In regards to the glasses versus contacts topic, I found that when I wear contacts I run into the problem of either my eyes dry out and I can't see and I spend more time trying to blink to get it to clear, or I have taken something in the eye before. I have a full face helmet so I have to run with the visor down if I do. I tried to wear sunglasses but that goes back to the issue with glasses and the comfort level. I've defaulted back to wearing my glasses at events. Its a six in one, half-dozen in the other situation, so you have to work through finding out what works best for you.
This greatly depends on what class you are racing in. Classes vary based on what mods you have. Even something as small as changing the offset of your wheels pushes you from some street classes. You should read up on classes and see what is/isn't allowed in certain classes. Technically, the only mod I suggest unless you have a certain goal in mind is tires. If you aren't racing in a particular class that outlaws it, however, suspension/traction mods are another great one. Aside from that tuning or certain engine mods will throw you into some harder classes with much more modified cars. It's a lot of learning, but once you learn it you'll understand.
Yes, you should definitely work the course if you are racing the course. Some clubs get highly mad if you don't. Just pull your weight and work the course, usually it's a split event with 1 group being morning and another in the afternoon, you spend half the morning working and half the morning racing. Then you either leave, or stay and watch the afternoon guys. Or vice versa. If it's your first time and you're going with someone...if he races in a class that races in the afternoon, have him ride along with you. If he races in the morning and you are in the afternoon, ride along with him. If you are in the afternoon and he is too, ask someone else in the morning that knows what they are doing if you can ride along. The knowledge you gain from riding with someone is incredible and helps a lot. It's pretty overwhelming the first time. All eyes on you and a lot of pressure. I roasted off my tires twice my first 2 runs, then my next 2 runs I did great. I actually enjoyed working the course afterwards. Just talked to the people on my section and ran for cones when they get hit. Just don't be stupid and get run over.
In my opinion, no - none. Autocross is one of those rare sports where it's less about the car and more about the driver. Find your local club and go to every event they have for a year and keep your car as is. There is nothing you can do to your car that will make you better in a way that you'll be able to take advantage of until you get used to handling your car and reading the course. Plus, after several events, you'll know what you need to change out on your car to get it to respond to your inputs better.
Some regions are so small that you only split into two groups: morning and afternoon - where the morning drivers are the afternoon workers, and vice versa. There do exist some events where you don't work the event, but those are commercial enterprises, and the cost of admission will reflect it. Local club autocross (SCCA, et al) is usually a private, non-profit, volunteer organization. So yeah, driving without working is very highly frowned upon. Most clubs have a one-strike-and-you're-out policy for just that reason.
Definitely agree with his mod opinions. The #1 mod by FAR, like not even negotiable, is seat time/driver mod. If you master your car, stock, you will 100% of the time beat someone who I fully bolted but new to AutoX. You know how much you can let off the gas before lift-off oversteer takes over and you spin out, how fast you can slalom back and forth without losing control, how hard you can brake, when you can brake, when you should accelerate in a turn, etc. So even with a less powerful ST you'll put better times with better control. Pay close attention to each run and this is why it's great to have someone ride along because that person can focus on your errors that you missed because you were focusing on driving. You could have taken this turn closer or clipped that cone sharper, etc.
Our region Utah SCCA does trophies at the end of the year. I'm currently in STH class, working down to GS class (swapping slotted rotors for OEM). There are killers in each of those categories so I'm aiming for second in class. I set a main goal of Rookie of the Year. You have to attend a certain number of events and they take your average PAX times. Aim for that!
I started at I think 36 all corners then ended up lowering my rears (yes...rears...) to like 34 because I wasn't seeing my tire get too close to the sidewall as far as wear marks...once at like 34 my tire was wearing right at the edge of the sidewall and was rolling JUST enough. If you go too low then it'll roll too much and you'll see your sidewall begin to make contact with the pavement which isn't ideal.
I've got everything I need, and I had gotten pretty good at futching with the pressures until it was just above the sidewall. I just had no clue where to begin. I know some Miata guys run as low as 25 hot, and some Mustang guys at 40 hot, but I found the best results for mine at 36/32 front/rear. It probably varies quite a bit for each tire.
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