What is Autocross? | How to Get Started

[@MaxPwr176]

I never gave autocross the credit it deserves. Short run times, low speed, and you're just driving around a parking lot, how hard could it be? Turns out- it is VERY technical, very fun, and I am constantly trying to put together a perfect run. My favorite part is just talking cars with other car people. I've also picked up a bunch of skills that readily translates to other driving events

[@theautocrosschannel1563]

Autocross is the BEST way to start auto sports. Of course I’m a little biased 😏

[@ambergraston1441]

It's ridiculously fun! Especially in a GT-R.

[@JV-Projects]

Getting together with 100 other Friends to drive cars and compete. It’s the perfect car show where you get to see and feels what the cars and drivers can actually do.

[@theautocrosschannel1563]

@@ambergraston1441 you need to start driving yours at our local events!

[@jamanheslop7607]

Agreed!

[@calebloewen]

Totally agree! Always a great time, no matter what you're driving!

[@alhopkins185]

I'm around 60 and just completed my first full autocross season. Was I fast? No. Was I near last most events? Yes. Did I slowly get better? Yes. Did I have an absolute blast? YES!! Our last event here for me in the Kansas City Region was near Halloween (It's actually called Halloweenie with free food, gifts for the best costumed car and entrant, etc.). I attended the Annual meeting for the first time in November and all I can think about is next season. Thank you, Grassroots Motorsports and all the other Autocross content creators here on KZbin.

[@KenColton]

Started doing Autocross last year and now am hooked. Seriously one of the most fun things to do in a car. Very fun but also humbling. So much to improve on. I’m in the Jacksonville area so it’s cool to see some familiar faces and places in this vid :)

[@jessebudelman]

Always wanted to autocross, might have to this summer. Love the channel and all the info you guys give.

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Thanks! You should definitely give autocross a try.

[@jessebudelman]

@@Grassrootsmotorsports for sure, just got about every thing done to my car maintenance wise, just need to refresh my rear brakes and get an intercooler yet…then should be good to go for next Autocross season.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@jessebudelman Dont worry too much about mods, those can always come later but good to hear you have maintenance done and are getting good pads for the rear. Reaching out to your local club(s) and getting familiar with their specific practices will help make your first event fun and go smoothly.

[@jessebudelman]

@@ALMX5DP my car heat soaks after 1-2 pulls on highway so either way I need one haha

[@jessebudelman]

@@ALMX5DP plus looking at the rules in my area my car is already in the highest street car class as it sits now, might as well upgrade to remain competitive or have a fighting chance at least. Full motor mounts, turbo back exhaust, intake, stock turbo, tune and removed back seats and gutted the rear hatch. (Focus ST)

[@rx8matt]

Fantastic overview! We have SCCA and also Mercedes and Porsche marque clubs in the DMV area so we are quite fortunate. I've been time trialing, hillclimbing, karting, rallycrossing, drag racing, and drifting, but autocross keeps me coming back. you get some of the best competition at the autocross!

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@MexicanPoro]

Going to a novice school late march with a BMW Club. I'm so ready.

[@jferreira879]

Been following you guys for a while and love the attention you give autocross...and MR2s :)

[@jferreira879]

you should put the link for motorsportreg up there.

[@chiffu3854]

I signed up for my first event In a few weeks (waiting for my helmet to arrive) and I'm so excited. Took about $40 and 10min to do all the registration

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Awesome!

[@SchneakyPete]

Great video, super informative thanks

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SuperTcoop]

Can 1 driver register more than 1 car if it’s in a different class?

[@MGBDCM]

1ST 'Gymkhana' in 1966-67 as I recall... [Hasting Minnesota] Looooong time until I began with my son Brian when he was 16, 1992 in my '59 Sprite. 20 some years later, i slowed to almost a stop... [sad]

[@justinguarino201]

Only reason I haven’t started cause the cones don’t make sense when I watch through the GoPro footage that is posted in like…. How you know to turn there and not there 😂

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

All the cones can look confusing at first but before each event there is time to walk the course and learn the layout before taking your car on course for the first time. At most events there is also a novice walk that will take you through the course and explain the racing line and how to navigate it. It can be intimidating at first but don't let that stop you from getting your car on track.

[@InformalGreeting]

About a year ago I bought a car specifically to use for autocross. I made a pretty big mistake- I cannot fit inside the car with a helmet on. This spring I will be trading for something that I can actually use.

[@DroneStrike1776]

I'm 42 now and always wanted to do some autocross. Been to the drag strip a few times long ago, but never did any cone racing. Bought a 4th gen Mazda3 AWD hatch, threw on some P Zero AS Plus in hopes of doing some autocross, but never did. Being in RI, such a small state, things like this don't happen often or you need to belong to a club, same as gun ranges, it's mostly club members only, so it was always difficult to get into the sport. The stock Mazda3 wheels are stupidly heavy at 31lbs for the power the car puts out, 50lbs on my bathroom scale with the P Zero (19.2lbs, OE Toyo 23lbs), so was thinking about some forged/lightweight wheels first. After some new wheels, hopefully by spring I can start looking for local events. Should I change the brake fluid after each event or will the fluid handle normal driving and some autocross? I put fresh front pads, fresh tires, K&N air filter, 3k miles ago, will replace the plugs this spring, the car is a 2019 with 24,000 miles on it. I usually take good car of my cars, any suggestion what else I should do, besides not suck?

[@ALMX5DP]

Just keep in mind that wheels and tires may put you into a certain "class" if you're the type to be competitive against other like vehicles (if not that's alright too, as really at the end of the day it can be just about fun and personal improvement). And as long as brake fluid is in good working order and the brakes have good pressure, frequent flushes arent really necessary outside of normal routine maintenance type intervals. I'd start by looking around for what organizations or clubs operate in your area. Looking up websites and Facebook groups or similar can be a great way to meet those involved and set you up for success when you get out to your first event (just so you're not running around wondering where to go or who to see).

[@MaxPwr176]

Just find an event and go. Your car will tell you what it needs

[@DroneStrike1776]

@@ALMX5DP That's good to know about the classes. I browse some rally cross, auto cross on dirt in MA and NH, and saw that any modification, like intake or exhaust puts you in modification class. I found one event in this state, definitely going to give it a shot this spring. Been wanting to do it for a very long time, not getting any younger. Wish I still had my 00 Civic Si B16 8000rpm screamer or my 240sx. Would make for a good auto cross car.

[@jmblur]

There are a couple small events in RI occasionally but recommend taking the trip up to Devens MA. Old airfield with great events every weekend in the warmer parts of the year. AX is pretty gentle on everything but tires (and clutches if you launch aggressively). Brake fluid should be changed once every 2 years at minimum but that's about it. AS tires may not last too long, but they'll certainly get you started.

[@klouczech]

I know autocross as the best close racing with buggies on dirt circuits

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Yeah there's definitely a discrepancy is terms between what we call autocross here in the US and what the rest of the world calls it. We actually don't have a true equivalent to what Euro "autocross" is here in the States. Probably the closest thing we have is club rallycross, which is closed short-circuit dirt racing, but it's against the clock rather than wheel to wheel.

[@klouczech]

@Grassrootsmotorsports we call it slalom 🤷

[@JoeNotExotic003]

1:34 how do you accelerate AND brake AT THE SAME TIME ???? 😂😂

[@InformalGreeting]

Pretty normal for rally drivers. Right foot gas, left foot brake. Push on both with various levels of pressure!

[@garage79r]

I am a lifer as far as I am concerned.

[@benland3713]

Only issue with autoX is the trend of the sun hats.

[@Chris_Tropea]

I feel attacked 😂.

[@jmf_5]

Probably not this week for most parts of the country, perhaps in a couple of weeks! 😂 #blizzard #snowstorm

[@AlexBaughman-i6d]

Except Kansas

[@e36s54]

What is autocross? 8 hours of waiting for 4 minutes of driving...

[@Grassrootsmotorsports]

Every fall over 1200 people drive up to 2000 miles to compete for six minutes at SCCA Solo Nationals. Does it make sense? Empirically, probably not. But that's the lure of the sport. Such that the intensity of those six minutes inspires those folks-ourselves included-to go to ridiculous lengths to compete at the highest levels.

[@malcolmn.5222]

I ran track and field all my life. Train for hours each week to run a 10 second race. You oversimplified the essence of the sport.

[@RileyL32]

You gotta talk to people there. While it is 4 minutes of driving, you also get to spectate on track while working the course and then get to go for a bunch of ride alongs in the heat you aren't busy. Met some of the best people I know at my local AutoX

[@rx8matt]

totally true - but i still run dozens of them each year, in addition to HPDE, time trials, drifting, etc. it's tough to beat the intensity and need for focus of autocross.

[@mjenx86]

You are correct but only from a narrow-minded, pessimistic point of view. The on-track driving is only half the fun. The camaraderie and the thrill of the competition more than makes up for the limited seat time. If you go to an autocross and don’t have fun, you only have yourself to blame.