There's a lot of talk about mods, tires, etc. and what someone should get first for their car before they go autocrossing.

The first thing, is a HELMET! Currently they need to be Snell-95 approved.

An autocross may or may not have loaners, and if they do, there might not be enough to go around. Say there is one in your size, but another person in your class and run group is using it. You then have to HOPE you can get it after their run, and before yours.

A decent helmet is not overly expensive, and it is a requirement for running anyway.

 

And here I would have said Breaks.

 

The stock brakes (including pads) are fine for autocross.

I'd say the 2nd "mod" should be a tire pressure guage and magnetic numbers...

 

I don't think a Snell 95 is legal anymore. That's what mine is and I was told last season that I'd have to replace it for this season.

I think the number one thing to buy for autocross (after a helmet, pressure gauge and magnetic numbers) is:

TIRES and ALIGNMENT

Followed by:

SHOCKS and FRONT SWAY BAR

BRAKE PADS

LIGHT WEIGHT WHEELS

WHEEL STUDS

ENGINE STUFF (filter, wires)

HARNESS?

DATA LOGGER?

 

Front Sway bar? Hmm I guess you like your cars to push.

 

Think outside the box my young grasshopper. If you switch to a SMALLER front sway bar it changes the front to rear ratio, so it has a smilar effect as going to a larger rear. But the most important part is that it's SCCA Solo 2 Stock Class legal. (going to a bigger rear bar puts you in a different class that allows many more mods = $$$)

A smaller front bar also helps with traction off the corners. Especially if you don't have a limited slip differential (LSD).

Most of the top-dogs in G-stock are running the Cooper front bar (22.5 mm). The Cooper S comes with a 24mm bar so switching to a 22mm is a significant change. Some people have also had good sucess with the Mini One front bar (16mm), but you loose some transistional response.

 

OK well if you're going smaller I can see that. I just went with a bigger rear bar but I run SM, So i don't have to worry about getting moved up in class. But if you care about staying in one class or another then good way to play the system.

 

Now returning to our HELMET THREAD. I could swear Snell-95 was the minimum standard, but it's not mentioned in the 2007 Solo Rulebook...

"4.3.1 Helmets
Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on
course: All helmets meeting the current or two immediately
preceding Snell Foundation standards (SA, K, or M), or SFI standards
31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, or 41.2A are acceptable.
For maximum protection, helmets must fit securely and should
provide adequate peripheral vision. The chin strap must be securely
fastened. Loaner helmets should be available to vehicle occupants
not having their own."

 

It is mentioned... Current standard or the two immediately preceding standards. Current is 2005, the preceding standards are 2000 and 1995. They do not specifically state the standard so they do not have to update this section of the rule book when Snell comes out with something new.

Historically, Snell has issued a new standard every 5 years, but they could issue a standard annually.

 

Always get the most current helmet, then you're good for awhile.

 

By SCCA rules, Snell 95 is still legal, but some local clubs require that helmets be less than ten years old.

I don't think you necessarily *have* to get a helmet meeting the newest standard, though. Since the new Snell 2005 helmets haven't been out for very long, there are still a lot of new Snell2000 helmets in stores that will still be SCCA-legal until the SCCA adopts the Snell 2015 standards. Since most people don't keep helmets for eight or ten years, buying a helmet that's one version out-of-date still gives you plenty of time to use it.

 

After going through three tire gauges last season (1 broke 1 inaccurate, the other one I don't trust) I'm looking for a durable, accurate replacement for track use. Recommendations anyone?

 

Longacre Racing
http://www.longacreracing.com/catalo...st.asp?catid=8

I spent the money and bought the quick fill aluminum bottle with gauge. Works great!

 

I have a $20 Sears five-gallon air tank with gauge that I fill from my compressor, but for a tire gauge, I have the Longacre "Magnum" 0-60psi gauge and have been very impressed with it. I ordered it from soloracer.com, and they even included the aluminum hard case for it, even though I thought that was an extra-cost option.

 

I used a steel tank for a long time, similar to the one riquiscot has. It worked fine. The Longacre aluminum one is much more expensive, but it is much lighter. But the best thing I like about it is that you can fill it up in about 10 seconds.

I wouldn't recommend it if you're just getting started in autocross, but if you've been lugging around a steel tank for 6+ years, you might want to look at an aluminum one.

 

Well I did it I got a helmet, Now I guess i'm all offical.

 

I just found this:
Solo Member Advisories
Helmet Certification Bulletin - updated 04/29/2008

http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=61

It says:
Current acceptable standards:
Snell – SA2005, M2005, K2005, SA2000, M2000, K98, SA95, M95
SFI – 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, 41.2A
BSI – BS6658-85 type A/FR

Looks like just about any helmet is OK for AutoX. However, if you want to go to a track, probably need SA2005.

Anyone buy a helmet from JSCspeed.com? The SCCA web page has a link to them. Probably paid advertising. They have an open face M2005 (AutoX, not Pro Race) for as little as $98, and SA2005 from $148-$250.

 

there are many helmets that are only DOT approved. These are not legal for Autox. And there are a few that have SNELL printed on the back, but do not have the actual SNELL sticker inside, and are therefore not legal.

 

OMG they make AL ones!!!!!!!!! :e ek2:

I have a 10 s gallon steel one for the last 5 years.

Edit: Harbour frieght has a 60$ AL one...how much lighter is it then a 10gallon steel?

 

It feels like it would float away in a strong breeze...

 

Some states regulate helmet standards as well. Apparently, NJ has just mandated helmets must meet the latest standard for competition use.

Time to buy a new one as mine only meets Snell 2000. :(

+1 for a Longacre tire pressure guage. 0-60.

 

On the helmet question..
Do NOT just go to your local Motorcycle shop and buy a helmet.
They may meet the same DOT , snell etc BUT they are not FIRE rated.

It costs $$$ for that certification and the same helmet can be sold for MC use but NOT be fire rated !!!

If your SCCA tech inspector knows what they are looking at and, knows the rules you may have a real nice new lampshade

 

Where in the SCCA Solo rules does it address fire ratings for helmets? All the rules and update bulletins I've seen from SCCA just list the acceptable Snell/SFI ratings, and make no mention of requirements as to fire ratings.

Here's the applicable section from the SCCA Solo Rulebook:

"4.3 DRIVER’S SAFETY EQUIPMENT

4.3.1 Helmets

Helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on
course: All helmets meeting the current or two immediately
preceding Snell Foundation standards (SA, K, or M), or SFI standards
31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, or 41.2A are acceptable.

For maximum protection, helmets must fit securely and should
provide adequate peripheral vision. The chin strap must be securely
fastened. Loaner helmets should be available to vehicle occupants
not having their own."

 

Always check with the your sanctioning body, but for autox, helmets do not need to be fire rated. They do need to meet SNELL standards. The M rating is fine

 

If the autocross event is taking place on privately-owned land, what authority does the state of NJ have to mandate *anything* regarding what kind of helmet you can use?

Now, if you're saying that NJ is mandating "latest-standard" helmets for *road use* (for motorcycles, I guess), that's a different matter.