How do I find dates. I have a membership to BMW CCA for Washington DC and I know that SCCA is active here. I have met a bunch of people that autocross. I have kept my car stock (I have a K&N airfilter and different tyres of the 5 spoke wheels. I have a MC with SS+ and the sport package - I doubt the sport package is sporting in this case. My biggist problem is that I am on call for weekends. I work a bunch of them in the summer. Where do I go to get local schedules? I have to program the days in advance - a bunch in advance. I missed Mr. Garfields school last year. Good luck to those out there doing it. Hope to see you soon.
John

 

I forgot, I have a Moss skid plate on the car. Can that be considered comfort and convienance. I can not imagine that it adds to the performance of the car.

 

Hey John, as a MINI owner, I'll give you a perk...I'll be announcing the school dates VERY soon on the website http://solo.wdcr-scca.org
Make sure you get a check in fast if you can make it. The only problem is that I can't refund last minute cancellations.
That's also where you can get a season subscription and check the schedule for the season.
Interesting thing. D.C. is HUGE now and let me give you an idea: We have more season subscriptions in the region than most have for large events (over 130). We run some of, if not THE, largest events in the country, so they're hard to get into if you're not quick on the computer (hence the large group of season subscribers).
We now run about 270 cars at 4 runs each, that's 1080 runs per event.

Brian

 

thanks

 

At your local events I doubt anyone would comment on your skid plate. You can make the case as well that it's comfort and convenience since it doesn't aid performance. At a National event you never know, there might be that one guy who takes exception to you and claims it acts as a frame stiffener....

That being said, if you ever go to a national event I'd just unbolt it...or is it welded on?


Welcome to H Stock!

UtahAUgs

 

Bolted on. I have the plastic shortie that was factory stock in the basement.

 

An Update. I was unable to get into Brian's classes as I will be taking my daughters GS troop camping. An autocross school is being offered by NATIONAL CAPITAL CHAPTER, BMW CCA and PORSCHE CLUB, CHESAPEAKE REGION. I know that the BMW club holds events and I suspect the Porsche club does the same. I am a member of BMWCCA. I've heard that SCCA rules differ for stock vs BMWCCA rules. I am not a member of a Porsche Club so I would be unlikely to attend their events. I think I would most likely attend SCCA events (I know people taking/have taken Brian's school).

Questions:

1. Brian intends to hold another school, but is it before the next season?

2. Would I learn enough about SCCA in the BMW school?

3. Has anyone reading this board been to the school offered above and care to comment on it? (I have heard very good things about Brian's school - but for others reading this go ahead and give your 2 cents worth.)

4. Brian's school is more MINI specific (fwd). Are there teachers that can coatch me on FWD vs RWD (the clubs that are hosting the event are RWD car clubs). At my level (almost none) is that something to consider?

 

So you know John, we'll be doing schools on March 13th/14th (filled), 20th/21st (not even open but filling from overflow), and April 10th/11th.

Brian

 

John:

I'm also a DC guy who will be in HS with a Mini this year. (I'll be the Silver #14.) You are a MD? If so, where and what kind? My girlfriend is a M05 at Georgetown. My responses to your questions, based on a couple years of local experience, are below:

>>Questions:
>>
>>1. Brian intends to hold another school, but is it before the next season? n/a

>>2. Would I learn enough about SCCA in the BMW school?

Autocrossing is autocrossing. At the BMW school some of the instructors also have raced FWD cars, so it isn't necessarily BMW specific instruction. In the BMW club season events you will be put in the general "X" class since all the other classes are BMW specific. I didn't mind being in the X class with my 350+ horsepower RX7, but with a Mini you will get killed in the results. Doesn't mean it isn't fun, a great opportunity to meet some really nice folks, and good seat time.

>>3. Has anyone reading this board been to the school offered above and care to comment on it? (I have heard very good things about Brian's school - but for others reading this go ahead and give your 2 cents worth.)

I've been to all the local schools - Brian's SCCA school, the BMWCCA school, and Evolution Phases 1 & 2. For a pure novice, I think the best place to start is Brian's phase 1. Go to the BMW school if you can't make Brian's. After you have a few events under your belt, then take an Evolution phase 1 school. Or, if your schedule is as screwed as my girlfriend's, just go to whichever one you can make it to.

>>4. Brian's school is more MINI specific (fwd). Are there teachers that can coatch me on FWD vs RWD (the clubs that are hosting the event are RWD car clubs). At my level (almost none) is that something to consider?

I don't know that it is accurate to say that Brian's school is FWD centric. Although he is currently a Mini driver, he came from a Miata. I think anyone would benefit from his event. Except those all wheel drive guys! j/k As stated above the other RWD club events are fine for you as well.

 

Thanks. I sent Brian an e-mail yesterday. He responded very quickly. I just make sure I will not be called into the office on 20/21 March. Check should go into the mail tonight. This is going to be fun.