Anyone in SCCA?

Been a member since 2000. I assume you're talking about running SCCA Solo 2 (autocross), right? If so, stock V8 Mustangs run in F-stock/Stock V6s in G-stock. Once you mod beyond shocks, you're in E Street Prepared I believe.

Most of my autox experience has actually been in H-stock though...I've yet to run F-stock with my Mustang.

My only recommendation is stay stock for at least a season, and concentrate on your driving skills. It's better to learn how to drive correctly, and then mod your car than do it the other way around. Too many guys get caught up in the modding, and never really develop good racing skills.

Yeah I have only done it for a season in F-stock. Like John324 said, you can pretty much only add different stuts and shocks and stay in your class. You can put better tires on and still stay in class. I think rim size will bump you up. You can have a cat-back and still be F-stock. I wonder if you had better gears, if that would effect your class or if they would even know? But driving skills are by far the most important mod to do first.

I'm pretty sure gear changes will bump you out of stock as well...it's really restrictive: you can do a catback, shocks, tires and put in a K&N/take off the silencer. That's about it; anything else and you're up a class.

I really want to change my springs for FRPP B springs (just to get rid of the gap), but I guess I'll wait a season so I can run in F-stock this spring.

All in all, autox is a lot of fun with only a fraction of the time/money that you'd need to engage in other racing. Plus the people in the SCCA are great and very friendly...you'll be amazed how many people at events are more than willing to help you out, give you advice and even let you ride along with them on a "fun run" at the end of the day. SCCA's a great org. for "gentlemen racers"...ricers usually stay away from SCCA events, and there's none of the street thug attitude you sometimes see at drag tracks.

Good stuff!

What John said, but I will add this:

It was said to me at my first Autox event: "It's the most fun you can have with your clothes still on."

You asked if you could be competitive. I'ld say at first, no. Learn your car. I know it's hard to do in Minnesota, as I grew up in Anoka. Learn how to drive your car. Learn it's limits in every situation. Good thing about Minnesota is, if you don't mind driving the stang in the winter, ice'd over parking lots are a great place to learn where traction ends, and how to cope with the car out of control. I learned how to drive in a 5 speed charger ('86 FWD) in the middle of February.

The first season, if you haven't already modded your car, leave it stock, as already stated. Trust me on this one. You won't REALLY be competitive at first, and switching to E Street Prepared off the bat would just discourage you more. The modded classes are normally dominated by cars that can handle better than yours, and driven by people with more experience than you. Not trying to offend anyone, because we all started as beginners. Its those of us that didn't get discouraged the first few events that became good drivers...

Give it shot, I'm sure you'll be hooked!!!!

Two last pieces of advice:

1. Most importantly- HAVE FUN!
2. Drive it like you stole it!

And if those fail, read the bottom of my sig!

Hey John324, couldn't you just get some bullitt springs, I think they are different than the stock GT's?? That would probably lower your car a little more and keep you in F-stock. Maybe I am wrong though.

I have raced off and on for 6 years now. I agree with everyone and suggest you stay stock for the first year. Learn the limits of the car. You also should pick a rule book and see what mods you want to do and see what class that will put you in. Becareful not to do a mod that will bump you into another class that you cannot afford. My first year a strut tower brace put me in a prepared class against trailer cars. Since then the Street Touring/Street Modified class is more open to the basic bolt ons.

Wikkdgt said:

Hey John324, couldn't you just get some bullitt springs, I think they are different than the stock GT's?? That would probably lower your car a little more and keep you in F-stock. Maybe I am wrong though.

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You should be able to get away with that.

Ages ago I ran H Stock with an '88 Cavalier (hey, I was poor). The base model I owned had no rear sway bar. Under the rules you can't add an aftermarket rear sway bar but I got one from a Z24 model.

Since that was technically a factory option I could run H Stock with it.

that's what I was thinking because it is factory on the bullitt and they are in the F Stock Class along with the Mach 1 now.

Wikkdgt said:

that's what I was thinking because it is factory on the bullitt and they are in the F Stock Class along with the Mach 1 now.

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That's some good thinking...I hadn't thought of that. Thanks guys!

But to be honest, I really ought to just leave her the way she is for at least a season, and learn to drive her. Spent years autoxing an H-stock Chevy Beretta ( ) and the Mustang's sure to be an entirely new experience.

Looking forward to it though...always wanted to run in F-stock since I was in Solo2 driving school and watched a Camaro spin out 5 feet in front of me when I was working the course.