Attend An Event

Checklist

Please read the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How Much sections below.

Since you probably won't, at least take look at this checklist!

  • Must haves:
    • You must be 18 or older
    • A valid drivers license
    • A road legal car with a valid inspection (anything from Civic to a Corvette will do)
    • Some cash or a credit card to pay the entrance fee ($35)
    • Numbers, or some masking tape to make some
    • Loose items removed from your car
    • Comfortable shoes to walk the course
    • Arrive before 9:00 am
  • Nice to haves:
    • Sunscreen
    • Sunglasses
    • Air pump for tires
    • Tire pressure gauge
    • Water to drink
    • Rain jacket
    • Willingness to learn something new

Who can participate?

As a participant

Anyone over the age of 18 with a valid drivers license, and legally registered car. Trucks and SUVs are typically not permitted due to rollover risk.

As a spectator

There are spectator areas surrounding the pool lot. Anyone can show up and watch for free as long as you stay outside the marked event area.
The action typically begins at 11:00 am on event days.

What do I need to attend?

Vehicle

Allegheny County requires that all cars running at North Park, be licensed, bearing current registration stickers, and be street legal for the jusrisdiction that the vehicle is registered in. (PA cars require current inspection stickers.) DOT registered tires are also required. (No slicks)

Trucks and SUVs are typically not permitted due to rollover risk.

Car Numbers

We require visible car and class numbers at all of our events. Each competitor shall have vinyl numbers and class markings at least 8" tall.
The numbers and car color should contrast. Don't put charcoal numbers on a black car!
If you are a novice and do not know what class or number you are running, we will ask you to use a masking tape to create numbers on your doors.

If you are attending your third autocross, and are still using masking tape numbers, you should really reconsider whether this is the activity for you. Seriously, it really holds up the event when your numbers and class cannot be seen from the timing trailer, and people have to try and guess who you might be.

Helmet

All NHSCC participants are required to wear a Snell rated helmet while on course. We accept the current as well as the previous 3 generations of Snell ratings. (2020, 2015, 2010, 2005).
DOT only helmets are not permitted.

NHSCC has a limited number of loaner helmets.

Novice Handbook

We suggest reviewing the Novice Handbook before your first event.

What are Work Assignments?

To drive in a North Park Sports Car Club event, you must also complete a work assignment. This generally involves standing on the course to reset any cones knocked down, or working as a spotter, crowd control, or in the grid helping cars get into line. You may be outside for an hour or more, so please dress appropriately for the weather.

When should I arrive?

The autocross day starts with registration from 8:30 to 9:30 am.
Tech inspection closes at 10:00am. You will need to remove lose items from your car, put your number and class on the car, check your air pressure, grab your helmet, and head to the tech inspection line to ensure your car is safe to run.
The course for they day typically opens for walking at 9:30 am. You will want to walk the course several times to get an idea of the driving line. We also have a novice walkthough where an experienced autocrosser explains the course that begins at around 10:00 am.
Timed runs follow the mandatory Drivers Meeting, typically at 10:45 am.

Typical Event Schedule:

  • Lot Opens - 7:30 am
  • Registration Open 8:30 am - 9:30 am
  • Tech Inspection Open 9:00 am - 10:00 am
  • Novice Walk Through - 9:30 am
  • Novice Worker Meeting - 10:00 am
  • Driver's Meeting - 10:30 am
  • First Car Off - 10:45 am

Where is it at?

Our events are held at the North Park Swimming Pool lot unless otherwise specified. You can find directions here.

Why should I attend?

Autocross is the perfect place to explore the limits of your car and yourself as a driver. Most events take place in empty parking lots or airfields, with nothing to hit except those pesky cones that seem to keep jumping out in front of you. You can push the limits, exceed them, and recover without worrying about running into that tree, mowing down a pedestrian, or getting arrested for reckless driving. Worst case, you completely lose control, spin out, knock over a few cones, and carry on. You will most likely having a good laugh about it too.

Autocross is great opportunity to find your car's limits in a mostly consequence-free environment. You'll learn if your car tends toward snap oversteer or terminal understeer. Then you'll learn how to recover from it. And then you'll learn how to not get into that situation in the first place. You'll leave the event a better driver than you came in.

How much does it cost?

Membership

Individual: $25.00
Family: $35.00

Family membership includes spouse and children under 18

Membership Form


Regular Events

Member: $30
Non-member: $35

A surcharge will be added for electronic registration (Approximately $5 from motorsportsreg.com)

Season Pass

Season Pass Form