Here's the deal. I modded my car with all the basic junk (I/H/Cat/E, Coilovers, Wheels/Tires), but now I've really become interested in starting autocrossing.

I've perused the SCCA classifications, but I can't handle that fairly dense reading for long periods of time...therefore I haven't seem to have found a good class for me. I was thinking DSP maybe...but I've heard that the Street Prepared cars can be pretty mean. My car is far from mean .

If DSP is in fact the class for me (being a two seater, I can't run with the Tegs), and it is in fact a very tough class, would it be better to just hold off autocrossing until I got a second car/removed some mods or would it be better to just jump right in and get as much seat time as possible?

As of right now, I'm not concerned with doing that well. I would just like to get a few runs under my belt. However, if running in a potentially tough class (would someone clarify for me if DSP is really hardcore?) as a complete n00b to the whole Solo II thing is illadvised...then I'll just wait until I can run in Stock.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions you can give.

 

Jump right in, and do it for fun, not to win. At least when you first start out.

-Mike

 

Absolutely - you are going to get schooled no matter how your car is prepared. Spend the money that you would have used up on parts to run as many events as you can.

I have to believe autocrossing is hard because I sucked at it.

Kirk

 

Go autocross.. worry about your standings and your classifications next year.. worry about fun, learning, and improvement this year.

 

Just do it. It matters not right now how well/poorly your car is prepped. Autocross is ~90% driver, 7% car and 3% luck. Having no experience, you could show up in a Ferrari and be beaten by an old stock Civic.

Unless you've removed emmission stuff, you're likely eligible for STS. That's a great class. I drove on R-compound tires for years and I just got to the point I hated changing my stuff twice, especially at the end of the day when it's hot. A class where everyone competes on true street tires is an outstanding idea. I'd start there if I were you.

Edit: just looked closer and it appears you changed the cat. Plus you drive a del Sol. No STS for you


[Modified by MaddMatt, 7:15 AM 7/20/2002]


[Modified by MaddMatt, 7:15 AM 7/20/2002]

 

There's a fair field of DSP cars in the Seattle area and I'm sure they'd love to have another one join the group.
You get better by getting beat.



[Modified by johng, 7:21 AM 7/20/2002]

 

From the mods you only listed you would be in STS. I would say there is no time like the present to start now. The more seat time you get the quicker and better you get

 

Unfortunately not with a 2 seat del Sol.

 

Thanks everyone. That's what I had kind of figured would be the advice...just getting started as soon as possible and not worrying about the class or level of competition. Sounds good to me. I think the next one coming up that's close to me is August 2nd or 3rd...I can't wait

 

Del Sol weighs as much as the 1999-2000 Civic Si. I think they were going to include it in the next FastTrack.

 

CivicSiRacer: I would like to extend my gratification to you for your Autcross Help Page. It went a long way to helping me feel more comfortable about getting into autocrossing

 

Living down in Vancouver, though, he'd probably be running Portland events mostly.

-Mike

 

Really? Your welcome. I tried to make a page easier for most Novices to understand Glad it helped!

 

Yeah...there's quite a few done at Portland International Raceway.