[RCrown2]

Ok, I just pre-registered for a local autox event and I know next to nothing about what to do. One question I had is, what should I use for numbers on the side of my car? Hmmm, I can't think of the millions of other ones floating around my head, so I'll just stick with that one for now.

Thanks in advance,

RC

[sciolist]

I think white shoe polish on the windows is the standard approach, until you get to the stage where you want something more refined. At that point probably magnetic vinyl, unless you want to put the numbers on permanently.

[Xman]

Please do not use white shoe polish. It is very common, but it is also very hard to read at a distance and blurs if it rains (autoX continues rain or shine).

Get some magnetic sheet and some wide black tape. The numbers will need to be about 8" high and 1.5" thick. the class letters will need to be about 4" high and about .75" thick. If you are given the choice, you want to choose a number that is made up of only straight lines (1, 4, 7, 0) so that you can neatly and easily construct the numbers out of the tape. The letters should be fairly easy, as you will likely be in AS, the S is tricky, so take your time.

as for other things before you go:
clean out the entire car, you won't want anything rolling around in the front, back or trunk
bring sunscreen
bring water and a lunch, you probably wont get a lunch break
bring a hat
bring a raincoat to scare away the rain
increase the pressure in your tires to about 42 psi and adjust it downward from there according to advise you can get from other drivers once you are there.

I'm sure there are other things, but missing any of these can make for a crappy first time experience.

Oh and be sure to tell the registration people you are a novice and would appreciate an instructor for the course walk throughs and any other advice they can give.

ENJOY!!!

[RCrown2]

hey xman, thank you very much for all the tips. you too sciolist. I am really excited about this, I can't wait to go, I will tell you how it all goes after this sunday.

Thanks,

RC

[sciolist]

I mentioned the shoe polish because that's what our local club provides for newbies (such as myself).

Your local organization probably has a list of recommendations in terms of what to bring and procedures.

[MeoW71]

Take it easy the first time your driving out on the course. Don't go nuts and wipe out half the course

Local club here doesn't even use numbers. Get something different for each event, so shoe polish it is.

[felonious]

I used black gaffer's tape on my white STI. Worked well, but make sure you don't take it off until the event is completely over, or you'll regret it! Ask me how I know...

-Ollie

[BoricuaSTi]

Where can you get some magnetic sheets? I wouldn't mind making my own! I just started AutoX'in myself too... Did just about everything mentioned above. Took it easy my first run since I didn't get a good walk (was in the first work group), ran a 82. Second run I ran a 71. My best run of the day was a 70. Too bad that it happened in the fun runs because I would have had 1st in novice group instead of second. I got killed in A Stock though. Everyone was running R compound and they were busting out mid 60s. Hopefully next time the course wont have such a long straight, the straight was too long for second but too short for third, so I ended up smaking the rev limiter about 2-3 times in the whole course...

[filbert]

Originally Posted by MeoW71

Take it easy the first time your driving out on the course. Don't go nuts and wipe out half the course

Local club here doesn't even use numbers. Get something different for each event, so shoe polish it is.

I'm pretty sure i wiped out a dozen or two cones on my first day. I'm sure the corner workers hated me.

i used white electrical tape on my windows for training, but our region frowns on that so the next time I used it on my doors. Now i've got some residue left behind that I need to clean off.

Now, i have a set of magnets that can form any digital style numbers. Bought them from a guy who sells them at the big autox events

[Slowride]

Originally Posted by BoricuaSTi

Where can you get some magnetic sheets?

http://soloracer.com/graphics.html

[Got2Boostit2]

[quote="filbert"]

Originally Posted by MeoW71

Take it easy the first time your driving out on the course. Don't go nuts and wipe out half the course


Now, i have a set of magnets that can form any digital style numbers. Bought them from a guy who sells them at the big autox events

>>>
I agree on this one. This past weekend, I had 5 shots, so I did one, stopped and checked tire pressures, reviewed video and chilled. We were able to get back in line. Ran another, chilled again. Then ran 3 "hot" laps the last one my best and put me third of eight for my second time out! I was pleased.
<<<<<<

Go to Sally's or whatever the name of the womens clothing materials place is called. They have 9" x 11" white magnetic sheets for $2.99 each, for less than $10, you can make the look of digital numbers (cutout rectangular sections). I spent the high dollar to get good numbers, then bought the magnetic sheets printed out my class letters on the inkjet, traced them on the magnetic sheets and cut them out.

I'll post pix of how they look on the car later. Update 7-17-04 white letters are cutouts from the $2.99 magnetic sheets.

Blue

[DMikko]

you can also just print out your number on paper, big and bold, and tape it to the inside rear door windows, both sides. that's the easiest I think. the shoe polish, or "window chalk" kind of sucks to clean up after...

[Slowride]

Check with your local group--ours doesn't allow numbers on the windows at all.

[Got2Boostit2]

Bump

See pix above.