slana@ihu1e.UUCP (Slana) (03/07/86)
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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