Personally, I gave autox a fair shake. I did an entire season and won the championship for my local SM class. I just wanted to see if I could do it. I knew it's not my thing but I thought maybe I just never really gave it a chance. I struggled to make myself go each weekend instead of sleeping in.
FSCCA has rules about cars going too fast, so it's all 2nd gear stuff, no shifting. I did enjoy focusing on the wheel and pedals.
Once in a while there is an "autox" at BWRP, on the kart track. I was reaching 80mph at one point, but it made them add a slalom. Still, it's a small road courses vs cones. THAT is fun.
All that being said, if I had a group of good friends going out and doing it I would manage to have fun because I can have fun doing anything with friends.
Other than that, I'd just rather be on a racetrack somewhere.
I understand how others are into it. Like how I don't like country music, but everyone around me does

 

Honestly, I found more fun with indoor karting, ironically much more seat time, and those results are posted online for everyone to see, so it rules that argument out. Autox is just too much work for such a small amount of actual seat time. People also seem to take it wayyyy too seriously, which also happens with track days but in my experience, much less often.

That said, my last autox experience was over 20 years ago so wtf do I know...

 

One thing I learned early on is that AutoX experiences vary greatly from region to region.

When I first started, my local region was great at getting us all at least 10 runs during the day, then try our best to squeeze in fun runs afterward. I remember a few days where we had enough people to do fun runs until the sun went down. We also had something like 15+ events per season, which was excessive but left plenty of time to drop into an event whenever convenient.

Regardless, it's a fun option to have if your local region runs good events and has fun people. Not going to be fun if the events are a mess, they can't deliver seat time, or the people aren't enjoyable. Same goes for track days, I suppose.

 

My local MB2 posts times and points. THAT'S fun I agree.

That is key. The group I run with are not friendly unless you agree with everything they do and say. I'm definitely a black sheep out there.

 

Also have a catalyst. It is real handy for the live delta showing if your up or down on your accumulated best time. It can either use the day or all time best lap as a reference which is handy depending on weather etc. The instant delta lets you experiment lines etc and see if you have found an improvement instantly.

It is good how you can review the session and it gives you your 3 biggest opportunities for improvement. even tho the data is quite basic at least you know what corners you need to work on. The video quality you get off it is really good and it has overlays on it etc too.

 

yeah i get only 3-5hr sleep before an autox but I go like i'm running away from my life lol. No prep like its for a track day.. There are people there I do not like (hate even) but I still go just to deny them 1 spot in the overall standings That's a good weekend already for me.
Hoosier classes are kinda dead these days. Street tire and "ultimate street car" challenges is what I go for. There is also the Pro class if you want extra challenge. I used to run Pro but I just got back post-covid and feeling a bit rusty, vision is not great after working from home for several years. I may stay in the regular classes for now since the competition is ok, new friends are great and I dont have to explain PAX to FB friends and co-workers.
We have this. I've set FTD here with the P-club but I dont think I'll be coming back. My car isnt fun with u-turns and confined spaces



I really didnt want another "Pyramid of Speed" kinda discussion. Several people went thru this phase, coincidentally, 20 years ago. I thought it was hilarious and also kinda insulting coming from a dweeb with pink stock car. This was before the tuning culture we know today and before we've seen S2000s STR battles - probably my favorite to watch.

The Pyramid of SPeed

Several autocrossers like me went to the track and beat guys like these on track day1. I'm not bragging about me, I mean they suck. in the NEast theyre the Audi/VW, and other marque clubs

So the way we gokart here is we get several friends(and their friends) together and lock in a few sessions with just us 'livelier guys", no random people. that way we can have our fastest guys set their best time OF THE YEAR and compare against the very fastest skinny kids, some most likely work there. I'm not that fastest guy but I will have my best runs also since we line up pole position style
These indoor gokart tracks changes the layout of the track when traffic slows down and then the battles start again. Autocross is like that in a way but monthly

You guys got one of these? I haven't tried



Amen. There's always the crappy clubs, crappy venues, crappy courses, cranky old dudes, none or obsolete national level talent. Sometimes you have to travel a bit for a better time. Houston Region SCCA is kinda lucky I guess. Motorsport season all year round too.


BTW quick google shows Optima USCC prize is $25k

 

My local indoor kart track is nothing like the one above. Ours is single story, limited room and configurations, though they change it up regularly.

 

That looks like our K1Speed...except they have a Formula car on display.

This Andretti (multi level) gokart place does not have a fastest times list :|

 

I've been to a number of kart tracks over the past decades (yes, I'm an oldie). I was all excited to go to the Andretti circuit but when I went it was a complete let down as the karts are painfully slow compared to the electric K1 karts and the standard kart center gas powered karts I've driven.

If any of the west coast guys want a true thrill, see if you can get a class at Adams Kart Track in Riverside. They run professional 125cc karts out there that are really great fun. About a decade ago I managed to get a full day kart class for $125 out there. Was about 6 hours total seat time and completely worth it.
You can also do an arrive and drive at the Fontana speedway in their 125cc karts.

I'd love to do more karting but old man back pain can only take so much.

 

oh well. no wonder I've never gotten an invite, plus theres no lap time list. it might still be a good experience... better than the cruise ship with a gokart
I can still gokart at my age but sadly I dont enjoy rollercoasters anymore but thats the only thing my son wants

 

I am lucky. I work for a Super Car Driving Experience Company and Manage the track events. We either set up in large parking lots or do actual Track Events like at NJ MSP in south Jersey like we will tomorrow or Lime Rock or Dominion Raceway.

My Evo I've done a few track events but I don't want to beat on it to much plus we have new cars every year so the itch is constantly scratched.

 

Nice. Not sure if you know Imagine Lifestyles. I used to be their contact in Houston that gathers up the instructors and other event workers.
https://imaginelifestyles.com/
Their cars are probably good for the general public but its meh for me. They put high miler tires I had to invite the people I instructed/drove for to our next autox event so they get their money's worth lol. Pictures with the Ferraris and Lambos are great for FB tho

 

I am not aware of them, we are Velocity Driving. https://velocitydriving.com/ We also rent the cars too. Fun stuff if you are into super cars.

 

Probably the most exhausting (not in the worst way) thing I've ever done.. entertaining customers . We should have been paid 3x lol + some steak dinner or something heavy

 

Oh man, that website screams 90's and brings back some memories. I remember those guys.

Ironically, about the same amount of S2k's still show up to track events. lol

We have two multi-level karting places here in the NE, but they are over two hours from me. There is an RPM indoor karting place about 20 mins from me but I haven't been there yet.