Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches E. Great Lakes How many ppl here are into auto-X?

Ok, I know we have those ppl in here for sure. I am considering doing this next year for sure at a 95% chance, considering if nothing finacially throws me off.

Ill probally do this with the west mich SCCA chapter. I would like to know what everyone would suggest I do to get ready for this. Thanks to all who reply?

buy a helmet and go to it! pretty simple, eh? Show up with a helmet & your car and they will find a class for you.
-Mark

The only thing I have to add is that you make sure that the helmet you buy is Snell approved. There is a bit of a difference. Most helmets are DOT approved only. Snell is the next level of certification, and it is required in the SCCA.

Also, if you are just wanting to see what it is like, you can just show up with your car...we usually have loaner helmets available in the starting grid for those who do not have them.

I look forward to seein' you out on course.
~TM
#13 GS
98 SVT

They are usually $20 to enter unless you are an SCCA member then it's $15. Once you try it you can't stop I must warn you.

Ive been in the SCCA since March 2000, but really havent put forth the time that I should have towards attending the monthly meetings and even trying to make it out to any event.

I was over on Sccaforums.com and posted a question over there in the solo boards.

Bascially, I was just interested to see how many mods you guys may have done to get into the classes and whatever you have done to get the most out of solo 2.

Im seroiusly going to try this, I go to school in the Detroit area, but plan on coming back to West Mich to do auto-x and my plans after college (possible grad date, fall'02) are still up in the air. So ill have to wait and see.

When I first started out, I de-modded my car. I had previously installed a short-throw shifter, beefy intake, and pedal covers. I took all of those off, which basically left me bone stock.

After a few events, i began to mod the car according to the SCCA rulebook regarding 'Stock' cars. Biggest investment was wheels and sticky tires. I added larger plug wires, plat plugs, and a racing harness.

By the time next season rolls around, I will have a few more additions to the list.

I have to second todras...Once you start racing, you WILL love it, and you WILL sink $$$ into the car. Just FYI. (It's all worth it, though)

If im back in the area, I may try to make it back to the next SCCA WMR meeting, guess ill have to plan ahead. If anyone is going to be there, I would look forward to it.

My first autoX was in a 95 SHO (decent handling but still big) on a wet course during a steady rain with cool temps and dreary overcast...about as crappy as you can get. Oh yeah, my SHO also had a completely useless front motor mount...the torque from the motor actually pulled it (the motor) through the metal bracket of the mount, and the resulting lack of restraint would cause my engine to bang into the hood hard enough to twist it up by almost two inches. As a result I had to "take it easy" around the course.

Did I have fun??? OH HELL YEAH!

Get into autocrossing...it's the best narcotic available. You'll have a blast but you'll also learn things about your car and your driving skill that you wern't aware of before. You'll be more in tune with your car; you'll know the limits of your skills and you'll consistently increase those limits.

You'll also spend $$$ because, though SOLO II is VERY inexpensive, it will go from the occasional event to EVERY event in a 500 mile radius. Then you'll go to open track days on real road courses. Then SOLO I events...next thing you know your car will have a roll cage, no seats or carpeting, exhaust louder than your mother-in-law and multiple sets of race tires. And yes, you'll still drive it on the street

Chris's las t paragraph is true. I placed third in STS out of 30 cars on Labor Day. I'm getting a new struts and springs from BAT along with a stiffer sway bar. Next year I WILL win. Total should be just under a grand with installation. She's gonna out corner Vette's. Well maybe not but I'll try.

I cant wait to see what I could outcorner. Just have to get the funds flowin and hopefully the rear sway bars for my car gets off back order status soon.