Autox Beginner’s Guide

  • Membership isn't required, but non-members will need to pay for a "weekend membership".
  • If you are interested in joining, see www.scca.com for more information.

  • Aside from cars that pose a roll over risk, anything else with 4 wheels and normal safety equipment are allowed!
  • Autox is generally not any harder on a car that normally spirited driving on the street.
  • You don't need anything special done to your car to be able to participate.
  • Manual or automatic, gas or electric, sports car or station wagon - we have everything!

  • "Fun" has no speed minimum
  • We have several talented instructors that want you to have fun and will help you figure out everything.

  • That's ok, and somewhat expected.
  • We have several talented instructors that want you to be successful and have fun.
  • Everyone at the event is generally really helpful, so don't be afraid to ask anyone around you for anything.
  • Please ask questions.  If someone doesn't know the answer, they will know who does, and help you find them.

  • Gates are usually open by 8.
  • Tech Inspection is usually open by 8:30.
  • Mandatory Novice Orientation & course walk is at 9:30.
  • Mandatory Driver’s Meeting is at 10.
  • So, you’ll want to be there early enough to have your car ready for tech inspection, and enough time to walk the course prior to the driver’s meeting.
  • The event is normally done around 4pm.

  • Dress appropriately for being outside all day. That includes sunscreen and/or rain gear. Bring something to eat/drink. A folding chair is a good idea. A quality tire pressure gauge will help with dialing in your pressures during the event. Also, something to put your number on both sides of your car.

  • No, we have loaner helmets if you don’t have your own. If you do decide to buy your own helmet, please make sure that it is SNELL SA or M rated. The year rating changes, so check for the current requirements. Usually it’s current plus previous 2. As of April 2024, we are accepting SNELL 2020, 2015, 2010.
  • The official SCCA helmet guide is here: https://www.scca.com/downloads/60519-2022-helmet-certs-solo-rally-final/download

  • If it’s your first time, we have a Novice class for new drivers. It’s split into two groups:
  • Novice Stock is for all cars with no changes.
  • Novice Modified is for cars that have ANY changes, including different sized wheels, aftermarket body parts, ECU tune, etc.
  • Once you are ready to compete in the open classes, you can check out the rule book for more classing information, or feel free to ask and we’ll do our best to help you out.

  • Yes, you must put the number you selected during registration on both sides of your car. They need to be big enough to easily read at a distance, and in a contrasting color to your car. They should be at least 8″ tall. You can use masking or painter’s tape. Please don’t use blue tape on a blue car. You can tape paper numbers to the car as well, but beware if it rains, they probably won’t work well.

  • Yes, everyone works. We can’t hold the events without everyone pitching in somewhere. Most commonly, you’ll need to stand out on course and reset cones that get knocked down. There are other positions too, that require some experience, skill, or a special license. If you can’t stand for extended periods, or run for cones, please let us know and we’ll give you one of the other work assignments.

  • You must work a heat for each heat you run. If you don’t, you’ll lose your fastest times for each missed work.

  • Tech Inspection and the Driver’s Meeting are both mandatory. You cannot participate in the event without doing both of those, so once the driver’s meeting starts, there are no more entries allowed.

  • The event will run until about 4pm, with awards following cleanup. We really appreciate any help we can get collecting the cones and packing the truck up. However, there is no issue if you have to leave early. Just make sure you do a work for each heat run, and then let an official know you are leaving early so that we can make sure we cover your work assignment.

  • During the event, we will have all timing information available at http://live.wny-scca.com, with final results being posted to the website after the event.

  • There will be a minimum of 3 runs. We usually get 5-6 runs a day. If time permits, there will either be additional runs or fun runs.

  • It’s FREE!

  • If you are a novice, the only passenger you may take with you is an instructor. No friends or significant others.
  • Experienced driver's make take any other registered driver as a passenger.
  • Any non-registered passenger will require the approval of the safety steward on site.
  • You can ride along with any instructor or experienced driver, and we encourage it!

https://www.wny-scca.com/solo-work-positions/

  • We have a Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/wnyscca) where you can ask questions.
  • Or you can email admin@wny-scca.com.
  • If you are at an event, you can ask anyone around you – usually if they don’t know, they can point you to someone that can help.