Ever since seeing the Auto-X and Mini Meet West 05 I was interested in Autocrossing and become an all around better driver.

Then I looked at the SCCA rules and because of my Aero Kit I'm not stock anymore I understand the logic and reasoning of the rules, but not one I was expecting. If it had been installed from the factory it would be all good, but since it wasn't... *sigh* Not that I was going to compete being a novice and all, but it would've been nice to compete against functionally similar cars to be able to gauge how I was doing. I guess I could still do that and just match my times to the stock classes.

Or... I could take the wife's cabrio out.. oh wait.. I think I need a roll cage for that? Yeah.. that's gonna happen I can already see how that conversation would go...

 

To my knowledge, rollbars aren't required in Solo 2.

Regarding the aero kit, I doubt anyone would protest you locally. Well, until you start winning.

 

Aero kit puts you into street mod. You can run stock class without a roll bar. The next event is this Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum. G stock and h stock run in the afternoon. Get there by 11 a.m. to tech your car. SCCA membership is required.
http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/

 

If you're local contingent can't look the other way, at least until you're winning the class, you don't want to run with those folks.

Approach each person in the class and simply ASK them if they'd mind you running in Stock, explaining that you know it's not "technically" legal.

We've seen this plenty of times in both Stock and ST classes, and there's never been an issue. If you're not hiding anything and have no competitive advantage, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

Brian Garfield
WDCR SCCA Solo
Novice Coordinator

 

I think you can run in Street touring classes according to section 14.2 of the 2006 Solo Rule book. This is a great class at the regional level for new auto-xer. The whole idea was to encourage the "street crowd" to join us. You will be in a more competitive group than the SM cars and can run true street tires.

At any level above the local/regional the car prep gets as intense and expensive as some mod classes however.

 

SM or STX? Seems as if Street Mod would definitely be out of my league with the mods allowed. I hope to be there Sunday, if not to compete then at least to watch and chat with folks.

 

Find your local BMWCCA chapter and autocross with them...

In my neck of the woods, the BMWCCA events flat out SMOKE the SCCA ones - and the people are nicer, too. It might be different in other regions...

 

how about just getting more mods and staying in the higher class!

 

There won't be any Coopers winning street mod with Vic around.

 

Street touring. Rule 14.2.F. I was thinking pulley.:impatient

 

That definitely depends on the region. Not so here in D.C... Of course, that depends on how you "grade" an event. Is it based on the number of runs you get, or how well it's run?

Brian

 

More runs, longer and faster courses, and run better, too. Of course, BMWCCA events tend to max out at about 80 entries versus the 100+ for the Texas Region SCCA. The 210 person turnout at one of the SCCA's Texas Motor Speedway events is what did it for me... 3 runs and we got to stand around all day long...

We have the same talent level showing up, as many of the fastest guys in the region come out (who run SCCA and all other local events, too). No politics, no silly protests.

Just my observation, locally.

 

Sounds like mis-managed SCCA events to me.
We run 250 cars, 4 runs each, half day commitment. Almost one mile long 60 second courses. No politics, just hard work from a huge committee. If you ask most of the locals, they'll tell you how much they appreciate what they have.
It's one of the reasons we have a "Novice Coordinator" as a full time committee position.

The biggest issue with our local BMW club is that good lot availability is sparse. There are a couple of good clubs though that run great events.
The demand in WDCR is SOOO high though, it's not real tough to fill events if they're decent. Keep in mind, there aren't many other region clubs that run 20+ Autocross Schools in a season...

On topic, being straight up and honest about what you have and what you're looking to do is best. As I said, if you want to run Stock with an Aero kit and the people in the class won't let you, those aren't the kind of people you want to be around. Also remember that it's not up to ANYbody EXCEPT the people in G Stock, that's who the rules are policed by, the competitors.

Brian