Today was my first auto-x. I always heard about how much fun it was and everything, but never really thought too much of it. Late last week I decided to give it a shot, I registered for the event at FedEx Field hosted by the SCCA-DC Region. I was classed as an STX, so I ran in the 3rd heat. When I came through tech inspection, I got yelled at. Apparently, nothing in the car means boot empty too. Which is just dumb, since stuff in the boot wont be sneaking out of it. I worked the first heat and think I learned a good bit by watching the folks take out the cones. In the 2nd heat I hung out around/in my MINI just killing time.

Right before the 3rd heat started the guy in the MINI next to me (small world huh') gave me a very good tip. To get into 2nd and just leave it there. Which seemed to work perfectly. The first run was smooth, but due to a timing error didn't count. Too bad too, I came in at 4.719s! When I took my first re-run I came in at a 77.670, compared to a bunch of mid-60s to low-70s in my class. My 2nd run I push it a bit harder and shaved a second, finished at 76.695. My 3rd run I took off DSC and the real fun began! I gave it everything I could. Slid around a bit, but it was all good, until about 3/4 of the way through, when I nailed a cone front and center. I finished that run with a time of 74.995 plus a 2 second penalty for my cone that I killed. Going into the 4th and final run I was ready to go, I was beginning to get the hang of it and was ready to push to the limit. I felt faster coming through the first slalom. As I moved through the course things were feeling good, minimal slipping, good power throughout. I crossed the line to see 73.403 on the clock, this time with no penalties.

Overall I got better with every run. I think that running the stock Run-Flats were a big draw back on my times, but frankly, who cares! Its not very often that you get to have that much fun, legally. I will certainly be going back for me next time they have an event.

 

Nice!!

 

Sounds like you had a blast< I have been autocrossing for over 25 years, add some air to your tires, 3 or 4 cold PSI over what the factory specs, never exceed the max on the tire though, always turn the DSC off, make sure you walk the course a few times and try to drive slower and learn your brake point the first 2 or 3 runs just to make sure you stay on course, then your last 2 or 3 runs you can go all out!!!

 

Congrats!!!
I did mine two years ago at Fed-ex fields too. it kinda sucked at first since it had rained the night before. Plus it was early April it was a cold sunday morning, don't know why. But it was a great xperience.
And yeah, you need to remove everything out, in case anything gets tossed around the cab and gets you in to an accident, including the carpets and glove box.

 

I agree everything must come out, I was instructing a student once and he lost complete control of the car and were we were on the course, wound up hitting the side of a dumpster that was way out of the way, I was also in a ride once were a stydent went over the curb, trust me you dont want anything that can become a projectile in the car

 

I also caught the fever! Did my 1st run August 2nd and my second August 30th! What a blast! The 1st run we had rain so hard that morning that all the roads were flooded and we were under a tornado warning! But after it cleared it was nothing but fun! The people were great and very helpful. My wife and I both ran for the 1st time. We liked it so much we joined up and can't wait till the next one!

 

Once you catch the fever it is hard to stop, I have run in the rain and even a few times in early April Snow. The Mini is a fun car to Autocross in and you can apply alot of what you learn Autocrossing to driving on the street.
Off ramps however will never look the same again !! here is one Autocross on a road couse I ran in July with the Mini

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvDu8JTqhpA

 

That looked like a cool course! Anyone get into that wall?

 

Nope no one in the wall, a few off courses but that was about it, We have also set up Pocono Speedway as a Autocross, Salam speeds down the back stretch in the 914 i was driving were in the triple Didgits Lots of fun!!

 

I was just at Pocono to watch the Double National SCCA event there. That was a fun day! We basically had access to anywhere and there were some great cars there. Couldn't help but to pull for the MINI's!

Are you in the Philly Region?

 

No i am in NJ, I run with NNJPCA , SCCA and Metro Ny when I have the time

 

Here is a photo from when I got there this morning (it was still raining, so thats why my top was up.) As soon as the rain cleared out, the top came down.

 

Nice!!!!

 

Wooohoo! Results are posted, guess who has two thumbs didn't come in last in STX... THIS GUY 12th of 13 in STX, 175 of 213 overall (PAX.)

Run 1 - 77.670
Run 2 - 76.695
Run 3 - 74.995+1
Run 4 - 73.403

 

WTG Jeremy! Now all you need is your special autocross song to blast while you're out there.

Download the rule book from the SCCA website, and study it, learn what else you can do to your car in a given class. There is a proposal for next year that will shuffle the Mini's around, so keep an eye out for that.

Next will be to buy your own helmet if you haven't already.

 

I think my special song is the JCW Exhaust growling along at 6500 RPM

 

I cue up "All Fired Up" by Pat Benatar. Actually improved my times! lol.

 

Some photos from the day were just posted.

 

Those are some nice shots!!!

 

Yeah, Great photo's!