This was the first autocross event of the year for the Boston Chapter of the BMW CCA. It was also the first autocross that I have ever attended. I was persuaded to attend by two people, one being an avid autocrosser himself, Justin Hughes, who also happens to drive a Saturn, and a friend of mine, Jared, who just bought a 2000 BMW 323Ci. This was also Jared’s first autocross event. Unfortunately, I was unable to run in this event because I was not yet a member of the club, but that was soon to change. J My new engine was also not yet broken in, so I wouldn’t have run anyway.

Jared and I arrived at the autocross site early to walk the course a couple of times, and to see if we could get any pointers. I met up with Justin, who walked the course with us and showed us a couple of lines. At this point I couldn’t believe that these people could actually tell where it was that they were going!!! It just looked like a bunch of cones to me, some standing up, and some laying down. Justin explained to me that the cones that are laying on their sides are "pointer cones". These cones tell you which side of the standing cones to drive on. OK, this is becoming a little clearer at a walking pace, but how do you tell what’s going on at 60MPH? Justin suggested to walk the course once, then try and remember it in your head, then walk it again.

Jared’s class was in the first run group. The autocross chair suggested that all novices have an instructor ride with them their first time out. Well, Jared did not take this advice and went by himself on his first run. Amazingly enough he completed his first run without hitting any cones or going off course!!!