[Bishop]

Hi all, im thinking i would like to compete in one or more auto-x events this season or next season... I live in Colorado and am unsure where to start, where to look, what to do, etc..... any and all help is GREATLY appreciated..

i found this 1 link w/ a quick google search
Rocky Mountain Solo Series Home Page

But any tips on what to do, where to look, what to bring, what class to be in, suggestions, ANY HELP AT ALL, Please post here or PM me....

Thanks all, i know there are some auto-x nuts out there, so hopefully i can get some helpful input

[Vikingmoose]

Well, you can start by looking up your local SCCA Region. Go to SCCA's website, then Solo. Should be able to find a link to the closest Region(s) to your area. Also, try posting in your local forums.

For classing, that will depend on what your mods are. Post 'em up and we'll help you out. Or, go to the Motorsports Forum on NASIOC. There's a sticky on autox classing.

What to bring - just bring yourself and a good attitude. An air compressor wouldn't hurt, a helmet if you have one, a cooler with water/food, and weather-appropriate clothing. ...and comfortable sneakers!

Is this your first event? Ever?

Hope this helps.

Justin

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by Vikingmoose

Well, you can start by looking up your local SCCA Region. Go to SCCA's website, then Solo. Should be able to find a link to the closest Region(s) to your area. Also, try posting in your local forums.

For classing, that will depend on what your mods are. Post 'em up and we'll help you out. Or, go to the Motorsports Forum on NASIOC. There's a sticky on autox classing.

What to bring - just bring yourself and a good attitude. An air compressor wouldn't hurt, a helmet if you have one, a cooler with water/food, and weather-appropriate clothing. ...and comfortable sneakers!

Is this your first event? Ever?

Hope this helps.

Justin

Well, i dont have a particular event planned, i would just like to give it a shot eventually, sooner being better than later... mods atm are stg 1 cobb reflash 91 octane and a catback... was going to be saving for a rotated turbo, now considering a downpipe, stage 2 (possibly protuned), then doing sways, coils, endlinks, etc.... then do the turbo later

thanks for the info, when i get a free second i'll hit that website...
is the link i posted acurate / helpful at all to what im looking for?

[Dragicon]

I never autoX'ed when i was out in CO, but with talking with some people, i would avoid the ones that are out at DIA (if there are any), as they said that it was really crowded and such.

I was in a similar situation with autoX last summer. I participated in my first one, and i ended up doing around 5 of them last year. They are quite fun. Avoid the ones on major holidays (memorial day) as those will be the ones with the most people. Just look for the local scca chapter, go to one of the events and have a blast. In Utah here, the people who autoX are extremely friendly. What you can do is show up early. The people who show up early are usually the serious people and are usually people who setup the course. Just start talking to them, tell them its your first time, and hopefully they will help you out. Ask them if you can "walk the course" with them. That means you walk through the course, and just pick their brain about it. You will usually get good tips from them. Also ask them if they will ride with you. It is always a good idea to have an experienced driver ride with you as they can tell you what to improve on.

[Dragicon]

And yes, that link appears to be the local chapter. I would avoid the 2 day event as it will probably be packed. just browse around in those forums too and see whats going on. AutoX people are usually pretty friendly. They either really nice, or completly full of themselves..., you can usually tell which kind they are pretty quickly.

[Dragicon]

Also, as far as what to bring..., just some lunch and numbers if you have them figured out. You can probably just use tape for a number. Your car will go through inspection, so take out your floormats and anything else that is loose in the cabin.

[Bishop]

Thanks drag and moose, i did some lookin around and it looks like that link i posted is for the "local" chapter... i'll just have to read up on the rules, and figure out what i wanna do.... my plans for a rotated turbo are on hold i think, a downpipe, stg 2 maybe tuned, coils and suspension goodies, then turbo.....

Would it probably be wise to just go stock and compete in a stock class to get a feel? or do suspension stuff then go

[Dragicon]

Originally Posted by Bishop

Thanks drag and moose, i did some lookin around and it looks like that link i posted is for the "local" chapter... i'll just have to read up on the rules, and figure out what i wanna do.... my plans for a rotated turbo are on hold i think, a downpipe, stg 2 maybe tuned, coils and suspension goodies, then turbo.....

Would it probably be wise to just go stock and compete in a stock class to get a feel? or do suspension stuff then go

I dont think it really matters at all for autox. I ran in BSP last year, something that was way over my head (BSP is street prepared class). I didnt really care as it is really just about having fun and racing against the clock. I would say that the "classes" are really just there to see how you compete against comparable cars. THere is really less competition as you would think. Just do whatever mods you want to do, and worry about what class you run in after that. Unless you are extremely serious about autoX and have hopes to compete nationally, i wouldnt worry about what class you are in.

[RaceSTI]

Hi Bishop, I belong to RM SCCA, with what your running, should be STU or Possibly BSP with the Stage 1, I run in SM due to the triangulated Bracing. Great group of people. Just go onto the website, register and sign up for a solo, There are alot of other people and Subaru is well represented in a few different classes. The time trials are also fun, faster speed, SCCAand NASA also has time trials available with schooling to get you started. Many opinions on what to bring - to start - sunblock, hat, cooler of water/drinks and lunch. Air pressure guage. Air up your tires to 40psi and prior to event and start from there, ask around there will be lots of help. Need #numbers for your car, website will help, magnetic, or just painters tape to start. You will need a helmet, but they will have Loaners also. Go early to look around, ask questions, walk the course, etc. Next autocross is May 11th. At World Arena.

[Dragicon]

Originally Posted by RaceSTI

Hi Bishop, I belong to RM SCCA, with what your running, should be STU or Possibly BSP with the Stage 1, I run in SM due to the triangulated Bracing. Great group of people. Just go onto the website, register and sign up for a solo, There are alot of other people and Subaru is well represented in a few different classes. The time trials are also fun, faster speed, SCCAand NASA also has time trials available with schooling to get you started. Many opinions on what to bring - to start - sunblock, hat, cooler of water/drinks and lunch. Air pressure guage. Air up your tires to 40psi and prior to event and start from there, ask around there will be lots of help. Need #numbers for your car, website will help, magnetic, or just painters tape to start. You will need a helmet, but they will have Loaners also. Go early to look around, ask questions, walk the course, etc. Next autocross is May 11th. At World Arena.

What is the difference between SM and BSP? I ran BSP because when i filled out the checklist that is what category i fell in. However, there were a lot of cars in SM that i figured were comparable or more heavily modified than my car. I was told that i could switch to SM in stead of running in BSP. I stayed in BSP but i was just curious why i would be able to run in either one.

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by Dragicon

I dont think it really matters at all for autox. I ran in BSP last year, something that was way over my head (BSP is street prepared class). I didnt really care as it is really just about having fun and racing against the clock. I would say that the "classes" are really just there to see how you compete against comparable cars. THere is really less competition as you would think. Just do whatever mods you want to do, and worry about what class you run in after that. Unless you are extremely serious about autoX and have hopes to compete nationally, i wouldnt worry about what class you are in.

thanks drag, i dont really care at all if i get stomped on, or what class i compete.... im just looking to get some "experience" behind the wheel to see if i like it... if i do, i'll prepare better for next season..... i would rather be road racing, but auto-x is close enough since i dont know of any road racing events in colorado unless your willing to go on quite the trip to get there... im pretty much decided now i'd rather do a downpipe, stage 2 flash, do suspension and then move onto turbo

Originally Posted by RaceSTI

Hi Bishop, I belong to RM SCCA, with what your running, should be STU or Possibly BSP with the Stage 1, I run in SM due to the triangulated Bracing. Great group of people. Just go onto the website, register and sign up for a solo, There are alot of other people and Subaru is well represented in a few different classes. The time trials are also fun, faster speed, SCCAand NASA also has time trials available with schooling to get you started. Many opinions on what to bring - to start - sunblock, hat, cooler of water/drinks and lunch. Air pressure guage. Air up your tires to 40psi and prior to event and start from there, ask around there will be lots of help. Need #numbers for your car, website will help, magnetic, or just painters tape to start. You will need a helmet, but they will have Loaners also. Go early to look around, ask questions, walk the course, etc. Next autocross is May 11th. At World Arena.

Hey! your probably just the guy i wanna be talking to if i wanna get started in RM SCCA... i probably wont make it to the next event, i would like to get a little more research under my belt as well as a little more preperation.....

i have a few questions too....
Not a rolling start right? from the dig?
how much does it run $$ to register and compete in an event?

i know i ahve more or can think of more but dont have em off the top of my head atm

thanks again Drag and race

[Bishop]

whats the difference between solo and solo2?

[Dragicon]

Originally Posted by Bishop

i have a few questions too....
Not a rolling start right? from the dig?
how much does it run $$ to register and compete in an event?

i know i ahve more or can think of more but dont have em off the top of my head atm

thanks again Drag and race

its usually about $25 or $30 to race. It is from a dig, but i rarely launch my car. They usually have a turn or such at the start to prevent people from launching and getting into fast speeds out of the gate. (at least thats what they do in UT). If i took it more seriously, i am sure i would launch it. You will like it, and you will also realize how much you suck at driving AutoX will get you much more driving skills than track racing. It is much tighter turns and reactions. Track racing is all long straights and you can easily see what is coming up, where as autoX you have to react quickly. I honestly think you are thinking about this way too much. Dont be nervous, just go out there and drive. Nobody will ridicule you as everbody was once in your position. You should go to that one in May 11th, the sooner you get into autox, the more events you will race in.

[Bishop]

I'll consider it if i can get a proper list together and some good tips (if you read my journal you'll see i overthink ALOT and really get ALOT of info before taking any actions..... i would love to go, so we'll see)

[Foxey]

Originally Posted by Dragicon

What is the difference between SM and BSP? I ran BSP because when i filled out the checklist that is what category i fell in. However, there were a lot of cars in SM that i figured were comparable or more heavily modified than my car. I was told that i could switch to SM in stead of running in BSP. I stayed in BSP but i was just curious why i would be able to run in either one.

If you are legal to run in BSP, you are going to be legal to run in SM. SM is a less restrictive class - you used to get bumped there for having a BOV or WG, I guess the BOV is now legal in BSP, but the external waste gate will kick you right into SM. It really doesn't matter what class you run unless you are trying to win at PAX, where the SM modifier would give you a "slower" modified time than BSP. I don't know the numbers off the top of my head, but in BSP they would multiply your time by say x .85, so if you ran a 1:00 flat, your pax would be 51 seconds, whereas SM might be .87, so your 1:00 time would be PAX'd at 52.2 seconds. You'd want to run the "lowest" class you are legal for to get the best multiplier.