Ok.. Taking the plunge.. Going to start Solo II Racing...

[VerbalKint]

Few questions from those of you that have gone this path before..

1: Is there a 'newbie' level in AutoX? Or am I going to be scorned and laughed at trying to get into this?

2: Practice makes good, education makes perfect.. I know there is an SCCA Chapter in my state, hell, in my Part of the state even, but I am not finding any 'driving schools' that teach AutoX driving. Any suggestions here?

3: I do NOT want to start a whole new Turbo vs. N/T Argument, so please don't hijack the thread with any such comments, but... Is it even worth it to try and AutoX in an N/T Car? Or is turbo pretty much a necessity at this point?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[gsxtacy]

Good question....about is it worth it with a N/T car?

The real question is:

You made up your mind to go Solo II racing, Do YOU want to use a N/T FWD car to Auto-X with?

You would obviously have more fun in a Turbo AWD DSM than you would in a N/T IMO.

Setting up a Auto-X car costs money, and if I were the one spending the $$$, I would go with the car that was going to give me the best chances of being the best I could be. I have rode in plenty of N/T 4 cylinder cars, and I own a 1998 GSX. I would much rather set my GSX up than a Acura Integra.

My honest opinion.....Pawn the N/T DSM you own off on some 16 year old kid, and put the money you get from the kid and buy a 1990-1992 Eagle Talon TSI AWD.

And have fun, I have always wanted to go Solo II racing.

Gsxtacy

 

[Greg Collier]

Few questions from those of you that have gone this path before..

1: Is there a 'newbie' level in AutoX? Or am I going to be scorned and laughed at trying to get into this?

2: Practice makes good, education makes perfect.. I know there is an SCCA Chapter in my state, hell, in my Part of the state even, but I am not finding any 'driving schools' that teach AutoX driving. Any suggestions here?

3: I do NOT want to start a whole new Turbo vs. N/T Argument, so please don't hijack the thread with any such comments, but... Is it even worth it to try and AutoX in an N/T Car? Or is turbo pretty much a necessity at this point?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

I wish I had a N/T when I did my auto-xing. There was way to much power in my turbo FWD to maneuver through the turns. I found myself always consentrating on "slower is faster" as I continually spun out in the tight turns. For a beginner learning how to drive a car and negotiate the apex of a turn, a chicane, a small straight to and ball busting almost 180 left or right hander, is by far the most important thing you can do. I've seen gutless 110 HP FWD Civics annihilate 400 HP Corvettes because the driver knew how to drive.

SCCA events are the best schools of driving. They have qualified instructors that are some of the best drivers in the country. If you can go on ride alongs to see their techniques is the best lessons learned. They'll also scare the crap out of you with what they can do with their cars. It's so much better to learn in SCCA, then go to a race school because you'll have all the basics done. Probably more! DO EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I am a racecar driver and I do know what I'm talking about! I'm gonna say this one more time: It's not how much horsepower you have, it just takes a little talent and a whole lot of passion......................................
Greg

 

[Defiant]

Few questions from those of you that have gone this path before..

1: Is there a 'newbie' level in AutoX? Or am I going to be scorned and laughed at trying to get into this?

Only if you're a jerk. If you're cool, and especially if you show just the slightest bit of talent (or, a willingness to help out with the dirt-work at events) you're going to find some of the most mutually-helpful people in the sport that you'll ever find, anywhere.

 

[tsunari]

Like most 'sports', you're going to need to sit down and decide what your goals are. Do you want to be a national solo II champion? Or are you wanting to perhaps take reigonals? Maybe you just want to get some better driving skills . . .

Personally when I first started out, it was the latter- it started out as competition between some friends and slowly grew from there. First AutoX was in a '95 4-cyl NA Probe . . . now I'm in a slightly modded 97 GST. Even though a 97-99 GSX was my first choice, I'm finding the challenges and rewards of the FWD quite rewarding.

Sure it's easy to look at my times and think (man . . .if only I had an AWD I could be REAL competitive . . .) In actuality, it's more seat-time that I need. And the expression on peoples faces when they see how well you can handle that FWD is priceless.

So I guess just decide what you want- I'd say go ahead and get started with what you have! Test the waters, see how much you like it and how 'serious' you may want to get . . . and go from there.

Good luck!

 

[JPGRL]

I just started Autocrossing my Laser, and it's a lot of fun. The people at the events are very welcoming of newcomers and do their best to help you figure out how the event runs. The majority of people out there are willing to spend time giving you advice about how to run faster/what you are doing wrong as well. I say, just go. Run a few events and make sure you like it. Also, familiarize yourself with SCCA's classing system. When you start thinking about upgrades for your car or getting another car to run more competitively, keep the classes in mind -a boost controller puts you in SM. Other common mods effect classing as well like an upgraded clutch/flywheel, etc.

Right now I'm focusing on my driving. I too have seen the low HP cars beating Corvettes, etc because the driver was skilled (and the other was not). There's a wide variety of cars, skill levels, and people who show up. In short, if you are interested in autocross, there's no reason not to go try it out!

 

[4pistons]

What she said!! ^^^^^^
You go girl! Funny how our sig pictures look so similar!

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[Beaker]

Two words. Sun. Screen.

Autox is a blast.
Don't worry about being a newbie.
Show up early, register beforehand online if your chapter/event has that option.
Ask questions. Well, don't be a major PITA, but most civil people will be very helpful if you are reasonable. Ask to ride with people and have them ride with you.
Work. You may not realize it, but lots of people are probably pissed at you if you don't bother to show up for your work assignment. It's not hard work you just have to move cones around or write down numbers.
Don't worry about what car you have. Any car can be fast. Every car can be fun (unless it breaks).
The first time I drove I took a Ford Focus, and didn't bother to take my bike rack off the top because I was only there to have a good time and the rack was a b#$ch to put on, so I just ran. Lots of folks got a kick out of it. I had a great time. Handling sucked.
On the other hand, on the same day this guy showed up with a Ferrari 360 Modena, brand new. He strutted around like his sh*! didn't stink. Didn't show for his work assignment since he was too busy looking at his reflection on his hood. Then as he pulled out of the grid he drove over his spare and his buddy's tool box.
Then he proceeded to spin it three times, kill it once, and make them hold the next car because he was holding up the course. Nobody would have cared except he was a dick, so everyone got a good laugh. I've strayed off topic a bit now. Sorry.
Respect gets Respect, and don't forget the sunscreen.
Just go do it.

 

[mavisky]

As others have said there are very strict classes in autocross and changing one thing could put you in a class against near racecars. Here is an idea of what kind of cars you'll be running against in a stock class.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Lists/2003/stockc.html

this should help you figure out where you're at if your car is already modified some.

http://www.indyscca.org/SoloFiles/c...ssification.pdf

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