No Experience Required! Lots More.... (archive)

Basically, autocross is done in a parking lot. The track, which is made up of rubber cones changes for each event. Top speed is supposed to not exceed the speed limit of 55 mph. So, it would be very rare for you to shift out of second gear.

Most lap times are around one minute. I know this does not sound very long, but you will have a lot to do in this minute. To have a fast time you will be driving just inside your limits of control. Smooth is fast. You will be surprised how much Adeline will be in your system and how tired you can get in that minute. Normally you get four laps.

If your car is in good condition autocross will not hurt your car. You will however tend to add more then normal ware to your brakes and tires. How much do you think you will hurt in four one-minute laps? "MY BMW" in Seaside is my BMW dealer. They have no problem with the fact that I autocross my car. In fact, they refer their customers who are interested in racing BMW's to me for information.

The only equipment you will need to bring besides your car is a helmet. If you do not have one, a loner helmet can usually be provided for you. You should increase your tire pressure to 40 psi to save on the ware of your street tires. You should also remove everything from the car prior to the autocross. You do not want anything lose in the car to damage the car or you in a hard turn.

You might want to check check out the following links:

To see what an autocross is all about see http://www.ner.org/soloII/whatis.html

For detailed information about autocross see http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm\

For information about driving at an autocross you might like to take a look at http://www.bmwmseries.com/xcross1.html

For detailed driving information you might like to take a look at http://members.home.net/rck/phor/

If you�re a book learner like me you might want to read the following books:

a. Secrets of SOLO RACING, by Henry A. Watts. ISBN Number 0-9620573-1-2.
b. Speed Secrets, Professional Race Driving Techniques, by Ross Bentley. ISBN 07-603-0518.

You can just come and drive without any instruction. I did.

If your Z3 is not a ///MRoadster your in A Stock class with a six and B Stock with a four cylinder. If your in a stock ///MRoadster your in SS. If you have modified your car you may have put yourself in ASP. I run in ASP because I have modified my car. I have a Jim C. cold air intake and shark injector. I have a Dinan strut brace. I have Ground Control coilovers on front and their adjustable spring perch in the rear. The car has been corner balanced. I have Koni adjustable shocks. I also run on 255/40/17 Kumo R1's in front and 225/35/17 in the rear on Borbot type "T" rims. I also have Racing Dynamics adjustable sway bars installed. I think I will stop my modifications.

I hope you come on out and see what all the fuss is about. It really is alot of fun and most autocross drivers are willing to give a new guy a hand with the walk through and they might even let you ride with them. I have never turned down a request for a ride.

Danger! Autocross can be habit forming!

Lester

Follow Ups:

Re: No Experience Required! Lots More.... Mike S 00:11 6/25/2001 (0)
http://www.tunnellracing.com/handbook.html BHL 23:08 6/24/2001 (0)

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