Things I wish I knew before I started Auto-xing

[JuSTin05Impreza]

1. That you could ask the guy with the reflective vest walking around the grid telling people when to go race, if you missed a cone, that person could tell you where you were messing up on.
2. That the board where you find out where you "grid at" is also where the results of your runs are.
3. To always find the "grid guy" when you are on grid so that when he is starting to walk over to your car, be read to go.
4. Fill up the tires, even thou the tire pressure you run at a road track for good runs, isn't going to cut it for auto-x.
5. Horsepower doesn't matter as much as you may think. It's to be as smooth as possible.
6. carry some kind of watch so even if you can hear an announcement for novice course walk you can still do the novice course walk
7. even if there isn't a pointer cone, it still could be a slalom.
Even though I have only done one auto-x this is stuff I wish I knew before. I'm sure I'll learn more.

[cojsl]

1. That you could ask the guy with the reflective vest walking around the grid telling people when to go race, if you missed a cone, that person could tell you where you were messing up on.

How does that work? After working grid a couple times, we hear cone calls, but don't record them, only sound/ safety/ reruns /number issues. Is it acceptable for grid to call control for a driver to ask what corner a cone was in?

I'd add-
Other drivers are really friendly and helpful, ask for rides, to ride with you, and to give you advice.

[fast_eddie_72]

I've often heard the announcer call for grid to help the last driver (always a novice) understand what they did wrong. I was on the recieving end of this once- I DNF'd three of my four runs one event before someone explained that I'd been skipping not an insignificant bit of the course! I sure thought my times were good!

Take care,

Ed

[jafo]

I seem to recall last weekend that one of the corner captains called in suggesting a particular driver have someone take a ride with them. Another driver had a corner captain ask grid to remind a driver to slow down more quickly after the end of course.

Things I wish I knew when I first started (I've done two solos):

1) The announcer is also broadcast on the radio. I missed several calls on the first event because I couldn't hear a damn thing from the paddock.

2) It's amazingly easy to get started. Just take whatever car you're driving and sign up. I would have started a decade earlier or more if I knew how easy it was.

3) Don't count on the loaner helmets. They're a pain. They make it sound like loaners are easily available, but they are annoying.

4) Grid location is posted on the results board, that's how you know where to grid up. Luckily, Jamie educated me on this before it was too late.

Sean

[cojsl]

maybe some of these things should be added to the novice walk? Maybe a novice handout?

[47ford]

1. That you could ask the guy with the reflective vest walking around the grid telling people when to go race, if you missed a cone, that person could tell you where you were messing up on.

Not sure what you mean by this. I've worked grid and the only things I've been told is if they get a re-run, or if Sound has issued a warning or a SOUND DNF... The other thing grid gets called on is to "KEEP the cars coming, no one is at the start!". Never got told what (specific) cone someone missed or hit (yes the cone COUNT is called in, and no I don't pay attention to that, I've got cars to round up;) There are a bunch of cones in each "corner" and unless you've worked already you are not likely to know exactly where one corner ends and the next begins... And if you tag it hard enough there should be no doubt in your mind which cone it was (they call 'em Cone Killers for a reason:) Again, not sure I (as a grid worker) could have help you had you asked......However some of the spectators might (I've had Tom and Clay and a few others make comments about my runs...) have some insight. Don't worry though. You'll do better at the next event and the one after that, etc (that is way it is called a learning curve). Take rides and ask other drivers (especially more experienced ones) to ride with you (this would be more helpful than asking grid worker).

Above all though as long as you had fun and you come back for more :D

[ianacole]

I wish I knew how much this was going to end up costing me :D

[JuSTin05Impreza]

well the grid guy had to call back on the radio.

Another thing, does one group have to run together?
EX an A stock seeing his group go, goes in with B stock because he is late.

[Van]

Justin, just be patient. You'll learn all the intricacies of autocross real fast. Just think, next event knowing all that you know now, you'll probably be the "most improved" driver of the event!

Ask others to ride with you. If I find you at the next event and I've already done my runs, I'll ride with you.

Be at your car and ready to go during your heat. Remember the cars you followed. If you see those guys sitting in their car with their helmet on, you should probably be in yours as well.

No need for a watch. Do you not have a cell phone with a clock? ;)

Keep your radio dialed in so you can listen to the announcer after your run.

Now you know, and knowing is only half the battle! :)

Van

[fsmtnbiker]

Another thing, does one group have to run together?
EX an A stock seeing his group go, goes in with B stock because he is late.

Yes, classes always run together. It could give an unfair advantage to someone running in a different heat (ie. conditions change, run later in the day, etc)

A lot of what you listed is covered pretty well in the "Getting Started" presentation on this site. If you haven't already, I'd highly suggest checking it out.

[Captain_Solo]

Usually when you hit a cone it makes a dull "clunk" sound. Think about where you were when you heard the "clunk" and that's probably where you coned... :D

I kid, I kid. There really is no good way for T&S to tell everyone exactly where they coned every run...Think about how many cones get hit during the heat!

With time you'll become aware enough during each run that you'll "just know"...
+1 on Van's advice. Ride with people as much as you can. And then some more...

[Mark C]

I wish someone would have told me to burn through a couple of sets of R-compounds (you know, perhaps they did) before trying to change things in/on my car. Tune the driver first then worry about the hardware. Spend money on LOTS of entry fees and schools before worrying about what bits you can change on the car...

-Marl

[S Abshire]

Justin I was the rider you had on your last run. When I asked you to have the grid guy tell you where you getting a DNF it was more to find out where on course that was so I could pay attention to that area and help you there.

For everyone else, if you are DNF'ing all your runs, make sure to ask the grid guy if he can find out where, if its just one area ask someone about that corner and theey may be able to shed some light on the case. Even in T&S we wont be able to tell you exactly which cone you hit (at nationals you do know - they are numbered) but we try to make sure all drivers have a fair shake at getting points during the event. So we will usually call to the anouncers or grid to help the driver out if they are standing on DNF runs, or appears to be woefully lost in the sea of cones.

Autocross is the only sport I know where you can find your competitors will practically help you beat them by giving you little bits knowledge they have gained in the past.

By reflecting on your last event you are well on your way towards improving. Good Luck. Come find me again if you need anything.

[Randy Hickman]

I wish someone would have told me to burn through a couple of sets of R-compounds (you know, perhaps they did) before trying to change things in/on my car. Tune the driver first then worry about the hardware. Spend money on LOTS of entry fees and schools before worrying about what bits you can change on the car...

-Marl

Yah. The car is faster than you are - especially as a novice. I lucked into an opportunity to buy a very well prepared car right off the bat, so I *know* the car isn't the "slow button" - I am. Car is still much faster than me, but I'm working on catching up. Seat time is almost without question the first thing you should spend time/money/energy on.

Things I wish I'd known before I started - hmm.
1) Wish I'd discovered Solo sooner.
2) That I'd need either a bigger garage or an enclosed trailer.

Things I need to remember more often:
1) Don't forget to bring drinking water.
2) Don't forget to bring the sunscreen, and then to actually USE it, even if it's cold when I get there in the morning (still peeling from the last event.)
3) I forget...

[JuSTin05Impreza]

Yes, classes always run together. It could give an unfair advantage to someone running in a different heat (ie. conditions change, run later in the day, etc)

A lot of what you listed is covered pretty well in the "Getting Started" presentation on this site. If you haven't already, I'd highly suggest checking it out.

I should clarify, I was referring to the same heat but different groups.

[47ford]

I should clarify, I was referring to the same heat but different groups.

When/where you run in a heat is determined by A) your grid spot, B) how grid decides to run 2 driver cars, C) any re-runs or mechanicals that may need to be squeezed in (as well as later drivers or other "emergencies"). By default all cars of a class are grided (is that even a word?) together and will run sequentially, except as noted by B and C above. Just be ready when the cars near you are ready and the person running grid will get you out in the right spot once you are ready. We aim to please;)

[Tom Hunsinger]

I seem to recall last weekend that one of the corner captains called in suggesting a particular driver have someone take a ride with them. Another driver had a corner captain ask grid to remind a driver to slow down more quickly after the end of course.

Things I wish I knew when I first started (I've done two solos):

1) The announcer is also broadcast on the radio. I missed several calls on the first event because I couldn't hear a damn thing from the paddock.

2) It's amazingly easy to get started. Just take whatever car you're driving and sign up. I would have started a decade earlier or more if I knew how easy it was.

3) Don't count on the loaner helmets. They're a pain. They make it sound like loaners are easily available, but they are annoying.

4) Grid location is posted on the results board, that's how you know where to grid up. Luckily, Jamie educated me on this before it was too late.

Sean

1) Radio wasn't a sure thing at the first event at DSGP so we didn't publish it. It is now in the hand out attached to the course and grid maps.

2) If it wasn't easy, do you think I would be here? :D

3) We are working on more loaners. We need a little more cash flowing in before it can flow out.

4) The biggest section on the sheet we hand out is titled
“Where do I need to be and when do I need to be there?”
Item 6 tells you where the grid list is posted. It is very important for new folks to read this section in order to have more fun and less worries at the event.

I will keep watching this thread and include as many points as possible in the hand out. One thing I should mention is that the Grid person may be one of the worst folks to ask where you went off course. Grid is a challenging joband you may ask at a bad time and not like the answer you hear. You may want to ask the spectators at the east end of the grid. Most are competitors and will have the time to help you out.

[jafo]

Re: 3) I imagine all the spare funds are going into HPR, but have you considered increasing the racing fees by a bit to help bolster funds, or asking people at the till if they'd like to make an additional $10 or $20 donation to the club and/or to HPR?

4) To be honest, once I got there I was more than a little overwhelmed. Somehow I didn't get a handout (I guess I didn't see them at registration). I tried to read everything I could before I got there though, so having the handout along with all the other prep information on the web-site would have been a big win for me.

Sean

[Tom Hunsinger]

Re: 3) I imagine all the spare funds are going into HPR, but have you considered increasing the racing fees by a bit to help bolster funds, or asking people at the till if they'd like to make an additional $10 or $20 donation to the club and/or to HPR?

4) To be honest, once I got there I was more than a little overwhelmed. Somehow I didn't get a handout (I guess I didn't see them at registration). I tried to read everything I could before I got there though, so having the handout along with all the other prep information on the web-site would have been a big win for me.

Sean

Sean,

Good feed back; keep it coming. The Web site is due for some reorganization and they will use this thread in its design also, I am sure. I will make try to make the essentials more clear in the hand out and make sure registration gets the handouts to everyone. The more that first-timers know the more efficiently the whole event goes.

We tried the jar approach and raised something like $10.52 for HPR at one event. A motion to increase fees to raise funds for the track was not approved by the chiefs earlier in the year. There is a move to get the Solo community active in a coordinated fundraising effort for a Solo pad at HPR. Stay tuned for details.

All newbies feel free to post suggestions here or e-mail me. There are no bad suggestions when you post or mail them; they are only bad when they are left unsaid. It really is hard to remember what it is like to be a first-timer so the more that is posted here the better we can react to it. (I remember back when I first started, we had no forum and we autocrossed in waist high snow on R-compound snow tires :) )

[GingerGSR]

(I remember back when I first started, we had no forum and we autocrossed in waist high snow on R-compound snow tires :) )

Was it an all up-hill course, in the dark too? :p

[jafo]

We tried the jar approach and raised something like $10.52 for HPR at one event.

There's a big difference between putting out a jar and having the money taker ask if you want to contribute $5 or $10 "to our new home", I'd wager.

Sean

[cojsl]

Was it an all up-hill course, in the dark too? :p

<old man> And we LIKED it! </old man> :D

[JonathonBarton]

Been there, Done that. Got the T-Shirt.

No, really!

http://s3-external-1.amazonaws.com/wootsaleimages/When_I_Was_Your_AgerddDetail.jpg

[GingerGSR]

"When I was yur age, we 'ad to get up an' walk all the way across the room an' change the channel on the TV with a great big knob".

[Jamie]

Is it acceptable for grid to call control for a driver to ask what corner a cone was in?
No, not really, because we're so swamped in the T&S truck and can't take even a couple of seconds to look back at someone's run else we'll risk missing the car at the start line. But, as with everything, there are exceptions. I'm sensitive to the folks heading into their last run without having a previous clean run. I've been there - it literally ruins your day if you can't clean it up and can't figure out what you're doing wrong. And, T&S does try hard to call grid to suggest they find an experienced rider to ride with a novice whose DNF'd a couple of runs in a row, but we simply can't answer all calls regarding who hit a cone and where. So, rule of thumb, walk over to the truck and courteously ask when you're in desperate need, and respect that we may not be able to answer you immediately, but we'll try to as soon as possible.

[JuSTin05Impreza]

So, rule of thumb, walk over to the truck and courteously ask when you're in desperate need, and respect that we may not be able to answer you immediately, but we'll try to as soon as possible.
T&S truck, as in the truck in the middle of the course? Surounded by a "hot" course?

[RanGVR-4]

T&S truck, as in the truck in the middle of the course? Surounded by a "hot" course?

T+S as in Timing and Scoring, so yes. that truck.

[GingerGSR]

T&S truck, as in the truck in the middle of the course? Surounded by a "hot" course?

It's usually accessible. There are runners who need to get the run scores out to the board and back. It may just be that you need to get on the correct side of the cars at the starting line to have a clear path to the truck. "Keep your head on a swivel" as always when getting there though.
If you can, have someone to be a spotter for you and they can watch your entire run and let you know where and what you hit. Then you can return the favor for them.