I'm a newbie to autocross, but after attending my first event (didn't run in it) I am confused. The books I have say you should have a supportive seat, use a 5 point harness to improve driving etc. So what did I notice form the regulars, I mean the guys (and a lot of gals) with the established team, cars trailered, running racing tires etc. Most used the stock set belt, on the Corvettes, the overwhelming majority especially in Super Stock were running the stock seat? Even though they own the numbers (i.e. hold them via annual points cards) most chose to run paper numbers. I assume this was because the cars were frequently shared, maybe run more than one region.

Saw really nice wings & rear spoilers, lots of race only tires, but few racing seats, fewer 5 point harnesses and still fewer harness bars.

My favorite was a Honda S2000 that had a trailer hitch and custom rack for his racing tires. This seemed like a better solution than the 3 series that just used up his back seat (uncovered) for his race tires.

My car passed tech, and was classed as BSP.

 

The rules don't require anything more than a stock seat or seat belt in any class. In stock class (including SS), you have to run a stock seat, by rule (very few modifications allowed). You can run a 5 or 6 pt harness in any class, and you can also run a harness bar or 4 pt bolt in cage, but that isn't very common in stock. Some people run a CG Lock on their stock seat belt, or only use the lap belt from a 5 pt harness.

Tire carrying racks for hitches are fairly common, as well as small tire trailers. I've towed a tire trailer and loaded tires in the car, both work and it gets the tires to the track.

 

Oh good, I thought this was about getting lost on course.

There is actually a great deal of argument about the costs and benefits of running a harnesses. Some claim that they restrain them too much, others claim they allow them to have a lighter touch on the wheel since they aren't flying around as much.

As for the seats, they're nice but not required. Use your cinch button on the seatbelt (I think all C4s had this right? Early ones do at least) down by the retracting mechanism. It will lock your lap belt and you can really tighten that up. That should work just fine for now.

 

Most Stock & SP cars are trailered cause the DOT legal tires are too expensive to run on the street. I once drove my Hoosier shod, CSP modified to an event when the trailer was down. I used up those tires in one day.

 

It depends what organization autocross you were attending. I run my 90 in stock class in SCCA. You're allowed to run race tires, different shocks ( I think dual adjustable is the most) alignment adjustments within the factory original limitations, cat back exhaust changes, adjustable front sway bar,a K&N airfilter and a racing harness. headers, intake, cam, seat changes ect. all bump you up into a higher class. honestly it doesn't take much to bump you into BSP. Internal engine mods will bump you past BSP.

 

Cunningham will be along shortly to straighten it out.

 

Thanks for a laugh on Monday morning!

 

From books, I guessing that you mean books on auto-xing that are generally oriented towards serious competition, not newbies. The book you really want to read is the rule book for whatever club/sanctioning body is conducting the event. The 2009 SCCA Solo rule book as well as Solo FAQ is available here for downloading. The 2009 NCCC competition handbook is available here .

Numbers are usually assigned on a regional basis. For example, my NCCC Carolina region number is "89" while my Old Dominion Region - SCCA number is "189". If I go out of my local region, I usually have to submit three different number sets to the sanctioning body when I pre-register to get a match to the number sets I already have available. If I register the day of the event, or if I'm assigned a number that I can't produce using my existing sets, I use paper cut-outs for the day.

Hope this helps. Have fun and enjoy auto-xing your Vette!

 

I have harness in my 86. I think it helps. I do autocrosses and track days. To me its not as much help autocrossing as it is on track.

 

The things that drove me into BSP were my wheels (larger than stock ZR-1), PROM change and Koni adjustable shocks. (not that I have any idea how to use that).

Having bought a harnes bar, sub belt mount and 5 point harness based on what the books recommended and what I was reading on various forums, it surprised me how many competitors were running street seatblets. Might have been able to save $500.00 if they are really that helpful. I suspect or hope they will be useful for track days with Speed Ventures.

The event this past weekend was SCCA Cal Club.

 

 

If you're a newbie to autocross, I would suggest that you don't concern yourself too much with what the other racers are using. For the first year (maybe two) you need to concentrate on learning the course, getting used to your car at autocross events, and asking the experienced drivers for suggestions. Follow the experienced drivers when the walk the course and ask if you can tag along and ask questions. Tell them you are now to autocrossing and you want to learn from the fast guys!

Most autocrossers will be happy to give advice and some will let you ride as a passenger or they may ride with you. Those scenarios depend on the rules of the association running the event. Most events will have some sort of Novice class where you run against other Novices without regard to the car you enter. That way you get seat time so you get a feel of what this is all about.

Seat time is the key to becoming a better driver. Run as often as you can and keep asking questions and watch what other drivers do in terms of walking the course and watching them run. And get seat time.

Did I forget to mention seat time??

 

The mantra goes: Seat time, seat time and more seat time. Then you can do your first mod, seat time. :roll:

Wheels probably bounced you to BSP.
Koni's shouldn't have made a change, are they yellows or reds?
Not sure about the PROM thing but with proper wheels you could be in BS. (Just re-classed this year from AS.)

If you want to be competitive locally, you may be ok in BSP but you'll probably have better luck in BS. The really competitive cars do everything they can, thus BS will be the cheapest to max prep your car in. (It will be interesting to see how the C4 does in the new class though.)

 

A harness was one of the best mods I've ever done. But I don't autox and just run on road courses. Using the stock belt sucked!

 

Ok, Im going to get some flames here and thats fine. This is my opinion thats all.

I dont agree with some of the main concepts of auto-X. Typically that a minimum number of cones should be set up so that it is 'confusing' to know which way to turn next. Not knowing which way to go takes enjoyment out of racing.

My local club organizers design the course for miatas by making short straightaways and lots of turns in hopes of hamstringing high HP competition (although that said, a guy with a white stock 93 camaro z28 vert has proven he can put up the same times as the smaller cars). So there clearly is an element of driver skill that I do not have which I am willing to admit.

The other thing I dislike about it is I found my local sports car club to be a bunch of whiners who were not helpful to newcomers and bickered if they didnt do as good as they thought they would. I have never heard such whiners before in my life. They would accuse anyone new, who beat them, of having an illegal mod. They would always make it something hard to prove too, like a brake pad or camshaft.

I found that the other people in my class were constantly drilling me and the others on mod questions,. They were real quick to go to the officials and rat anyone out who may have unknowingly signed up for the wrong class (Although most mods, like camshaft or S/C would have actually made them slower on these tight short courses). It wasnt about fun, it was about serious competition.

My first experience there, I showed up and they asked me which class my car was in (a 93 C4, stock at the time). Since it was my first time, I had no clue. I told them that I didnt know, and asked the check in lady if she knew. She really reemed me out and yelled at me saying something of the like 'you think im rain man or something?, go get a book and find out'. She was clearly having a bad day.

One guy (also new) told me that he asked a veteran Auto-X guy what kind of air pressures work best for him. This guy had the same type of car as he did. A subaru wrx sti. I guess the guy told him snottily something like 'why dont you chalk your tires and find out yourself.' Before walking away. It wasnt said to teach him a lesson, but more so to ensure that the new guy didnt know his 'secret'. Thats how competitive people are there.

After I leave Auto-X, Im left with the feeling that Auto-X is not true racing. Its more parking lot avoidance driving and should be taught in all drivers ed classes.

This said, will I do it again...absolutely. I loved seeing all the different cars, sounds, improving low speed driving skills, etc.

My favorite kind of racing is road course and drag racing. Auto-Xers typically trash talk drag racing like its not any fun. Well when you wrench on your own car and install stuff like heads/cam/headers and a supercharger, drag racing is fun. Especially if its something you drove to the track in and can mess around on the street in.

 

The minimum number of cones should be that which allows easy navigation of the course. If I want a navigation exercise I'll enter a ralleye.

There's a no-win here. Larger, high HP cars like lots of straights and smaller, moderate HP cars like curves for competitive advantage. One element in course design is the size of the venue. When we planned autocross tracks in the past our venue was pretty small. We put a number of curves and other "obstacles" in the course to limit maximum speeds.

Steve

 

No flames, but you need to find another club. We are all going to complain about small courses for miatas (hello, the ideal course for us consists of long sweepers and straightaways!) but it sounds like your club really stinks.

Yes, people can get worked up if you enter into a really competitive class and potentially take away points from a very competitive points battle...and you shouldn't be in that class. However, that is why there is a novice class. Either you are a novice and you don't know where you should be, or you aren't a novice and you are classed appropriately.

There is never a need to be rude about it, but if you showed up on the last race day with a car that was kicking my but and you placing ahead of me guaranteed my competitor the season championship....and we all knew you weren't eligible for this class. I wouldn't let it slide either. If you are there and aren't in the championship, you are clearly doing it for fun. (And for the record, this is how I race, only occasionally, and I understand there are constant class battles and class myself into the correct class so whatever happens is fair.)

Also, I can walk up to the fastest guy in my class and he will walk through the course with me and we'll talk about the lines we are going to take. (And yes, they are the right lines, no shady business.) The first time, I finished first he came right up and congratulated me and said I earned it fair and square. Now he did go buy some parts that evening, but regardless...

The point is, there are some crazies out there for sure, but I have no found a more welcoming group of people than cone killers. I think you should try another club before judging the sport entirely.

 

That was worth the wait.