What class would my car fall under?

[LTDScott]

I'm new to all of this and would like to attend the next event on Feb 19. I'm wondering what class I would be under, and what time I would need to be at the event to run?

I have an 85 Ford LTD LX (Fox body). Originally a 5.0, but now has 5.0 EFI from a 93 Mustang, along with heads, intake, cam, exhaust, etc. Suspension is 95+ Mustang stuff up front, aftermarket in rear, with 17" wheels, 245/45 street tires (compared to 14" stock). Cobra brakes, suspension stiffening braces. Don't laugh, it handles pretty well and is only 5" longer than a Mustang.

I'm guessing I'll probably have to run in Street Mod? I just want to run for fun, and I don't care about being competitive or not (because I'm sure I won't!). If so, that appears to be group 3. So what time do you recommend I show up?

While we're at it, what would my other car run in? It's a 2002 Mazda Protege5 which is all stock except a cold air intake and short shifter.

[rodger]

Your Mazda is legal for STS on 140+ threadwear tire.

Your LTD is maybe SM legal. The "suspension stiffening braces" could take it out of that class, depending on what they connect to and wear. You'd then go to one of the Prepared classes, but I don't know the rules well enough to guide you there. CP?

You can always run in Street Unlimited, the local class for everything from a souped-up VW Bug to a Ferrari. :)

[LTDScott]

Your LTD is maybe SM legal. The "suspension stiffening braces" could take it out of that class, depending on what they connect to and wear. You'd then go to one of the Prepared classes, but I don't know the rules well enough to guide you there. CP?

You can always run in Street Unlimited, the local class for everything from a souped-up VW Bug to a Ferrari. :)

Thanks for the response. To elaborate on the "suspension stiffening braces," I have custom made subframe connectors, a Maximum Motorsport strut tower brace, and a Maximum Motorsport k-member brace.

While I don't expect to be competitive, I would like to be in a class where I'm grouped with cars that aren't full-out race cars or exotics if possible.

[cshodges]

SU is our local class for anything street legal. If you fall outside all the other rules, that may be your only option. You can download a copy of the 2006 rulebook here: http://www.scca.org/_filelibrary/File/2006_solo_rules.pdf

The rules for the different categories are strict in some areas, and leave a lot of leeway in otheres. For instance, stock classes can run full catback exhaust systems and race rubber tires, but that cold-air intake you've put on your Mazda bumps it out of stock.

As for what time you need to be there, since it's your first time, you'll want to show up early to register. You'll need an SDR SoloII number card to play. Whatever class you decide to run, sign up as a novice, attend the morning novice coursewalk, and ask for an instructor when it's your turn. It's never fun to come out your first time and wonder why all of your runs have been labelled as "DNF" (did not finish) and wonder where you went off-course.

[LTDScott]

Thanks for the assistance!

[SLARGE]

Run in X class or just run on practice days and you won't have to follow any rules. I'f you've done one mod that a class rules don't approve you might get pushed into an unlimited class. Also make sure you register for Saturday practices (7-10 runs) verses Sunday events (3-4 runs). My stock LTD pushes a lot, and I'm guessing even with the Mustang bolt ons yours will still push a little. Nuetral is ideal but with the longer wheelbase (and slow course) a little oversteer might help you.

[Bimota Guy]

Run in X class or just run on practice days and you won't have to follow any rules. I'f you've done one mod that a class rules don't approve you might get pushed into an unlimited class. Also make sure you register for Saturday practices (7-10 runs) verses Sunday events (3-4 runs). My stock LTD pushes a lot, and I'm guessing even with the Mustang bolt ons yours will still push a little. Nuetral is ideal but with the longer wheelbase (and slow course) a little oversteer might help you.
X-runs are only available to those who have already entered a competitive class. If not familiar, X-runs simply means buying a 2nd set of runs on a Championship day. You must run your competition runs first and work a 2nd run group.

[SLARGE]

That shows how long it's been since I've ran on a Sunday, I stand corrected. Run on Saturday practices Scott.

[woodrufj]

That shows how long it's been since I've ran on a Sunday, I stand corrected. Run on Saturday practices Scott.
This doesn't teach you how to compete in an AutoX, which is the point of what we do.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[frosty]

This doesn't teach you how to compete in an AutoX, which is the point of what we do.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

Asside from a different format, what doesn't it teach that a driver should learn?

[woodrufj]

Asside from a different format, what doesn't it teach that a driver should learn?
How to get a good time in three runs. Seriousness of course walk. Cones Count. Competition with real competitors. How to really work course. Etc, etc.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[frosty]

Ah yes, true. When you go and have 8-12 runs on a course, it marginalizes the course walk somewhat.

My novice opinion: I think that a beginner should spend most of his time at practices, but periodically go in to a Championship to put it to practice.

Seem about right, woodruf?

[froggy47]

Some (not all) people get sloppy on practice runs, figure if they hit a few cones - so what- it's a practice. Bad habits are hard to break.

Also if they are not fast on their first run they figure they'll get faster on their 6th or 7th (true - but you only get 3 at a champ event - each one counts)

Use practice to tune shocks, sway bar, tire pressure & more (if you are not stock)

Use lots of champ events to tune the driver.

Some beginners are "put off" of champ events just because they are called "Championship Events" and they should not be. Lots of good help available for novice drivers at Champ events.

[woodrufj]

Mostly what Froggy says.

Newbs need to learn how to pick up a course quickly, thats what its all about. After three (or 4) runs, there's no point unless you're fine tuning your car.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[froggy47]

Newbs need to learn how to pick up a course quickly, thats what its all about. After three (or 4) runs, there's no point unless you're fine tuning your car.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota


This is KEY. If you run up front of the line and can go out hot on your first run and lay down a blistering time, think of the pressure that may put on your competition. Pressure = mistakes. This is one aspect of the gamesmanship of autox.

Now if I could only pull it off.

:D

[frosty]

This is KEY. If you run up front of the line and can go out hot on your first run and lay down a blistering time, think of the pressure that may put on your competition. Pressure = mistakes. This is one aspect of the gamesmanship of autox.

Now if I could only pull it off.

:D

I've heard people talk about cold tires making it harder to do a killer time right out of the gates. Maybe a few 360s out on the other side of the trolly tracks could warm up that rubber. :D

Yes, there's that sort of pressure and gamesmanship. But if you had only $40 each month (and you've already run some championships so you understand format / 3 run pressure, etc), do you still think that it's better to ditch the practice (8-12 runs) to do the Championship?

While I need to focus more on the course walk than I have been, I feel like there are more subtleties of the course that I don't pick up on until I'm racing on it. Take a slolom (even the 8 cone slolom from the last practice). It was a slolom that suddenly got shorter, but other than that a slolom is a slolom (once you've decided the best entry/exit). Even so, I suck horribly at sloloms and rarely if ever late apex it right. Wouldn't it be better for me to be getting the seat time going through that slolom?

What if I kept in the back of my mind "My first 3 runs are the ones that count, and the rest is like X-runs / fun runs"? Each practice I go to I keep trying to make my first three times be just as fast as my last three. Then, as I learn more about being fast, then I'd get more out of the course walk.

I'm not saying I'm right, just kind of putting out my thoughts on the matter.

[RandyC]

Maybe a few 360s out on the other side of the trolly tracks could warm up that rubber. :D

Just a note for novices... warming up tires on site will get you banned from our events.

[froggy47]

I've heard people talk about cold tires making it harder to do a killer time right out of the gates. Maybe a few 360s out on the other side of the trolly tracks could warm up that rubber. :D

Depends on the tire, lots of guys try to cool off the tires between runs, on 710's some of my better runs have been on cold tires - hard to figure.

Yes, there's that sort of pressure and gamesmanship. But if you had only $40 each month (and you've already run some championships so you understand format / 3 run pressure, etc), do you still think that it's better to ditch the practice (8-12 runs) to do the Championship?

Personally I would do both if I could, for different reasons. If you can only do one do the champ event & fun runs. We almost always have them when the daylight lasts.

While I need to focus more on the course walk than I have been, I feel like there are more subtleties of the course that I don't pick up on until I'm racing on it. Take a slolom (even the 8 cone slolom from the last practice). It was a slolom that suddenly got shorter, but other than that a slolom is a slolom (once you've decided the best entry/exit). Even so, I suck horribly at sloloms and rarely if ever late apex it right. Wouldn't it be better for me to be getting the seat time going through that slolom?

Yes, but have a pro advising you if you are doing it right.

What if I kept in the back of my mind "My first 3 runs are the ones that count, and the rest is like X-runs / fun runs"? Each practice I go to I keep trying to make my first three times be just as fast as my last three. Then, as I learn more about being fast, then I'd get more out of the course walk.

That is a good way to mentally approach practice runs.

I'm not saying I'm right, just kind of putting out my thoughts on the matter.

Response in quoted text.

:)

[frosty]

Just a note for novices... warming up tires on site will get you banned from our events.

Good call. I wouldn't want someone to take my joke seriously.

And thanks froggy for your thoughts.

[LTDScott]

Whoa hey, new posts since I logged in last time.

First of all, as a complete noob, I agree with whoever posted that the "Championship Event" name is a bit intimidating for people like myself.

I would have gone to the last practice event, but I had to be registered last year to sign up, so no go there. And this weekend there is no practice, so as long as I can get my damn headers bolted back onto my car on Saturday, I plan to be there on Sunday.

I would REALLY like to get more than 3 runs in, just to get used to the course and the way the event is set up, but I guess I'll take what I can get. I am not worried at all about being competitive, especially since my car's mods will put me in a class in which I'm completely outgunned.

SLARGE, do you own the white LTD LX I saw at the last Auto-X on Sunday? If so, I was hoping to meet whoever owned it. As far as handling, my car is fairly neutral, and on occasion while hard on the brakes I have actually had oversteer. Caught me off-guard while driving down Palomar Mountain! But the only competitive event I have taken it to was the SVT Club's "Show and Go" event in which they had a 1st-gear-speed agility course. If there was a 3rd place trophy, I would have taken it! This is what gave me the racing bug.

[frosty]

If they do fun runs after the event on Sunday, you can possibly get several more runs for cheap.

Does any of the TART guys have an estimate on whether / how many these will be available. Better yet, with sunset due at about 5:30 when is the event to end and the cleanup to begin?

[Pervis]

Fun Runs are dictated by entry count more that daylight. When there are only 140 entries, entrants want more than the 3 run minimum. If we limit every one to 3 class runs and few show up in the after noon, there is time for fun runs. When there are 240 entries on a winter event, fun runs have to suffer. Add to that equation the possibility of a fluid leak or something similar delaying progress and you see it is impossible to predict.


Welcome to our addiction...

[frosty]

Fair enough. Asking for whether they will or won't happen is too hard to predict.

What about a desired event end time (nothing I'd hold you guys to, ofcourse). Since fun runs are often dictated by how late the event can go (which is dictated by when sunset is), do you have an idea when you guys will tell us to go home while the TART pros clean up the course?

[LTDScott]

Well looking at this upcoming event, if I run in Street Mod or Street Unlimited, I'd be group 3, so I'm not sure I'd want to wait all afternoon for fun runs that may or may not be available. But we'll see.

[woodrufj]

Since fun runs are often dictated by how late the event can go (which is dictated by when sunset is),
No, the event is over when the hosting club says its over, safety says its over or 6pm, which ever is first.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[frosty]

No, the event is over when the hosting club says its over, safety says its over or 6pm, which ever is first.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

Thank you.