edh@sun.uucp (Edward Hunter) (04/14/85)
As long as this group is having its quarterly discussion of speeding and speed limits I was wondering what is a good (i.e.cheap) way to get into racing. I'd like to try it someday but have no idea of the relative costs of the various classes or even really how to get started besides taking one of the various race driving courses. So any weekend racers out there with stories of how you got started, I'd be interested in hearing from you. -edh
bhs@siemens.UUCP (04/17/85)
edh: The cheapest way into racing that I know about is autocrossing. Autocrosses are typically set up on large parking lots, such as near stadiums, and involve navigating around a course set up with traffic pylons. Such courses will include straights (mucho ponies required), slaloms (mucho agility required), increasing and decreasing radius curves (mucho style and technique). Fun is typically had by all, spectators will occasionally be drafted as course workers. The key to the success and fun of autocross is that the various competing cars will be classified depending on degree of modification, as well as expected performance. In fact, you will be surprised that the classification is quite good, so that typically, it is the driver's ability and not the car's performance which will win the race. Of course, if you have a diesel chevette, I would not rate your chances very high, even if you are the best driver in town. What do you need to begin? A car, street legal or not, as well as a crash helmet (motorcycle helmet). Also, I guess you need a driver's license. The easiest class to compete in is street stock. For that class, you are permitted only very few modifications. The idea of this class is that this is the class for cars which are used every day in humdrum life in the suburbs. You are permitted a slightly smaller steering wheel, tires which will fit the stock rim, sway bars which must fit original factory mounting points, and a few minor other changes. So, you see, it is easy to get in, and sure is fun, once you get the hang of it. For financial reasons, I currently drive a '75 Caprice Estate, which is not suited for autocross. In fact, it is only suited for country-cross, you cant beat it for simple endless hioghway cruising. Bernard H. Schwab Siemens RTL, Princeton, NJ
adm@cbneb.UUCP (04/22/85)
MPORTANT NOTE: In autocross only 1 (one) car is running at a time. Your chances of damage to self or vehicle is slim at worst unless you're a total and copmplete idiot. You are running against the clock with time penalties for hitting pylons. (Yellow or orange cones that highway crews previously owned :-) ) For more details contact any sport car association. I.E. NCCC or SCCA . If you think you're a hot shot driver, try it out once. It can be a real HUMBLING (or rewarding) experience. They also normally have ladies classes. WARNING: Autocross is habit forming. An Addict. ihnp4!tel NCCC - National Council of Corvette Clubs. Contact any Chevy Dealer or me. SCCA - Sports Car Club of America