What to Bring to an Autocross
Autocross events are typically one-day affairs in a parking lot or airport tarmac. You'll be outside for 5–8 hours, walking the course, waiting in grid, and doing 3–6 runs. Being prepared makes the difference between a great day and a frustrating one.
Required Gear
- Helmet — SA2015 or SA2020 minimum at SCCA Solo. Bring it charged/clean and check the certification sticker before you leave home
- SCCA membership card or day pass — you need to be an SCCA member or buy a day pass at registration
- Car number and class decals — first-time attendees often get these at registration; returning members should have theirs ready
- Driver's license
Gloves and shoes are not required at SCCA Solo
SCCA Street class and most SCCA Solo events don't require gloves or driving shoes. Bring them if you have them, but don't skip the event because you don't. The helmet is the only required piece of personal safety gear at most autocrosses.
Car Prep Before You Go
- Tire pressure checked and set (typically 35–42 PSI for autocross — experiment)
- Brake fluid fresh and reservoir full
- No fluid leaks
- Lug nuts torqued
- All loose items removed from the cabin — glove box emptied, floor mats out, back seat cleared
- Trunk emptied or secured (anything loose becomes a projectile)
Tools and Spares
You don't need a full tool kit, but these are worth having:
- Tire pressure gauge (analog or digital)
- Torque wrench or click-type lug nut torque stick
- Floor jack if you're swapping wheels/tires
- Tire inflator or compressor (or know where the event's shared compressor is)
- Basic 10mm/12mm/socket set for any car-specific adjustments
- Electrical tape (number plates come loose)
- Rag or paper towels
Comfort and Logistics
Autocross is an outdoor event, often on exposed pavement. Summer events can be brutally hot. Winter events (yes, some regions run year-round) are cold. Come prepared:
- Water — at least 2 liters per person. Dehydration on hot tarmac is common
- Sunscreen and hat — you'll be outside all day with no shade in grid
- Comfortable walking shoes — you'll walk the course 1–3 times, easily a mile
- Camp chair or folding chair for grid
- Food and snacks — not all venues have food vendors
- Pop-up canopy if you have one (shared with others in grid is great)
- Layers for morning/evening temperature swings
- Cash for registration if the event doesn't take cards
Nice to Have
- Action camera (GoPro, etc.) and mounts — video helps with driving instruction review
- Gopro SD card formatted before the event
- Tire pyrometer for reading tire temperatures (helps optimize tire pressure)
- Notebook for writing down run times and notes per run
- Sharpie for writing tire pressure on sidewalls
- Course map (usually emailed to registrants or posted at registration)
Leave at Home
- Children and pets — no minors or pets in the grid or hot pit area at most events. Check event rules
- Alcohol — no alcohol at the event. Zero tolerance at SCCA events
- Anything you don't want to get dirty — parking lot events are often dusty, greasy environments
- Extra cars — you're showing up in the car you're running. If towing a car, know the paddock layout in advance