If you consider yourself to be a car person or a race fan and haven’t been to an autocross event, I have one question for you. Why are you holding back from an easy weekend of grassroot motorsport fun? Which by the way sports the low low cost to entry of FREE NINETYNINE. Yes, with no financial commitment you can go and others flog their cars through cones in point-to-point style racing.
If you follow me on any of my various social media accounts (usually on Instagram: The_Car_Theory, or Facebook: TheCarTheory) the more keen of you will have noticed my attendance of various autocross events in the Texas Hill Country area. Most of the events I attend are with the SASCA (San Antonio) and Spokes (Austin). Both organizations put on fantastic events and the variety of cars are fantastic. Yes, the predominate cars are Mazda Miatae, Toyburu FRS/BRZs, and various Hondas. These are to be expected given their sensible performance per dollar factor. But would you like to see an imported R32 Skyline actually driven in fury at an autocross event and not just being buffed and polished before pushed back onto the trailer and to the next Jap-fest car show? No? How about an equally cool Mazda Autozam with its gullwing doors and go-kart proportions squeal around a dusty corner?
Both of which I have witnessed at an autocross event. In fact, every time I have attended an event I see something that I haven’t I wouldn’t have expected. From the aforementioned JDM imports to the humbler Volvo V70 converted from a soccer mom’s A to B grocery getter to a two-seater stripped out tire smoking smile machine. And given this is a motorsport in ‘Merica there is a healthy serving of Detroit muscle to be found. Which admittedly is the more entertaining class to spectate and ride in. Yes, you’ve read correctly I said ride in.
This is probably one of the greatest charms of the sport, access to racers. If you’re a regular guy like me have no fear because everyone at the event is a regular guy. Simply walk up with your helmet in hand and ask “Sir/Ma’am, can I go out on a sighting lap with you?” And the next thing you know you’re riding shotgun in someone’s personal racecar while they rip at full chat around a parking lot. It should be said if you plan to be a passenger you should aim to be the best passenger possible. That is when the car hits the starting line you should be nothing more than a speechless unanimated piece of ballast. Keeping all limbs inside the vehicle at all times and cell phones must stay in your pocket or else suffer the driver a DNF and a very awkward drive back to the pits. One other piece of advice, do not asked for ride-a-longs in the waning heats of the sessions as this is when the racing gets serious. Most don’t mind the opening laps because they haven’t driven the course yet and won’t be driving with full conviction anyways. So they usually don’t mind the ballast. But in the later sessions the racer’s focus narrows and the red midst starts to appear as they attempt to squeeze every tenth out of the car they can. It’s best just to grab a snack and wait for the next heat to bother someone.
Now, if you are like me and don’t have something sporty, like a truck, or maybe your shopping around for something but don’t know what will tickle your fancy grab your helmet and bum a ride with someone. You’re sure to find someone who has what you’re looking for and will gladly walk you around the finer points of your prospective car. Plus, you’ll get a test drive like no other. Seriously, when was the last time a car salesman drove you around a course on the limits of grip?
Oh and for you Cars & Coffee camera nerds, wouldn’t you rather have you’re subjects pictured in motion? Did I mention this was all free?
Here’s a link to help you find an event near you: https://www.scca.com/pages/autocross