San Diego Autocross: Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS AN AUTOCROSS?

Simply put, an autocross is a timed event in which you drive your car through a course in a parking lot marked by orange rubber cones It´s not side-by-side racing, but a safe opportunity to practice and improve your driving skills in your Ultimate Driving Machine.

WILL AN AUTOCROSS EVENT HURT MY BMW … OR ME?

This is a safe, fun, and very popular sport. The course is laid out in a large parking lot far from solid objects. Speeds are low enough (2nd or 3rd gear) that if you start to lose control or spin out, you can just hit your brakes and safely come to a stop, forwards or backwards. You may mow down some cones, but they´re rubber and any marks come off with a bit of wax. Cars are spaced far-enough apart so you don´t need to worry about two of them coming together. And we have safety workers in strategic positions watching all cars; they will signal you if two cars are too close. You will generate more tire and brake pad wear than in a trip to the grocery store, but it´s not any harder on the mechanical components of your BMW than enthusiastic driving on the street.

DO I NEED A RACING CAR OR SPECIAL MODIFICATIONS TO PARTICIPATE?

NO!!! Nearly all drivers use the car they drive every day, and that´s the point. We want to help you experience the full range of capability of your car in a safe environment, far from traffic, guard rails, or police officers. Whether you have a modified M5 or a beater 320i or a brand new 335i (over break-in miles), you will have a great time. You may see some experienced drivers changing to special tires for the day, but virtually any bone-stock BMW has enough performance designed in to challenge drivers of any skill level.

I´VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE—WILL EVERYBODY LAUGH AT ME?

We were all first-timers once, and if I´m lucky, people still laugh at me. We really appreciate our first-timers and have a special Novice orientation and Novice Class for you. For your first two events, if you earn one of the two top times within the Novice group, you´ll actually go home with your first trophy! Every Participant, no matter how experienced, gets a personal Instructor at each event. The course layout is different every time, so the Instructor will actually drive your car (at a moderate pace) the first lap to show each driver the course and set an example for smoothness and shift points. Then you take the wheel with the Instructor by your side giving tips that will help you during the day and in your daily driving. Nothing makes us more proud than to hear from a member who avoided a road accident due to skills learned at an autocross.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Any BMW CCA member from any Chapter with a driver´s license can run their car. Drivers between 16 and 18 years of age must bring a signed Parental Release Form available at the Registration Desk. Passengers may ride with Instructors (we encourage it!) and must be 16 years of age or older. Spectators are welcome, and it´s lots of fun to watch, but this is not a good venue for unsupervised children or pets.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN A DAY AT AN AUTOCROSS?

First, plan on a whole day of fun. The Registration Table opens at 7 am and online-registered Participants need to confirm their place before 7:30. A mandatory Driver´s Meeting is held at 8:30 and the first cars hit the track at 9:00. We schedule 2 sessions of practice laps (each event has a different course) followed by timed laps. Drivers with the quickest time in their class win a trophy. After everyone helps to pick up the cones, we hand out trophies and usually finish up between 5 and 6pm. The $60 entry fee includes breakfast items, lunch, and beverages throughout the day for each Participant. We provide nametags because you´ll meet lots of new friends and see lots of great cars.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

HOW ARE CARS CLASSIFIED?

We class cars by engine and modifications. We consider a BMW to be Stock if it has only factory equipment. In addition, Stock Class cars may run any size wheel and tire, aftermarket shock absorbers, and any air filter or cat-back exhaust system. ANY other performance modification, including but not limited to springs, “R”-compound tires, and engine software, puts the car in Modified. We use the honor system. Please choose the class for your car accordingly.

I´M HOOKED HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR MY FIRST AUTOCROSS?

Autocrosses are so popular that we limit entries to the first 90 drivers during Standard Time and 100 during Daylight Savings Time. To give everyone an equal chance at an entry slot, registration is offered online beginning 3 weeks before an autocross and ending 4 days before the event, and most openings are filled online. First, you need to become a member of BMW CCA at www.bmwcca.org if you haven´t joined already. Members can set up an account with your entry information and register during the time frame above at sdbmwcca.motorsportreg.com. Just follow the self-explanatory instructions.

HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEXT EVENT

All the autocross dates are published in Fahren Affairs and on the website. If you want more immediate notification, you can send an email to Dan Tackett, and ask to be added to his autocross mailing list

Come have some fun with us and your BMW!
Dan Tackett, Autocross Director email: