Welcome to the forum

 

Depends on what class you want to run in. The stock classes limit you on what you can modify, so some of the zzp mods might move you to a different class (before cat mods, tunes, etc.)
When I used to run in autocross events, I ran on minor suspension changes (better shocks like Bilstein) and a good set of sticky tires. Since you're new to autocrossing, just go out to the event and talk to the people running it, I'm sure they would be more than happy to give you advice, etc.

 

go attend a race or two. go volunteer at a race or two. If you're still into it, sign up for the SCCA.(or whatever sanctioning body you plan tonautox with)

Add at least 3psi to your tires...and just go race, preferably in novice class. Don't worry about the car. Only mod once you've decided you like it. And learn if the mods will keep you in a class you can be competitive in(once you learn if that matters to you) or if you just like to do mods regardless of autoX status or not. The Cruze is not a platform conducive to wide ranging autox excellence. I'm SCCA you're going to be in HS or ST-FWD. Both classes where you're likely to get creamed by all manner of Mini and Civic. Be aware of this if you're looking to win trophies.

 

go attend a race or two. go volunteer at a race or two. If you're still into it, sign up for the SCCA.(or whatever sanctioning body you plan tonautox with)

Add at least 3psi to your tires...and just go race, preferably in novice class. Don't worry about the car. Only mod once you've decided you like it. And learn if the mods will keep you in a class you can be competitive in(once you learn if that matters to you) or if you just like to do mods regardless of autoX status or not. The Cruze is not a platform conducive to wide ranging autox excellence. I'm SCCA you're going to be in HS or ST-FWD. Both classes where you're likely to get creamed by all manner of Mini and Civic. Be aware of this if you're looking to win trophies.

Right now most of the clubs dont allow spectators due to covid but I could see about volunteering. Yeah I figure I'll be racing novice for awhile and I just want race my chevy I'm sure until I'm willing to do weight reduction I'm gunna get spanked all over and probably even after but like I said for now more just a hobby something to get me out of the house and a reason to continue putting money into my car.

 

Tires, tires, tires. Driver mod helps, too, as does a good set of struts/shocks/springs. But overall - you can't do much if your tires are sliding and/or your sidewalls a rolling.

Back in college, we had a fairly active car club, and we would do three autocrosses each 3-month terms - and we'd do them at the local 1/8th mile oval tracks, so they were rather high-speed. A buddy of mine had a MK5 Jetta, stock I5, 5MT, but with GLI suspension, Hankook RS3s and Driver Mod - and he was almost always at the top every single time, despite his car by no means being fast. But if you don't need to slow down, because your tires just...stick...that reduces the detriment by an exponential amount.

 

Don’t race your daily, it will chew up tires and can put you in a bad spot. Now with the not fun stuff out of the way here goes. Take the novice class they offer, most auto X it’s free and teaches you some good lessons to start. Bump the tire psi 4 or so higher cold, buy tire chalk and chalk the sidewalk to outside shoulder blocks. That will show where your tires are wearing. From my auto X in the Cruze the stock alignment is very much in need of negative camber front and scrubs the hell out of the outside sidewall. Keep a log book of tire PSI and how it handles. Always race with same fuel load so your car acts consistently. When you’re done with your lap go to your staging area and leave the car running for about 5 min with hood open AC off, then turn car off and leave hood open. This will allow a lot of heat to escape and sitting idle will keep coolant flowing while it cools down. When your on the line to go get in gear and give a little gas with the e brake on, just a little to take up slack in drivetrain before you launch. Turn off TC/SCS by holding the button on the right of the shifter. Driver and passenger side windows down to hear the car and tires but prevent wind buffering. Get the seat close enough both parts of the wrists touch top of steering wheel at 12 but not so close you hit your knees. Remember smooth is fast, as you learn your car you’ll know how it reacts. Always walk the course or better yet bring a bike to ride it. Bring your own 3/4 helmet that’s DOT otherwise you get a club helmet nasty and smells bad.

 

Welcome aboard!

 

You should be able to volunteer no problem. AutoX events are almost always in need of volunteers.
I only mention potentially being uncompetitive because that's an issue for some. If you want a reason to be out of house, have fun with your car and hone your driving skills there's nothing better.
I'm a huge fan of run what you brung. Tires, brakes, suspension, even alignments are all a waste of time and money(on a mechanically sound car) until you A: determined you really wanna stay racing, and B: gotten to the point where the reason your car is "slow" is no longer you. If someone else can lap your car faster than you can...you still don't NEED mods. LOL. You just want them. Again that's 100% fine as long as you're aware why you're dropping your hard earned $

 

There's someone on Youtube by the handle Menace Short that autocrosses the Cruze. Granted I think he's taken it to the extreme, as his video's of his builds show he's got serious disposable income..

For the cheap, but not sure how well it actually works check out the channel 'The Big Single Cruze" I commend this guy on doing a lot of internal repairs to 1.4L trying to get a larger turbo on a Cruze working, but honestly I get the impression that it's never working for long. Probably because to really engineer all the issues for longevity takes a budget more like "Menace Short"