Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Wanna go fast? Worried about the cops? Motorsports is supposed to be a refuge for this, but so many of us are priced out of it. High running costs for consumables like brakes, tires, and fuel, as well as costly registrations and high risk, make it simply unaffordable for a majority of Americans. This is where Autocross comes in. Set across a timed course, you can go as fast as you like for under $100. Competitors compete across different skill levels and classes against the clock on a timed cone course, which means if you loop your car, the chances you bust something up are very minimal. Plus, you can go as slow or fast as you like, which conserves expensive consumables like tires and brakes.Here, you'll find everything you need to get out there and get racing on the cheap, all without even modifying your car.Pre-Event Research: How To Find An Autocross Near YouThe course is typically outlined with both chalk and cones, with tipped ones indicating where to enter corners.Chase BierenkovenThere's a little bit of research to do before racing. But before that, you need a car. Luckily, autocross, sometimes referred to as AutoX or autox, is very friendly to all kinds of cars. Most events are split into classes, with a novice class for unmodified street vehicles. This is you. Don't do a thing to your car before going.AdvertisementAdvertisementYour car needs to be in decent mechanical shape to race. Fresh tires, fresh brakes, and no leaks, as well as a secure battery, are usually all that matters. This will let you clear a basic technical inspection at the event. Once you know you can do that, it's time to find one.Our Miata waits for technical inspection at an AutoX event.Chase BierenkovenThis is pretty simple. Throw "Autocross near me" into a search engine to get going. You'll get led to the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) website. Here, you can search for autocross events. Most are held seasonally and at least once a month. Then, it's time to register. Most events handle registration separately from the SCCA.Now there are two routes to walk: go all-in with an annual SCCA membership (pricey) or pay for a weekend pass ($20 in my case, plus registration costs). Throw in a nice photo of yourself, your car's year, make, and model, and you're all set. I paid $80 to race for the weekend. Make sure to bring shade, snacks, layers, and lots of water. These events are held in a parking lot. It'll be hot.Showing Up For Autocross Is A SnapIn motorsports, even the parking lot is a show of its ownChase BierenkovenEvents typically run from the early morning until the early afternoon. No one wants to be out during the heat of the day. Once you turn up, you'll be given a number and a heat. Here's the kicker, and this is how AutoX stays affordable: you've got to work to race. After driving, you'll have to work. Usually that means picking up cones knocked down by your fellow novices. It's a good way to meet people, though.AdvertisementAdvertisementNovices usually walk the course with a guide in the mornings, followed by a safety briefing. Once your heat is up, you'll have to line up "in grid" to be inspected and cleared to race. Find someone with some experience to give you a ride before - novices are typically put in later heats for just this purpose. Learn the course, take notes, study it, and listen to everyone who will tell you anything. Most folks are more than kind and more than a little inclusive.Driving: The Fun PartChase BierenkovenView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleMost courses give you a running start, so you don't blow up your gearbox when the inevitable red mist of motorsports descends. If you're here, you'll probably be like nearly everyone else and push the car as hard as you can. Take the first of your five laps slowly. Learn the course again - it'll be different in your car and at speed.Don't worry about a blistering start time. Look way up the track. At least two corners ahead. Most cars won't even leave second gear. Have one of the instructors ride alongside you and listen. Getting fast is all about paying attention to the guys faster than you.AdvertisementAdvertisementFrom here, it's all uphill. You can try as hard at this as you'd like, or leave your car stock and go every once in a while.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.