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What is Autocross?
“Autocross is a precision sport, much like, say, archery, riflery or golf. You must be precise and consistent, all the while driving so fast you can barely concentrate.”
Autocross events are a driving skill contest. Each driver is individually timed to the thousandth of a second, over a short, miniature road course clearly defined using traffic cones. Cars compete one at a time in a class with similar cars.
Due to the nature of a typical track, speeds can be slower when compared to other forms of motorsports, usually not exceeding highway speeds, but the activity level (measured in discrete turns per minute) can be higher than even Formula One due to the large number of elements packed into each course.
Autocross emphasizes driver skill and car handling rather than engine power and outright speed.
Autocross is an inexpensive, safe way to experience racing. The skills you learn and practice here; smooth transitions, enhanced braking, and skid correction, will have an immediate impact on improving the safety and skill of your street driving. Many would-be race drivers use it as a jumping point into the sport of road racing. The greatest thrill of autocross is the challenge of beating your own time.
Autocross is also a very social sport, filled with some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. The camaraderie of the drivers is a special part of autocrossing that is profoundly satisfying.
Cars are divided into categories and classes. Classes separate cars by performance, so that stock cars compete against stock cars with similar performance, and modified cars against similarly modified cars, etc. Categories devised by PCA separate cars according to their level of preparation.