Feel the burn, My first AX Options

[peridotian]

So my 19 year old son and I will be trekking down to Marina on Sunday and I am nervous (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif) because:
1. I have never driven in an AX
2. Neither has my son and he has barely driven a stick
3. I do not have a helmet
4. My accelerator pedal sticks at WOT sometimes
5. I am sure that we will be the slowest car in the field

So as I am cleaning up and tuning the car Saturday, I will take the kid out for several runs around town and let him grind off a few more teeth on my tranny, check my battery hold down, and maybe buy a helmet.

Is there a prize for worst time (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif) of the day?

[airsix]

I had NO idea what to do or where to go when. I ran the car and stood around trying to figure out as much as I could. The next event I attended was a PCA event.. again.. by myself NO help.

Brad, sorry your first time(s) out were so rough. I got lucky. I went to my first event knowing nobody. Not one soul. I signed in, and stood around looking at all these strangers and their cool cars not knowing what in the world to do. The Portland Miata club was up visiting for the event. One of the guys from that club heard me tell the registrar that I'd never done this before. He walked up and asked me if I'd like some help. I gladly accepted. We walked the course and he went through everything with me. To this day, some of his advice is the best I've ever recieved. He showed me how to evaluate the course and plan my lines, how the event operates, what to do and not do on and off course, etc. It was great. Then he introduced me to everybody he knew there. They all treated me like their long-lost little-brother. I'm not a very social person and it takes some coaxing to get me out of my shell. It was great. They put me at ease, answered all my questions, and made me feel welcome.

For any of you thinking about going to your first autocross: You have to talk to people. Find a club officer or eventmaster and ask them who you can talk to for some pointers because it's your first time. They (officers/eventmaster) will be busy with the event but will GLADDLY hook you up with someone to mentor you (And they will know who's qualified to instruct you and who isn't). Going it alone would be a miserable experience. Finding someone to help you out is CRITICAL and will make the difference between frustration and a great experience.

-Ben M.