Next weekend I AM going to compete in a Solo2 @ Tire Rack here in South Bend. My mom is okay with it. My dad, the person who I thought would be the most okay with it, since he was a chief observer for the IRL in the '70s and '80s AND used to own 3 of the local short tracks, is getting all up tight. "Why would you even take that risk?" "You know what happens when you wreck your car right? Yeah you won't be insured." "Why?" "That's stupid why are you doing that?" "It seems awful dangerous."

OMG! SHUT UP!

What can I do to get to get through his head, that nothing bad is going to happen and that it's perfectly safe if not safer than everyday driving?

Mikey

 

invite them to come along and see how safe solo2 is

 

Sometimes parents forget about the things they did (and you also want to do) when they were young.


....or else they do remember the things they did when they were young and therefore freak out.

 

Mikey there is a reason they make you wear a helemet out there; its not as safe as everyday driving cause in everyday driving you don't spend the whole time (if any at all) at the limit. It sound like he's just worried about what could happen, as he has seen many cars wreck and doesn't want to see you without your MINI cause something went wrong. The chance is quite remote, but its stilll there and something you need to be aware of. Now that I'm done repeating what you've already heard, make them aware of the saftey precautions you are taking, have you gotten instruction, done your homework ("Secrets of Solo Racing and Time Trials" is a very good resource) share with them the precautions you are taking, walk them around the car the night before and show them everything is mechanically in order (have the car ready before hand so you don't blow it here) and invite them to watch. If they see you are being safe about it, and taking precautions then you're much more likely to get their support than if you insist that it is inherently safe (which it isn't) and go about it anyway.

Hope this helps and have fun!

 

actually it sucks cuz they're going out of town this weekend. I really didn't even need to tell them. But I'm a good boy and did. I showed them some autoX vids and they're pretty cool about it now. For some reason they thought there were other cars other than mine on the track at the time. That's why they got their panties in a bunch. Now how do I come by this "Secrets of Solo Racing and Time Trials"?? Seems really secretive.

Mikey

 

I picked it up at B&N on a sale day I'll see if I can't find a link to it on on their site or amazon. I'll also send you some links to good site with info on the web.

 

Good luck with it. As a parent, I can very easily see your Dad's point. I doubt that you are in a position financially to repair or replace the car if the worst does happen and it is quite possible that your car insurance won't cover this. My two cents as a parent for whatever it is worth - like I said, best of luck with it.

 

also check out http://http://www.tirerack.com/featu...2/handbook.htm

for good novice information!

Good luck!

 

Solo2 is about the safest form of racing that you can do, But there is still the risk of dammagaing your car. It ain't like you are going to the Phil Wicks races and going head to head against others on the track at the same time....

Heck you can dammage your car when you go on a rally with your local club, or if you drive your car to schol/work.

 

http://www.soloracer.com/books.html

Is where I got my copy.

 

I agree with the others that there is a increased risk of damaging your car any time you are at the limit, but with autox the chance is relatively low. But I also think that there are many good things to point out to them such as learning to drive your car at its limit will help you to better understand the abilities of your car and possibly help you to avoid an accident in the future

 

Shoot .... any old mall parking lot after it snows will show you that

 

Can someone repost a link to this part of Tire Rack? I have been trying to find it but can't, and it has the requirements for what I need to have, and what I need to have done to my car for sunday.

Thanks

Mikey

 

http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

 

Cars have crashed heavily, with injury at Solo 2 events. "It can happen to you, then it can happen to you again!" - Steve McQueen in LeMans.

Yes, it's rare, but far from impossible.

 

"Secrets of Solo racing" is a fantastic book and I'm constantly picking it back up and reading tidbits here and there before every event... Worth every penny!

Just remember to cool down on the drive home and drive slowww! For me i'm so pumped with adrenalin that at the end of the day i'm treating the drive home like a 60 mile auto-x course~

 

Have fun and be safe !

IRL in the 70's? What is this?

 

OK.. let me try to explain.. I have a 31 year old son who races his M3. He got the racing bug from his old man. I worry everytime he goes to the track... It's a parents right..
As you age the mortality worries becomes much more of an issue. You realize how fragile life is.. You "wise" up to many things that you once thought were cool or safe. Going out to race your car is putting yourself and your ride at risk... Plain and simple.. The younger you are.. the less you worry about stuff like that....
Does this make sense to you? It will later on down the road...
Be safe and have fun...

 

I think I am qualified to speak to your question. I'm a parent, grandparent, autocrosser, HPDE participant, and I do some instructing in autox and track. I encouraged my daughter to take part in autocrossing and High Performance Driver Ed. I also shared my interest of flying and bicycle racing with her. We have had some wonderful times taking part in all of these sports and would encourage anyone to share their interests with their children, whatever they may be. Needless to say, she is a very good and safe driver. Moreover, she learned to use the judgment that is needed to be safe when driving a car at speed, or worse, on the public roads.

I prefer to think of the requirement to wear a safetly helmet during autocross participation as a manisfestion of the extreme value that is placed on safety during autocross events rather than as evidence of danger. I regard autocrossing as a very safe activity, and much safer than driving on the street. As most people who autocross quickly learn, it is a very safe activity. It is a good idea to review your insurance coverage to see if it provides coverage for autocrossing. Some policies do, some don't.

Yesterday I was coming home from the library and a hit and run driver smashed into the back of my beloved 1987 BMW 325iS, probably turning a modern classic into a total wreck. That car was driven thousands of miles on the track and hundreds of autocross runs. It never got a scratch or suffered any damage off road, it was street driving that cooked its goose.

Certainly, be sensible of the risks of motor sports, as well as to those associated with all aspects of life. But please don't live your life avoiding every possible danger. Hats off to you for being honest with your parents, and also for giving them a chance to learn about autocrossing so that they can provide you with limits based on knowledge of the dangers involved, and also with the benefits that can accrue from autocrossing. I think there is good agreement that learning to autocross well is a great way to improve car handling skills.

I hope you will have fun and will be safe and happy,

Joe s

 

Mikey,
Any update on how things have gone since you made plans to autocross???

Whenever a parent has concerns, you can direct them to email or call to talk to the SCCA Solo safety Steward for your event. Every Autocross has a designated Safety Steward whose responsibility it is to keep all participants, workers and non driving spectators safe.

Most SCCA local chapters have websites and list the Solo Safety Steward along with some contact information.

It's natural to be concerned and there is potential for problems at any motorsports event. Solo events are by far the most safe event but one still must follow all of the rules and every event is still carefully monitored at various levels to ensure safety- this is necessary to ensure insurance for SCCA events.

 

"Accidentally" run over his foot in the driveway.

 

I just saw this thread for the first time. I hope all is going well.

I just wanted to make one safety point that always seems to be forgotten.....

You the safest when you are DRIVING on course. It's when you are a course worker that you should be nervous. Pay attention and stay on your toes. It's pretty rare to hear about a driver getting hurt, but there have been instances of course workers getting killed. Just be careful.

(I sound like an old fart!)

 

SOLO II needs to be a mandatory part of driver's education. If all the drivers on the road had my seat time before they were allowed to drive on public roads, this country would be safer. That and outlaw ridiculously loud stereos and cell phone use and smoking while driving.