vuser@druhi.UUCP (GerardenC) (03/07/86)
slana@ihu1e.UUCP (Slana) writes > Of what I've seen, the SCCA SOLO II autocross series seems like a >real nice place to start. I recently joined SCCA so the only purchase >required at the start would be a helmet, and rims/tires if I get serious. >Everything I've heard about autocross has been encouraging: > - low cost > - use street car > - no special equipment > - low entry fees > - low risk > - courses set up for safety (plastic cones don't destroy cars!) > - single car on course > - great training ground > - class structure emphasizes driver skill > - courses set up to stress car control > - skills developed will carry over to daily driving as well > as future racing > - availability > - don't need track > - "parking lot" structure allows races near general population > - local and national events > - ~27 classes ensure competitiveness with whatever > sports/compact/formula car you might have > > I currently have Walter Mitty dreams involving something more involved >than autocross, but I've never had any sort of performance driving experience >(my street car is an '86 Escort GT, which itself is a great step up from >my previous cars -- a vega and a chevette ;-) ). > At least one responder has found great pleasure in the SOLO II events, >traveling from New Mexico to San Francisco, Colorado, and Kansas (nationals) >for races last year. If I did it for a year or so and wanted something more, >it might be off to Bondurant's or Skip Barber's school. For now, it's a >cautious one step at a time. The Chicago region SCCA will be having a SOLO II >school on the weekend of April 12-13. Maybe..... > > > I'd like to thank all of you who responded. If I find myself at that >SOLO driver's school and there is enough interest, I could probably post >something about it. In the meantime, I would still enjoy reading about any >more experiences y'all might have. Solo II is a lot of fun, and everyone has a great time. After your first few events you start thinking that you should get some better tires (MONEY). Sure would be nice to get new shocks (MONEY). I wonder if new sway bars would help (MONEY). A header might give more power (MONEY). That weber down draft would give better throttle response (MONEY). Almost every one who gets caught up in auto racing spends lots of MONEY. Here in Colorado the solo II events have been safe, many courses were laid out in parking lots , but several were on tracks with pylons to slow the cars down. On the track courses speeds would approach 100 mph. This year they are slowing every one down to under 60 mph. Around here autocross has gotten out of hand, there are so many entrants that you spend 3 hours between runs. and for 3 runs a day thats a lot of standing around to do. I think they are going to limit entrants this year. One of the most exciting types of racing is vintage events, The cars are older sports cars (read italian , british and german) older formula and sports racing cars also compete. The racing is based on a no intimidation philosophy i.e. some drivers and cars are faster than others ; so what! This is an ideal way to spend a weekend with the family in Vail or Aspen. The courses are set up in the streets of the town. The locals are very friendly and helpful. the past year cars such as GT40's ,Mercedes gullwing coups, lotus 23's , elva's, cooper's, ferrari's ,etc. have competed. In most classes of SCCA racing plan on spending lots of money, I was considering running IT class, it seems to be the most reasonable for the buck spent, but I like to tinker with the cars and this class basically requires the car to be stock. Even if you dont put a lot of cash into a car the expenses of meals, gas,lodging and misc junk will make for $300.00 weekends. One suggestion I would make to everyone: attend as many drivers schools as possible. Various clubs will have sessions where the more experienced drivers will teach the novice. Even the scca has drivers schools at the start of the season. > >Thanks again, > Chuck Slana > ..!ihnp4!ihu1e!slana > >Chuck Slana >AT&T Information Systems >Naperville, IL chuck gerarden ihnp4!drutx!druhi!vuser To quote our club pres. "may you have clean shifts and good drifts"