Autocross Gear & Essentials: Everything You Need for Event Day!

Welcome! Here you’ll find recommended affiliated products and a checklist of autocross essentials to help you prepare for your first—and many more—autocross events.

  • 🏁 AUTOCROSS GEAR STORE

    Everything you need to get ready for an autocross weekend

    Whether you’re a first-time autocrosser or a seasoned competitor, having the right equipment can make your event day easier, faster, and a lot less stressful. We’ve put together some of the gear we recommend for tires, tools, racing gear, and personal comfort.

    Many of these products are available through Amazon. Purchases made through some of these links may help support AutoX4u at no additional cost to you. Thank You.

    🛞 TIRES & PIT EQUIPMENT

    Portable Air Compressors

    VIAIR 85P Portable Tire Inflator
    A compact, dependable compressor that’s great to keep in your autocross setup.

    SHOP NOW → VIAIR 85P Tire Inflator

    Cordless Portable Tire Inflator
    Convenient cordless option when you don’t want to deal with power cords on event day.

    SHOP NOW → Cordless Tire Inflator

    Tire Pressure Gauges

    Vondior Tire Pressure Gauge
    An affordable, easy-to-use gauge for checking tire pressures throughout the day.

    SHOP NOW → Vondior Tire Pressure Gauge

    Longacre 52-52003 0–60 PSI Tire Pressure Gauge
    A quality racing-style gauge designed specifically for accurate tire pressure checks.

    SHOP NOW → Longacre 0–60 PSI Gauge

    Cooling & Tire Preparation

    2-Gallon Water Sprayer
    Useful for cooling hot tires between runs when conditions call for it.

    SHOP NOW → 2-Gallon Tire Water Sprayer

    Tire Repair

    A flat tire can turn a great autocross day into a very expensive parking-lot decoration. Keep a repair kit in your car.

    68-Piece Heavy-Duty Tire Repair Kit
    SHOP NOW → 68-Piece Tire Repair Kit

    40-Piece Tire Plug Kit
    SHOP NOW → 40-Piece Tire Plug Kit

    60-Piece Spiral Rubber Tire Repair Kit
    SHOP NOW → 60-Piece Tire Repair Kit

    Jacks & Wheel Equipment

    Race Ramps 2-Piece Tire Lift
    Designed for low-profile vehicles where a conventional jack can be difficult to position.

    SHOP NOW → Race Ramps Tire Lift

    VEVOR 3-Ton Low Profile Racing Floor Jack
    A low-profile floor jack suitable for garage and racing use.

    SHOP NOW → VEVOR 3-Ton Racing Floor Jack

    Pro-LifT 2-Ton Floor Jack
    A compact hydraulic floor jack for home garage use.

    SHOP NOW → Pro-LifT 2-Ton Floor Jack

    Impact Wrenches & Torque Tools

    Seesii 1/2″ Cordless Impact Wrench
    Up to 665 ft-lbs of torque with batteries, sockets, and carrying case included.

    SHOP NOW → Seesii Cordless Impact Wrench

    CRAFTSMAN 1/2″ Torque Wrench
    An important tool for properly tightening your lug nuts after changing wheels.

    SHOP NOW → CRAFTSMAN 1/2″ Torque Wrench

    🏎️ RACING & AUTOCROSS GEAR

    Helmet Accessories (SCCA 2026 SNELL standards)

    Helmet Head Socks
    Help keep your helmet fresh and comfortable, especially when you’re using a loaner helmet.

    SHOP NOW → Helmet Head Socks

    Snell-Rated Racing Helmets
    If you’re buying your own helmet, make sure you understand the current helmet requirements and fitment guidelines before purchasing.

    SHOP NOW → Snell Racing Helmets

    Helmet Fitment Guide → Watch the Helmet Fitment Video

    Racing Gloves

    RaceQuip RQP 350 Series Racing Gloves
    Single-layer racing gloves designed for motorsports use.

    SHOP NOW → RaceQuip Racing Gloves

    Mechanix Wear FastFit Gloves
    Great for working on your car, changing tires, or handling equipment around the paddock.

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    Storage & Event Organization

    IRIS USA 19-Quart WeatherPro Storage Box
    A convenient way to keep your tools, equipment, and autocross supplies organized.

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    Painter’s Tape (to use for numbers if you don’t have YET, or cover front of the car to protect from cones)

    ScotchBlue 2″ Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape
    Useful for creating temporary car numbers when you don’t have magnetic numbers.

    SHOP NOW → ScotchBlue 2″ Tape

    ScotchBlue 3″ Multi-Surface Painter’s Tape
    Great for protecting areas of your car, including front bumper areas, from cone marks and debris.

    SHOP NOW → ScotchBlue 3″ Tape

    ☀️ PERSONAL & EVENT-DAY ITEMS

    Autocross means spending a lot of time outside. Sometimes humanity remembers this only after getting sunburned.

    Sun Protection

    Sun Hats
    Stay protected during long days at the event.

    SHOP NOW → Sun Hats

    Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 70 Sunscreen Spray
    High-SPF protection that’s easy to apply throughout the day.

    SHOP NOW → Neutrogena SPF 70 Sunscreen

    Comfort

    Canopy Chair with Footrest
    A comfortable place to sit between runs, with built-in shade for those long event days. We just bought these to replace our old ones, we use them at the wineries, there work great.

    SHOP NOW → Canopy Chair with Footrest

    Emergency Equipment

    NOCO Boost GB40 Portable Jump Starter
    A compact 12V lithium jump starter that can save your event when a battery decides it has had enough of this nonsense.

    SHOP NOW → NOCO Boost GB40 Jump Starter

    🏁 BUILD YOUR AUTOCROSS KIT

    Tires & Tools
    ✓ Tire pressure gauge
    ✓ Air compressor
    ✓ Tire repair kit
    ✓ Water sprayer
    ✓ Floor jack
    ✓ Impact wrench
    ✓ Torque wrench

    Driver Gear
    ✓ Snell-rated helmet
    ✓ Head sock
    ✓ Racing gloves
    ✓ Work gloves

    Event Essentials
    ✓ Storage box
    ✓ Painter’s tape
    ✓ Sun protection
    ✓ Chair
    ✓ Portable jump starter

  • BE PREPARED. DRIVE FAST. HAVE FUN.

    Product availability and pricing are subject to change. Please verify current SCCA and event-specific equipment requirements before purchasing safety equipment.

  • What You Need To Know When Getting Into Autocross 8yrs ago at MetLife Stadium by Shifting Lanes, Hansen Lukman

  • Most importantly, please arrive early to complete check-in, get your work assignment, and tech inspection. You should get at least two course walks in before the novice walkthrough, which takes place about 45 minutes before the drivers’ meeting. If you don’t know the course layout, you won’t know where to drive.

Need Autocross Numbers

The next time you’re ordering tires from Tire Rack, please consider supporting AutoX4U by using the links on my site. Just click on the text or banner link to make your purchase. Thanks for your support.

 

My Autocross Novice Page

If you’ve never tried autocross before, you’re in for a great day. It’s an exciting way to experience competitive driving, improve your car-control skills, and meet a bunch of great people. Best of all, autocross is one of the most accessible forms of motorsports, and it takes place in a controlled and welcoming environment.

Your first event can seem a little confusing at first, but don’t worry. Once you get through registration and your first run, everything starts to make sense. Here are tips to help you have a great first autocross experience.

  • Make Sure Your Car Is Ready

You don’t need a special race car to autocross. Your everyday street car can be perfectly suitable as long as it’s in good mechanical condition. Check your tires, brakes, suspension, battery and seatbelts before arriving. Make sure there are no significant fluid leaks and that everything is securely fastened. Check your fluids and tire pressures, and take anything loose out of the car before you get to the event, even the floor mats.

  • Get There Early

Arriving early is one of the best things you can do on your first day. There will be plenty going on, and you’ll want enough time to park, unload your car, check in, go through tech inspection and find out where everything is. Getting there early means you can take your time instead of starting the day feeling rushed, and get those course walks in.

  • Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Almost everyone at an autocross started exactly where you are now. If you’re unsure where to go, what to do, or how something works, just ask. Experienced drivers are generally more than happy to help a newcomer. You’ll probably get some good advice and meet a few people along the way. You can find someone by seeing who has those cool magnetic numbers on the car, usually they have a few seasons in or can guide you in the right direction.

  • Get Through Tech Inspection

Before you’re allowed on course, your car will go through a basic safety inspection. The goal is to make sure your vehicle is safe for you and everyone else at the event. Make the process easy for the tech inspectors by having your trunk and hood open and removing loose items from the passenger compartment. A quick inspection is usually all it takes.

  • Take Part in the Novice Course Walk

If your event offers a novice course walk, go on it! It’s one of the most valuable things you can do as a first-timer. An experienced driver can explain how to read the course, identify important cones, and how the start area works.

  • Don’t Miss the Driver’s Meeting

The driver’s meeting is important, especially when you’re new. You’ll learn about the course, event procedures, safety rules, work assignments, penalties and anything unusual happening that day. Even if you think you know how autocross works, there may be event-specific information you need to hear.

  • Do Your Work Assignment

Autocross is a team effort. Everyone gets a chance to drive, but everyone also helps make the event happen. You may be asked to work the course, help with timing or assist with another event job.

Take your work assignment seriously and pay attention. Besides helping the event run smoothly, working is another great way to learn how autocross operates and meet other participants.

  • Watch Other Drivers

Spend some time watching before and after your own runs. You can learn a surprising amount just by watching experienced drivers attack the course.

Look at where they brake, how they approach corners, how they position the car and which lines seem to work. You’ll quickly notice that the fastest-looking run isn’t always the fastest run. Watching others can give you ideas to try on your next run.

  • Make Your First Run About Learning

When you finally get to the starting line, take a breath and have fun. Your first run should be about learning the course, not trying to set a record.

Start at a comfortable pace and concentrate on staying on course and finding the correct path through the cones. It’s much easier to add speed once you know where you’re going. As you get more comfortable, you can gradually push harder on each run.

And remember: hitting a cone costs time!

  • Keep Learning After the Event

Your last run doesn’t mean the learning is over. Talk with other drivers and ask what they saw in your driving. Experienced autocrossers can often spot things you never noticed from inside the car.

Think about what went well, what gave you trouble and what you want to try differently next time. If you have time after your runs, stick around and watch the other groups. Every event is another opportunity to become a better driver.

Most Important Tip: Have Fun!

Your first autocross may feel like a lot to take in, but don’t worry about trying to understand everything immediately. Ask questions, listen to experienced drivers, learn from your mistakes and enjoy the experience.

 

You’ll be amazed at how quickly you go from “Where do I go?” to “When’s the next event?” Go to AutoX4u.com  for schedules