RallyCross Novice Tips

  • Prepare the car. Most regular street tires need more air than prescribed by the sticker in the door jam. Also, some drivers find better control by moving the seat forward a notch closer than their relaxed road driving position.
  • Prepare yourself. Stay hydrated (water, not sugary stuff) and eat light snacks to keep your focus and energy. Dress and prepare for changing conditions. If you’re comfortable and alert, your driving will be sharper.
  • Smart course walks. If you can’t remember where the course goes, walk it again. This may mean getting in a course walk while not distracted by friends. If you’re intimidated by the amount of cones, know that most of them are “filler” that just define boundaries. Experienced drivers pick out the select cones that actually define vehicle maneuvers, and mentally note those.
  • Smart corner working. Look behind the car for downed cones, not just at the car itself. Staying focused also helps learn from differences in driving styles. What are the quick drivers doing compared to the slower-looking drivers?
  • Look ahead. This is the number one driving tip. Cars cover ground quickly, and watching only the cones right in front of your vision will not leave you any time to anticipate maneuvers. Knowing what’s next will help dial in the right steering and speed inputs, and sooner. Practice looking further down the course and your brain will process the rest.
  • Second gear. Shift to second gear and leave it. Most cars will go RallyCross speeds without having to up-shift to third. Not only does staying in second keep your focus on driving, but it’s faster in most cases. Shifting eats time.
  • Stay ahead of the car. If the front end of the car is washing out or the back end is sliding beyond your control, dial it back. Staying in control will regain some space and grip for negotiating the course efficiently. Overworked tires and exaggerated driving can slow you down.
  • Talk to new people. This is half competition, half social event. You will have time to chat with fellow gearheads all day long, and you will see many of them at every event. Before long, you’ll make a lot of friends and learn a lot of new things.
  • Experienced drivers are resources. Take rides with the faster people to see what they are doing, and take a passenger who can offer constructive criticism. Most people will help if asked.
  • Lowest cumulative time wins. Having the highest MPH or the most exciting slide isn’t always the fastest.
  • Baby steps. After a run, think about one thing you might change on your next run, how you might counter a mistake made, or apply a tip from someone else. The fastest drivers got that way from experimentation and incremental improvement over time, and started out just like you.
  • Have fun. Don’t lose sight of why you’re here, even if you get frustrated or lost. Your goals should be improving and enjoying yourself. Being the most “competitive” can come later. Keep coming back and getting that seat time!