AZPCA Autocrossing Driving Pointers

by Kenneth Mitchell

The 2021/2022 AZPCA Region Autocross Series will start on Saturday, September 25, 2021, and as of this writing (July 7), the entries for this event is already at 60% of the event’s maxmum capacity. If you are considering attending this event, you should go ahead and sign-up before the maximum capacity is reached and you are put on a waiting list. If this is your first event and if you wish to have some driving instruction, please email, Kim K. or Rick A., Autocross Co-Chairs, at autocross@azpca.org to let them know that you would like to have an instructor.

If you have never entered an autocross event before, do not worry about or feel that you are going to embarrass yourself. You are not going to embarrass yourself. Every driver that has been autocrossing for awhile were new themselves at one point and have been in the same position as you are now. There is nothing to be embarrassed about. •Transmission Gear Selection – Most cars can traverse an autocross course in second gear.

•Be Patient – Patience will reward you in the future. Do not overdrive the course. If you overdrive you may get frustrated.

•Driving Mistakes – Are not mistakes. They are learning points. As you continue to gain driving experience you will be making various learning points. You will know it when it happens. Learn from your learning points.

•Fun – Other than being safe and safety is the first upmost important factor, the second utmost factor of an autocross event, is have fun. Having fun at an AZPCA Autocross event beats having fun anywhere else. Oh, by the way, you are forewarned, and be prepared, for humongus “GRINS”, “YES”, ear-to-ear type grins, it will happen, guaranteed.

•Trophies – Don’t worry about a trophy because there are no trophies, just lots of fun, comaraderie, and a free hotdog.

Well, what do you think? You know that this could be the most fun anyone can have with their Porsche car. All Porsches were designed and engineered to be driven in driving events such as, an autocross event. Your Porsche will smile and love you if you bring it to an AZPCA Region Autocross Event. The 40% remaining entries will go fast, so you better act fast, so don’t wait any longer or you will end up being placed on the waiting list.

If you want to bring a guest, please include them when you register for the event at Autocross Sept 2021 AZ PCA AMP (motorsportreg.com). Unfortunately, guests are not eligible for the complimentary Hot Dog lunch provided by the Region. However, the guests may be able to purchase a meal from the vendor. If you have an adult friend that would like to experience autocross as a passenger we offer a Taste of Autocross option, which does include a free hot dog lunch and a great time in the right seat, just select Taste of Autocross as an add-on option during registration.

It is best to start out driving the course to what is a comfortable level for you. You will build up your confidence level at your own pace as you enhance your driving skills.

The AZPCA Website is a great source of information on preparing your car for your first event. Go to the “Events” tab and click on the tab and than click on “Autocross”.

To help you feel a little more comfortable with your first autocross event and make the event enjoyable, here are some autocross driving pointers for you to consider:

•Relax - Don’t death grip the steering wheel.

•Breath – Remember to breath while you are driving on the course. Yes, it is easy to forget about breathing.

•Steering Wheel Hand Position – Ten and Two or Nine and Three positions, what ever is comfortable for you. Never let go of the steering wheel or allow the steering wheel to slip through your hands while the steering wheel in unwinding from a turn.

•Be Smooth - in your driving technique with your steering inputs, and brake and accelerator applications. If you are abrupt with your driving you will upset the balance of your car.

•Look Ahead - where you want to place the car before you arrive at the point to execute the next maneuver. You will naturally drive to the point where you were looking at. If you are looking at where you are immediately at, you will not have time to react. •No Coasting – either you are on the brakes just before a turn or on the accelerator to your next braking point which will be at the next turn.

•Slalom Segments – think about where you want to place the inside rear tire when you are executing the slalom cones.