Totally New to Auto-X

[Checkers]

What are the qualifications? What kind of safety gear do I need? Thanks to anyone who answers. ~Stoney

[rkaiser]

Hello and welcome aboard! For safety equipment you need a Snell 95 or higher approved helmet. Your car will undergo a short tech inspection and you will have to remove all loose items from the car. Big thing to check is the battery. Make sure it is secure. We have had to tell more than a few people to fix that. You also need either a driver's license or a driver's permit. The conditions of the driver's permit will need to be met when you drive. Otherwise that is about it.

[DaveMk1]

This might make me sound like a Dad but here goes......you really need an open mind and a willingness to learn. You will not be fast (no offense - no one is) at first. Ask questions, watch carefully, ask for rides in faster drivers cars and relax and have fun.

That and the helmet thing.

Dave

[JoeE]

you really need an open mind and a willingness to learn. You will not be fast (no offense - no one is) at first.

Well said dad! Really though, that is excellent advice. That and the battery thing.

[RayAR]

You will not be fast (no offense - no one is) at first.

That is so true but I have seen a couple drivers that where pretty darn fast at their first event. I just want to add, Don't get discouraged if you are not running as fast as you think you should. I will repeat this........ HAVE FUN!!!!! Get to the event as early a possable and walk the course numourous times. I try to walk the course 3 times trying to visualize the lines I will take with my car and memorize the course noting spots that might give me problems. Also, as Dave said, get rides with some of the faster more experienced drivers and watch what they do. They are fast for a reason.

If you don't have a helmet it is not a huge problem. I know our club has at least one loaner. I will also share my helmet and many of the other drivers don't mind sharing either.

[rkaiser]

In the end just show up and have fun.

And the battery and helmet thing!

This might make me sound like a Dad but here goes.

You must give a lot of advice to that cat of yours Dave

[Checkers]

Hello and welcome aboard! For safety equipment you need a Snell 95 or higher approved helmet. Your car will undergo a short tech inspection and you will have to remove all loose items from the car. Big thing to check is the battery. Make sure it is secure. We have had to tell more than a few people to fix that. You also need either a driver's license or a driver's permit. The conditions of the driver's permit will need to be met when you drive. Otherwise that is about it.

Thanks =). I think I've got a helmet laying around here and I've already inspected my car numerous times and everything is either removable or attached.

Driver's license is no problem.
Thanks again. Peace. ~Stoney

[Checkers]

This might make me sound like a Dad but here goes......you really need an open mind and a willingness to learn. You will not be fast (no offense - no one is) at first. Ask questions, watch carefully, ask for rides in faster drivers cars and relax and have fun.

That and the helmet thing.

Dave

Mm, I've got a very open mind to anything and everything so driving is no different. I'm constantly picking up little peices of information to make me a better/safer driver and storing them in my head.

I'm not worried about being fast, I'm more concerned with staying in control of my car. I've been setting up little runs around my little town and driving them a lot lately so let's just say I'm very excited to run in an actual event.

I can't wait to ride in some faster cars so if anyone is open to letting me ride along, that'd be great! Peace. ~Stoney

[Checkers]

You will not be fast (no offense - no one is) at first.

That is so true but I have seen a couple drivers that where pretty darn fast at their first event. I just want to add, Don't get discouraged if you are not running as fast as you think you should. I will repeat this........ HAVE FUN!!!!! Get to the event as early a possable and walk the course numourous times. I try to walk the course 3 times trying to visualize the lines I will take with my car and memorize the course noting spots that might give me problems. Also, as Dave said, get rides with some of the faster more experienced drivers and watch what they do. They are fast for a reason.

If you don't have a helmet it is not a huge problem. I know our club has at least one loaner. I will also share my helmet and many of the other drivers don't mind sharing either.

Well thanks! How many runs are you usually allowed to run? I'll be there extra early to walk the course probably more than 3 times just so I can get with the flow.
I'll try to get my hands on a helmet here soon. If not, I'd be very grateful if I could borrow one.

I hope to see you guys at the next one that is close! Thanks for all of the advice. Peace. ~Stoney

[MikeJ]

I try to walk the course 3 times trying to visualize the lines

Ah thats why we don't see you at the Helena events, you're still out walking after the event is over.

[RayAR]

I try to walk the course 3 times trying to visualize the lines

Ah thats why we don't see you at the Helena events, you're still out walking after the event is over.

One of these days I will get to Helena, Right now I prefer to stay at the local events. Even the 30 or so miles to the Livingston event next month is farther then I want to go but I will be there because I want to find out how the changes I made will effect the car. Chances are, I will still be slow. I just think that I need to get more aggresive. It is taking me a long time to figure out what this car wants.

Stoney, You should get 6 laps and some buck runs if you want. You can borrow my helmet but only if you get it back to me in time for my lap. The one thing I hate is trying to track down my helmet or tools. We have a lot of very good, experienced drivers in this region and I think any of them would be happy to give you a ride. You can even get a ride with me but not sure if you will learn anything. I do have a passenger seat even though my car really isen't set up very well for a passenger(Lots of metal edges and nothing to hold on to) I used to be one of the faster drivers with my old car but seem to be struggling a bit with this car and finishing near the bottom

Usually, you don't need to worry about spinning out or losing control, The course should be set up so that if you lose control you have enough room to get the car shut down and not hit anything. We run on fairly small parking lots so thats not allways the case but we try to make the courses as safe as we can. Even good experienced autocrossers will occasionally spin, it's part of having your car on the edge and trying to not go over it.

[WD40]

SciroccNRoll
Here's some good reading for ya:
AutoCross Basics- from Euro Tuner.
Car Setup and Troubleshooting Guide - from West Texas Region SCCA.
Solo2 Novice Handbook - from The Tire Rack
2006 Solo Rules - from the SCCA.

Have you thought about what class your car should be in?

[Checkers]

SciroccNRoll
Here's some good reading for ya:
AutoCross Basics- from Euro Tuner.
Car Setup and Troubleshooting Guide - from West Texas Region SCCA.
Solo2 Novice Handbook - from The Tire Rack
2006 Solo Rules - from the SCCA.

Have you thought about what class your car should be in?

Mm, I looked through a few sites and I figure it will be stock legal or STS legal? Could someone help me classify it? ~Stoney
Ps. Thanks for the info.

[Checkers]

I try to walk the course 3 times trying to visualize the lines

Ah thats why we don't see you at the Helena events, you're still out walking after the event is over.

One of these days I will get to Helena, Right now I prefer to stay at the local events. Even the 30 or so miles to the Livingston event next month is farther then I want to go but I will be there because I want to find out how the changes I made will effect the car. Chances are, I will still be slow. I just think that I need to get more aggresive. It is taking me a long time to figure out what this car wants.

Stoney, You should get 6 laps and some buck runs if you want. You can borrow my helmet but only if you get it back to me in time for my lap. The one thing I hate is trying to track down my helmet or tools. We have a lot of very good, experienced drivers in this region and I think any of them would be happy to give you a ride. You can even get a ride with me but not sure if you will learn anything. I do have a passenger seat even though my car really isen't set up very well for a passenger(Lots of metal edges and nothing to hold on to) I used to be one of the faster drivers with my old car but seem to be struggling a bit with this car and finishing near the bottom

Usually, you don't need to worry about spinning out or losing control, The course should be set up so that if you lose control you have enough room to get the car shut down and not hit anything. We run on fairly small parking lots so thats not allways the case but we try to make the courses as safe as we can. Even good experienced autocrossers will occasionally spin, it's part of having your car on the edge and trying to not go over it.

Well sweet. I'll do all of that. It looks like Helena is this weekend so I'm going up there I beleive. I'll be bringing my own tools and I understand returning the helmet if I borrow it. Thanks for all of the advice. ~Stoney

[WD40]

Mm, I looked through a few sites and I figure it will be stock legal or STS legal?
Could someone help me classify it?
What all is done to your car supsension, engine, exterior, and interior wise??

[Checkers]

Mm, I looked through a few sites and I figure it will be stock legal or STS legal?
Could someone help me classify it?
What all is done to your car supsension, engine, exterior, and interior wise??

Suspension has been lowered two inches, I think all of the bushings have been replaced now, engine is out of an '85 GTI, aftermarket wheels that are 7.5's, stress bars, stripped interior, two front seats existing with rear removed and passenger side re-movable, and I beleive that is it. Thanks! ~Stoney

[RayAR]

Mm, I looked through a few sites and I figure it will be stock legal or STS legal?
Could someone help me classify it?
What all is done to your car supsension, engine, exterior, and interior wise??

Suspension has been lowered two inches, I think all of the bushings have been replaced now, engine is out of an '85 GTI, aftermarket wheels that are 7.5's, stress bars, stripped interior, two front seats existing with rear removed and passenger side re-movable, and I beleive that is it. Thanks! ~Stoney

Unfortunatly, The stripped interior is going to hurt you. Not sure where you will fall for sure and I have not checked the rulebook for verification but my assumption would be E-prepared. At our local events it dosen't matter much.

[fastneons]

Ray's guess is correct. I would also say EP. The only thing that might keep it out of prepared is, could you get same engine in an 81'? If not, it will bump you to a modified class.

[RayAR]

Ray's guess is correct. I would also say EP. The only thing that might keep it out of prepared is, could you get same engine in an 81'? If not, it will bump you to a modified class.

Not 100% sure because I didn't check the rule book but I believe that prepared rules would allow Stoney to use any VW engine in his car. My car is legal with a 350 even though the biggest engine available in the 1983 Camaro was a 305. If I thought it was an advantage I could even use a Duramax diesel in my car. I believe that I could use any GM engine.

[fastneons]

Not 100% sure because I didn't check the rule book but I believe that prepared rules would allow Stoney to use any VW engine in his car. My car is legal with a 350 even though the biggest engine available in the 1983 Camaro was a 305. If I thought it was an advantage I could even use a Duramax diesel in my car. I believe that I could use any GM engine.

Ray, you are right for CP. If you read appendix a motor swaps like the one you have are legal in CP, but it does not say that they are legal for EP. Therefore, it is illegal.

[Checkers]

Not 100% sure because I didn't check the rule book but I believe that prepared rules would allow Stoney to use any VW engine in his car. My car is legal with a 350 even though the biggest engine available in the 1983 Camaro was a 305. If I thought it was an advantage I could even use a Duramax diesel in my car. I believe that I could use any GM engine.

Ray, you are right for CP. If you read appendix a motor swaps like the one you have are legal in CP, but it does not say that they are legal for EP. Therefore, it is illegal.

So I was categorized in EP today so I guess that is where I'll stay? Thanks guys! ~Stoney