Which autoX class

[TWOpointFORliter]

Basically my buddy wants me to go race an autoX event with him before the year is up. I have never raced in an autoX event before and my car is pretty heavily modified. I am always competitive in everything I do and want to know if it will be worth my time to enter. I dont expect to win but would hate to be dead last. I kinda want to know what I am going to be up against should I choose to attend. I feel I will be up against some very tough competition at my mod level.

My question is how do I figure out what class I will be in? I searched for a guide for what mods are allowed in what classes but couldn't find one. Maybe it's cause I'm searching on my phone and am limited to what sites I can visit.

 

[snowborder714]

You'd be in SM (Street Mod) because of the upgraded turbo. This class is basically anyone who has a highly modified car, so you could be up against WRX/STi's, Evo's, and pretty much anything else that is fast.

I would say to do it anyway, even though you know you won't be able to compete. Getting seat time is the key to getting better. Plus, you may like autox!

Don't crank the boost really high, and if it is high, consider turning it down. This way you can focus on driving and learning how the car handles and not trying to control the car once the boost comes on.

 

[Zefal151]

This is interesting, if upgrading a turbo puts you into street mod, what about say my car with a stock t25 but upgraded coilovers and some minor Link tuning?

Is there a difference between autoX and Road Course qualifications and classes?

Might look into starting something for next years season (its a summer season right?)

 

[jtmcinder]

Or Prepared....

 

[snowborder714]

This is interesting, if upgrading a turbo puts you into street mod, what about say my car with a stock t25 but upgraded coilovers and some minor Link tuning?

Is there a difference between autoX and Road Course qualifications and classes?

Might look into starting something for next years season (its a summer season right?)

You might be able to get away with Stock category, although the rules around shock absorbers in this category are pretty lengthy. If not, then the next category is Street Touring.

There will probably be differences between autox and road course classes.



Here's the book that contains all of the class info, if you feel like sifting through it and trying to place your car.
National Solo Rules 2011

 

[Zefal151]

Well im at work right now, so i have some time to sift through a GIANT pdf

 

[jtmcinder]

One thing that no-one has brought up is the idea that the car is much less important than the driver. If this is your first autocross, then you're likely in for some hurt, regardless of whether your car is fully prepared for your class.

You're likely to get tons of advice on how to approach autocrossing; please let me give one piece that not many others ever mention: when you're sitting at the start, waiting to be sent on course, smile. Yes, smile. Worth a half second on most courses.

 

[Zefal151]

so smiling, im guessing it lets you relax more and have fun instead of being tense and possibly making mistakes?

 

[Zefal151]

hmm, well im out of Stock and street touring... way to go emissions delete, running Link, and the possible issues that would arise from my coilovers and the EVO 8s i will be using

 

[snowborder714]

Now you're starting to learn why we like to tell people to start off with as little as they can and learn how to drive. One simple upgrade (e.g. MBC) can shoot you up a few classes. An MBC will shoot you up to SM I believe. Definitely not worth it on its own.

If you want to be competitive, you definitely need to read the rules and plan your upgrades. If you just want to have fun, still go with drive before upgrade, but you can be a little more open to more serious upgrades.

 

[Zefal151]

Yeah, i can completely agree with that now... then again, im pretty sure going with a Spyder GST to a Spyder GSX will also throw some warnings,

Probably what i will do is finish my build, since i dont have much further to go, and then get into it. I would really like to be able to have a set starting point and a set finishing point on the same build and see all of my improvements

Just an FYI, this car is a DD as well as a fun weekend car, im not looking to make it autoX specific or road race specific... If i can get into a couple runs here and there with my final build, then i will be able to legally enjoy my car for whats in it... if im able to put in a full season like it, then i certainly wouldnt complain... but im not out to set records, just to have fun and better myself as a driver in the process

 

[jtmcinder]

so smiling, im guessing it lets you relax more and have fun instead of being tense and possibly making mistakes?

Yep. When I need a half-second or more on the third run, because I'm getting my butt kicked by some Honda S2000 (I'm in B-stock in the Evo) then I crank some tunes and smile and play the drums on the steering wheel in grid, and then go out there and get the time back.

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Well It looks like I have to learn to compete with the big dogs right from the start. I didnt build my car with the intentions of competing in autoX. I do believe my car is set up well for it though I just need to learn how to drive it. Ill just go out there have some fun and see how I stack up against everybody. Hopefully I dont finish dead last because that would be embarrasing. I will try to remember to smile when I am sitting at the starting line.

 

[snowborder714]

Don't be afraid to ask for help/tips or for a veteran to do a ride-along with you. I did this my first time out and had someone ride with me and give me pointers throughout my runs. It was very helpful and everyone I met was very nice.

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Is ther any safety requirements in the SM class? I dont have a harness or a cage. How about a helmet or FRC's?

 

[jtmcinder]

No harness or cage needed for autocrossing. Need a Snell (SA) 2005 or 2010 helmet.

 

[snowborder714]

One tip I was taught when using a stock seat belt is to twist the buckle section on the belt around 360* right before you plug it in. This will help "lock" the lap portion in very nicely.

 

[jtmcinder]

The other seat-belt trick is to slide the seat back, yank it hard so it locks, keep the pressure on so it doesn't unlock, and slide the seat back forward. You can also put a clip on the belt up by the B-pillar mount to lock the belt in place. These tricks are all legal in any class via the CnC allowance. I did a lot of this stuff when I had the original leather seats. I would end events with serious bruises on the outsides of both knees from holding myself in place. The Corbeaus were such a step forward when I got them.

 

[snowborder714]

I would end events with serious bruises on the outsides of both knees from holding myself in place.

Oh gosh, I absolutely hate this. Autox is one thing, but after my first session of HPDE, my knees were so sore. After a day and a half of driving, I had bruising. This is one thing I dread when going back out to an event.

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Well I do have evo8 seats so that should help keep me in place. I'll also try the twisting of the seat belt. My seats no longer slide so i cant try the other method. I figured autoX would be hard on your car but I never imagined it would be that hard on the driver. If I end up enjoying this I will have to look into getting a harness.

 

[jtmcinder]

Oh gosh, I absolutely hate this. Autox is one thing, but after my first session of HPDE, my knees were so sore. After a day and a half of driving, I had bruising. This is one thing I dread when going back out to an event.

When I started over with a new car, I was very concerned about this, but the Recaros in the Evo X are amazing. The only problem is the curved-forward headrest that is clearly designed for no helmet. But my daughter made me some custom pillows to add for when I have a helmet on. That was worth another half second at least. Being comfy and not having to use your arms and steering wheel to stay in place is second only to tires for autocrossing, IMO.

As to harnesses, look at the Schroth Rallye3 and Rallye4 (depending on whether your car has a babyseat anchor). I have a Rallye3 in the Evo and adore it.

 

[knochgoon24]

I'm in love with my Schroth Autocontrol harness. It has an inertial reel, much like the stock one (but more sensitive), and with the flick of a switch, the shoulder harness locks in place. I wear it around all the time because it's so much more comfortable than the stock seat belt.

This Saturday will be my first autox with the 4-pt harness. I won't have any problems cracking a sh-t eating grin the whole way around the course.

 

[everbruin]

for autoX a Snell M/otorcycle helmet is also fine if you've one; the club may also have free loaner helmets