My first autocross experience!

[Kracka]

Originally Posted by turbotalon1g

Would it be possible to auto-x my dsm?

For sure! Its possible to auto-x anything with 4 wheels. There was a VW Bug and some Suzuki thing this past weekend, and I guess at one of the events a Prius showed up.

[Halon]

Sounds fun. I was considering trying a little bit of this in my Saab just for fun. Someday.

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by Halon

Sounds fun. I was considering trying a little bit of this in my Saab just for fun. Someday.

There is no better time to try it out than the present.

[Kracka]

I wish I would have done this many years ago!

[User Name]

I'm thinking of building my car around Auto-x. I think after it's running I'll do complete chassis/suspension mods.

The crappy thing is, you're put in your class by the mods, correct? And not the "skill"?

What would turbotalon1g's car put him into?(Class-wise)

Matt, I'm sure you have a book somewhere, could you link me?

[Kracka]

Mods do move you up very quickly in the classes which is the major downfall to auto-x. Once you have any internal engine/tranny work (including cams) you are put into a VERY competitive class. My plan is to build my car as I originally planned, try to win SI class, and then just have a good time and not worry about beating the hardcore guys in the tougher classes.

http://www.scca.org/contentpage.aspx?content=61

[User Name]

Thanks Chris.

I watched a 20 minute vid of a guy on Toonerz (GreenAWD) I believe do a autocross run around what I believe was Martinsville(?). It was friggin sweet, incar vid. I can't find it now though! Damnit! It was a google vid. From pictures, I'm not so into the parking lot and cone tracks, but they could work. I'm going to get my practice in at Thunder Road or wtf ever it is called in Watertown,SD with go-karts!

[scheides]

WHAT! Have fun!?!?!? Mod your car as you wish and race it as-is, despite the class you land in? Oh noes! :P

Bravo!

[Kracka]

Originally Posted by User Name

From pictures, I'm not so into the parking lot and cone tracks, but they could work.

You'll be shocked how intense they are; I know I was!

[tpunx99GSX]

"Street Modified – The top of the “street” categories, Street Modified allows
anything from Stock, Street Touring, and Street Prepared and just about any
engine and drivetrain configuration as long as the engine manufacturer matches
the body manufacturer (see Solo Rules for details). Four-seaters (BMW, Corolla,
Civic, Integra, Neon, Supra, Talon, VW, etc.) run in SM and two-seat sports cars
(Corvette, CRX, M Roadster, Miata, RX-7, MR2, etc.) compete in SM2. Carbonfiber
hoods, cams, turbo/supercharger kits, etc are welcome, too."

[Kracka]

Street Modified is a very high-level competitive class; a lot of those cars are track-prepped and gutted.

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by User Name

From pictures, I'm not so into the parking lot and cone tracks, but they could work.

Kracka and mustgofaster were both skeptical. Just ask them how much fun it is.

There is a reason autocross is described as being the most fun you can have in your car with your clothes on.

[hellomynameis]

Sure, it'd be awesome to win and receive national acclaim and get signed on for the Audi LMP team. But...whether you put down the fastest time of the day or the slowest, it's fun as hell and there's no other opportunity to do something like this in your car outside of expensive and risky track days.

It's fun in the evo, but I imagine it's just as fun in any other car. There is NO EXCUSE to not go out and at least try it.

[Kracka]

Originally Posted by Matt D.

There is a reason autocross is described as being the most fun you can have in your car with your clothes on.

Honestly might even be more fun than anything involving clothes off! HAHA

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by hellomynameis

It's fun in the evo, but I imagine it's just as fun in any other car. There is NO EXCUSE to not go out and at least try it.

The only other car I've driven in an autocross is a stock Focus on R-compounds. It wasn't fast and didn't handle great, but it was fun. There's no other time you'd ever be able to drive like that and get away with it.

[asshanson]

I'm thinking about doing this next Spring or Summer when my car is all fixed up and doesn't have a million parts in the trunk. I have a pretty simple suspension setup, just tokico springs/shocks and decent swaybars, but it should still be fun. I really want to learn how to drive better because I really don't know my car's limits at all.

What is the SI class you are talking about, just a novice class where anything is allowed until you win? Then you're forced into a real class? Pretty sure my car would be placed in a very tough category, not much stock suspension or motor wise.

[Goat Blower]

The last time I went at Dakota, I fishtailed around half the track. It's definitely geared for small turbo cars with no lag. I wouldn't even bother with my car.

[Matt D.]

SI = Special Interest

It's the catch all class and is not competitive. If you "win" the SI class by posting the fastest time at an event you get kicked out for life and have to run in a regular class. Regardless of what your modifications are autocross is more about fun and the people than being competitive. It's a give and take thing, you can either "run what you brung" or you can build a car around a certain class to be competitive. Either way you will still have fun.

[Matt D.]

Originally Posted by Goat Blower

It's definitely geared for small turbo cars with no lag. I wouldn't even bother with my car.

Not true. When Mark Daddio was running his Street Modified Evo he had an FP Green, not exactly a "small" turbo. He's an 8 time national champion and is driving the AMS time attack car, but he himself has said that autocross is 80% driver and 20% setup.

[Kracka]

I think big, powerful cars would probably just take that much better of a driver to keep everything in control.

My favorite autocross rule when reading the "SCCA Solo Novice Handbook":
-Don't blame the car!