Wanting to start autocrossing

[MusicCam94]

Hey everyone,


My name is Cameron, and I'm a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton. I realy want to start autocrossing, and now I'm at a point where I can actually start doing it. I have a 1994 mustang gt 5.0 with some exhaust, suspension, and engine work done to it. I was just wondering what class I would be in, what I need to buy as far as helmets and harnesses go, and when i could come see what its all about. I know that there is the Championship event on Sunday, but I'm not sure where it is or what its all about. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks Guys

[woodrufj]

I have a 1994 mustang gt 5.0 with some exhaust, suspension, and engine work done to it. I was just wondering what class I would be in,
Need to know the details.


what I need to buy as far as helmets Snell M95 or better. There are some loaners, but M (motorcycle helmets) can be had pretty cheap. If you plan on big track time in the next year or two, skip right to the SA rated helmets (road racing).


and harnesses go
Stock belts are okay. If it's an open car, you can get uncompliant with upper body restraints.



, and when i could come see what its all about.March 8.


I know that there is the Championship event on Sunday, but I'm not sure where it is or what its all about.Qualcom stadium, its exactly what autoX is about. You can sign up as a novice (or non-novice even) with no experiance or reservation.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[itrbruce]

I have a 1994 mustang gt 5.0 with some exhaust, suspension, and engine work done to it. I was just wondering what class I would be in,
Depending on your exact mods and car, you will be in STU, SM, ESP, CP (unless you have an IRS) or somethings worse ;)
If you want to be independent, you can find an easy, but only partial & slightly out of date guide here http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/index.shtml . Or find the complete rules at scca.com, click on "solo" at the top, click on "...rules" at the left (or go to http://scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=61 , I put the instructions in because they seem to redo their website so often). There you will also find a classification guide that doesn't happen to list your car and doesn't really seem all that good.
Or you can either post details here or just show up at Sunday's event and TRY to get someone to help you (please show up early if that is the case).

As Jay said, you can come out Saturday the 8th to SEE what it's all about, but it is very unlikely you can run. However you can get rides which should be very entertaining and get the "lay of the land" and ask questions and usually you can take care of paperwork kinds of stuff so that Sunday goes much easier.

A word of warning - ordinarily most people are very good about giving people rides, but since the National Tour is coming to town the following week, some people will be trying to set up their car and might be less inclined to do so... don't take it personally.

Have fun:)

[itrbruce]

Depending on your exact mods and car, you will be in STU, SM, ESP, CP...
Without looking, I thought this car would have been STX, but the rules say:
14.12 STX:
Additionally excluded cars: Audi S4 V8 (‘04+), BMW M3 (E36 and
E46), BMW M5 (all), Mazda RX-8, Mitsubishi Evo (‘03+), Subaru
WRX STi.

And then in:
14.13 STU:
This class extends the Street Touring concept to cars including
the Audi S4, BMW M3 (E36), Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge
Neon SRT-4, Ford Mustang, ...

So it is not perfectly clear. Maybe one of the experts can chime in. But I'd go with my original interpretation and STU... depending on your level of mods.

[woodrufj]

The mustang is STX legal if it meets the STX rules. Usually people exceed the 245 tire limit to get sent to stu. Camaro is a little different since the largest engine is beyond STX limits, but if you have one of the smaller engines it's STX legal as well.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

[itrbruce]

The mustang is STX legal if it meets the STX rules. Usually people exceed the 245 tire limit to get sent to stu. Camaro is a little different since the largest engine is beyond STX limits, but if you have one of the smaller engines it's STX legal as well.

Jay W
505/287 Dakota

Yeah, you are right, the blurb in the STU section is just referring to the larger than 5.1L NA cars (Mustangs, Firebirds, GTOs, ...) and larger than 2.0L FI cars.

[MusicCam94]

hey everyone, thanks for all the help! i cant wait to get out there on sunday and see everything. good luck this weekend guys!

[woodrufj]

Apr 6th sounds best. Practices (like Apr 5) fill up and are typically pre-reg only, plus it can erk the Hosts if you have to bail. Championships like Apr 6h are always walk up registration. Plus there's dedicated novice walks, instructors and a novice class at championships.

Jay W

[froggy47]

If you are on call, then your only choice is really a Champ event. Just show up & ask for help. Sign up for x runs only & don't worry about running in a class. Sign up for two x run sessions if possible & stay for fun runs at the day end. Ask for instruction.:shift:

[BobDoLe]

If you are on call, then your only choice is really a Champ event. Just show up & ask for help. Sign up for x runs only & don't worry about running in a class. Sign up for two x run sessions if possible & stay for fun runs at the day end. Ask for instruction.:shift:

still haven't gotten a chance to go to an event..

at this point, i'm open to suggestions for ANYTHING.
anyone know of any flat empty lots i can set my own cones up on?
i just need some flat pavement and a lot of space.


what does everyone do if they want to practice for a practice?
i'm desperate, but there is no way i'm going to push the limits of my car on public roads (maybe i would back when i had 80fwhp and 135/70/13 tires).


thank you kindly in advance

[RickRacer]

still haven't gotten a chance to go to an event..

at this point, i'm open to suggestions for ANYTHING.
anyone know of any flat empty lots i can set my own cones up on?
i just need some flat pavement and a lot of space.


what does everyone do if they want to practice for a practice?
i'm desperate, but there is no way i'm going to push the limits of my car on public roads (maybe i would back when i had 80fwhp and 135/70/13 tires).


thank you kindly in advance
In this day and age, hard to find somewhere to do it on your own because of the liability. We provide the lot owners with a $5 million insurance policy through the SCCA.

Most of us have learned over the years that pushing the limits on the street isn't worth it which is one reason we autocross. Autocrossing is where I've learned the limits so I can push it a bit more on the street in some instances (I drive a 30 mile winding mountain road to work everyday and can out drive most anything in my Tribute SUV without getting near the actual limit). The way I practice is to drive the "racing line" whenever possible and looking ahead, regardless of speed, so that it becomes second nature when in competition. Works really well on freeway ramps where you are placing you car in usually the complete opposite place of everyone else. The average person early apexes corners.

There is no substitute for seat time at an event. So you enter every one you can.

[frosty]

One thing to build on the previous post:

Looking ahead isn't just for autox. I've found it to be of great value on the road. While most people on the freeway only blindly follow the car in front of them, I try to look as far down as possible. This way, I'm never the one to slam on my brakes at the last second because traffic is stopped ahead (and likewise, the sheep behind me are doing the same).

[nalbar]

Bob, There is an event Sunday at El Toro. (march 1)
http://www.solo2.com/calendar.asp

Get there EARLY and ask for Leonard Cachola, he will get you started. If you think you will run, make sure to pre register to save yourself money. If you cannot figure out how to pre register PM me and I will explain it. No need to pre pay, you just need to pre register to save the money.

There are also events a QualCom the following weekend (March 7 & 8). While the event march 7 is full, it is still worth showing up, you can get rides, get familiar to the routine, and set yourself up for the next day.

In order to start, you need to SHOW UP. In San Diego there are always other things to do.

Doing something silly in a parking lot by yourself is not the same. Once you show up and get started, you will see why.


nalbar