Auto cross and track racing is something i've been interested in for a long time but how do i get started? Im finally in a situation where i can build a car for it but how do i find classes or open track events to get involved in. I've searched with fail so dont bash me for starting "another one of these threads". All helpful info is welcome please. Anything from suggested suspension set up, engine/tranny combos, brake setups, cages and specs to build one up to par, etc. My available platform to start with is a 96 civic hatch. Im open to anything so shoot.

 

dont build yet... start driving...

scca.org
nasa.org or .com whatgever it is haha

 

Yup. Start with what you've got. Don't spend money on it (assuming it's in good shape and doesn't have parts falling off, etc). Just put some fresh brake fluid in if it needs it. Otherwise, for your first 6-10 events, the big limit on your speed will be your own capabilities as a novice driver (which is why you'll see more experienced drivers in slower cars passing less experienced drivers in faster cars). And you'll be learning. You don't need a fast setup to learn how to drive; in fact, you'll learn faster with less sticky tires and brakes. Furthermore, once you start building up experience, you may very well to decide to make changes to your car that are quite different from what you had planned before you started (such as changes that will help you corner and stop better rather than accelerate faster).

There are lots of groups that hold HPDE (high performance driver education) events at racetracks, and which provide an instructor who will ride in the car with you and help you learn (as well as classroom time). Groups holding events at tracks all over the country include:

BMW CCA - www.bmwcca.org (does not require owning or driving a BMW)
NASA - www.nasaproracing.com
Chin Motorsports - www.chinmotorsports.com

Many parts of the country have groups that stick to one track or one part of the country. I'm not sure about Mississippi but the Driver's Edge does a lot of events in Texas.

 

X 2 on what the other two before me said.....

Just get out there and get seat time first. Big misconception is to build a car and get out and drive...If your a novice and don't know a lot about what part does what to a car then you'll probably be wasting a lot of time and money on parts that might not be even needed.
Start at the lowest level and learn to drive the car you have now.

BTW search the forum for information you want to know... just because you don't see the information you are looking for doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It's just not on the first few pages. Read read read.. Good luck!

 

i suggest taking a proper driving or racing school at Skip Barber...

www.skipbarber.com

then go out and do track days for seat time.

 

nsxtasy is right on the money. Your best bet is to take a completely stock car, tune it up, and take it out. I'm hoping to take my EF out for the first time in '09, and I'm bone stock except for suspension and wheels/tires. From there, I'll learn how to drive my car, and then based on that, I'll know what to modify in order to make it go faster.

 

+1,000,000

Start out stock and learn to drive how to drive on the track. When you can learn to drive your car ***** out 100%, then worry about upgrading the car.
It will suck starting out but in a few years you will appreciate it. I would never be a confident in my car now if I did not start out in a stock trim level.

 

Start stock, Check. I've always been a believer in that anyway. I have a history of dragracing under my belt and i know from that that it doesnt matter how fast your car is, it matters how skilled the driver is.
As far as the civic goes now, its sittin on 4 flats and a blown motor. I got it for 500 bucks. And its been sitting there since i bought it. Was gonna build another drag car but eh, you can only build so many drag cars right?
Thanks for the input and links though. More the merrier.

 

I would track your teg, not the civic. But that is just me

 

i considered that but i'd rather start out in something i can afford to put into the wall without wanting to cry too much. lol. i'd really really really like to get another crx. i miss mine so bad.

 

i'm in the same situation, looking to make the move from drag racing to auto-x since now I will be racing another car at the strip so won't have time for mine.

Been to a couple events, driven in a few cars with some "experienced drivers", but still have yet to try my or any car. looking to start asap next season. interested to see what it will do even tho I know it will take time to become half way decent. guess it will just take a lot of seat time just like it does in drag racing.

unfortunately my car isn't stock so probably will be more of a handicap than an advantage it seems like...maybe should try someone else's less modified/more stockish car first to get a feel at least.

totally agree about power isn't everything in drag racing and need to have a driver to know how to use it. sometimes less power is better/easier to run a faster number. also set up and tuning is a major factor of course.

anyways, good luck to you

 

Trade your 96 hatch for a CRX, duh

 

If i could find someone willing too i would... *hint hint*

 

Over here in CA. there is a quite a number of people who I know of that would trade there CRX for a 96 hatchback. Me for one, but I already got rid of it.

But there is a strong possibility that you could trade some one.

 

buy this book
http://www.goaheadtakethewheel.com

 

Well, if it was a rust-free Midori I would trade you in a heartbeat.

You never know unless you ask. Put up an ad on HT Marketplace and your local Craigslist, see what happens!

 

i ordered that book. thanks man.

 

Awesome book, really helped ground me when I had a lot of things that I wanted to do.