Autocross: The Cheapest Form of Motorsport
As an avid sim racer, I‘m always seeking ways to translate my virtual driving skills to real tarmac. But breaking into motorsports can mean breaking the bank. Autocross, however, scratches that speed itch without destroying your wallet.
What is Autocross?
Autocross involves maneuvering road cars around temporary cone courses in parking lots or big open spaces. Runs are typically under a minute long on tight, twisty layouts demanding serious car control. Speeds don‘t exceed highway levels, but the constant direction changes push drivers to the limit.
With beginnings in Southern California in the late 1930s, autocross has grown into a grassroots motorsport staple across North America. And the basic formula has stayed consistent over the decades: you, your daily driver, some cones, and pedal-to-the-metal excitement.
Minimal Costs
Entry fees generally run from $20-40 per event. That‘s vastly cheaper than even a single track day, let alone circuit racing. And you provide the vehicle, so no need to buy a dedicated race car. In fact, almost any street-legal vehicle can compete, outside convertibles lacking rollover protection.
Some minor modifications may help, like sticky tires, performance brake pads, suspension tweaks, and removal of loose items from the cabin. But even in stock form, typical cars can handle the demands of autocross with ease.
| Cost Type | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Entry fee (per event) | $20-40 |
| Car modifications (basic) | $500-2000 |
| Total First Year Costs | $1000-4000 |
Based on 10 events per year with minor mods to a daily driver, autocross is impressively affordable access into motorsport competition.
Accessible Thrills
Many areas host club-level autocross events across North America, giving widespread geographic access. And the short course layouts mean most decent-sized parking lots can accommodate them.
I‘ve found local groups via Facebook that conduct regional series close to home. These grassroots events offer a welcoming atmosphere for first-timers. Novices can sign up on the spot and get instruction from more experienced drivers too.
Vastly lower speeds than circuit racing (under 100 km/hr) translate to less wear on vehicles as well. Minimizing costs further and making it more viable for daily driven cars seeing regular road use between events.
Sharpen Car Control
While absolute speeds may seem slow, the tight spaces, quick transitions and short straights are seriously demanding. Experts consider autocross one of the best places to sharpen car control fundamentals like:
- Throttle modulation
- Braking technique
- Weight transfer
- Line choice
- Reading conditions
I‘ve witnessed my driving improve markedly over just 5 events. Understanding oversteer and understeer dynamics through experience has already elevated my performance in racing sims too. And the skills scale directly to faster forms of performance driving.
Many racing pros actually point to autocross as cementing their foundations, including iconic Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna. The brilliance seen on Grand Prix circuits worldwide was born from humility in parking lot cones.
Flooring It Without Draining Funds
As virtual racers, we chase realism however possible. But genuine motorsport typically carries a towering price tag, limiting involvement to dreams.
Autocross utterly shatters this notion. For the cost of a video game console, it provides a year‘s worth of accessible, challenging and rewarding seat time. No barriers exist for everyday sporty cars to experience small-scale competition.
It‘s time to finally pit your driving talent against others in real life. And the first hit of tire smoke, adrenaline and apex chasing can be had for the price of dinner and a movie. Leave virtual world limitation behind and go live your racing reality. Just bring yourself, your car and 20 bucks for thrill ride not captured digitally.
