SCCA solo racers
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 16,489
Likes: 25
From: USA. Northern Virginia
SCCA solo racers
Who in here runs their Vette in the SCCA solo events? I'd like to know what mods you did that worked and are you having as much fun as you thought you would.
I'm thinking of starting to run that event in my 94 next year
Race on!
I'm thinking of starting to run that event in my 94 next year
Race on!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Covington GA
I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this thread - I wasn't able to make it to any Solo II events this year after getting the Corvette, but I'm definitely bringing it next year. My plans are to just fix what's wrong with it and run it in A/Stock for now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 86
From: Corbin KY
If you have never ran Solo 2 then that is a real good idea. You will learn alot running a "stock" car for a year and then go from there. It also gives you a good base for the care to know what to improve on and if the changes you make over time work or not.
If you want to be competitive you will want to spend the money for good tires and upgrade the brakes a little. If you are just out to have fun and not really about being competitive then you do not need to spend money on stickey tires BUT I still suggest that you flush the brakes, replace the lines (braided) and use some hawk pads.
The most important part of running SCCA or NCCC events is to HAVE FUN and talk with the other racers, you will learn ALOT from them.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 142
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 86
From: Corbin KY
Thats interesting to know. I have never had that problem. I ALWAYS replace the lines with braided on any car that I am going to race and even on my street cars when and if they need to be replaced.
I ran FS in a Camaro for 2 years all over Indiana and some in Michigan and they never said anything about it.
They did get pretty pissed when they found the illegal sway bars that I put the GM tags on.
I played stupid and siad that it must have been that way when i bought it 
I ran FS in a Camaro for 2 years all over Indiana and some in Michigan and they never said anything about it.
They did get pretty pissed when they found the illegal sway bars that I put the GM tags on.
I played stupid and siad that it must have been that way when i bought it
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 86
From: Corbin KY
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 663
Likes: 1
I've been doign some club racing with my 88 and started with the SCCA in New England this year. The club events give me a lot of useful seat time to improve. I plan to do all SCCA events next year including the national tour. I have done nothing but a cat back (looking for a few HP because I'm at the low end in that area), brake pads and tires, plus an autocross alignment that really anchored the back of the car. I'm thinking about shocks but I'm afraid of chasing the adjustments all year so I may just keep the old ones.
You asked about fun; It's a lot more emotional than just fun. Each minute of racing carries a whole lot of living in it.
I learned on 16 year old gatorbacks too. My husband kept saying "learn how to drive the car on old tires". But the car had no grip and it was a horrible sport for me coming in close to last at most events. If I had it to do again, that's one piece of advice I would not have followed. Tires changed it all for me.
good luck next year.
You asked about fun; It's a lot more emotional than just fun. Each minute of racing carries a whole lot of living in it.
I learned on 16 year old gatorbacks too. My husband kept saying "learn how to drive the car on old tires". But the car had no grip and it was a horrible sport for me coming in close to last at most events. If I had it to do again, that's one piece of advice I would not have followed. Tires changed it all for me.
good luck next year.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,672
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
First of all, take a look in here: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=673766
It covers a lot of info for you. SCCA has added cars in our classes that are very hard to compete with. However, all C4s can have the LT4 engine as the LT4 is in our class. I have a few mods and I run in B Street Prepared. After a full year of trying to compete I found that working all day for 3-4 thirty second runs got a little much. The fun is in the people you meet and those short runs. NCCC is much more Corvette friendly and you get much more seat time. Oh, TIRES< TIRES< TIRES>
It covers a lot of info for you. SCCA has added cars in our classes that are very hard to compete with. However, all C4s can have the LT4 engine as the LT4 is in our class. I have a few mods and I run in B Street Prepared. After a full year of trying to compete I found that working all day for 3-4 thirty second runs got a little much. The fun is in the people you meet and those short runs. NCCC is much more Corvette friendly and you get much more seat time. Oh, TIRES< TIRES< TIRES>
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee FL
Scca
The main thing you have to watch is the rules, i've ran for a few years now and found that you have to watch what changes you make as it will place you into different classes. Belive it or not just going to braided brake lines will put you out of stock and into a class you might not be able to compete in.Tires are the main difference ....G
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,326
Likes: 18
From: Los Angeles California
I autocross my LT4 whenever it's running, which is almost never. Basically I've autocrossed it twice. I need to get a chance to do it more so I can not suck so much at it. It's very hard to be fast with these cars, as the power seems to be more of a liability than anything. I got horrible times and was near the bottom in raw time, although someone there that day with a Ford GT did even worse than me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 873
Likes: 2
From: Whittier ca
I started 3 years ago in my 91 automatic, still running it every event locally I can. Most of the posts on this thread are absolutly correct. Follow the links that were posted. They are a wealth of info. for any newbie. Do not get discouraged when some "little ole grandma" or some young 20 year old betters your best time by, say, 8 seconds on a 60 second course. You will find those folks have been driving AX for long time. Don't invest in tires, brakes, shocks or set ups until you have a few events under your belt and have talked to some veterans at the local level. When you, too, have decided that SoloII is the most fun you can have with your clothes on, then, start looking into investing in Evo AX schools (the best investment I made in AX) and then into tires, shocks, etc. Read the rules before you invest, as someone said before, a small mod can put you into a different class. Most of all, have fun!
Subman
Subman
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Silver Spring MD
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 2
From: Doylestown PA
I run a stock 87 in the A-stock class. Strick is correct, there have been some new additions to this class that make it very difficult to compete in this class. IE, awd Evo's and turbo Solstice's. But it's still a blast at each event!
I have always looked to improve myself from the last time I was out. Some of the guys I race against have been doing SCCA events since they were 16, while I have been running for 2 years. So I take that into consideration. I'll ask a lot of questions and have learned alot in two short years.
Alot of people will tell you tires tires tires. While that may be true a mild alignment for autocross/street driving enabled me to knock 2-3 seconds off my runs.
Once you go out for an event be prepared to get hooked!
HAVE FUN!
I have always looked to improve myself from the last time I was out. Some of the guys I race against have been doing SCCA events since they were 16, while I have been running for 2 years. So I take that into consideration. I'll ask a lot of questions and have learned alot in two short years.
Alot of people will tell you tires tires tires. While that may be true a mild alignment for autocross/street driving enabled me to knock 2-3 seconds off my runs.
Once you go out for an event be prepared to get hooked!
HAVE FUN!
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Everything depends on organization, class and rules.
For Stock: Tires: Kumho, Hoosier DOT's, vary pressures to suit
Alignment: Max neg camber in front
1.5 neg camber in rear
one full turn of front toe rod on each side to
increae toe out from zero toe position.
1/8" total toe in at rear
Shocks: Significantly increase rebound control on rear shocks
Increase bump on front shocks
Misc: Add shims under sway bar mounts to adjust how fast
bars respond
Adjust corner weights to equalize cross weights. Rear
spring rod adjustment.
Just the tip of the iceberg. Go out and try it. You'll get hooked.
Ex DP Spridget, Corvette SS, BSP, ASP driver.
Larry
For Stock: Tires: Kumho, Hoosier DOT's, vary pressures to suit
Alignment: Max neg camber in front
1.5 neg camber in rear
one full turn of front toe rod on each side to
increae toe out from zero toe position.
1/8" total toe in at rear
Shocks: Significantly increase rebound control on rear shocks
Increase bump on front shocks
Misc: Add shims under sway bar mounts to adjust how fast
bars respond
Adjust corner weights to equalize cross weights. Rear
spring rod adjustment.
Just the tip of the iceberg. Go out and try it. You'll get hooked.
Ex DP Spridget, Corvette SS, BSP, ASP driver.
Larry
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 3
Carl Johansson
PS 2 day auto X this weekend at castle AFB - last of the year - gates open at 7:30 - on saturday - so you'll get there on the right day even! I'll go for sure saturday - haven't decided about sunday yet!
Be there or be whipped!