slana@ihu1e.UUCP (Slana) (03/07/86)
*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH A RELIEF DRIVER *** A couple weeks back I posted an article requesting information from net.auto readers who race cars. I promised a summary -- here it is... I received a total of seven responses. Brief summaries of each follow: 1) Drag-raced a 1933 Ford for four years ending in 1961. 2) Some autocross and ice-racing experience. 3) Drives a street 944 in Porsche Club of America races. These races take two forms -- 20 minute races where passing is allowed only on straights, and time trials. Tracks included Summit Point and Lime Rock. Also participated in one autocross event. 4) Very avid autocrosser. Drove his street intercooled Conquest (Starion) in 19 races last year (including SCCA SOLO II Nationals in Kansas), expects 25 this year. For those of you who are unfamiliar with autocross (SOLO II), these are relatively low speed, timed runs around courses set up with pylons (generally in a large parking lot). (note: I spoke with a local SCCA member, and he told me that straightaway speeds were up to 75mph and corner speeds were up to 30mph, although those straight speeds sound kinda high to me). Most participants use a standard street car, although there are classes for formula cars such as F.Vee, F.Atlantic, F.Ford, etc. Even with the street cars, most serious participants get special racing rims/tires. The main requirements to pass tech inspection are having seat belts and a battery hold-down. The cars are grouped into many classes according to relative performance -- his class included GTI, Omni GLH (non-turbo), MR2, X1/9, etc. (note: my local contact said there were about 27 different classes.) Entry fees are about $5.00 for local events and $20-$30 for big (?) events. 5) Real serious SCCA racer. Drives a 1966 350hp Sunbeam Tiger (long-time net.auto readers may recognize this) in sports car races, particularly at Watkins Glen (holds four lap records for class, including a 100.03mph lap!). Got involved in racing after participating in a SCCA SOLO II school and then helping out in scrutineering for SCCA. 6) Drove in local sports car club rally events. Recommends rallying or autocross as introductory level. 7) Doesn't "race", but takes his car out to tracks for lapping sessions. Drives a "highly modified" '68 Olds 442 (455c.i., 400+hp, 0-60 in 6.85sec w/passenger). Drives at So.Cal tracks such as Willow Springs and Riverside when car clubs or private individuals rent it for lapping days. 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. Thanks again, Chuck Slana ..!ihnp4!ihu1e!slana Chuck Slana AT&T Information Systems Naperville, IL