About this event
2024 NER PCA Autocross School - May 4th at Moore Airfield, Ayer MA
Sponsored by Conway Autoworks
Welcome to autocross! NER's Autocross School is only for novice drivers who are new to autocross or have previously attended fewer than 5 autocross events including autocross schools and races with any other clubs.
Attendance is capped at 42 students. The event is likely to sell out first come, first served.
Our school has a morning session and an afternoon session with a break for lunch in between. The morning exercises will include a slalom course and an offset clamshell course. One instructor will be assigned to a pair of students for both exercises to provide real time instruction and feedback on the students' driving. In the afternoon, each student will get to do 4 to 5 runs on a full autocross course with their instructor. Learning the course is often the biggest challenge. As such, students may have their instructor drive the first run to demonstrate the proper line through the course.
While attendance at the school is not requisite for attending events during the season, it is highly recommended. Regardless of whether you intend to autocross or not, this is a fabulous introduction to the art of driving at a fraction of the price of most schools of its kind.
As a bonus, novice attendees at the Autocross School will all receive free participation in one 2024 NER Autocross event to experience the camaraderie and excitement of actual competition. Simply use the discount code NOVICE2024 (case sensitive) when registering for your first autocross event after the Autocross School.
Teenage drivers are encouraged to attend. Licensed teens (full license, not a permit) under the age of 18 must provide a signed waiver and have at least one parent present throughout the day. For more information, please contact the registrar.
You must be a novice to attend this school. Please don't sign up expecting a Test and Tune event.
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024
Location: Moore Airfield, 90 Fitchburg Rd, Ayer MA
Price: $60 (paid during online registration)
Registration Closes Sunday April 28, 2024 at Midnight - no exceptions.
Pre-registration is REQUIRED for this event. No unregistered drivers will be admitted to the school on the day of the event. NER’s school has a 42 person limit which fills rapidly. So, to avoid disappointment, please plan to register early. We no longer accept payment at the gate. All payments must be made online.
What is Autocross?
Autocross (AX) is a sport in which you strive to navigate your car through a defined course of pylons faster than your competition. Autocross courses are set up using soft orange traffic pylons which will not damage your car. Events are run at speeds usually between 40-65 MPH and usually in second gear. Unlike some other venues, we are extremely fortunate to have access to one of the premier autocross venues in the Northeast. Where many clubs are consigned to parking lots, we are privileged to be able to design courses that regularly exceed 1 mile in length with runs lasting well over a minute. You'll be amazed at how much excitement can be packed into 60 seconds.
Autocross is not only a "performance driving event", but a safe way to learn how to drive your car at its limit. You not only learn how to handle your car at speeds that you drive daily, but you also:
- Gain confidence in your driving ability.
- Learn the limits of your car's tire adhesion
- Learn the limits of your car's brakes
- Learn correct seating, hand, and feet positions
Autocross is a great way to exercise your driving skills in a safe environment. For anyone that would like assistance, there will be instructors available to work with you at all events. Each autocross has a different and unique course design and will undoubtedly provide you with a fun driving experience. Finally, Autocross is a social gathering of new and old friends and lots of fun.
Who is eligible? You must have participated in fewer than 4 autocrosses including autocross schools and events with any other clubs.
Price: $60
Am I required to drive a Porsche at the school? Well… no. It’s okay to bring a non-Porsche to the school.
Any questions? Email our registrar Alan Davis at autocrossreg@porschenet.com
Event requirements
NER's Autocross School is only for novice drivers who are new to autocross or have previously attended fewer than 5 autocross events including autocross schools and races with any other clubs
Important Event Requirements:
- Helmets with a Snell 2010 or later sticker are required. Snell types M (motorcycling), K (kart racing), and SA (competitive auto sports) are all acceptable. Helmets certified by the FIA are also permitted. We have about 7 loaner helmets if you need one – various sizes – first come, first served.
- Noise Restrictions - For 2024, the Devens site has set much stricter sound restrictions. During the event, we will be testing cars will sound meters. Noise must never exceed 87 decibels (db) from a distance of 75 feet and must not exceed 8 db over the ambient noise level as measured at a designated location. Please think twice before bringing a car with a very loud exhaust. If your car exceeds the noise limits, we can’t allow you to drive it at the event.
- Minimum age 16 with a valid driver's license (not a permit) and parental consent and one parent attending event, 18 years of age otherwise.(see below for forms)
- Your car must be able to pass a technical inspection, which includes tires with visible tread, secure lug nuts and operable seat belts (factory installed belts are a minimum). No other special equipment is required.
- Roll bars or factory rollover devices, such as the roll hoops in Boxsters, are required for all open cars using race compound tires and swing axle automobiles (e.g. 356).
Again this year 16 and 17 year-old children can participate in autocross events (must have full license, not a permit). To be eligible, permission forms, which can be found on the PCA website, must be obtained and signed by the entrant's parents. If you have questions about the forms, email the registrar, Alan Davis at autocrossreg@porschenet.com.
Car Numbers: MotorsportReg will automatically assign a number for your car during registration (unless you are already in the system). If you have questions about car numbers, email the registrar.
Day of Event:
7:30 AM - Students must be on site no later than 8:30 AM. (Instructors arrive by 7:00)
8:00 AM - Prep your car: Remove all loose items, apply car numbers on both sides with masking tape, and get in line for the tech inspection.
9:00 AM - The introductory “Chalk talk”
9:30 AM -The morning exercises - A slalom course and an offset clamshell course
Lunch – Pizza, sodas, water.
After Lunch - The afternoon session full autocross course with the option of letting your instructor drive to show you the proper line through the course.