Autocross

Autocross is one of the most popular and lowest barrier to entry forms of motorsport. Drivers of any skill level, from first timer to seasoned pro, and almost any vehicle wider than it is tall, can compete in autocross. Although there are heavily prepared cars at autocross most people use their regular cars. Either totally stock or with minor, bolt on style modifications. Drivers compete within classes of similar cars to theirs.

Autocross is a timed, precision driving event where drivers take a run on the course one at a time and compete to get the best time. The course is laid out with orange traffic cones on race tracks and paved lots. The way each cone is placed tells the driver which way they need to go around it and where the course goes. Each cone’s position is outlined with chalk, and for each cone that is knocked over or no longer standing in it’s box the driver gets a two second penalty. If the driver goes the wrong way around a cone element, or off the track, their run is scored as Did Not Finish (DNF).

Each driver gets at least four, usually five attempts at making a run. At the end of the day, your best run time, including any penalties, is your final score.

One reason autocross is affordable is because all participants take turns working. Everyone is split into multiple equal sized groups, and when one group is driving another one is working, resetting knocked down cones, running the timing system, managing all the cars in grid, or working one of the other necessary positions to run a successful day of autocross. Everyone who drives, must work.

Autocross is all about car control. Even at the lower speeds experienced in autocross, a driver needs to be able to simultaneously manage the throttle, brakes, steering, and car’s balance in order to set a quick time. They also have to be able to quickly see and feel everything that is happening and quickly react to changes. It’s a great place to get started with high performance driving, as well as a great place to continue developing skills, competing, and having fun.