Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

...Sort of.
Some of you have seen my car and it definitely needs a little TLC, but I would like to give it a purpose in life other than driving around every now and then.
I really don't know how to register, does it cost money?, can I only race in certain categories? Simply put I know nothing and I would like to.
Every now and then I would like to dive around some cones in an organized event with my car.
Can anyone point me in a direction where I can learn a little more info in what I need to do?

SCCAITS

iTrader: (3)

The Sports Car Club of America - Solo
SowDiv SCCA - Solo II Divisionals

If you decide to become a SCCA member, PM me and I can save you $15 on the membership.

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

What he said. What you're looking for is "Solo II".
Short answers: yes, it costs about $20 or so for the day. You are expected to work the course for the heats you are not running in. IIRC, it's cheaper if you join the local SCCA chapter. You will need numbers and class markings for your car. Blue tape will do if you're only going to run a few days a year, but if you run every month, there's usually a member you can buy stickers and magnetic material from, or any sign shop can help. There are rules for minimum size of markings.
Your RX-7 will have a class depending on how stock it is (yours will be "stock" unless you change certain things.) First gens used to be CS ("C" stock.) In stock classes, you can run pretty much any DOT tire that fits on the stock size rim. You do not have to run the stock rim, just the same size.
The local SCCA chapter used to alternate running at Pennington Field in Bedford and Mineral Wells airport.
Our region is the Texas Region
Here's probably most of the answers you need: Solo FAQ

Looks like most of the events this year are at TMS and Dallas Raceway in Crandall.

Oh, you'll need a helmet, M-rated is good enough for Solo, and they do usually have loaners. I think mine might be too old now...

If you want to do some autocross, I'd be happy to go with you. It's about time I got back into it. I think I have to run my FC in Street Prepared because of the header, where I will be uncompetitive, but oh, well.

edit: event is $30-40 for SCCA members, $40-50 for non-members. Told you I've been out for a while.

edit again: *ALL* Mazda RX-7 NAs are E-stock? Really? Well, you will be uncompetitive, since you will up against FC RX-7s in your class, and more importantly, first-gen Miatas, and MR2s, who will hand you your ***. Other cars in the class include Chrysler FWD turbo chargers and GLHs, Fiat X1/9, Datsun 240/260/280Z & ZX, & 2000 roadster, Triumph TR-8 (seriously, a V8?) various TVRs, including V8 and V12 models (WTF?), and 4-cylinder BMW Z3s.
You're going to be doing this for fun, not to win, right?

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

I forgot about the Street Touring class. They'd just added that back when I was still racing. My exhaust and Racing Beat springs on the FC put me in STS (Street Touring - Sports Car). Poly bushings and the GSL-SE brake conversion put me in STS with the SA, if I get that rolling again.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Wow!
I guess I need to get better prepared with my car for that competition. This is all for fun I just would like to do this every now and then when I have some free time. I looked thought the Texas region website and some races are held at the Texas Motor Speedway which it 10 minutes away from me. I'm trying to jump into this around March/April since I still have some work to with the suspension and brakes. (buying things little by little)
This is a stretch, but is there a shop around the DFW area where I might be able to check out some helmets?

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

I'm not seeing it anywhere on the site but will this helmet work?
Sport Mag | Racing Helmets | Bell Racing USA

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

Any motorcycle shop would have the minimum M-rated helmets required, starting at about $100.
There are actually a number of shops around the Metroplex that do race prep and such that would have the Snell-rated helmets. I don't know any off-hand, but have looked some up before.
I used my motorcycle helmet, since I had one for my bike. I think it may be an M-1995, which is now out of date, so I might need to get a new one myself.
Internet-order is generally cheaper, but, like clothes, you need to know beforehand how it fits. Helmet fit is pretty important - you want it to stay on when it's needed.

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

Any motorcycle shop would have the minimum M-rated helmets required, starting at about $100.
There are actually a number of shops around the Metroplex that do race prep and such that would have the Snell-rated helmets. I don't know any off-hand, but have looked some up before.
I used my motorcycle helmet, since I had one for my bike. I think it may be an M-1995, which is now out of date, so I might need to get a new one myself.
Internet-order is generally cheaper, but, like clothes, you need to know beforehand how it fits. Helmet fit is pretty important - you want it to stay on when it's needed.

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

More handy-ness:
Autocross calendar and links for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex - local autocross calendar.

Equipe Rapide SCC - Autocross club - Texas - News - another Autocross club, regional rather than national. Still uses SCCA rules. I used to race with them as well.

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

Yep, that's perfect. Pretty much the archetypical open-face helmet. The Snell SA2010 designation is what you're looking for. Snell SA2000 and SA2005, as Wells as M200, M2005, and M2010 are also acceptable for SCCA Autocrossing. The M-rated helmets are not legal for full-on wheel-to-wheel racing, but OK for autocross. The M-rated helmets can be a bit cheaper, but not necessarily.
I like this one for my bike (M2010 rated): Vortex Graphics & Solids Bell Vortex Helmet - Flying Tiger | Helmet City
and I can use it for auto-x, too.

SCCAITS

iTrader: (3)

Smileys Racing in Mesquite has the largest in stock selection of helmets in DFW that I am aware of.

Rogue_Wulff

If either has an LSD, they aren't STS legal, but have to go into STR (newer class, only 2-3 years old).

A typical FB or FC may not be the most competitive car in their classes, but in the right hands, can be a force to reckon with. Winning E-Stock with a Miata is easy, winning with a FB/FC against Miatas is doable.

I always tell beginners to expect to be last in class their first event or two. If they finish any higher, they've exceeded expection.
It takes a few tries before finding your way thru the "sea of cones" becomes less daunting. Getting lost on course can be easy for a rookie. Getting thru the cones correctly is more important than getting thru quickly. Miss a gate, and that quick time doesn't count........

The best way to get started, is show up at an event early, and jump right in.
Be sure to increase the air pressure in your tires, even plain all-seasons will corner better with the tread doing the work rather than the sidewall......

Frankenrex

iTrader: (1)

Oh, for crying out loud... The SA does (GSL-SE axle), not entirely sure on the FC. It should be a GXL, but there's no markings, and sometimes only spins the one wheel. Probably worn out.

I can echo that - walking the course beforehand is pretty important to figuring out where to go. They do try to help with pointer cones and such, but it still gets confusing.

There ya go. I forgot about air pressure entirely.
At first, just race against yourself and concentrate on improving your time.
The "serious" guys will beat you, but sometimes you get lucky. I actually have a first-place Equipe Rapide mug, somehow. I think I was the only regular to show up in my class, or the serious guy took a bunch of cones, or something...

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

You guys are freaking me out.
I found Smileys through the web and once I get some time I'll go down there.
They have a nice open face helmet for $150 which I might pick up.
It is SA2010 so it would work. Zamp JA-2 SA2010 Helmets - Circle Track and Oval Track Parts For Sprint Cars, Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Street Stocks, and Mini Stocks
Alright, well it looks like I have my work cut out for me to get ready then.
Once all my projects are done I'll head over to a race or two and pay as a nonmember. If this is something that I would like to do I'll join as a SCCA member.

Rogue_Wulff

Technically, an LSD was never allowed in STS, other than a "factory installed VISCOUS type".
STR has an inclusion list. If it ain't on this list, it ain't allowed in the class. GSL/GSL-SE and GXL are among those on the list....... Of course, so is the 98+ Miata/MX5, and S2000.......

Rogue_Wulff

No need to get freaked out, just be aware that is quite rare for anyone to be among the quickest times during their first few events. It takes a little time to familiarize yourself with how the course flows, and looking far enough ahead to not be surprised by a "sudden" turn. Once these skills are honed a bit, getting quicker is MUCH easier.

It is a lot of fun. I've been doing it for a few years. Heck, just to mix things up a bit, the last event I entered I ran my Mazda B2300 pickup truck. Nowhere near as nimble as the FB, but still a hoot to toss thru the cones.

duffman692002

iTrader: (5)

Just show up and have fun, that's what I did. They put me in CSP even with the half bridge and the rest of the stuff I've done. Only got to make two runs before I blew the seals out of the OMP and pissed oil everywhere but it was good enough to put me in 9th out of 16. Beat a couple V8s and an MR2.

They will give you a number on a piece of paper that you tape to your door after you pass tech. Tech on mine was do the brakes work, yup, no excessive slack in the steering, nope, and he checked the front wheel bearings which in which I had slight back/forth movement in one but not enough to fail Basically all you need to bring is your car, a big hat for when you're working the course, and some painters tape.

Don't go out and buy a helmet yet, they have loaners and if you don't like it then you've spent 100+ bucks on a helmet you're never gonna use. Lemme know when ya wanna go and I'll go with you. Like rogue said, expect to be last and just have fun.

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

Just based on your description of tech, I would fail on all accounts.
I truly do have a ways to go.

RedBaronII

iTrader: (4)

Talk or PM member DamonB, he is a wealth of knowledge and experience in AutoX.
He has Ranked high at state level.
He is also local to Dallas.

Rogue_Wulff

If your car isn't capable of passing tech, I'd have to wonder about it being safe enough for the street.......

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

The car isn't a screaming metal death trap.
I have some amount of play in my steering, I'm guessing from the old bushings and the steering box mainly from the old bushings.
The brakes need to be replaced too, the car stops but some pitting might keep me off the track. The bearings are brand new but the rest of the system didn't hold up that well.
It's just an old car.

RedBaronII

iTrader: (4)

Maybe you want to race at the Lemons Series with that car.

7dust

iTrader: (14)

<perk>

Did someone say LeMons?

Redliner223

iTrader: (6)

It's in better shape than those guys, but it would fit right in.

philiptompkins

iTrader: (4)

Yes, and our lemons fc even passed tech at the ggp autox.
The muffler even fell off on track.