I am going autocrossing this sunday at Hollywood Park. Is it a good idea to purchase a helmet or is it ok to use loaner ones? Also since my car is turboed I'm wondering if its better to run it at the lowest boost setting possible or is it ok to up it to 12 psi?

Andrew

 

http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

 

borrowing a club helmet is fine for your first few events until you're sure this is something that you want to start spending money on or you can just plan for the inevitable and buy a cheap DOT approved helmet and not worry about having to wear a helmt that is wet with someone else's sweat

run the lower boost setting... you don't need gobs of power for autoX... just gobs of grip!

 

Use the loaner helmet. No reason to spend money until you're sure you will stick with it. And go with the lowest boost I would say. You will not be competitive since it is your first event, so don't worry about your times. Just concentrate on memorizing the course and driving it well....having less power should make this easier.

Chris

 

1. drink lots of beer
2. bring strippers
3. wear flops
4. dont walk the course, it is more fun when it is a suprise
5. if you dnf, do not ask someone where it happened, just figure it out the next time out
6. play your music really loud, the other people working/racing do not need to here the announcements

These are all thing not to do.

 

Just use the loaner helmet. Sign up for SM Novice at the registration, and don't be afriad to ask for an instructor, or you can find me (if I'm not working or running).

 

Autocross Guide: http://www.soloracer.com/autoxguide.html
Autocross Checklist: http://www.soloracer.com/autoxchecklist.html

 

It needs to be Snell approved, not just DOT.

 

Im thinking about going to this autocross too. This would be my first auto-x too, ive done buttonwillow and willow springs before. Isnt it saturday and sunday? Is there a link to more info? I see your from tustin, i got my helmet from Sube Sports in HB, theyve got a site subesports.com i think. Ive got a open face Beoffe SA2000 rated for $220, thats like theyre cheapest helmet

 

Practice Saturday, championship Sunday, but the practice has been full for a while and the waiting list is a mile deep.

For information, see:

http://www.solo2.com/

 

Just checked the link, Saturdays full. Is sunday open to anyone?

 

whoops! my mistake. I use my motorcycle helmet (Snell approved) but was thinking that you could get away with just a DOT approved one

 

Yes. Typical turnout is close to 300 drivers. You can expect three timed runs and no fun runs this time of year. It will cost you $20 with an SCCA membership or CSCC points card, $35 without. Since a points card costs $25/year and (I think) it will be good through 2003 if you buy it now, that's the way to go if you think you'll be back.

 

Tip #1 - Our events have 250-300 participants so it gets really busy. And SM runs in the first group so you're going to have a busy morning. Get there early, say 7am, so you have time to park, empty your car, tech, register, and walk the course (including the novice course walk). There are instructors available. Look me up and I'll help you out, here's what my car looks like:

http://www.kalman.org/will/images/2002SDtour/scort1.jpg

I'll be there both days. If you come by Saturday (practice day), come up and introduce yourself and I'll give you a ride which will help you know what to expect inside the car when you run if you've never been to an autox. You can catch some other cool rides, too, most people don't mind giving rides on practice days unless they are really tuning their car or something.

To "i drive a w r x wagon":
Sunday competition days are open to everyone. The practice days are limited in spots so that participants can get a significant number of runs to practice their driving and/or tune their car. They fill up quick.

[Modified by 'scortRacer, 10:06 PM 12/9/2002]


[Modified by 'scortRacer, 10:06 PM 12/9/2002]

 

The best advice I can give you is to basically have fun. A-lot of people that come out often don't return because they expect too much from the beginning. It will take time to learn how to drive, but if you stick with it, I can attest, it will continue to be a blast everytime you go out.

 

Nice sleeper....Will!!! I've yet to drive that car. Will, let's switch car this Saturday practice, fine with you?

 

You've never driven my car? Wow, I'm suprised. Yeah, a swap sounds like fun!
O'Blenes is going to drive David's Protege Sunday and I think we were going to do some swapping/rides/drives on Saturday, too. Have you driven David's car before?

I guess I should have stated...picture by vwong!

 

Excellent advice! Have fun - almost everyone sucks first time out and nobody who's watching cares, we've all been there. I've seen people at their first autocross who look like they're searching for a parking spot, not racing! It's a hard sport to master!

 

Thanks for the support guys...I'll definately try to look for you guys on Sunday and hopefully have a big smile by the end of the day.

 

Nope, I haven't driven any STS cars other than my "used-to-be" STS Prelude.

 

I guess I'll be seeing some of you guys on Sunday then. I'm debating as whether or not I should get an instructor. Time is limited (with only 3 runs) so I don't know how many tidbits I'll be able to pick up.

No more FS for me.
I'll be running in HS.

 

these are great links to add to the FAQ, thanks!