[603BlueM2]

Doing my first autocross. Car is new. Would really prefer not to scratch the paint or get marks. It has ppf already and ceramic. Is this enough protection? Thanks and cheers

[apez]

I had a cone hit that left some smudges on the rocker panel right in front of the rear wheels. I find this is where I typically hit cones.

At first I was concerned it was a scratch, but some elbow grease and gentle chemicals got it out of the ppf. (Black car, so black smudge vs scratch was hard to tell)

My advice is either take it slow and give yourself room, or accept you might have a few marks. Also, don't let the Miata drivers plan the course and place the gates, M2 is so much wider!

[Two4me]

You should be OK for autocross. Some cones can cause some minor scratches.

If you know the usual contact points, you can put on some blue painter's tape. It should be enough to protect from all but the hardest cones.

[curtdragon]

Originally Posted by 603BlueM2

Doing my first autocross. Car is new. Would really prefer not to scratch the paint or get marks. It has ppf already and ceramic. Is this enough protection? Thanks and cheers

They have that DIY track PPF that some people use when driving a long distance when they get the car before PPF. I forgot the name. It's actually designed for track use. But not sure how it would work with PPF already

[jmg]

I've hit many cones in my days autocrossing. No PPF. Most of it comes off with some elbow grease and bug/tar remover or clay bar. Nothing too serious. Some minor scuffs visible if you look closely, but not bothersome. Battle scars.

[akumachu]

A pencil eraser is very good to get cone marks out.
You can also put blue tapes on your front bumper if you worry about marks.
I got the full front PPF when I first got my car.

I had seen cones cause plastic trim damage inside the wheel well if a cone hit it the right way and got trap, but that is rare.

[aerobod]

A glancing cone scuff is easily removed, but a direct frontal hit at speed (some autox courses I’ve run have had sections up to 130km/h / 80mph) can break some bumper and associated support parts.

[apez]

Originally Posted by aerobod

A glancing cone scuff is easily removed, but a direct frontal hit at speed (some autox courses I’ve run have had sections up to 130km/h / 80mph) can break some bumper and associated support parts.

Did some minor damage plastic splitter on my G42 this way. I now considered them disposable protection. Cones are the reason I will not do a carbon splitter.