Your First Autocross: What to Bring and What to Expect

Autocross is the cheapest, safest way to find out what your car can actually do. You drive a course of cones laid out in a big parking lot or airfield, one car at a time, against the clock. No wheel-to-wheel racing, no walls, no expensive gear. Your daily driver is welcome.

The first one can feel intimidating, though. Everyone seems to know each other, there’s jargon flying around, and you’re not sure where you’re supposed to be. Here’s how the day works and what to bring so you can show up feeling like you belong.

What autocross actually is

An autocross (the SCCA calls it Solo) is a timed run through a course marked out with traffic cones. Courses are tight and technical, so speeds stay fairly low and each run is short. You’re competing against the clock, not the car beside you.

A few basics:

• You get a handful of timed runs. Many clubs give you at least three and up to five, depending on how many people show up. Your fastest run is the one that counts.
• Cones cost you time. Knock one over or push it out of its box and you get a 2-second penalty.
• You’re grouped by class. Classes are based on how modified the car is (Street, Street Touring, Street Prepared and so on), so a stock Civic isn’t measured against a built Porsche. Many clubs also put first-timers in a novice class.
• Everyone works. When you’re not driving, you’ll spend a run group working, usually chasing cones that other drivers knock over. That’s a big reason entry fees stay low.

How to find an event and sign up

Most autocrosses in the US are run by local SCCA regions, but car clubs like BMW CCA and PCA chapters, along with independent groups, run them too. Almost all of them take registration through MotorsportReg.com, so search there for “autocross” or “Solo” near you.

When you register, read the whole event page. It will tell you the schedule, the fee, the helmet rules and anything specific to that site. Things to look for:

• Novice program. Many clubs pair first-timers with an experienced driver, run a guided novice course walk, or both. Pick an event that has one if you can.
• Schools. SCCA’s one-day Starting Line school is built for beginners and includes in-car coaching. If one is near you, it’s a great first step.
• Test & tune days. Some clubs run practice days where you get more seat time without the pressure of points.

What it costs (as of November 2026)

Item	Typical cost
Regional entry fee	About $25–$60 (SCCA’s typical range); some bigger regional events run $70–$85
Weekend membership (non-SCCA members)	Around $20 at many events
Loaner helmet	Often free or about $5
Magnetic numbers	Sold at many events, or use painter’s tape
Gas, food, sunscreen	Your call

SCCA’s own guidance puts most regional entry fees between $25 and $60. Some larger events cost more. One 2026 Las Vegas event charged $70 online and $85 on site, plus a $20 weekend membership for non-members. Register online ahead of time: it’s usually cheaper, and many events cap entries and close registration early in the morning.

You don’t need to be an SCCA member to run a regional event. Non-members buy a weekend membership when they register.

What to bring

The must-haves

• A valid driver’s license. Some clubs won’t accept a learner’s permit, so check if you’re a younger driver.
• A helmet, or plan to borrow one. Loaners are common. If you bring your own, check the event’s accepted ratings. Recent Snell SA and M ratings are typical, and many events list SFI and FIA standards as well. Some events no longer accept ECE-rated helmets, and older Snell ratings get phased out over time.
• Your car, in safe working order (see the tech list below).
• Car numbers and class letters. These go on both sides of the car. One 2026 event required numbers at least 8 inches tall and class letters at least 4 inches tall. Clubs usually help first-timers, and painter’s tape works in a pinch.
• Signed waivers. You’ll sign at the gate or online. Minors need extra paperwork, so start that early.

The stuff that makes the day better

• A good tire pressure gauge. You’ll be changing pressures, and you want to read them accurately.
• A portable air compressor or a way to add air. You’ll likely run higher pressures than normal.
• Chalk or white shoe polish to mark your tire sidewalls (more on that below).
• Closed-toe shoes. Sandals aren’t allowed, and thin-soled shoes are nicer for pedal feel anyway.
• Water, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and rain gear. You’ll be standing outside all day, often on hot asphalt.
• A chair and a cheap tarp or bin to hold everything you take out of your car.
• Snacks and lunch. Many autocross sites are in the middle of nowhere.

Prep your car before you leave home

Tech inspectors aren’t trying to fail you. They just want to make sure nothing on your car is going to cause a problem. Common checks include:

• Battery securely held down (bungee cords don’t count), with the positive terminal covered.
• All lug nuts in place and properly torqued. Remove hubcaps and trim rings.
• Nothing loose in the car or trunk. That means the spare tire if it isn’t secured, subwoofer boxes, loose license plates in the windshield, and the junk under the seats. Pull out your floor mats too, so nothing ends up under the pedals.
• Seat belts that work.
• No major fluid leaks, a firm brake pedal, and a throttle that snaps back when you let go.
• Tires with visible tread. No cords showing.
• No excessive play in the steering or wheel bearings.

Do a quick once-over the night before: check oil and brake fluid levels, look at your brake pads, and empty the car. If your pads are close to done, replace them first. Autocross is short, but it’s hard on brakes.

How the day goes

Schedules vary, but a typical day looks something like this one from a 2026 regional event:

Time	What happens
7:00 am	Registration and tech open, course opens for walking
8:00 am	Registration closes
8:15 am	Tech closes
8:20 am	Guided course walk
8:30 am	Mandatory drivers’ meeting
9:00 am	First run group starts
Around 4:00 pm	Event ends

The big lesson: get there early. Registration often closes early and late entries get turned away. Arriving early also gives you time to unload, get through tech and walk the course more than once without rushing.

Registration and tech

Check in at registration, where you’ll get your run group and work assignment. Then take your car through tech with your helmet. Once you pass, park in the paddock and get your numbers on if you haven’t already.

Walk the course (more than once)

This is where first-timers gain or lose the most time. Getting lost on course is very common on your first day, so:

• Walk it at least twice. Use the first walk to learn the layout and the second to plan where you’ll brake and turn.
• Join the novice walk if there is one. Experienced drivers will point out the tricky bits.
• Pick landmark cones. Break the course into sections so you can picture the whole thing with your eyes closed.
• Look for the slaloms and the tight spots and pace the cone spacing so you know what’s coming.

If you do get lost during a run, keep going and find your way back onto the course. Don’t stop dead or turn around. If a worker waves a red flag, slow down and stop safely, then follow their directions.

Drivers’ meeting

This one is mandatory. You’ll hear the safety rules, the run order, and which group works when. If you’re unsure of anything, it’s the time to ask.

Your work assignment

You’ll either drive or work during each run group. Most new people work a cone station: watch for knocked cones, reset them fast, and radio penalties to the timing crew. Two rules: never turn your back on cars on course, and stay off your phone. If you don’t know what you’re doing, ask to be paired with someone experienced. Skipping your work assignment can cost you your runs, so don’t.

Tire pressure: the one setup change worth making

Street tires roll over onto their sidewalls under hard cornering. The easy fix is more air. A common starting point is 10 to 15 psi above your normal pressure, but never above the maximum printed on the sidewall.

Then use chalk to check it:

1. Draw a chalk line from the tread down onto the sidewall on each tire.
2. Make a run.
3. If the chalk is gone from the sidewall, the tire is rolling over too much, so add air. If the chalk is still on the outer edge of the tread, you have room to let some out.

Write down what you end up with. That’s your starting point for next time.

How to drive your first runs

• Smooth beats fast. Your goal is a clean run with no wrong turns and no cones. Speed comes later.
• Look ahead. Your eyes should be on the next cone, not the one you’re passing.
• Brake in a straight line, then turn. Mixing hard braking and big steering inputs is how people spin.
• Ride along if you can. Many experienced drivers will happily take you for a ride or ride with you. It’s the fastest way to learn.
• Don’t change too much at once. Change one thing per run and see what happens.

And don’t stress about your time. Everybody’s first autocross is slow. The person who won your class probably got lost on their first day too.

What to do after your first event

Look up your results online and compare your times from run to run. If you improved through the day, that’s a win. Most people get hooked fast.

Once you’ve done a few events, tires are the best upgrade there is. Our best autocross tires guide covers the 200-treadwear options that most classes run. Still shopping for a car to autocross? Our list of the best project cars for beginners is a good place to start, and if you already have a Miata, the Miata mods guide shows where to spend money first.

See you at the cones.