any of you veterans out there have tips for a newbie to this scene. i decided to get out of street racing and try this out... next event is in 2 weeks and i watched last sunday's. seemed like a lot of the guys that tried it out for the first time had a problem w/ understeering... also, i have about 4 or 5 large orange cones, anyone have any suggestions on how i could use those to practice w/?

 

This is most likely a result of going into turns too fast.

Remember, "slow in, fast out".

To a lesser extent, it is also due to the fact that people mod their suspension without knowing exactly what aspect of handling they want to change.

You cannot practice before autox.

 

I dropped probably 10+ seconds off my times by learning "slow in, fast out."

 

The biggest mistake I see that quite a few people who are new at this do comes before they even pull up to the line for the first run. This is because even though they think they know which way the course goes by having it walked once already (even maybe twice), their mental picture in their head of the course is probably around 10%-20% as detailed as what the veterans know about the course at this same point - before pulling to the line for your first start. It is then only normal to see a lot of people plowing through the turns (understeering), doing DNFs, and simply going too fast where they should be going slow and going too slow where they could be going much faster. Best advice I can give is to walk that course at least three-four times (at least a couple of times with no one around you!). The novice walk though, if you guys will have such a thing, is not anywhere close to being sufficient enough if your goals are beyond simply DNFing and plowing through every turn. It's a really good idea, but don't limit your course mental picture to just one or two walk throughs. Another good tip is to find who the veterans are and just hang around them as much as possible at the event. So go and have fun man.

 

our local area autox puts up a design of the course online. if your does that print it out and take it with you while you walk the course. put down notes like elevation changes, where you should enter and exit and how fast you should be going. then try to memorize it.
i like to find a veteran and see how they walk the course.

 

Since I am the Nebraska Region Solo2 Novice advisor I probably should answer.

Before you leave for the event get all the junk out of your car that you won't need. Make sure you car will pass the safety inspection. (Battery is secure, no leaks, all your lug nuts are there, wheel bearing are solid.) Bring a tire gauge and a air compressor or air bubble or see if you can use on of your buddys. There isn't much out in Milford for food so you probably should bring a lunch. I would also bring a pen and paper to write down your times for later review.

The earlier you get there the more course walking you can do to figure out where the course goes and to talk to more veterans for assistance. Get there as early as you can. Tech and Registration opens at 9:00 am and closes at 10:30. We do things a little differently in Nebraska Region as you go thru tech inspection before you register. At registration you will need to show your drivers license and pay your entry fee. You will need to know what class you will run by then and you will be assigned a car # at that time. Put that number on each side of your car.

I will be in my red 92 Civic Si, car# 63 or 93 and will be available all day for help. As the novice advisor I can give rides and ride along with others to help newbies out. (I think I only made one solo run last weekend)

For car set up I would need to know more about what you are driving and what mods you have done. I would also need to know that to help you figure out what class you should enter.

You can check out these sites for more info:
http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/classes/index.html
http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/Rules/index.html

 

I am glad to see you completed the first step in racing: asking those who know!

For a total beginner, I would not recommend trying to practice at all beforehand. It's dangerous anyways and you're not going to be able to tell what you're doing wrong. I think that is lesson #1: learn what you are doing wrong and fix one thing at a time. It's easy to get overwhelmed while racing because there is an infinite amount of stuff you have to do at once. I recommend getting a good night's sleep the night before...and you'll probably sleep like a baby the following night!

It seems like one of the other guys here will be at your event too, so I highly recommend finding him and have him watch you during the runs. Also watch him and the guys who are posting fast times and see what they are doing and you are not. Racing is about constant improvement. Even the F1 guys (who are argueably the best drivers in the world) are trying to improve their performance during the race. Until you get to the point that you understand what you are doing wrong and how to correct it, have someone else help you.

Rule #2: start slow. You may think you look like a goof, but go only as fast as you can do it right. Racing is not about heroics and driving beyond your limits. For the first couple laps, take it easy and get the hang of the pattern and where to position your car. As you get comfortable, you can increase the speed. Over the course of several events, you can probably get to the level of exceeding the capability of your car.

Rule #3: do not modify your car to make your lap times faster. This is a very common mistake for newbies. Drive the wheels off your car in stock form until you can post consistent ETs. If you're still seeing 1 second variances in your lap times, you're not ready. Only after this can you make the car faster.

And most of all: Have FUN!!! These events are not about competition with others, but with yourself. You won't believe how fun it is to challenge yourself. (And how tiring...you will be a limp noodle by the end of the day...guaranteed!).

 

thanks for the tips guys, i'll be sure to get there early, talk to the veterans, take the first couple runs slower and then push a little... currently i have a civic sedan w/ an ls motor intake, exhaust, 17" tuner wheels, ground control coilovers... so it'll put me in the highest class right? is there a way i can sign-up on-line and register so i only have to pay $20 before 2 weeks? wearing that helmet is going to take some while to get used to.

 

The motor swap will put you into one of two classes. Street modified or D Modified. Street Mod will put you up against other hybrids and also Mustangs and such... but all must be on a DOT approved tire. D Modified is for cars under 2.0 liters but full on racing slicks ARE allowed. Street Mod entries have varied from zero to a half dozen per event. We currently have one or two cars in DM one of which has a possibilty of posting top time of day (if he shows up from Sioux Falls) in a Caterham Super 7, the other is a blue delSol with an ls motor on DOT tires (he can't run in SM as SM requires the car to be a 4 seat vehicle to begin with).

You can check out the times for last weeks event at this url:
http://www.nrscca.com/EventResults/er20030330.htm

You can join the club at the event and pay the member rate. If you don't want to wait you can contact the membership chairman in Omaha, Jerry Doctor, at 593-7918 or email at:

j.doctor@worldnet.att.net

He should be able to give you all the info you need on how much your membership fees will be (could depend on your age)



[Modified by Jan in Omaha, 4:34 PM 4/5/2003]

 

The D Mod del Sol would be me. When you get to Milford, just watch what I do and do the exact opposite

Walk the course, walk the course and walk the course.

 

Then keep walking...
6 times minimum.
At least 3 alone IMO.
It doesn't hurt to look back and see the line from that angle/ perspective.

 

Why cant he run SM2, that is a new class right? I ran that last year with my CRX with a motor swap on street tires.

Sal

 

Not every region supports SM2. A local region can have as many or as few classes as it desires. It could create a "red car only" class if it wanted to. We don't have enough members who would be in it to warrant it.

 

I was AutoXing my blue WRX for the first time, but this is my 4th season racing. I AutoX'd my '00 ITR for a few years and then raced my hybrid a little this past season.

I will be there April 13th in my hybrid. If you want I can help you out. You can ride with me and/or I can ride with you and give you some tips.

Look for a beatup looking white Civic hatch ('92) with some black wheels.

 

Surprising that the SM class is so small in your area. There are like 20 entries per event in SM, here.

 

Most of our V8 guys who would be in SM just run in CP even though they are basically street cars on DOT competition tires. It's a CP thing I guess. We don't have that many drivers with hybrid cars who chase cones around here... most are happy doing street races in West Omaha. Maybe one day...

 

maybe we can start that class up? my two brothers' and, dave, adam, andy, paul, jon, and myself of Lincoln all drive hybrids, and we are going to all get into auto-x'ing together. this is our site: http://www.4bangercity.com

yellowdragon, yea, i would be interested in riding with you or you riding with me! i'll see you out there man.

btw: what does it cost to be a member?

 

You can race Street Mod...it already is a class. LOL. I'm sure Jan and I can answer more Q's in person. You don't have to be a member yet to race. Go to http://www.nrscca.com for more details.

-Todd

 

Absolutely!! Bring them out! We have a place for them to run in Street Mod for the four seaters or D Mod for the CRX/delSol guys right now. We have a guy in E Mod who comes out in a Chevy powered RX7! The more you guys show up the more fun you will have.

Expirience drivers are allowed to ride with new drivers and new drivers are allowed to ride with expirienced drivers. Newbies should NOT ride with Newbies.

Call or email Jerry Doctor with your membership question. He can guide you better than I can. I believe membership fees are $65 for a regular member. You might be able to still get the Speek Freaks rate of $30 if you are under 26. That program is going away VERY soon!

If anyone is under 19 years old you will need a signed parental consent form (obtainable from the club) before allowed to run. Check this thread for more info on underage drivers:
http://new.omaharacing.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3147

 

thanks jan, i contacted j. doctor he sent me a registration form, thanks for informing me that there was that "speek freaks" thing going on, it expires on May 1st. that's a great deal seeing it's normally twice that for reg. i forwarded it to my bros. and friends.

 

WOW! All the local autocrossers are speaking out on hondatech :-) Jan, Todd, and Tim are all expereinced autocrossers and are a tremendous help, the only thing I ask is that you and any friends you bring along, be respectful and dont talk during the drivers meeting. I was very upset that I couldnt hear the event master speaking at SECC Lincoln because there were so many people talking and I dont think 75% of those talking were even racing