These aren't really track events, they're Solo2 autocrosses. In general they're 60 to 70 second runs of almost constant cornering at max g's. If they class you (which they may not if it's just a practice and it's your first time out) you'll end up in ASP. You'll be running against some very serious folks that have spent a lot of time and money setting up their cars...... and they'll be on R compound tires. You're going to get creamed.
And that's no reflection on you or the car. Unlike a track event which generally isn't timed and isn't a "race", this is. And people go for blood, in a nice way. Everyone out there will be driving their cars to the absolute limit. A good run is when you can stay on the far edge of out-of-control all the way to the end. If you wipe out the only penalty is time, unlike at the track. It's a great place to fine-tune a suspension.
The biggest tip for autox is you have to memorize the course, and it's a different course at every event. So each day starts off with a course walk. Don't miss it. Many regions offer a guided newbie walk. Take it. The whole thing is not as obvious as one might think. There are no rumble strips or apex markers to help you. The next thing is to hitch a couple of rides before you drive. And try to get rides with the best drivers out there. And the very best thing you can do is ask for help. The Solo community loves competition more than anything else, and they WANT you to compete. That means keeping up with them and they are more than glad to help you do that.
If you don't already have aggressive alignment settings on you car, it's going to be a handfull out there. Compared to the track, the turn-ins and transitions are going to be much more violent and come at an incredibly rapid pace. You will need to be making decisions every single second you're on course. You'll wish you had 2.5 degrees of negitive camber up front. Your friend is right about the gearing - you'll get out of first quickly and probably stay in second until the end. Standard course design doesn't allow for speeds to go over about 70 mph in streetable cars.
Last thing is really simple: look ahead! And don't get discouraged if you get blown away by some Civic. Autox is the art of driving not the art of horsepower. It's also the most fun you can have with your car without worrying about smashing it up.
Go do us proud!
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