Driving Events

DocG · Jan 15, 2009

Has anyone ever attended a driving event? I've been looking a lot into auto-x since my car is built more for that than drag racing.

I'll probably join my local SCCA club and they're offering a few events coming up in the spring.

One is the Evo School....and the location is about 20 minutes from me.

Evo Cincy

The other is a performance driving event (PDX) that they do regularly as well. Its held at the Bluegrass Road course which is probably less than 1 hour away from me.

PDX

I'm not sure exactly what a PDX is, dunno if its instructional like the Evo School.

The Evo school is like $250 for a day, with instructor ratios of 1:6 and they say to expect at least 20 runs with your car. Seems like it would be a great way to start with auto-x.

Any experiences with any of this?

Any suggestions?

5.0Droptop · Jan 15, 2009

Sounds fun.

timeless2 · Jan 15, 2009

I've raced autocross as well as on the road course. IMO, the road course is where it's at when comparing the two. Cone carving and mapped out courses for points are neat, but why not add speed to the equation as well?

Drag racing is fun, but meh, wait in line for several minutes, wail on the car for 10 to 15 seconds, hope you don't blow something, then rinse & repeat. It lost its luster on me quickly.

Road racing takes that acceleration element, adds in the spice of those sweet lateral forces, intensifies your driving skills, and takes a lot of thought and concentration. It's awesome. Living 4 miles away from a drag & road complex makes it even more worthwhile.

DocG · Jan 15, 2009

I hear ya. I wanna hit the strip to get an idea of the power in my car....but road racing is more interesting to me.

The PDX looks like it'll actually be on a course rather than the EVO event which looks more like cones in a parking lot. Of course having a road course close isn't always the case so sometimes cones in a lot is all you can get.

I'm really just wanting to start out somewhere and get some practice and tips on how to drive the curves from pro's. I figure starting out at either an actual course or just a cone course will at least get my feet wet.

I have a feeling my car is way beyond my current driving capabilities when it comes to mastering a road course.

timeless2 · Jan 15, 2009

DocG2828 said:
I figure starting out at either an actual course or just a cone course will at least get my feet wet.

Yes.

DocG2828 said:
I have a feeling my car is way beyond my current driving capabilities when it comes to mastering a road course.

Yes.

DocG · Jan 15, 2009

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

That's why I'd like some instruction, I know if I went straight out to a course now, this damn car would end up off the course at every turn. Unless of course I was just going really slow which I'm not going to do without an instructor making me.

timeless2 · Jan 15, 2009

DocG2828 said:
Thanks for the vote of confidence!

No problem.

In all seriousness, no matter how seasoned you are, you're going to make mistakes. The way you move on and learn makes you better, just like everything else in life.

I rode along with a professional racer last fall and he went off the track with me in the car once. It was awesome.

DocG2828 said:
That's why I'd like some instruction, I know if I went straight out to a course now, this damn car would end up off the course at every turn. Unless of course I was just going really slow which I'm not going to do without an instructor making me.

Honestly, that's exactly how to start. Take it slow and find the line. Speed is NOT the way to learn a course. I laugh when I see people go balls-out the first time(s) driving on any course. Slow down, pace it, imagine the parallels, and go up from there as you get more comfortable.

DocG · Jan 15, 2009

Great googly moogly I need to make more money! This track they're building and opening this spring is 20 miles from my house!

Drive Bluegrass.com l Motorsports Club l Features & Benefits

strtrcr50 · Jan 15, 2009

timeless2 said:
Drag racing is fun, but meh, wait in line for several minutes, wail on the car for 10 to 15 seconds, hope you don't blow something, then rinse & repeat. It lost its luster on me quickly.

What kind of times does your car run? Also, kinda sorta better than street racing. Altho that's easy to say since the philly street scene is mostly ricers now. The people I know going out street racing from back in the day have sub 10 sec cars so no point in going there either.

Strippt88 · Jan 15, 2009

SCCA stuff is fun, we alway did the pro solo course at Blackhawk, but do the school thing, makes it a lot more enjoyable. If you like racing like that, American Le Mans Series is awesome, Mid Ohio, Road America, great tracks for watching the big dogs mix it up on a fast course, sometimes you can take your ride for the events. Not like Nascar, lights when its dark, tires, wipers, and racin in the rain, mens stuff!

timeless2 · Jan 15, 2009

strtrcr50 said:
What kind of times does your car run? Also, kinda sorta better than street racing. Altho that's easy to say since the philly street scene is mostly ricers now. The people I know going out street racing from back in the day have sub 10 sec cars so no point in going there either.

I have not raced the Roush, as I just purchased it. I ran my 2004 GT a few times in the 1/8 mile when I owned it. Nothing impressive there...

Street racing is so completely asinine, it's not even worth discussing/debating.

NIKwoaC · Jan 16, 2009

I'm piecing together a wheel/brake/suspension setup for my car as we speak, and I was hoping to get into auto-x and all that good stuff this spring/summer as well. SO anybody with this sort of experience, speak up.

timeless2 · Jan 16, 2009

NikwoaC said:
I'm piecing together a wheel/brake/suspension setup for my car as we speak, and I was hoping to get into auto-x and all that good stuff this spring/summer as well. SO anybody with this sort of experience, speak up.

What questions do you have?

NIKwoaC · Jan 16, 2009

Should I join the SCCA? Are there other clubs that I should look into? What equipment do I need? How much can I expect to spend in fees just to get into the sport? What does my car need to pass tech? What events should I avoid and what should I pursue?

And you know, whatever general knowledge you have would be great.

67coupe · Jan 16, 2009

While I have not driven at any open track events, I have driven at local SCCA events frequently.

In all honesty SCCA will the be the best "bang for the buck." Especially for a beginner. The speeds are lower (20 - 60mph depending on set up), its time trial only, and the experience you gain make it a win win.

Passing tech at an SCCA event is pretty simple.

1) Battery must be secure
2) No loose objects in trunk or vehicle
3) Convertables must have a roll bar
4) They'll also check each wheel for excessive play (kinda of pointless IMO).
5) You must have a seatbelt and SFI helmet.

I might have left out a few.

My local SCCA runs at a huge empty parking lot. One lap is about 70 secs. They usually have a long sweeping turn at around 40 mph. Definitely fast enough to get some excitment...and get in trouble.

Everyone gets three laps in one direction, then a lunch break, and three laps in reverse.

For the money, I recommend it to anyone who is interested.

Also, I drag frequently as well, IMO, auto-x is more enjoyable AND more difficult than drag racing....hands down.

DocG · Jan 16, 2009

I just got "senate" approval to sign up for the Evo School in April!!! $500 for both days, should be awesome!

I was gonna plan to sign up for the PDX event in May, but I'm gonna be out of town

Now that PDX would have been awesome since its being held at a road course that is just opening near me....its like a 3 mile road course

Hopefully my local SCCA will have more events at that roadcourse!

Now I got some motivation to make sure my car is tip-top by April. Gonna have to hunt down the oil leak and hopefully not rebuild the bottom half by then.

Also gots to find me a helmet.

timeless2 · Jan 16, 2009

Start saving for tires.

DocG · Jan 17, 2009

timeless2 said:
Start saving for tires.

I'm hoping to sell my extra set of chrome pony's and be able to cover some tires with that cash. I could just race on the current tires which have maybe 1/8" tread left. Slicks

Driving Events

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