So You Want to Start Autocrossing

Autocross, the ultimate form of affordable motorsport. For less than $100, you can take your car and drive it the way it was meant to be driven. To an outsider, autocross is simple, even boring.

It isn't unreasonable to see cars in a parking lot, driving around cones, and think it underwhelming. 

 

If you wanted, this could be all autocross is to you. You could go out there, mess around, and you'd probably have a good time. However, these events tend to be incredibly competitive, and by doing this, you wouldn't stand a chance. 

 

If being noncompetitive isn't your style, don't fear! I'm here to help. With this blog, I'm going to give you the roadmap to success in autocross, starting with this list of things to do before your first event to start being competitive. 

Top 3 Things You Can Do to be Competitive in Your First Autocross

 

1.   Get your car technologically inspected

While this is something that will likely cost you money, there is nothing more valuable to an autocrosser than peace of mind with your machinery. Think about it like this; in order to be competitive in an event, you need to finish that event. Thus, your car must finish the event. Doing a technological inspection (tech check) is the easiest and most efficient way of confirming that your car will finish the event in working order. 

 

2.   Get yourself ready

Your car is now ready for action, so you should be too. Before the event, watch videos of experienced autocrossers running a course, like this one from Adam Barber, a national autocross champion. This should show you what it’s all about, and give you an idea of what to do. With regards to your body, make sure you hydrate, eat well, and get plenty of sleep. If your mind and body are sharp before the event, you give yourself the greatest chance of success during the event.

3.   Tires Tires Tires

This goes along with the tech check, but tires will be the biggest factor of success in your beginning stages of autocross. I will dive deeper into the world of tires later on with this blog, so we will just cover the basics today. 

 

Before your first event, make sure that your tire pressures are within a good range. I recommend starting off with 3 psi below the manufacturers recommended pressures and monitoring them throughout the event. Your tires will heat up, and pressure will increase throughout the day, so to stay competitive, you will need to keep them within a good range.

 

 This will require you to make many adjustments, and to do that you will need the proper tools. I personally use this mobile inflator from DeWalt to maintain my pressures. You can buy it here from Home Depot.

 

So, now you have the tools needed to be instantly competitive in an autocross event. Let me know if you plan to go to one! Maybe you’ll see me and my GTI out there!