1. Will I hurt my car?
  2. Can more than one person drive a car?
  3. Can I bring a friend who wants to drive their own car?
  4. Do I have to be a member and/or have a Miata to participate in a WCMC autox?
  5. What does it cost?
  6. Can I bring my family? Can I come just to watch?
  7. How should I prepare?
  8. What is the day's schedule?
  9. What's an Autocross?
  10. Top 10 Autocross Tips!
  11. How do I get to the Maywood Park lot?
  12. How do I get to the College of Lake County (CLC)
  13. How many events do I have to run to have a full season of AutoX points?
  14. I have my own helmet, can I use it?
AutoX Event FAQs

Why Autocross??

..."I consider (autocross) to be, arguably, the best place to learn car control"...

T.C. Kline, a well-known driver and car builder with over 20 years of autocrossing and road racing (both club and pro) experience.

..."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. Solo II is an excellent way to teach car control to young drivers in a safe environment"...
Kate Hughes, author of Solo II Novice Handbook.

9. What's an Autocross?

Autocross, also known as Solo, is held on a closed course with one car at a time driving against the clock. Solo I's are high-speed contests, run on race courses like Blackhawk Farms and Gingerman. Solo II's are far more popular, because all kinds of street cars can enter. Solo II autocross usually involves a large parking lot and rubber cones, and cars rarely leave second gear. Competitors make several runs, with the best run being counted.

While Solo II autocross is called a "speed event", it's really about handling, not high speed. Some WCMC members are competitive about their autocross times, but most people enter just for the chance to master their car's handling. Driving close to the limit on a closed course prepares you for evasive maneuvers in traffic.

In 2006, the Windy City Miata Club hopes to run 10 Solo II events. These will all be competitive events, with the best time in each car class receiving a trophy. Each event also awards points for the annual championship. Newcomers are paired with experienced drivers, and safety is stressed at all times.

Last Updated: 5/2/07