I finally saw what this "driving around cones" thing was all about this weekend. I had a blast. Anyone who hasn't done Solo II yet, get the hell out there and give it a shot. I went in knowing basically nothing, just what I read on a few n00b help pages online (http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm and http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/Solo/carclassing.html) and I did okay, and had a great time too.

I got to Portland International Raceway around 7:30 on Saturday morning, and kind of drove around for a while until I found where I had to be. Parked the car, dumped my stuff on the ground, went to get registered and tried to look like I knew what I was doing. It turned out that none-SCCA members (my card's in the mail, honest) weren't supposed to register yet, but they let me do it anyway. I had previously researched what class I was in, so that wasn't a problem. I was running in DSP, or D Street Prepared. That's probably a little advanced for the level of modifications that I have, but the del Sol doesn't have any back seats so I couldn't do STS. Went through Tech next, received my work assignment, and had the car numbered #83. Then I headed back to the registration table to ask my 54th newbie question of the day, which was where to get a loaner helmet. They directed me to the box, and I picked out one. I was a surprised by how heavy they felt on your head (not like they weighed a ton, but this was my first time wearing a helmet...I guess I espected something lighter), and how much noise was filtered out.

I was running first, working second, so I went ahead and got in the grid. There was a slight problem...I parked in the line for the cars with two drivers, so after the driver's meeting that had to be straightened out. Everyone was nice about it, I was new afterall. While the car was in grid, I didn't realize that this was now the time to walk the course. So I just hung around and chatted to other drivers. That was stupid. When the driver's meeting was over, I asked if there was still time to do a course walk, and the officials organized a quick novice course walk.

I was still a little unsure about the course...my biggest fear was getting lost. I found that after I had watched a few cars run through it, I had a pretty good idea of where to go, and I could visualize the course in my head.

I arrived at the starting line a bundle of nerves and adrenaline. The flag went down and I took off. Ran a 57.something my first run, then 55, 52, and finally a 50 for my last run. I was pretty pleased...all my runs were clean, and I managed to reduce my time every run. The fastest times were around 41-42, average was probably 44-46.

Sunday I knew what to expect, so everything was much smoother. I won't go into detail, except to say that once again I had a terrific time. I ran a 55 the first run, then the next four runs were all 52s, with the best raw time being a 52.0something, but I hit a cone on that one. The fastest times were around 43-44 I think (those Miatas are impressive), with the average around 47-49.

The pics aren't that great, but it was hard to get close shots. You might get some idea of what it was like (BTW, the white del Sol is my friend's—D16Z6 turbo)...

 

I still think the Del Sols should be in STS. The weigh as much as the 6th Gen Civic Si and have the same engine and tranny

Good job congrats! I recommend asking for an instructor too if they have ones available.

 

Welcome to the madness!

 

I think the Sol's should be allowed in STS, and SM as well. SM has an "exclusion list". It follows that they ought to have an "inclusion list" as well, IMO.

BTW, the red Del Sol looks sharp!

 

Why thank you .

Yeah I also think that Sols should be in STS. The lack of a back seat isn't giving us any advantage at all .