NOOB w/ Autox ect.

things you will need to buy first:
ceramic brakes
vented rotors
front and rear strut bars
rear sway bar
coil overs


learn your cars dynamics. its braking capabilities, learn the track, learn which gear to downshift into if you drive a manual. patience

 

My main tip...walk the course before the runs start. Twice. Three times. you know how your car feels, how it rolls, how it rotates in the corners. Doing this will definitely help you throughout the day. As for shifting...I have never run a course that I went higher than second. Granted, my R/A will pull right at 55 in second gear. Also..practice driving with both feet. It may seem insignificant, but the small amount of time transitioning from brake to accelerator adds up. Using both feet takes all those small tenths off your overall time.

As for modifications....It all depends on what class you want to run and who you will be competing with in each class. Some clubs consider you in a higher class if you change things like rotors or spring rates. Read the rulebook and determine what class you can be competitive with the modifications you have/plan on. For me, autoX is handling>horsepower. you may be running with a stock WRX....but if he can't hold the pavement, all that power is trash.

My basic AutoX mod list would include:
pads/rotors
tower bars
polyurethane sway bar bushings (F&R)

If you want to go deeper in the wallet and move classes add these to the last list:
springs/coilovers
thicker sway bars (F&R)
wider wheels/tires
alignment (slight toe-in works well on Lancers and Evo's) Great on track...not good on a DD car
smaller steering wheel (320-340mm range) OEM Evo wheels are 320MM...direct swap

Maybe that will help you a little. My only other advice for a track day is to WATCH EVERYONE ELSE. If your session leaders are offering ride alongs...do it.