jwd

Know a local corvette club member that's looking into hosting an autocross as a charitable event. (entry fees, etc to benefit one or two local charities)

Is this something that can be accomplished?

Would a stopwatch be an acceptable timing system for a charitable event, or would they be looking at trying to get a hold of a real autocross timing system?

Any idea how much they'd be looking at spending?

Are these systems available for rent?

How many loaner helmets would be enough? one of each size?

Any suggestions on how to do this?

If they make the event open to any/all interested should they plan on having 1-3 stock classes and one open modified?

Any other thoughts?


Thanks


jwd

DarthStimpy

I run the autocross events for a local club, plus am an event master for 2 others. I can answer most of your questions.

1) finding a location. this can be difficult, any place that is usable is probably booked. You'd be best off trying to partner with a club that already has space rented and equipment.
2) Insurance. Most places will want you to carry at least $1M in insurance and you will want to be sure that extends to the people running the event.
3) Waivers. make sure you have an iron clad waiver for that indemnifies the event runners, the participants from each other and the location. Make sure EVERYONE signs it, not just the participants but anyone else who is present.
4) Timing Equipment. Stop watches aren't much fun. most people want to see time. we have a $4500 setup that includes signs and a live website. We will some times rent these out for a small fee ($400 / day). Again look at partnering with an existing club.
5) We charge $55 / driver. we pay ~$1000 for the rental and $500 for insurance. Break even is around 30 cars.
6) loaner helmets: your insurance will dictate the type and rating of the helmet. Ours says they must be snell M/SA2005+. If your main aim is for people who dont usually autocross look to get 20+ helmets as most wont have them and wont want to buy a $150 helmet for a one time thing. or you can get less helmets and buy a bunch of helmet socks.
7)You would be best served by trying to get a local club to run the event and provide you with the insurance, equipment and personnel.
8) Classes: Basically two schools of thought. SCCA style = Everyone gets a trophy, and tight classes where a win means something. my club has 3 classes, Novice (less than 3 events), Street tire, race tire.

let me know if you have any other questions and i'll try and help you out.

PaConehead

Planning and running an AX is a complex undertaking. If the Corvette club in question is affiliated w/NCCC, and is really that unfamiliar w/ AX, the club's Governor (coordinates all competition events for the local club) or another officer should reach out to the region's Compitition Director or another NCCC club for help. NCCC provides insurance, and has established rules for competitin, classing, and trophies - and SAFETY.

Otherwise, there's lots help on this forum, but it's a steep learning curve if you're starting green

jwd

Wow, thanks for the very quick, and very informative replies!

A location has been offered, in an area used for police training. If a better location was available through a SCCA group that already hosts autocross events, I'm sure it would be appreciated.

The club is affiliated w/ NCCC. Would working with the NCCC on an event restrict who could participate (Corvettes only)? May not be a huge deal, there are other area Corvette clubs that may be interested in participating, but ideally would like to be able to invite any local clubs, corvette or not, to participate and get more donations for the local charities..

Thanks


jwd

DarthStimpy

I'll be honest here, Corvette owners dont show up to these. In my 14 years of autocrossing i've only seen 15 cars show up at THE MOST.

If its slightly wet out, there wont be any.
BMW owers show up the most.

AU N EGL

Get that in writing from the Commandant of the Training grounds, the Police Chief and the County / City Commissioners.

dbratten

It depends. Here in Nor Cal we see 60-70 Corvettes at the WSCC autox events perhaps 7-8 times per year. Open club events like SCCA or others will get 5-20 depending on venue with events run almost year-round. Autoxers will run in the rain although waxers won't.

To OPs question -- you can purchase your own insurance (K & K Sports Insurance is one) and put on events as marque/private clubs do but it is much easier to put on an event with the help of another club. It depends on what you want to get out of it.

--Dan

Bill Dearborn

Where are you located? The first thing you need to do is find out what the location needs from you and get on their schedule. NCCC insurance is easy to work with and you can pretty much have it made out the way the organization requests it but you may need to fill out a bunch of request forms if it is a state location.

You can run non Corvettes at any NCCC sponsored event. Be prepared for the wimpy Corvette owners to be no shows. We are lucky if we get 5 Corvettes at our events and we invite them to come from all over the state. Make sure the non Corvette owners are alerted to what you are doing. Make a flyer and get to all of their events and make sure they hear what you are doing. You can try going to cruise ins and such but most of those people (like most Corvette owners) talk a good game but are afraid to find out what they can do.

As for rules, Bay State Corvette Club has an excellent set of rules that can apply to most any set of cars without getting too many classes. You could also use SCCA classes as most of your participants will be familiar with them.

NCCC Rule Book has excellent directions on how to set up an autocross and the safety rules should be followed to the letter so the insurance applies. Funny thing about speed event insurance, although NCCC has lots of autocrosses across the nation each year they get more claims from car shows.

Working with another club that does autocrosses in your area would really help get you through the organization issues.

Bill

jwd

Thank you everyone for the replies.

I'm in NW FL.

The club is a NCCC member, no worries there...

Just got word from the club pres that the new club NCCC contact will be available to discuss things after the January meeting. I may reach out to the Gulf Coast SCCA club before then to try and see if they'd be interested in participating. They have a AX class in Alabama in January, I plan to go, will see how many members care to join me. I know the club member that's interested in putting this together will..

Not sure if any of the other NW FL Corvette Clubs are involved in Autocross to help out.. I see nothing promising on any of the websites I've checked out so far.

Thank you all again for the informative and helpful replies. I will return and ask more when I come up with more questions, which I'm sure I will.

0Richard@M-World

I would be more than happy to send you a few AiM Solo to use for autox timing. The unit can be easily transferred between cars in between runs. Just let me know how I can help!

--
Richard@M-World
Authorized AiM Dealer and Data Specialist
www.m-world.us
info@m-world.us

DupaOne

Saw your post and wondered if you would extend it to our club in NE Ohio? We are a NCCC member and been having problems with our timing system.
It would be great to be able to rent a system for a weekend or at least a two day event.
Let me know the details.

And on the data recorders, I have used GoPros and really like the videos but to add the rest of the tech data would really be cool!

Thank you!!