My First Autocross - Solo II school this Sunday!, Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech! Options

[Outrider]

Here in Birmingham, the SCCA group is holding their annual Solo II school this weekend, and it will be my first time out on the track. I went and watched their "Test n' Tune" day about a week ago, and it looks like a total blast. Im psyched about it, and from a newbie POV I think it's very cool that you're not required to "run with the big dogs" in order to have fun...running in the stock class means I don't have to jump headlong into modding just to have fun.

They were running everything from tuner STi's and Mini Coopers to your basic family sedans. Computer timing, good organization. All very cool. I think the Celica will be a fun car for this kind of thing...might never be the fastest, but plenty respectable in the corners.

Anyway...Hello to the forum. Heads up for those of you in the area. Autocross stories & advice welcomed!

This post has been edited by Outrider: Feb 28, 2006 - 10:45 AM

[purplegt4]

better to go in slow and come out fast, than to go in fast and come out hurt.

[ThAixGuYx2k7]

nicely said

[frosty]

Hmm, that sounds fun. I'd enjoy doing something like that but my clutch is slighly slipping when I gas it to hard.

Where @ in b'ham do you live? I used to live down in centerpoint and pinson. Now I'm about 30 min. north from there.

[Outrider]

Hmm, that sounds fun. I'd enjoy doing something like that but my clutch is slighly slipping when I gas it to hard.

Where @ in b'ham do you live? I used to live down in centerpoint and pinson. Now I'm about 30 min. north from there.

I live in Alabaster. They run the races at the Hoover met parking lot.

Had to replace my clutch last year @ 170,000 miles. It seems to be in good shape, and deserves a little abuse for what it cost me.

As for getting hurt...the speeds in Solo II are low enough that the only thing that gets hurt are the cones. Point, shoot, corner, repeat. You're right, though...just like on a bike, set your corner speed at the entry and accelerate through.

[frosty]

Let me know when a big car show is happening, mabey we could meet up.

What all have you done (plan to do) to your celica and civic?

[Outrider]

What all have you done (plan to do) to your celica and civic?

Not much, really...just a K&N filter and a set of take-off wheels from a current GT-S. You can't change anything significant if you want to run stock class, which I will probably do for at least a full season. If I really get into it, the next step is a 2nd set of wheels fitted with race compound tires, then some adjustable shocks.

[boosted_K2]

welcome! both to the worlds of 6gc and SCCA Solo II hehe. i likewise run SCCA solo 2 its a blast. I run my E-Stock prepped MR2 in detroit region and will also be going to a pro event, cen-div event, and hopefully nationals this year. you will definatly enjoy it, if you need any help with anything, i would be glad to help ya out.

advice: if you are very interested in tips read the book Secrets of Solo Racing by Henry Watts, covers everything from the most basic to very advanced techniques, also gives a great run down on how solo 2 events are run and how to operate within them. Granted things have changed since the book was written (1990) but overall very much remains the same, the biggest difference is the events run much quicker because its all becoming more electronic so everything is accelerated.

Sites to check out:
scca.org - obviously. great resource for car classsifications, modding options and regulations, as well as any general SCCA info
myautoevents.com - your guide for autocrosses in your area and abroad, most clubs also give discounted entry fees for registering there instead of at the event
saferacer.com - obviously lots of safety equipment, good prices on helmets and stuff that if you are interested in autocrossing alot you should probably pick up
tirerack.com - will be your best friend in the entire world unless you get good discounts locally


stories: nothing really, but am probably going to do a short film on this season, should be fun.

This post has been edited by boosted_K2: Feb 28, 2006 - 7:26 PM

[boosted_K2]

better to go in slow and come out fast, than to go in fast and come out hurt.

not 99% of the time in autocrossing... dizzy maybe but not hurt hehe