Track or Autocross as first step?

[bpeckham]

I've never done a track day or an autocross event before, but recently two opportunities have come up, and I'm thinking of doing one or the other. For a novice, would you do a track day or an autocross day as your first experience?

 

[D2M]

Most start with auto X then progress to track. You will have a good time at either one. Depending on the organizer and turnout you may be waiting a long time between runs at an auto X. On track you will get a good number of 20 min sessions, just be aware your car might get some damage if you go off track or from other cars throwing rocks up.

 

[SavedByFaith_]

FWIW

As a complete novice, I hit the track first in my NISMO

It was a blast and a lot of fun.
(Being a gran Turismo enjoyed for decades, I wanted to hit the track first!)

Rented the helmet
First 15m were "instructor led", helped calm the nerves and get familiar with the track and markers

Quick 15m cool down

Then a 30m session, 4 groups of 3, staggered start, only one passing zone, with hands signs out the window for further coordination.

Itching to do another one!
Will give Auto X a try come next spring

 

[MCN1SMO]

I would do track novice group first. you will have a instructor and can go at your own pace. you can work up to your confidence level

even though its lower speeds in my opinion autocross is more difficult to do well and the course and one layout can be frustrating for a true first timer. its a lower point of entry but autocross requires a more specific style of driving and not necessarily like you would at track. track will give you a better overall sense of the car.

 

[MacCool]

I would check with your insurance agent. Most policies don't cover damage on the track. You might be able to buy a rider for the day.

 

[trackratZ]

I highly recommend auto-x first, have done both, competing regionally. The biggest benefit to auto-x is learning the LIMITS of your car SAFELY, at much reduced speeds and if losing control it will only hit cones, normally held in large parking lots. Believe me after years of auto-x, when track came along, I'm way more comfortable at the limits - braking, turning, pedals feel, finding apexes, etc. - confidence level is much higher. Most tracks have many turns where you can apply auto-x techniques and fine tune for each track.

True that you can start with a novice group on a track, even with an instructor, but speeds are MUCH higher overall, finding limits can be scary once they let you go. Even though novice groups don't allow passing or ONLY point-by passing on straights as the day goes, we're still dealing with much higher speeds. There is also much more prep for a track day, 4x20 min sessions are long, car maint, setup, safety gear, are much more important.

Auto-x OTOH is great for developing your skills in your car at a much safer environment. Do it in this order, you'll be much more ready once a track day comes. Know your car first at the limits. Good luck, looking forward to your progress!

 

[Laze1]

autocross forsure!

 

[trackratZ]

Bill @bpeckham, you're in San Diego, check out Cal Club's San Diego region, they used to or maybe still use that stadium down there. It's SCCA Solo II sanctioned, so, well run. Good luck.

 

[Evolution]

Another vote for auto-x first. Way safer to learn the car and way more technical than a road course. Really helps you learn throttle control coming out of a turn which is where most people lose it on a road course.

Come out to Chuckwalla on Nov 10 and you can go for a ride with me to see what the road course is all about. Its one of the best tracks around here.

 

[trackratZ]

@Evolution we will be at Chuckwalla that Sat 9th, great track, a bit of a drive to Desert Center but worth it, either direction CW or CCW works.

 

[Evolution]

@Evolution we will be at Chuckwalla that Sat 9th, great track, a bit of a drive to Desert Center but worth it, either direction CW or CCW works.

i would be there on sat but they only have Bimmer challenge on Sunday…. Got to keep my 2nd overall in class going until the end of the year….

not a bad drive for me. Buttonwillow is far.

 

[PDX_Racer]

The track guys will tell you that autocross has a really poor "$$$ to fun" ratio, that you get more driving time on the track, and that autocross "isn't real racing."

To those who say that I will respond: come try Autocross. Every run is a qualifying run. You have a lot of people who can help you out. You get many chances to improve your driving. You learn how to drive up to limit-and no farther. And finally if you're spending $$$ and driving incorrectly on track days, you'll put a lot more wear on the equipment and you'll come out exhausted-and slow (and hopefully not with a car that is wadded up into ball). I say this as a driver who, in a full-size, four-door Dodge Intrepid, was able to run down and pass a Porsche 924 "in the twisty bits" at Portland International Raceway.

Having done both, I'd suggest Autocross first.

 

[Thefunk]

I've never autocrossed but I will say that it will not teach you about coming into a corner at 115mph.

 

[rocksandblues]

Do which ever is easiest for you. Doesn’t matter, dipping your toes in is.

 

[LeatherWings]

I've never done a track day or an autocross event before, but recently two opportunities have come up, and I'm thinking of doing one or the other. For a novice, would you do a track day or an autocross day as your first experience?

Personally, I just don't find driving around cones in a parking lot to be as appealing. I love the flow, camber/off-camber turns, and elevation changes of a road course race track, and how you are running the course simultaneously with other drivers/cars with the opportunity to overtake or be overtaken.

Elevation changes!!!