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I've been wanting to get into autocross for a while now and have finally had the time to ask some questions. I would like to learn how to autocross. I read the FAQ and such and it seems like a great sport to get into. I just wanted to know how I get into the sport - can I take lessons - should I take lessons? Can I learn autocross without instruction? I'm very unsure about all of this - I would feel much more confident with instruction from and autocross instructor. I also don't want to autocross in my civic just yet. I live in NJ near Raceway Park - would I be able to take lessons there and use one of their cars to learn autocross? I've never been to the track other than to watch the races and such and this will be my first journey into any motorsport.

Any advice, suggestions, or feedback is appreciated. Thank you!

 
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Rule 1... show up.
Its doable without instruction. Picture driving down a curvy road... now remove the guard rails, trees and other people and you've pretty much got an autocross course.
Talk to Hawk... he does it around NJ.
As far as beating on the car... brake pads and tires. Nothing that can't be easily replaced.
www.scca.org
I don't know NASA's site.
I say go do it once or twice, see if you like it, then think about throwing the $200+ down for something like Evolution school.
And the whole thing about not using your car? Bad idea. Learn to drive YOUR car, and not some strange one. You'll thank yourself for it later.
Its the most basic of "road-style" timed competition, its designed so you can just "run what you brung".

 
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Can I just go down to my local track and practice by myself - not competition or anything and get to know the course? Also - who can I get instruction for my first time or so without lessons?

 
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Dont worry about the competition. You will suck at first, so just ignore everyone elses time & concentrate on your driving, realizing your problem areas, & working on them.

Go to as many events as you can, & dont worry, nobody will dog you, unless you show up all cocky & talking ****, most people are really helpfull.

Show up early & walk the course as many times as you can. This last event I was running late, after I registered & went for tech, the course was closed & I had to run it blind, I ended up totally baking a corner & taking out at least 10 cones They had to redflag the course & rebuild the whole corner, they were pissed, it was awesome

Oh yea, we have a new AutoX sub-forum at the top of this one, any questions you have at this time should be answered in the FAQ(sticky).

Good luck man, glad to have another 'real' driver around here.

 
Rep Power: 319

One more thing, once you run the course & get a feel for it, dont be afraid to hit the gas, most new guys out here spend run after run putting around the track, its sad, especially when its a WRX or something. Now dont be reckless & stupid out there, but theyre just cones, if you hit a corner too fast the worst thing that will happen is you get a few scuff marks that can be wiped off later.