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Postby Fujiwara » Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:09 pm

So, I would like to try my hand at Autocross. I have low expectations for myself, but it seems like a fun way to utilize a Saturday/Sunday.

Anywho, do you veterans recommend attending an event first before registering as a participant? There is a Classic event tomorrow; can I register as a spectator then participate at the Open a few weeks later? As a spectator, may I also be a passenger in an Instructor's run?

The participation price is $39; how many runs do we have with our cars? I was thinking of bringing my dad along because he always claims himself as a "professional driver."

I read about the Novice Drivers and Instructors. Is there an easy way to find instructors that have available passenger seats to sit in? Are we automatically partnered up with an instructor if it's your first time? I know someone needs to ride with you on your first run, I bet the horror stories are fascinating.

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Postby Loren » Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:20 pm

Welcome to FAST, Joe!

Pre-registration is required for our events, and closes the Monday before the event, so you're too late to register for tomorrow's event.

If you come watch one, you'll spend a good portion of the day asking yourself why you didn't register as a driver. You can if you want, but... meh.

Couple things you should read:
http://drivefast.org/event-info/event-types/
http://drivefast.org/novice-tips/your-f ... autocross/

Our Open events usually get you 4 runs, sometimes 5. And a Classic event is usually good for 7-8 or more.

After a little reading, let us know if you have more questions.
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Postby Jamie » Sat Mar 25, 2017 11:17 pm

Fujiwara wrote:I read about the Novice Drivers and Instructors. Is there an easy way to find instructors that have available passenger seats to sit in?
Sure...at open events, there are a couple of people in each group who are there specifically to help out novices...find them people to ride with, ride along as instructors, whatever.
Are we automatically partnered up with an instructor if it's your first time?
Yes, although after the first run, we may swap you around between us. :)
I know someone needs to ride with you on your first run, I bet the horror stories are fascinating.
The purpose of carrying an instructor on the first run is mostly about navigation -- it's no fun going home with "DNF" as your fastest result, so we want to make sure you find your way around the course.
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Postby Fujiwara » Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:13 pm

Thanks. How many people typically are registered for the events?

I want to make Autocross a regular weekend activity, but the $40 (x2 because I would be paying for my father also) price every other week is pretty steep for me for 3-4 runs with my car. Do you know of any other autocross events around Tampa that may be a little more inexpensive?
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Postby ImpostorDan » Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:30 pm

Fujiwara wrote:Thanks. How many people typically are registered for the events?

I want to make Autocross a regular weekend activity, but the $40 (x2 because I would be paying for my father also) price every other week is pretty steep for me for 3-4 runs with my car. Do you know of any other autocross events around Tampa that may be a little more inexpensive?
I don't know that any club is significantly more/less expensive; however, I would say FAST is absolutely an excellent place to learn the ropes for a first timer; always have instructors assigned to first timers and available to coach you through as many of your runs as you care to have. I'll also mention that there is always 4 runs guaranteed, possibly 5 runs (at an open). Classics will get you 6,7,8...

Just my $0.02. Try it... then worry later who you'll run with on your regular basis. As well, if you're all in, you'll ultimately need to factor in a tire budget!
Last edited by ImpostorDan on Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Postby Loren » Sun Mar 26, 2017 9:33 pm

FAST Classic events are limited to 50 drivers and you'll typically get around 8 runs, often more. (today we did 7 timed runs on a full course, plus as much time as you wanted on a little practice course) The entry fee is $49.50, and includes your lunch and plenty of cold beverages (water & soda). Realistically, vs. going to the movies or a theme park or something, you're paying more like $25-30 for an entry fee, $15 for lunch, and a few bucks for drinks.

FAST Open events are two separate sessions of up to 54 drivers each. ("feels" like a 54 car event, but we actually get as many as 108 in a day) Those events we normally do 4-5 runs. That's the $39.00 entry fee. Still includes beverages, and sometimes includes lunch (depends on the location, we can't do it at Brooksville), but if not lunch, definitely snacks for you to munch on.

We often sell out events... I'd say we're pretty typically sold to above 90%.

$30-40 is a pretty typical entry fee these days. Sometimes you'll get more runs, sometimes not. Autocross is the cheapest motorsport you can compete in with your own car. Seat time per dollar is higher for things like track events, but the cost to play is at least 10-15 times as much.

There's more to autocross than just your 4 (or more) competition runs. It's a shared experience. It's being part of something more. It's friendly competition. It's learning. It's helping others learn. It's comaraderie. It's hard to explain. And, perhaps "hanging out in the hot sun all day for four runs" is not for everyone. But, FAST does try to minimize your time while maximizing your fun. For an Open event, you're only going to be there for 4-5 hours. (7-12 or 12-5) For a Classic, maybe 6 or so. (8-2ish)

Not sure what else to say. Come give it a try. See if you think it's worth your time and money.
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Postby Fujiwara » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:30 am

Sounds good. I'll order my helmet today and register soon. Do you recommend driving gloves? I've seen videos of people swearing by them.

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Postby jbrannon7 » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:33 am

Fujiwara wrote: Do you recommend driving gloves?

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Personally, no, if you are going to take you car to a race track then people wear gloves to get used to driving with them. They are hot, and not in a good way.
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Postby Loren » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:47 am

You're on course for typically 35-60 seconds at a time. You don't need gloves. Certainly not for your first event.

Relax. Read the "Your First FAST Autocross" page again. Do what it says.
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Postby Native » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:59 am

We have plenty of loaner helmets if you'd prefer.
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Postby Fujiwara » Mon Mar 27, 2017 2:17 pm

I thought about the loaner helmet; however, I'm a bit weird about other people's sweat, germs, and smell having contact with my own sweat, germs, and smell.

I'll probably get a relatively inexpensive DOT approved helmet and upgrade if I start being a regular. Thanks for all your help.

edit: is the helmet a safety precaution if the car flips over or catches on fire? Why do people typically runt he track with the windows open? Doesn't that mess with the aerodynamics of the car?
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Postby Jamie » Mon Mar 27, 2017 8:57 pm

Consider that you'll have the helmet on for all of about 5 minutes. Even a cheap DOT helmet won't leave you change from a $50...and that's a cheap helmet. It's possible to ring your bell without something drastic happening, so yes, better to wear it.

The benefits of being able to better hear what's going on outside the car outweighs the very small aerodynamic benefits of rolling the windows up.
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Postby Loren » Mon Mar 27, 2017 11:30 pm

My personal thought on helmets and autocross. Yeah, you could whack your head on an A-pillar or something if something went wrong at an autocross. (it's possible that you could roll your car, or some other weirdness) But, you could just as well do that on the street any day of the week, and we don't wear helmets there.

I think a helmet in autocross is more of a psychological thing. "I'm strapping on this helmet, I'm now in race-mode". That's how I view it.

I wear a Bell DOT approved half-helmet that I got on close-out for $15. Not acceptable for any other club, or for any track event. But, it's great for autocross. I have an SA rated closed-face helmet for track events or autocrossing with other clubs.
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Postby Jamie » Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:11 pm

Loren wrote:My personal thought on helmets and autocross....
My point was: if you're worried about getting cooties from the loaners (and they're really pretty clean -- Steve takes care of that), buy a $5 do-rag. $15 close-out helmets aren't common, and other clubs won't allow them...if you're going to buy a helmet, buy a decent one and get it over with.

And I have whacked my head on Prelude's window frame....
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Postby Evil MS3 » Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:28 pm

Regarding a helmet, if you have a Cycle Gear store near you, check there. They typically have great deals on their house brand DOT helmets. I think I got my full face helmet on sale for maybe $50 a while back.

And not to sound like obtuse or anything, but you sound like you might be over thinking your first and future events a bit much without much to go on. All I can suggest is to register for one event, come try it out and meet all of the great instructors/racers and go from there. I guarantee you'll be hooked and that $40 wont matter anymore.
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Postby Loren » Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:35 pm

Obsessing over your first event isn't unusual. A lot of people do it. I remember driving down the street and doing laps around a closed office complex the day before my first autocross because I wanted to be "ready". :lol: Totally unnecessary, especially with FAST. We're going to pair you with an instructor, and he (or she) will take good care of you. Relaaaaax, we got this!
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Postby ImpostorDan » Tue Mar 28, 2017 12:51 pm

Loren wrote:Obsessing over your first event isn't unusual. A lot of people do it. I remember driving down the street and doing laps around a closed office complex the day before my first autocross because I wanted to be "ready". :lol: Totally unnecessary, especially with FAST. We're going to pair you with an instructor, and he (or she) will take good care of you. Relaaaaax, we got this!
Some people just put extra tape on their car.
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Postby Loren » Tue Mar 28, 2017 1:22 pm

:pointlaugh:
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Postby twistedwankel » Tue Mar 28, 2017 2:20 pm

Fujiwara wrote:Sounds good. I'll order my helmet today and register soon. Do you recommend driving gloves? I've seen videos of people swearing by them.
If you have summer sweaty hands, a $200 factory leather covered shift knob and a $600 leather wrapped factory steering wheel the driving gloves will protect them from rot. I buy $5 open finger motorcycle gloves that are thin, grip well and are well ventilated. Both my cars have very expensive shifters and steering wheels that will self destruct if wet. I normally turn on the AC after completing a run to turn on the radiator fans and cool off my hands/hot blood from May-Oct.

The Doo rag that Jamie mentioned will keep the inside of your helmet from getting sweat soaked and nasty over time!!

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Postby Fujiwara » Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:46 pm

Loren is right. I'm kicking myself for not participating in the ST Octane Academy, so I'm just pretty anxious. My favorite places to drive are multi tier garages. I used to go up and down the garages at my university during my lunch break when I work nights. Thanks, everyone.

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