I've been reading up on AutoX for a while now and finally found our Local club. I was reading all the rules and whatnot about the events. I just have a few questions. The next event (#5) is on the 20th. That would be my first time ever going to it. Because of that, would it be best for me to just go and check out the event w/ a parent? I was thinking about participating, but now im thinking that it would be better if i just went and checked it out to see how it runs.

Also, when it says you should bring a lot of stuff (food, sunscreen, etc.), can you have more than one car come into the event area with you and park next to your entered car? My "S" would be entered of course, but her car would be there with all the stuff in it.

I'm only 16, so, is there any sort of setbacks because of it? I'm learning that the best thing will be to say that im new to all this too and that i will get good help.

thanks,
scott

 

Spectators welcome but find a safe place to view

For your first time you can just go and watch by yourself if you like.
Or if you choose to drive then bring a drivers license and a parent with you to sign since you are under 18. Just try to participate and learn and drive smooth and not worry about time. When you are relaxed and doing things easy and smoothly your time will drop the most. When you are trying to drive fast you will likely overdo things and end up disturbing the balance of the car and loose time. You can ask for an instructor for the first two runs to assist you in the car as you drive the course.

If you drive you can bring things to be comfortable like chairs, food, water or drinks, hats and sunblock. It's better to come early in the morning and sign in and fill out the forms. If you are not an SCCA member then you pay a little more. The membership is about $70 for a year and less if you are under 18. You can call SCCA in Kansas city and get a membership number which will allow you a discount when you sign up for the 20th. If you are unsure about joining then wait and pay the higher fee up front for June.

If you race your MCS in stock class you will be in G-stock for SCCA solo II.
You need to fill your gas tank, put pressure in your tires, maybe about 42 psi in the front and 39 psi in the rear. Chalk the tires along the edge of the sidewall to see if the chalk gets rubbed off when you drive and adjust tire pressure-ask your instructor about this or other MINI drivers that are more experienced.

You can buy (about $150) or rent a helmet that is rated SA or M 1995 or later to race in. Dark glasses if you need them.

Wear comfortable clothes, long pants with flexible soled shoes and expect to stay out most of the day.

You can read this-
http://www.sfrscca.com/solo2/faq/

Have fun.

 

Thanks a ton! That helps me a lot. One thing though, can my mom bring her car into the area where my car would be parked inbetween runs because she would have all the "goodies" ?

-scott

 

What happens in my area is if you want to park in the inner track area then you have to get there early. You can have support cars near your car but out of the work area as people get their cars ready (change tires, make adjustments, etc).

Your Autocross event may be different and there can be a spectator parking area on the side and away from the cars. Just ask where your support vehicles and be. If you get there early you can pick a good spot that you like. If you get there late you have to go where there might be room and be off on the side. Find some MINIs to be near for friendly support.

You will need to get everything not bolted down in your MINI out of it for the runs. Remove all-
Floor mats, boot mat, net.
Jack and tool kits
any music CDs or extra things floating loose
You do not want anything to fly around inside the MINI to hit you or your instructor.

Picking an instructor- ask for an experienced one, maybe someone that does Solo I and well as Solo II. Ask early for that person and meet them early. Usually your run will not be in the first group since the experienced persons usually go first. Then they get freed up to teach others in subsequent runs.
In my area you get four runs- the instructor rides with you for the first two. Check with the rules in your area but I have seen others ride with their instructors for all four runs. If they will permit it, having an instructor for all four runs would be to your advantage. Also they may allow you to have an instructor at more than one event but in my area we allow it only the very first time you go out then you are no longer a Novice.

Doing the runs-
relax and stay focused and smooth.
Do not try to jerk around the steering wheel with alot of effort and gas and brake fast and hard. That is a sure way to upset the balance of the car and loose time. If you hear the tires squealing and lots of noise happening that isn't necessarily good. Your runflats are not horrible but they are not the best tires either.
You will get your best results from:
Keeping your head up-Your judgement of the course will be better.
Looking ahead- look and plan ahead so that you can set up for it.
Take your time to walk the course more than once and bring a pen and paper with you to draw the course quickly and take some notes.
Move your arms slowly while driving- more deliberate arm movements with little wasted energy keeps you driving smoother.
Keep both your hands on the steering wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock positions as much as you can.
Shift as little as you can.
Stay calm-you have four runs and an instructor to help you.

Get plenty of rest the two nights before the event.
Drink lots of water because it is very hot out on the track.
Don't forget your sunscreen or you will be sunburn.
In my area we bring insect repellent due to mosquitoes.
Don't forget a chalk to mark your tires and a air pressure gauge that measures from 0 to 50 or 60 psi.
Remove your MINI key from your key chain so they don't bang together.
Open both windows and turn off the radio, AC and be sure to turn off the DSC if you have it. Hit the toggle switch and the yellow light for DSC off will come on your Speedo dial. DSC will slow you down by braking automatically.

On walking the course-
Listen for the announcement for walking the course or better yet, if you are there early, ask to help set up the course with cones. You need to study the course and you can make some notes quickly about what you want to do.
Remember that some parts of the course are going to be more crucial than others. For example if you have a powerful car and there is a long straightaway then it is key for you to enter the straightaway with the highest possible speed so you must take that turn in such a way to exit the turn with speed. That turn is not the place to make an error and loose speed because it will hurt your straightaway speed and be doubly bad. When in a slalom area you have to look at what comes after the slalom to determine which side of the slalom to take. A trick, count how many cones are in line with the slalom. If there is an odd number then the side you enter on is the same side you exit on. Also make note and pace the distance between each cone in a slalom. Sometimes the cones are all the same distance and sometimes they are shorter or farther apart. Shorter means you have to slow down a little and farther means you can speed up a little.

There are very many good books to read about autocrossing. Try going to solotime.com and look over their books and videos. I got a bunch of good books as well on Amazon.com with free shipping.

On working the course-
Safety is key- be alert and watch for all cars on the track.
If one spins out or looses control or hits objects then you are in danger so stay clear of trouble and move out of the way if needed.
The faster the course the more potential for accidents.
If weather is wet then watch out.
Move quickly to replace a cone that is knocked down and work with the other workers. Read up about being a course worker and what the flags mean.

OK, you'll probably need to read all this more than once.
As an exercise you can try this before the 20th.
Get an empty paper cup. Put it on your passenger seat sitting up and try and drive so smoothly that it does not fall over under any braking, accelerating, cornering or shifting. If you can do that you will be very smooth indeed.
Another good drill. Get two paper cups and go to an empty parking lot. Park your car and place the two cups on either side of your front wheels with about 5 inches to spare on both sides. Now practice driving your car from different angles to get into that space between the two cones without hitting either cup. Bring extra cups and start with a 10 inch gap if you like.

You have some work to do my friend.

By the way I go to auto cross by myself and carry inside my MINI a full set of race wheels, racing jack, tools, something to eat/drink, extra towels, and two plastic tarps to place everything on the ground or to cover it. Umbrella, sunblock, hat, repellent, etc. I do my tire change there before the race and change back to street tires after the race.

 

Since you are only 16, you will have to have one of your parents with you to enter the site. All the insurance waivers require that anyone under 18 be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you want to drive I think you have to have both parents present (or a notorized minor waiver signed by both parents)

Just an FYI, I don't want you to get turned away from your first event.

 

If you have questions about being 16, what forms to sign before you drive and getting a discounted membership then call them. Bringing both your parents would be best. If they always need to sign for each event then bring some black sheets home or ask for a copy to be sent to you ahead of time so that they can be signed (notarized?).

Call the national number in Kansas City. (800)-770-2055 If you sign up you can ask for your membership number over the phone which you will need when you sign in on the 20th.

Here is a sample of the application form.
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:...en&ie=UTF-8

For more info on SCCA solo II events see
http://www.ner.org/soloII/whatis.html

 

Flatsix,
I have an idea for you.
Who owns this MCS of yours? Is it a family car? Yours? Driven mostly by one of your parents?

SCCA has family memberships which are also worth considering if one of your parents or both want to participate in Solo II as well as yourself. You use the same car but drive in different heats or groups.

We have lots of families that drive, Couples, One parent and one son or daugther and other combinations. They compare notes and help each other learn more. I think it's a good family activity if you have any drivers at home besides yourself that drive the MCS regularly.

You can ask SCCA about family memberships.

 

Wow, thanks for all the help guys. The MCS is mine . (Yes, i pay for it). And i drive it all the time. Being i only live with my mom, the family thing wont work. Thanks though.

 

Hey, just a word of caution. Check with your local SCCA chapter about the minor waiver and who has to sign. I seem to recall that BOTH parents have to sign, with no (easy) exceptions.

Again, avoid getting turned away from your first event. It should be possible for you to run, but for people under 18 there are a couple hoops you have to jump through. Try to find out what you need to do (aka who needs to sign what) BEFORE you show up.