03/13/2010 - Autocross School #1

[mcoupemindy]

On Saturday, March 13th, 2010, the NCC Autocross program will be conducting it's 2010 Autocross School. Autocross is a safe, low-speed motorsport where competitors drive against the clock to turn in the best times as they navigate a driving course defined by orange parking cones in a large, open lot. The Autocross School is the best way for new and budding autocross participants to learn more about autocross and improve their driving performance through a combination of classroom education and in-car instruction by some of the best instructors in the Washington DC area. Come join us at the Bowie Baysox Stadium for a fun and educational day filled with safe but adrenaline raising motorsport.

Classroom sessions will include a variety of topics to help novice participants better understand what goes on in a day of autocross, and what they will likely be seeing and hearing around them as they participate in the motorsport. Instruction on how to prepare both the car and driver for autocross, how to register, tech inspect, work a course, and safety topics will get you up to speed with with the day-of operations for participating in autocross. Then, drivers will learn how to make the most of their runs by examining techniques like walking the course to determine good run lines, throttle modulation (your gas pedal is not an on-off switch!), and when to brake. Classroom discussions will also cover basic handling conditions such as 'oversteer' and 'understeer' you may have heard of, and how to correct them, and try to prevent these issues to give you your best runs.

When not in classroom sessions, it's time to put all of your new-found knowledge to work. Get ready to buckle up and drive, as you will get run after run to put your training and skills to the test with a series of handling and stopping challenges as you gear up to run a full autocross course. With one of our excellent instructors at your side, you will continue to receive guidance to improve your performance and lower your lap times. As you learn how to pick your turn-in points, choose your braking zones and work the throttle wisely, you will notice a consistent improvement in how your car handles confidently and smartly through the sea of cones.

There is no better way to get started in autocross than with the NCC Autocross School. Whether you've done a few events in the past, or if you've never been out to a course before, you'll find the program educational and the skills you learn useful not just on the autocross course, but for all of the driving you do. Our staff is ready to answer any questions you will have and will ensure you get personalized attention and instruction to overcome any concerns or issues. We are ready to introduce you to the fast and fun world of autocross, are you ready to join? Register now as space in our Autocross Schools are limited to the first 20 participants to ensure small class groups and personalized instruction.

The Essentials ...

Registration

Please register using DLB Racing here: http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/nccbm...4275&LMID=2912

Registration will open Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 12:00 AM EST.

Attendance at the school is via online registration ONLY. No Exceptions! Prepayment of admission is required.

You must be a BMWCCA member to attend.

Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Date

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

Location

Bowie Baysox Stadium
4101 Crain Highway
Bowie, MD, 20716

Cost

$60.00 - BMWCCA Members

Event Day Schedule

08:15 AM - Students Arrive

08:30 AM - Welcome To Autocross (w/ Noel Leslie)
Student check-in.
All students must sign insurance waiver.
Students are given presentation handout.
What should I expect from today?
How will this make me a better driver?

08:45 AM - Tech Inspection Overview (w/ Mike Riechers)
What is tech inspection?
How do you perform a tech inspection?
Students tech inspect another classmates vehicle.

09:00 AM - Working The Course Overview (w/ Mike Riechers)
What is working the course?
Why is working the course important?
What are the different worker positions?
What are cone penalties and how are the assessed?
What should I do in case of an on course emergency?

09:15 AM - First Concepts Classroom Session (w/ Noel Leslie)
Based on Noel Leslie's school presentation.

10:00 AM - Exercises (First Session)
Participants 100-104 - Driving Exercise A
Participants 110-114 - Working Exercise A
Participants 105-109 - Driving Exercise B
Participants 115-119 - Working Exercise B

10:30 AM - Exercises (Second Session)

Participants 100-104 - Working Exercise A
Participants 110-114 - Driving Exercise A
Participants 105-109 - Working Exercise B
Participants 115-119 - Driving Exercise B

11:00 AM - Exercises (Third Session)

Participants 100-104 - Driving Exercise B
Participants 110-114 - Working Exercise B
Participants 105-109 - Driving Exercise A
Participants 115-119 - Working Exercise A

11:30 AM - Exercises (Fourth Session)

Participants 100-104 - Working Exercise B
Participants 110-114 - Driving Exercise B
Participants 105-109 - Working Exercise A
Participants 115-119 - Driving Exercise A

12:00 PM - Lunch Time
Lunch provided for all attendees.

12:30 PM - Advanced Classroom Session (w/ Noel Leslie)
Based on Noel Leslie's school presentation.

01:15 PM: Guided Coursewalk (w/ Noel Leslie)
How do I walk a course?
Why is walking the course necessary?
How do you remember all of this?

01:45 PM - Full Course (First Session)
Participants 100-109 - Driving Course
Participants 110-119 - Working Course
Target of 6 runs each.

02:30 PM - Full Course (Second Session)
Participants 100-109 Working Course
Participants 110-119 - Driving Course
Target of 6 runs each.

03:15 PM - Instructor Session
Students either ride with instructors or work the course.
Target of 4 runs each.

04:00 PM - Lot Cleanup
Students to assist with packing up all autocross equipment.




*** Please post any questions that you have about the school in this thread. Thank you. ***

[specz66]

Great! Just put my name on the spreadsheet. And its not the 20th! Sweet.

[mcoupemindy]

Original post edited with addition details. See you at the school.

[Claff]

You must be a BMWCCA member to attend.

Booooooooo

[mcoupemindy]

Booooooooo

Let me assist you:

http://bmwcca.org/forms/join.pdf

(The discounted admission at our events is enough to justify the cost.)

[Prowess Symphony]

Just signed up. But I put myself in the wrong class. s4 instead of t2.

[mcoupemindy]

Just signed up. But I put myself in the wrong class. s4 instead of t2.

Thanks! You can change it by logging into DLBRacing.com.

[mcoupemindy]

Only 15 spots left ... (That was quick!)

[rob135i]

Hi all,

This is my first post, and my first autocross.

I'm really excited I came across this post in the middle of the night, and registered. It seems to be filling up quickly.

Does anyone have good links for a noob (what to bring, what to expect, etc.)

Thanks,

R.

[mcoupemindy]

Hi all,

This is my first post, and my first autocross.

I'm really excited I came across this post in the middle of the night, and registered. It seems to be filling up quickly.

Does anyone have good links for a noob (what to bring, what to expect, etc.)

Thanks,

R.

Rob,

Thanks for registering for the event. You will have a great time.

I will publish a guide closer to the school (most likely the week before) with some tips, etc. Since this school is focused on individuals just like you - relatively new to autocross - we go over most of this at the school.

Welcome!

Jonathan

[specz66]

Just signed up. S3 AM. See you there!

[mcoupemindy]

Already half full! Register now if you are interested in attending - the remaining spots will go fast.

[EM3RGY]

My friend and I just registered as well. We both just registered with BMWCCA at the NCC.

Cant wait!

[Vanish]

That friend was me! Soooo excited.

[wolfgang20878]

Whine: Class filled. I thought this was a BMW club event.