I would like to "Road Race" but a dedicated roll bar equipped track car is just not going to happen. I don't have a place to store a car, trailer, and tow vehicle.

Instead I compete in Autocross Time Attack with my daily driver. If you want to try "Racing on the cheap" you may find this interesting.

This is not parking lot racing, this is what SCCA calls Solo I (we are not SCCA affiliated), cars are spaced out by about 15 seconds, and passing is allowed ONLY in specified straights, and ONLY in practice laps.

We run on tracks such as Blackhawk Farms, Rockton Ill, Autobahn in Joliet Il., and Gingerman in Mi. The events are similar to an HPDE, except you get timed, possibly a trophy, and due to the format, less track time than an HPDE. We typically have 135 to 150 cars at an event.

In the Midwest Council of Sports Car Clubs, you can run an unmodified MC (class D) or MCS (class C) with out all the equipment required in Wheel to Wheel Racing.

You need a Helmet, but we accept a 1995 M helmet. You need to wear natural fiber clothes, leather shoes, and pass a tech inspection, and be 18 years old.

There are 3 MCS that regularly show up at these events, and several occasionals.

Depending on your level of Mods, you may end up in a higher class that does require a roll cage, fire extinguisher, and 4 point harness. There is one vendors Test Car that runs in "B Race" class, and is very fast!

Learn more at this website.

http://www.mcscc.org/

John
Blue 74, 2004 MCS

 

Our group has posted some videos.

The one for BFR is taken from a car in line behind an MCS.

Look fast, you will only see the MINI once! I think it is the one that holds the track record for the class of car.

http://autocross.mcscc.org/resources/video.htm

John

 

I agree, this is a great way to road race without all the other necessary stuff for wheel-to-wheel racing...

Some have said our local BMWCCA chapter "autocross" events (Lone Star Chapter BMWCCA) are much the same as Solo I or time trials - loooooooong course (1.2-1.5 miles or more) and high speeds (90+ MPH on the straights, fast sweepers, and some traditional autocross stuff, too). It's laid out with cones, but we've got camber changes on our surface and lots of runout room if you make a mistake. It's a great hybrid event, IMHO!!!

If you're in north Texas, you should check out our "autocross" events... You won't be disappointed!

http://www.lscbmwcca.org/autocross.html

 

February 14, 2006

The Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs, has posted their General Competition rules and event schedule for 2006. (The schedule is the last page of the book.)

http://www.mcscc.org/gcr.htm

The file is about 1.1 Mbyte, it will fit on a floppy disk.

Note that the Time Attack / Autocross rules, including Classification and Safety rules are a subsection of the GCR. The rules outside of that area are for Wheel to Wheel Racing.

John

 

This weekend Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs has a Time Attack Autocross (Time Trials) at the Autobahn Country Club North track in Joliet Illinois. These events are open to any brand of car, but more MINIs are showing up these days.

So far the entries include:
One MCS in C stock class
Two MCS in C Prepared Class
One MC in D stock class.

You can register for the event online at Myautoevents.com

John

 

I'm off at school, but say I was in town for the Blackhawk day, I and I am a SE NASA member, would I be eligable to participate?

 

The eligibility requires...

Driver is over 18 AND can SHOW the state drivers license, (no tickets in place of a license.)

The car meets the rules.
IF the Car is a STOCK car, with no pulley, it can probably run in stock class. In stock class the OEM seat belt is good enough. (JCW is NOT stock).

See the AX rules under the Autocross section of mcscc.org.

If after reading those rules you have specific questions about the car or equipment required, write to

axtech@mcscc.org.

John

 

I have a low res camera, but one of the other MINI's has promised higher res photos.

J D.

 

Thanks for the info, I was under the impression that they required a local club membership and a medical form, which would have been very over the top for one TT. If I'm in town when they're at Blackhawk or Autobahn I plan on showing up.

BTW: I used to live in the Wacconda area and work in Fox Lake, I liked being on the edge of the suburbs, still able to get into open country easily and not all too far from the city.

 

At many of our events, it is cheaper to join a club, than pay the nonmember fee. That is done deliberately to get people on the news letter lists, etc. Then if you show up again later that calendar year, you get the discount again.

John

 

Hmm I'll have to look at the $$ end more closely I think I'd only be in town for one event, possibly (and its a fairly slim chance) two; plus I'm looking at 5 other track days 3 at Sebring and one in mid IN so this is adding up quickly

 

Midwestern Council has a high speed Autocross / Time attack at
BlackHawk Farms Raceway on Saturday August 26.

Three Street legal Daily Driver MCS are already registered for this event.

See the web site. http://www.mcscc.org/

Registration is at Myautoevents.com

And here is some news...

Attention Modified MINI Owners.
Midwestern Council of Sports Car Clubs recently changed their safety harness requirements.
A MINI Cooper (S) no longer requires a Harness, just because you put in some common improvements such as a pulley, airbox, exhaust.
Look over the website to check out your car. If you have any questions about your cars requirements, write to axtech@mcscc.org

John