Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track What defines autocross racing?

Not to sound stupid or anything...but what exactly defines an autocross race? Are they races run on regular roads? Or are they run on tracks? Is there any particular length of race, or class of car or something that's defined by the word "autocross"? I mean, I've heard the term enough, but I have no idea what it means...

The absolute simplest answer I would give is that it's road racing in a parking lot on a track defined by parking cones for fastest time. I've seen single car events (Solo class) and I've seen two identical courses side by side with a car in each. Obviously the cars that handle the best and are geared the best will have the quickest elapse times. Where I live they do it in the parking lot of the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds.

Autocrossing is done basically anywhere people can make a course. I've been on airports that have been converted to road courses. SVTCole (I think) rolled his car while on a Go-Kart track. What really defines Auto-cross Solo II (there are different types, but that is the one most people mean) is defined by 1 car at a time, single timed runs. The course is laid out in such a way as to limit your top speed to under 60 MPH. It's part drag-race part road-course. It's a blast and you can do it with just about any car you can get to pass a minimal safety inspection. You also don't get to drive the course very often 3-8 runs in one day (run = 1 lap) so it sharpens your driving skills very quickly. You have to learn how to set up for turns and brake etc etc with almost no practice and still make very fast times.

Hope this helps.

I don't have much to add to Dave's description. Courses are marked with contruction cones, and usually set up early in the morning. There is time between tech inspection and the first car off to 'walk the course'. This is where you form you plan of attack. Brake here, shift there, watch out for that patch of gravel...etc. The cars are grouped by class, so you compete against like models (for the most part). Vettes vs. RX7s, Mustangs vs. Camaros, Focus vs. Kias. The Contours (in stock form) compete against other 4-door sedans in G-Stock. Fastest time around the course in your class walks away with the trophy.

It was Buckshot77 that rolled over on the Go-Kart track.

On a side note...AutoX is highly addictive. Those that compete are usually hooked for life, and spend kagoobagoogs of money on it. Caution should be taken. That said, though, it is a heckuva a great way to spend a Sat/Sun.

Give it a try, and have fun.

Sincerely,

Thanks for the assist The Mark.

Dave, you'll be hearing from my lawyer.

I've been driving for 30 years with one minor accident involving body damage...of course we won't discuss the lucky no contact spins on mountain roads and autobahn...

As for autocross, what they said.

Wow! That sounds like fun. Hmm...a couple more questions...how do you define a Contour "in stock form"? Like, I have a KKM intake on mine...does that make it "not stock"? Or does it only count if major engine rework is done, or a turbo added, etc.? And what does G-Stock mean?

And umm...SVTCole, how did you get your cars to Germany, or did you live there for a while?

Good questions. The SCCA permits a few small modifications to a stock car while still considering it in 'stock form'. As a rough guide, if your car has modifications beyond this list it is not eligible for Stock Category:

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Anything available on the exact model and year of your car as standard or optional equipment, as installed on the factory assembly line (nothing available only dealer-installed is allowed), plus
Standard OEM identical replacement parts
Accessories, gauges, appearance, comfort, and convenience items (not replacement driver's seat, though) that basically don't help

Added roll bar or roll cage to spec (not required, though)

Driver harness (no cutting seats to install, though)

Trailer hitch and/or tow bar mountings

Any wheel of diameter and width identical to a stock or factory optional wheel, offset within +- 0.25 inch

Most street legal tires that will fit the mounted wheels and stock bodywork

Any shock absorber of the same type and mounting as original; no change to standard spring mountings is allowed; suspension geometry may not be altered; gas or hydraulic shocks are permitted

Any brake linings; pre-1992 cars may use solid/braided metal brake lines.

Any front anti-roll bar (no change to stock/optional rear anti-roll bar, if present)

Manufacturer specified ignition settings only

Any replacement air filter element (or removal of air filter element); no plumbing changes, however

Engine bored no more than .020"; no balancing or porting/polishing of head

Replacement of any part of the exhaust system past the catalytic converter (if quiet)

Any oil filter

Added clutch scattershield

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As to the KKM intake...It would eliminate you from stock competition. Intake mods are allowed in some of the other classes, namely STS (Street touring Street-tire), which many members here run in (an have been very sucessful, I should mention). The list of allowed modifications for STS is rather extensive, so given the fact that you only have a KKM, you would be at a mild disadvantage, there. I would recommend putting the old airbox on, and running G-Stock (though some would disageee, I am sure). You would/might be at a tire disadvantage, but not all people in G-Stock run race tires....so.

Major engine workovers (turbos, etc.) fall into the SM (Street Modified)category. There is a huge list of allowed mods in this one...

The G-Stock nominclature has to do with the class structure in SCCA, i.e. the way that they group like cars into similar classes. They run from fastest to slowest. SS (Super Stock - Vettes, RX-7s), then AS (A-Stock - Porche Boxies, BMW Z3s), BS, CS.....all the way to HS (H-Stock - Kias, Yugos, Skodas, Trabants ).

If you would like to check out the mod list allowed for STS, and SM. The links are below.

STS - Street Touring Street-tire

SM - Street Modified

Hope that helps.
Good luck, and again, the most important part is to have fun.

Respectfully,

The intake moves you to STS, a street tire class the Contour does OK in. It allows you to lower the car, use wider/taller wheels, but tires no bigger than 225, change antiroll bars, and do several other things like your intake.

See my signature, I was there in the Army for 3 years. Autobahn spin occurred on snowy day when others and I were going too fast, someone pulled out in front of us, and cars to my front collided. Swerved my RX-7 to the right and somehow missed everything while spinning. Mountain road spins involved gravel on road at night and several...just going too fast when young. Kids, don't try this at home!

There's a good layman's definition plus plenty more info at www.autocross.com

The autocross rulebook unfortunately contains a laughably complex and nitpicky set of allowble mods between classes.

Hey.. I can make mistakes Can't I????