The NCCC, or National Council of Corvette Clubs, holds competitive events all over the country on a regular basis. Autocross is a precision sport, much like, say, archery, shooting or golf. You must be precise and consistent, all the while driving so fast you can barely concentrate.

Autocrosses are an all-forward motion driving skill contest. Each driver is individually timed to the thousandth of a second, over a short, miniature road course clearly defined using traffic cones. Cars compete one at a time, in a class with similar cars. An event can be held on any flat paved surface, usually a parking lot, or airport apron or runway.

Autocross emphasizes driver skill and vehicle handling rather than just speed. The corners are tight, and there are lots of them, so the driving is exciting and challenging. Autocross speeds do not exceed those normally encountered in highway driving.

Low speed autocross start

This is a high speed event

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. Autocross is an excellent way to teach car control to young drivers in a safe environment.

Autocross is also a very social sport, filled with some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. The camaraderie of the drivers is a special part of autocrossing that is profoundly satisfying.

Cars are divided into categories and classes. Classes separate cars by performance, so that VW Rabbits compete against Honda Civics, and Corvettes compete against Nissan 300ZX Turbos. Categories separate cars according to their level of preparation. Unmodified cars compete in classes in the Stock category. Cars with modifications to the suspension, intake or exhaust system, or different wheels and tires compete in Street Prepared. Cars with engine modifications and racecars compete in the prepared category. Cars with different engines and open-wheel cars compete in classes in the Modified category. The complete descriptions of classes and preparation allowances are spelled out in the Autocross rulebook.

The costs of Autocross competition are reasonable because you can compete in anything from a real race car to the car you drive on the street every day. Entry fees are usually $15 to $20 per driver, and two drivers can share a car.

The National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) sanctioned events are insured through the NCCC, and are conducted under the watchful eyes of NCCC Safety Stewards. The rules and guidelines established by the NCCC and enforced by the Safety Stewards are what make this one of the safest motor sports. A day of autocrossing is far safer for both car and driver than most people's daily commute to work.

With so many NCCC regions, rules and programs may differ somewhat between the regions. For instance, some regions have an extra class for their national-caliber drivers, some regions drive in morning and afternoon heats.

 Where Can I Learn More About Autocross?

[BZA - 99/3/7] - In the March/April [1999] issue of Grassroots Motor sports is an article entitled "Autocrossing 101". Among other things, it describes the mistakes that beginners often make and how the experienced autocrosser handles the same situation.

Is the Corvette a good autocross car?

The Corvette is an awesome car. Probably one of the best cars I have ever run or seen run at autocross or track. Just keep in mind some points: Autocross tracks generally will favor smaller cars. So, don't feel bad when smaller, more nimble, less powerful cars beat you. The keys to going fast at an autocross are autocross tires, practice, and smoothness. Autocross tires shave off multiple second chunks off your times. All other mods combined will barely give you a single second on most cars.

Practice (and instruction / coaching) will reduce your times. Driving smoothly with small input into the steering wheel and pedals separates the men from the boys. If you do decide to make mods to go faster at the autocross, don't waste your money on power. Get some sway bars, springs, and adjustable shocks (after the all-important tires!). You just have to take my word for it, more power is not what the Corvette needs at the autocross track. Adding 30 HP won't make you faster.

The darn thing about the Corvette is the vast majority of us are not nearly as good a driver as it is a car (this is a tough pill for most of us). Don't bother with the mods to the car. Make the mods to the driver! How? Practice, practice, practice. I guarantee you will improve your times dramatically at the track or the autocross by getting some instruction.