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[ Frequently Asked Questions ]
Please Note: We run rain or shine. We do not cancel autocross events unless weather conditions would make the course unsafe or represent a hazard to participants, workers, and spectators.
We welcome beginners, and have instructors on-site to help you acquire the basic skills needed to participate.
Registration is on-site. The cost to register is $25 for GWS and CDC members. All others pay $30 and can only register for two events during the year. We start registration at 8:00 AM. As part of registration, everyone, including spectators, must sign an event participation agreememt. Participants who do not hold a season pass should plan on arriving early to get a slot. Arriving early will also give participants plenty of time to get vehicles checked by our tech team, and help us set up for the event.
While registration is going on, volunteers under the direction of the GWS driving committee begin setting out pylons to mark the day's course. Another GWS team sets up the timing gear. When the course and timing gear are set up and tested, and the safety steward has approved the course, usually by about 9:00 AM, we have a drivers meeting to cover safety rules, procedures, and answer any questions from participants. After the drivers meeting ends, participants may walk the course.
Practice runs start as soon as the course walk is complete and the first run group is set. We normally have all instuctors in the first run group to ensure they are available for participants who need or want an instructor. When a run group is finishing their final runs, we will call the next run group. Pay close attention to announcements on the PA system – doing so will ensure you have plenty of time to get lined up for your session – and help us keep things on schedule.
Participants who need (or want) an instructor should signal by raising their arm out the drivers window when they line up to start their runs.
Working the course: During the event those whose run groups are not on the course are expected to help by working. We have found that replacing downed or displaced cones goes much faster when there are two people at each corner station. For those who have never done this before, we ask that you work with an experienced person the first time or two. Participants are also expected to help clean up and pack up at the end of the day.
Over the course of the day, each driver can expect a minimum of six runs - three for practice during the morning sessions and three scored runs during the afternoon sessions. Practice runs are timed, but do not count for final results. Two exceptions: The event chair can elect to use morning times for any participant who has a valid reason for missing the afternoon session, and we may use morning times for everyone should weather conditions force us to stop the event before all run groups are able to complete their timed afternoon sessions.
We use the Mercedes-Benz Club's national events guide to group Mercedes-Benz cars. When there are too few cars for a viable group, we consider performance characteristics in grouping cars. Standings in each Mercedes-Benz group are determined by raw times. For other marques we use current SCCA guidelines to determine class, and the current SCCA PAX index to derive an indexed time that determines finish order. We base Fastest Time of the Day (FTD) awards on raw times.
To be eligible for an award, participants must compete in at least five events during the autocross season. Rankings and awards are based on the sum of participants' best five scores We present autocross awards at our annual Holiday Party.
Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is autocross?
Autocross is a timed low-to-medium speed driving event held on a parking lot or large paved area. The course is defined by traffic cones called pylons. Only one car is on the course at a time. The objective is to drive through the course as quickly as you can without knocking down the cones. The course changes at every event.
- What Defensive Driving?
Especially helpful for new drivers, defensive driving has something to offer drivers of all ages and experience levels. The event consists of four to seven exercises designed to help students learn more about vehicle dynamics – some of the exercises simulate emergency situations a driver might encounter in daily driving. All exercises are done at low to moderate speeds on courses laid out using traffic cones that serve as pylons.
- Why would I want to autocross?
Autocross improves your street driving! Everything you learn about handling and braking carries over to your daily drive. And, its FUN!
- Will autocrossing hurt my car?
Except for a little wear and tear on your tires, autocrossing should not hurt your car.
- What must I do to prepare for an autocross?
Keep your car in good mechanical condition. Since things rattling around in your car are at least distracting, and sometimes dangerous, we require you to clean out your trunk and remove all loose items from the passenger compartment. We recommend you leave all unnecessary items at home. Be sure to bring a large plastic bag or two to cover up the loose items you'll have to remove to pass the pre-event tech inspection. Before your first run, you should increase tire pressure by about 10 pounds over the manufacturer's recommended tire pressures.
- Do I need a helmet?
Yes - we have loaner helmets for those who don't have one.
- Will the event go on as scheduled if it rains?
Unless conditions are really bad, we run rain or shine.
- Do I need special tires?
No. In fact we recommend that novices run on regular street tires until they get the feel for autocrossing. Performance tires do tend to show up on the cars of those who participate regularly.
- Do I need to be a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club to participate?
No - we allow non-members to participate in up to two events during the year. If you want to participate in more than two events, you will have to join the club. Dues are $45 per year. If you decide to join MBCA, the the autocross registrar or any club member can help you with a form. Or you can check the MBCA web site for registration.
- What is the penalty for knocking down a cone?
Each cone knocked down or moved out of its box adds two (2) seconds to the (raw) time for that run. Knocking the end cone in the stop garage down (or out of its box) results in an automatic DNF.
- What is a DNF?
Did Not Finish - no time is recorded.
- Will I be allowed to run the course again if the timing equipment fails to record a time?
Yes, but only during the afternoon sessions. We do not allow re-runs during the morning practice sessions.