SCCA Solo 1 ..... preparation
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 19
From: ME
SCCA Solo 1 ..... preparation
hey guys,
I'm considering trying some time trial events up here at NHIS with the SCCA. The time trials will be right on the racetrack - not in a parking lot. I just joined and am getting the itch to see what it's like on the track. My car is lightly modified (see signature below) and has about 45k miles on it now. My question to you guys is: 1) I still have the stock clutch in there which works just fine, no issues at all - haven't even got the pedal to stick to the floor! Go figure. Will running a couple hard laps at the track burnout what I have left? Can I get an idea of the integrity of my clutch by removing the lower bell housing cover and inspecting it? 2) Other than getting myself some extra rims and tires for the track do any of you have suggestions for Time trial preparation?
Remember this isn't a "gotta go as fast as possible" sort of thing it's more like "get a feel for your car and see how well you do!" So it's not an all out brute racing event. Thanks in advance!
I'm considering trying some time trial events up here at NHIS with the SCCA. The time trials will be right on the racetrack - not in a parking lot. I just joined and am getting the itch to see what it's like on the track. My car is lightly modified (see signature below) and has about 45k miles on it now. My question to you guys is: 1) I still have the stock clutch in there which works just fine, no issues at all - haven't even got the pedal to stick to the floor! Go figure. Will running a couple hard laps at the track burnout what I have left? Can I get an idea of the integrity of my clutch by removing the lower bell housing cover and inspecting it? 2) Other than getting myself some extra rims and tires for the track do any of you have suggestions for Time trial preparation?
Remember this isn't a "gotta go as fast as possible" sort of thing it's more like "get a feel for your car and see how well you do!" So it's not an all out brute racing event. Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 6
From: Lake Oswego, Near Portland Oregon
Check the specifics of the event, Solo 1 or Solo 2, as the requirements for roll bar-roll cage are quite different between the 2.
If your easy on the power your clutch will live. On all track events, the front brakes will be what takes the worst beating.
There is a road track and autoX racing section on the forum, and a LOT of experienced racers hang out in there and rarely come out to the 'general' forum. Its not on the left side tool bar, you need to click on 'forums' from the upper horizontal bar and the menu tile will open where click on 'General Corvette', and another tile opens where you click on the racing.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If your easy on the power your clutch will live. On all track events, the front brakes will be what takes the worst beating.
There is a road track and autoX racing section on the forum, and a LOT of experienced racers hang out in there and rarely come out to the 'general' forum. Its not on the left side tool bar, you need to click on 'forums' from the upper horizontal bar and the menu tile will open where click on 'General Corvette', and another tile opens where you click on the racing.
HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by FiberglassFan; Apr 21, 2005 at 07:02 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,222
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk VA
1. your clutch will be fine
2 don't go. If you never go, you won't know what you're missing, if you do, you'll be addicted to it and you'll spend every spare penny on track days and parts.
3. If you don't lisen to #2 the most important thing to do is bleed the brakes the day before the event, it's easy to do if you've never done it before.
4. What you're doing sounds like a track day not AutoX. AutoX is always in a parking lot with cones. Most of these events don't require anything more than a helmet.
check out the autoX/RR section and get ready for the ride of your life. Don't worry about your car being stock. It's 10X more capable in stock form than you are as a Driver
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23
2 don't go. If you never go, you won't know what you're missing, if you do, you'll be addicted to it and you'll spend every spare penny on track days and parts.
3. If you don't lisen to #2 the most important thing to do is bleed the brakes the day before the event, it's easy to do if you've never done it before.
4. What you're doing sounds like a track day not AutoX. AutoX is always in a parking lot with cones. Most of these events don't require anything more than a helmet.
check out the autoX/RR section and get ready for the ride of your life. Don't worry about your car being stock. It's 10X more capable in stock form than you are as a Driver
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=23
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 0
From: The second childhood is the best one of all.
The first few times to the track for a time trial you should drive 80% of potential and concentrate on your technique and line. You don't need to slip the clutch or power shift. Just come off the line easy and shift regularly. It should be fine for your clutch. Concentrate on being smooth. Racers have a saying that "slow is fast". Be smooth, get a line which allows you to come out of the turns fast so you can carry that speed down the straight into the next turn. #1 priority is to have fun. I found the hardest part is in the braking. Brake too early your slow in the turn, brake too late you lock up and go off the track. Keep control, find the braking spots and lines for each turn and have fun.
Ain't that the truth!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 19
From: ME
Well thank's guys for all of your encouragement! It's just what I needed. Being an aircraft mechanic I tend to think of breakable things well before they break so here my immediate thought was = clutch. Now I can look foreword to my events with a little more confidence! Thanks again!
