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First of all what is Autocross.
Autocross/Solo II events are low to medium speed auto racing events; they are often run on parking lots and airport runways, although street events and events at Go Kart tracks sometimes take place. Generally a course will be defined using traffic cones. One driver at a time negotiates a course laid out with the cones, or pylons, testing their skill against the clock. Time penalties are charged for disturbing cones. In most regions, the penalty is 2 seconds per cone, although in some places it may be 1 second.

Second where do I find out when/where an autcross will be held.
you can find a local club Here. But generaly check out the SCCA web site Here is a link to the Official SCCA calender for Solo II events (Autocross). Note that Las Vegas is listed alot here, we love autcross!!

What do I need to go Autcross.
The only thing you really need is a car that can pass a basic safty inspection. you dont need raceing tires, you dont need springs, you dont need any thing more then a stock car. You'd be suprised at how competitve a stock car can be with a little practice. You dont need to bring a helmet as most clubs have loners that you can use, however if you do Make shure it is rated by the Snell memorial co. at Snell 2000 or better. DOT helmets are not good enough.

What do I do when I get there.

First thing you do is check in. there should be a table where you can pay your entry fee ($20 to $30) and sign all the nessisary wavers.

second, Make shure that they know that this is your first time Autocrossing!!! Most clubs will assign you an experianced driver to ride with you on a couple runs to give you pointers and make shure you arn't doing any thing stupid.

Third, when its time WALK THE COURSE. Try to do it with an experianced Driver, just ask around Most people are happy to help a Newbee.
Most likely you will have no Idea what to look for when walking the course so ask questions.

Fourth, when its time for you to run, Have Fun! Your first time out you will probably get beat by everybody and their mothers so leave your EGO at home. Its sad to see some one come out and get beat then never return again. Some of the other drivers may have been autocrossing for 15 years or more, and I can remember getting My A** handed to my by a guy driveing a bone stock Tiberon.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG]

Finally Take it easy your first day, learn the tells of your car, and Remember If you Spin Both feet in!

Have fun

 
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i heard somewhere, something along the lines of, "Fast cars like straights, fast drivers like turns"

it's all true.

 
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Time for a gratuitoius, post whoring, conversation piece of a non honda picture:



*disclaimer* No hondas were harmed in the making of this picture

 
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Actually one of the best Stock autcross cars ever made what the Dodge Neon ACR. The ACR stood for American Club Racer. It came with a 150 hp motor and Camber plates STOCK! great car. Dodge never really advertized it, you had to special order one.

 
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Neonmike: nice pic there.. i liek that rear wheel off the ground

 
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Do you have to have your stock seats and harnesses? I thought I read something in the rules about that. I wanna know because my racing seats and 4 point harnesses arrive next week.

 
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If you want to run stock, you cant have aftermarket seats. In STS you can have any seat you want aslong as it adjustible. (Not a solid Race Tub) Harneses are not limited as long as it is properly secured.

 
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Do you have to run in a different class if you have upgraded sway bars? [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

BTW, how the hell do they lift their tires like that. It it a hard braking turn that does it? [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
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You can change the Front Swaybar and still be in stock, The class I run in STS allows for Front and rear Anti-sway bars.

as far as lifting the rear tire, Its not uncomon for a well tuned FWD car to lift the inside rear tire durning hard cornering. It deals with weight transfer and the roll Couple Distribution of a FWD car.

 
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Yes I do want to autocross... much more interesting that driving in a straight line. I think it goes: "Straights are for fast cars. Turns are for fast drivers "
Thanks for the info.

 
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That's on street tires too [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]

4 doors got the regular 132hp SOHC engine, albeit with the shorter gearing. Camber plates were never an option, but the 95-97 cars had a slot in the lower hole for the strut bracket allowing for camber adjustment.


The front bar is legal to upgrade for stock class, but not the rear. Typically on a FWD car you want to increase stiffness in the rear.

Yeah, hard braking while turning will do it, such as in my photo there. Cars with stickier tires on stock suspension will do it even more....

 
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THe 2002 Neon ACR had the 150 Hp Magnum engine in it [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]

 
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Heres a quick over view of car classes From the SCCA

1.STOCK
Despite the name, the SCCA does allow some modifications to Stock category cars: brake pads, front anti-roll bar, and shocks may all be changed. Any road wheel with the same dimensions as the original piece may be used, and most competitors run DOT-approved race tires. Exhaust systems may be changed after the catalytic converter. Cars are assigned one of nine Stock classes depending upon performance.

Body work: Stock.

Interior: Stock.

Suspension: Stock, but different shocks and front anti-roll bars are allowed.

Engine: Stock, but mufflers and air filter elements may be changed.

Wheels/tires: Stock-size wheels; DOT-approved tires.


2. Street Prepared
These are production cars that have been modified in excess of Stock category rules. Wheel, shock, spring, anti-roll bar, exhaust and intake specifications are pretty much free. Cars can run any size DOT-approved race tire, although cars may not be lightened with fiberglass or plastic body panels. Cars may also be updated and backdated (run select pieces from older or newer versions of the same model) according to SCCA rules.

Body work: Stock, although fender flares and front spoilers may be added.

Interior: Stock, although front seats may be changed.

Suspension: Alternate shocks, springs and anti-roll bars allowed.

Engine: Intake and exhaust may be changed.

Wheels/tires: Unlimited wheel sizes; DOT-approved race tires.

3.PREPARED
These cars can either be prepared to SCCA Club Racing's specs for Production or GT cars (as specified in the General Competition Rules), or built to Solo's Prepared rules. Fiberglass body panels, radical engine internals, trick suspensions and massive lightening are all allowed.

Body work: Fiberglass panels allowed.

Interior: May be gutted.

Suspension: Attachment points may be moved; all hardware may be upgraded.

Engine: Engine internals very free; some limits on carbs or fuel injection.

Wheels/tires: Wheel specs listed for each car; cars can run on slicks.

MODIFIED
Single-seat, purpose-built race cars, as well as production cars modified in excess of the other rules, fall into Modified.

Body work: Open.

Interior: Open.

Suspension: Open.

Engine: Open.

Wheels/tires: Open.

Street Touring S
A new category for slightly-modified, four- and five-seater street cars under 3.1 liters in displacement. No turbocharged cars are allowed, aside from some specific low-boost models.

Body work: Stock, although aero kits and wings may be added.

Interior: Stock, although any reclining front seats may be used.

Suspension: Alternate shocks, springs and anti-roll bars allowed. No limited-slip diffs aside from stock viscous types.

Engine: Exhaust system (including C.A.R.B approved headers) and air filter setups may be changed.

Wheels/tires: Unlimited wheel size up to 7.5 inches wide. No R-Compound Tires. Tires must be D.O.T approved with treadwear rating greater than 140.

Street Touring X
This class is similar to Street Touring S, although larger engine displacements as well as factory turbochargers are allowed.

Body work: Stock, although aero kits and wings may be added.

Interior: Stock, although any reclining front seats may be used.

Suspension: Alternate shocks, springs and anti-roll bars allowed. Limited-slip diffs may be added.

Engine: Exhaust system (including C.A.R.B approved headers) and air filter setups may be changed.

Wheels/tires: Unlimited wheel size up to 7.5 inches wide. No R-Compound Tires. Tires must be

D.O.T approved with treadwear rating greater than 140.

STREET MODIFIED
A class for radical street cars--interiors must remain, but engine swaps, forced induction (less than 3 liters) and limited-slip differentials are allowed. Cars cannot be "sports car based" in SM, although SM2 allows true sports cars.

Body work: Stock, although aero kits, fender flares and wings may be added. Replacement front fenders and hoods are allowed.

Interior: Stock, although any reclining front seats may be used. Rear seat may be removed.

Suspension: Alternate shocks, springs and anti-roll bars allowed. Limited-slip diffs may be added.

Engine: Engine swaps are fine, provided the engine comes from the same family as the body. (In other words, an Integra-powered Civic is fine, yet a Lexus-powered Celica is not; check with the SCCA for exact specifics.) Engines less than 3 liters may receive forced induction.

Wheels/tires: Unlimited wheel size, R-compound tires.

 
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A mod should Sticky This somewhere, and If there are enough people doing it, it might be cool to start a autocross forum. Thanks for the info, helped me out. I'll look into doing this during the summer since it's too wet right now, and I'm broke.

-Mark

 
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Yeah, make a whole new forum!! I am going to go to one this month to see what it is like. The next month maybe i will race for the first time. I know i am in STS class with Antiroll bars, sway bars, and 17's with CAI, exhaust and header. Hopefully this year i can get 2 or 3 races under my belt. thanks for starting this thread zzyzx.
rob

 
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I found a club that is having a meeting on the 18th. I'm going to go check it out.

 
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Hey FlyRice, is this thing on the 18th somewhere in SC? Let me know, I want to go to.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG]

 
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Yea, its in Charleston at the Rick Hendrick Dealership at 7pm.

Find out more info from this site

 
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Hmm, I think I'll be going to the next event in SC, as long as I don't have to work.
Does autoxing void your warranty? I guess I can dig out my warranty info book, but does anyone just happen to know?

 
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Not that I know of, Autocross is hardest on your brakes and tires, though the tranny gets a good work out. I've never personally had any problems with warrenty issues and autocross. But it depends on the dealership that does the work, to some it dosnt matter to others doing anything more then driving like an old granny voids the warrenty.