I realize that not everyone on this forum is a car fanatic, and that each has their own interest. If you do not like/care about cars, then do not worry about this thread because it is a long read.

Anyways, if you are still interested in reading more, Autocross/Solo II events are low to medium speed auto racing events; they are often run on parking lots and airport runways, although street events and events at Go Kart tracks sometimes take place. Generally a course will be defined using traffic cones. One driver at a time negotiates a course laid out with the cones, or pylons, testing their skill against the clock. Time penalties are charged for disturbing cones. In most regions, the penalty is 2 seconds per cone, although in some places it may be 1 second.

I FINALLY made it out to my first autocross at the MD State Police Driver Training Facility in Sykesville, MD. I felt a little overwhelmed when I pulled into the lot filled with E46 M3s, M roadsters/coupes, highly modified E36 M3s, and every other BMW you can think of. My car was the worst there (well some of the E30s were in rough shape). I met countless people and learned so much. Luckily, this was a very well organized autocross school with 3 hours of classroom time, skills stations (including a wet skidpad!!!), and finishing with an actual autocross.

The only things I did to prepare my bone stock 1995 BMW 318i for the event was remove EVERYTHING loose from the interior/trunk and I added some psi to my tires. The skills stations helped us learn proper ways to avoid understeer and oversteer, proper braking, proper steering, and how to best maneuver around the course. I was definitely an average driver going into the skills stations, but I picked up pointers quickly and I felt comfortable by the time of the actual autocross.

Before commencing the autocross, I got the opportunity to ride along in a race-prepped E46 M3 and a DSP prepped E36 323is. This was probably the greatest help for me. I noted the driving style and smoothness with which they followed the course.

The first heat I manned a back corner of the course to report violations such as knocking a cone off the mark, off course, etc. I got really sunburnt. After watching the cars from the first heat take their turns on the course, it helped me learn the lines of the course a little better and to not make the same mistakes they did.

Finally it was go time!!! I pulled up to the line and waited for the signal to start. The course was setup with a slalom, 180 turn, 90 turn into 180 turn, staggered slalom to a skidpad and finish into a box out of 1 time around the skidpad. My first run was solid with no cones over and I stayed on course. My time was ~53 seconds. My second run seemed just as fast (again no cones and on course), but my time dropped to ~49 seconds. My final run (again no cones and on course) was my quickest at ~48 seconds.

I honestly only cared that my times improved because there is no sense in comparing times for a 318i to an E46 M3. The times should be posted by the end of the week, but I'm just glad I got this opportunity before I begin the season with BMWCCA and maybe a few SCCA events. The season begins in May and I can only count down the days. I plan to do absolutely nothing to the car (maybe tires when these are fried) because I was happy with the way it performed.

A few guys took some photos from the event and they can be viewed here:
http://gallery.fightwitharms.net/04-09-05
http://www.nccbmwcca.org/gallery/sh...ery.php?cat=517

What kind of safety inspections do they perform to your car before you're allowed on the track? Basically just make sure you have brakes, tires, and you're not leaking anything?

The MSP track in Sykesville is a cool place. I've never driven on it, but put a lot of wheel time in on the Montgomery County PD's track and skid pan.

There is a tech inspection of the vehicle before it is allowed to participate. They check tire pressures, do a hands free 15mph-0mph brake test to see if the car brakes straight, make you remove all loose materials from inside the car, and check the engine to ensure all hoses are connected, etc.

It is necessary to increase the psi of your tires (different intervals for RWD, FWD, and AWD) so the tires do not "roll" onto their sidewalls. My car is completely stock and RWD with huge sidewalls (205/60/15 tires) so I run ~40-42 psi on all four tires. I must let out 4-6 psi to drive on the street after the event. It is always helpful and safe to have an extra quart of oil for some cars (mine) that are older than 10 years when doing an autocross.

These events take place in empty parking lots and speeds of 40 mph are rarely reached because of the substantial number of turns. If you ever drive past Harry Grove Stadium on a weekend when there is not a game, you will probably see lots of cones and cars out doing an autocross. They also do this at the Cumberland airport.

I just registered for another event here in Richmond for this Sunday at a mall. I'm already excited to get out there again.

Are these things open to all makes/models or are they usually like a car club thing? I have an '03 350Z.

This website will answer all of your questions about the "sport" or the activity of autocross. It was written by Mike Louie who is an avid autocrosser from PA: http://home.dejazzd.com/mlouie/autocross.html

They are open to ALL vehicles (with the exception of SUVs and most trucks due to rollovers). They are sanctioned by car clubs such as the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), National Auto Sport Association (NASA), Autocrossers Inc., Porsche Club of America (PCA), BMW Car Club of America (BMWCCA), etc. The SCCA has the best classing system and is MOST open to all makes, but it is most competitive. If you are interested in trying this in the Mid-Atlantic area, these sites may be helpful...

http://solo.wdcr-scca.org/
http://www.cumberlandairport.com/ (scroll down to sports car events)
http://www.scca-susq.com/

It is rather cheap ($20-40) to participate and the events last 8:30am-mid afternoon on weekend days. Although I'm very new to this addiction, I know of no one from Hagerstown that does this regularly and I've never heard of an event in Hagerstown. I guess drag racing is more popular.