper this is common i bet you will do it your 1st or second time out. i lost the steering wheel because i was trying to move the car too fast and it slipped. you will also see a few pics of my camera mount.

if you want to see my current project let me know ill post a few pics

[thehubster]

thanks man those are good videos. i just got my Short Throw Shifter in the mail i should have it in before i get there. it wont change my class though. thanks for the help guys.