[Crazy Canuck]

I don't know if it's the right section,
but I thought I would share how I'm feeling.

Basically, I love AutoX and I find it a great way to enjoy the car, and so forth.
I'm also OK at it and kick ass on some fast cars in my category as well.

There are a few things that makes me not enjoy it as much.
1. it's very political... full of BS
2. seat time is very minimal
3. can't be much more competitive unless I trailor another set of wheels w/ Hoosier dady.
4. I'd like to use more than just 1-2 gear.

I'm just thinking on focusing more on driving and seat time.
Am I the only one that thinks this or going through this kind of feelings ?

[Houston]

I'm new to this board and I have only autocrossed for two years, but I have a little different perspective.
I decided at age 49 that I wanted to autocross. Drag racing is fun and I still do it, but going straight has it's limits. Breaking stuff happens a lot more drag racing too.
Sam really helped me set up my car and his advice has been great. I went to a couple of Evolution schools and that was a good start.
My first autocross was a disaster! It was on a relatively small piece of concrete and the course was confusing for a novice. It had double backs and looked like a sea of cones. I DNF'd every run and didn't know what I had done wrong. No one helped me and I almost quit. I hung in and got to know some people who helped me. I started to get better.
The next year, I ran with a small SCCA club near my home for a year in ESP and actually won the season long ESP championship. Honestly, there wasn't much competition. I ran a couple of events with the Tarheel Sports Car Club and got my @$$ kicked badly in ESP. But, the people were great and very helpful. I went to a couple of club novice schools and got better.
A couple of mods make my car illegal in ESP, so I'm running SM this year with the Tarheel club. I know that I wouldn't be competitive in some clubs or at a national event. But, I've won the first three events (mainly because I have a better car! Thanks Sam) and would be competitive in ESP.
Tarheel has some great sites and the events are very well run. They have just raised the entry number to 130 and we still usually get 5 runs in. This weekend we have a two day event at an old airport with old, but grippy concrete. I love to make 60 to 70 second runs with top speeds of 60 to 65 mph! Sure, we have some smaller sites that Miata guys love, but that's OK.
I think how well the events are run and how laid back the members are makes a huge difference in how much fun it is.
I get teased some about having a loud, redneck Camaro, but it is all in fun. I also have to change my exhaust tips to one's filled with steel wool to get me below 100 dbs.
I do one thing that has made autocrossing very fulfilling, but I know most won't be comfortable doing this. I always have a younger guy as a co-driver, who pays for half of the race tires. Last year I picked a guy who I thought could drive and by the end of the year, he was beating me. Youth has it's advantages! This year he and his dad are autocrossing his WS6. I have a new co-driver this year.
My daily driver is an 87 BMW 325e and yes it is really slow - 121 HP. My 22 year old daughter drives it and we try to get a novice to co-drive with her. They never win in STS, but it is a great way to learn. The only mods are Koni Sports, springs and sway bars.
We travel together, stay in hotels together when necessary and help each other a lot. It is great to help younger people get into the sport. I love watching my co driver get better in my SS and pick up a lot watching him on the course.
I've brought 5 young people into autocrossing and plan to bring 2 more in every year. I'm not 100% altruistic. I like the help unloading the car, unhooking the tire trailer and changing the tires. I like getting into the car with warmed up tires when I go second. The Tarheel club lets us ride with each other. I like getting a look at the track at speed too. My young teamates like a coach in the car.
Maybe I will get tired of autocrossing too eventually. But, I think I will always enjoy helping others get into the sport.