This is what you will most likely be doing at a typical autocross event.
Arrive
Find a place to park and prepare your car. This includes unloading
any remaining loose items.
This will be your pit area (it's not a bad idea to park next to a car similar to yours).
Before leaving your pit area,
be certain that you won't run over any items-
whether your own or newly unpacked by your neighbor(s).
Register
Complete the entry form, sign the insurance waiver, and pay your entry fee.
Have your valid drivers license ready as they will be checking it
(no exceptions).
A number for your car will be given to you,
or you may be allowed to select a number.
You may also be given a tech and/or timing form.
When a numbered card is provided, affix it to the designated side of the car
on the rear quarter window where it will not mar the paint.
You may also sign up for a worker position here.
Ask where Tech is being held.
Tech Inspection
After inspecting key safety issues, the Tech Inspector may mark
your number on your car if it is not already numbered.
If so, s/he will likely write on a window with some white liquid shoe polish
which will remove easily after the event.
S/he will also somehow indicate that you passed inspection.
The specific manner may vary from
signing their signature on the appropriate form to
appying a small colored "dot" sticker to a window-
many different practices exist.
Typical safety concerns include brake pedal firmness, ball joint tolerances,
and securing or removing all loose items throughout the car.
They must also verify that your helmet meets the local safety standards.
Remember, Tech Inspectors have the final say!
Lastly,
if you are unsure about which class to enter, these people can help you.
Walk the Course
The most important thing any entrant can do is walk the course-
do so as often as possible. Draw a map of the course for later study
while waiting in the grid.
For your first few events, the course may be difficult to visualize.
Don't be frustrated if you go "off course"-
it happens to lots of folks.
Some events have novice walkthroughs where an experienced driver will
take the novices through the course, explaining key points.
This can be very instructive and should not be overlooked.
Determine the Day's Schedule
Find out the heat in which you will compete.
Select a different heat in which to work.
Some clubs determine the heat by registration number, others by class. If at all possible, it is advantageous to work before running
in order to gain better familiarity with the course.
Work the Course
When your heat is called to work, report to the Event Chairman.
He will check your name off the worker sign-up sheet.
Often, you must work to have your timed runs officially counted.
Work the course as often as possible-
it is the best way to see how others drive it.
Work consists of
restoring pylons that have been knocked down or dislodged from their position,
notifying the Timing & Scoring (T&S) personnel of any penalties,
and possibly signalling a driver to stop.
Radios are generally used to communicate with T&S and
flags are provided to inform the driver of a problem.
Specifics are discussed at the Worker's Meeting which usually
immediately follows the Driver's Meeting.
Grid your car
Prior to your heat, park your car in the grid area,
in numerical order.
When the heat is determined by class and not by registration number,
successive car numbers will rarely be sequential.
Do this only after the previous heat has finished.
Search for a car with a number (one) less than your own, and park behind it.
Often, there will be someone controlling the grid.
Pay close attention to this person running the grid and do not leave
your car unattended from this time on.
If you need a loaner helmet, get one now.
(Be aware that others may also need a loaner helmet- you may have to share.)
Drive the Course
The next phase after the grid is staging.
You will be directed to the starting line.
You must bring your car to a complete stop and await the signal to proceed.
Take a brief moment to collect your concentration, then start onto the course.
The timer does not begin until the car breaks the starting beam
located a short distance ahead of the starting line.
Go directly back to the grid after your first and second runs.
After your third (and final) run, return to your pit area.
Your primary goal is to stay on course.
The next priority is to navigate the course cleanly- without disturbing any pylons.
Once comfortable with the course, practice smooth car control-
ease on and off the pedals; turn the steering wheel progressively.
Next, connect the gates into a flowing line-
looking ahead to the next gate(s) is a great help.
Smoothness is the key to car control, and car control is the key to speed.
If you miss a gate or hit a pylon,
do not let it distract your attention.
Dismiss the temptation to get angry and become over-aggressive.
Doing so will likely cause you to hit even more- a vicious cycle.
Instead, use the remainder of the run for additional practice.
Only if you are hopelessly lost should you proceed off the course-
there may be another car on the course, so exit alertly.
If you are having problems with the course,
watch from the grid how others navigate it.
After your run is finished, slowly proceed back to the grid or pit area.
Along the way, if the club uses a PA system, pause and listen for your time.
It may sound something like "54.117 plus 2 and an off course".
In this example,
the first number is the time in seconds,
the next tells how many pylons were hit,
and the "off course" means that you missed at least one gate.
Some clubs post times on a board-
it may be updated on a per car or per heat basis.
It helps to have someone watch your run-
they can often provide valuable constructive criticism.
Above all, have fun-
don't let the competitive nature of the event spoil the day.
Some "novices" are quite good- start with personal goals, then, only
after gaining some experience, concern yourself with the competition.
Talk to People
You will spend a lot of time standing around and waiting.
There will be heats in which you neither work nor drive.
At this point you are officially a spectator,
but most of your fellow spectators are also entrants.
Talk to them. Ask questions. They will give helpful answers to even seemingly stupid questions.
Even questions as broad as "How did he do that?" or
"Why is he fast when he looks so slow?" may elicit answers that will
help to increase your understanding of both the sport and the techniques that define the best drivers. Be wary of information overload. You may be told ten things that contribute to a fast run;
if you understand one or two, concentrate on those.
You'll hear the others again, many times.
You don't have to (in fact, you can't) learn it all at once.