Looking into auto x, any help would be great!
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Joined: Jun 2005
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From: CA
Looking into auto x, any help would be great!
I'm in SoCal and looking to get into auto x or track but somewhat hard to find detail information on them.
I want to stay away from racing on the canyons because it's dangerous (to other drivers) and now a days in LA, cops are all over those canyons (almost got pull over ON the canyon... Lucky I got away). Want to move to the next level and in a close environment.
Any input would be helpful =) BTW, I'm in LA county.
I want to stay away from racing on the canyons because it's dangerous (to other drivers) and now a days in LA, cops are all over those canyons (almost got pull over ON the canyon... Lucky I got away). Want to move to the next level and in a close environment.
Any input would be helpful =) BTW, I'm in LA county.
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: WOOZ - WOOZ Visalia, CA-CAFB, SC
What do you call those lasers and crap they use for autocrosses, ????laser timers????. I got a bunch of ricers and and other friends who thought it might be a good idea to do one, but I have no equipment and wouldn't know where to go to get it or borrow it.
If you find anything out or if anybody else chimes in help us out.
If you find anything out or if anybody else chimes in help us out.
this saturday/sunday is solo2/scca at the california speedway.... might make it a point to come check it out and talk to everyone.... you come once, youll be hooked! if you show up on saturday, you can go for ride-alongs... but sunday is for points, so no passengers are allowed.. ill be there, as well as around 8 other rotaries (not to mention the 100 other cars there i.e lotus', porsches', vettes', vipers'.. blah blah)
www.solo2.com is the website of the Los Angeles region, you can find a calendar and map there. San Diego has their own region, but I'm not sure what their website is.
As vipers mentioned, if you come to the California Speedway (in Fontana) this Saturday, there is a practice event. The practice is already full, so you won't be able to drive. It's free to spectate, and people are allowed to have passengers ride along on practice days. There are at least 4-6 people from the RX8club who are signed up, and a couple more from RX7club will be there as well. Everyone's really cool, feel free to introduce yourself to anyone, especially if they're driving a rotary.
snapcaseacilec, the timing system doesn't require you to install anything on your car. There are "timing lights" at the start and finish, which use a light source (not exactly a laser), aimed at a light detector. When a car passes by, it will block the light from hitting the detector, and that's what tells the computer they've started (or finished) their run. Come visit us on Saturday and you'll get a feel for how things work.
If you're interested in driving on Sunday, you don't need a roll cage, or harnesses, or any special safety equipment because it's not wheel-to-wheel racing and there aren't any walls to hit. There is a basic safety inspection that you've got to pass to get on the track. Cars don't often fail, but if they do fail it's usually one of the following reasons:
-missing lugnuts/studs
-cracked windshield
-leaking fluids (small drip overnight is OK, but you'll fail if you drip after only being parked for 5-10 mins)
-cords showing on tires
-battery that isn't securely fastened (bungies don't count!).
-excessively loud car. You should be below 95dB, but people don't usually complain as long as you've got either a muffler or a cat. The only car that we've ever sent home for noise was that 'Devil FC' car, with a ported N/A motor and straight exhaust. My friend's FD has a downpipe, midpipe and a muffler, and noise isn't an issue (sounds really nice, actually).
Hope to see you there,
-scott-
As vipers mentioned, if you come to the California Speedway (in Fontana) this Saturday, there is a practice event. The practice is already full, so you won't be able to drive. It's free to spectate, and people are allowed to have passengers ride along on practice days. There are at least 4-6 people from the RX8club who are signed up, and a couple more from RX7club will be there as well. Everyone's really cool, feel free to introduce yourself to anyone, especially if they're driving a rotary.
snapcaseacilec, the timing system doesn't require you to install anything on your car. There are "timing lights" at the start and finish, which use a light source (not exactly a laser), aimed at a light detector. When a car passes by, it will block the light from hitting the detector, and that's what tells the computer they've started (or finished) their run. Come visit us on Saturday and you'll get a feel for how things work.
If you're interested in driving on Sunday, you don't need a roll cage, or harnesses, or any special safety equipment because it's not wheel-to-wheel racing and there aren't any walls to hit. There is a basic safety inspection that you've got to pass to get on the track. Cars don't often fail, but if they do fail it's usually one of the following reasons:
-missing lugnuts/studs
-cracked windshield
-leaking fluids (small drip overnight is OK, but you'll fail if you drip after only being parked for 5-10 mins)
-cords showing on tires
-battery that isn't securely fastened (bungies don't count!).
-excessively loud car. You should be below 95dB, but people don't usually complain as long as you've got either a muffler or a cat. The only car that we've ever sent home for noise was that 'Devil FC' car, with a ported N/A motor and straight exhaust. My friend's FD has a downpipe, midpipe and a muffler, and noise isn't an issue (sounds really nice, actually).
Hope to see you there,
-scott-
Last edited by scotty305; Jan 11, 2007 at 11:21 AM.
No it's not Turbo'd
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles, Ca
I don't think I'll go for the Jan 14, but maybe I'll register for the Feb. Meet... I can't stand sitting around while others have fun... especially if I'm driving all the way out to Fontana....
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 60
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From: CA
Thanks for the input, I guess I better fix my car to pass the inspection.
My car have 3 out of 5 of those problem, lol. I'm going to fix it and go at the next event.
BTW, how do I sign up for the Feb event?
My car have 3 out of 5 of those problem, lol. I'm going to fix it and go at the next event.
BTW, how do I sign up for the Feb event?
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rb240z71, there are an unlimited amount of entry spots for championship events, which are usually held on Sundays. The cost is $40 for non-members, and more info about membership is at the website. Go to the Calendar section and click on this weekend's events. The prices for next month will be the same.
To sign up for a practice, you've got to keep checking the solo2.com website, to see when the practice is opened for registration. Practice events cost $60-70, depending on which club is hosting. To register, you mail your check to the address posted on solo2.com . Most practice days fill up fast (within 3-4 days of when the flyer is posted online), so check the site often.
It looks like my club will be hosting next month's autocross as well, so if anyone wants into the practice, PM me and I'll try to give you guys a heads-up when the flyer is going to be posted.
Dcrosby, I'm really excited about seeing your car in action. Let me know if you'll be at the February event for sure: I'd like to bring our corner scales to measure your car's weight distribution.
-scott-
To sign up for a practice, you've got to keep checking the solo2.com website, to see when the practice is opened for registration. Practice events cost $60-70, depending on which club is hosting. To register, you mail your check to the address posted on solo2.com . Most practice days fill up fast (within 3-4 days of when the flyer is posted online), so check the site often.
It looks like my club will be hosting next month's autocross as well, so if anyone wants into the practice, PM me and I'll try to give you guys a heads-up when the flyer is going to be posted.
Dcrosby, I'm really excited about seeing your car in action. Let me know if you'll be at the February event for sure: I'd like to bring our corner scales to measure your car's weight distribution.
-scott-
No it's not Turbo'd
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Originally Posted by scotty305
The cost is $40 for non-members, and more info about membership is at the website. Practice events cost $60-70, depending on which club is hosting.
-scott-
-scott-
From what I read online... I thought it was more in the $20 - $40 category but maybe that was like you said for the Competition.... on top of that Membership... I think I'd rather go to Buttenwillow 1X a year than go 3-4x on a Parking Lot, and have to work the track...
Maybe once I'm not so tight with $$ from the Mortgage...
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 677
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From: WOOZ - WOOZ Visalia, CA-CAFB, SC
I'm not looking to be in an autoX, I'm looking for the hardware to put one on. I'm trying to raise money for my church and a charity I'd like to donate the proceeds to, but I have no equipment, you know like the timing cross sensors and the software. I can get cones no problem.
I know the timers don't go in the car, I've been to many autoX's before, it's just that I hear of nothing that goes on here in the central valley, with all this open wide flat spaces here and I'd like to put somthing on.
I've searched on sites and I tried different searches to find the stuff even if it uses like the sensors for garage openers ( when you cross and the light comes on or when the doors closing and you cross and it makes the door go back up) but if you can even do that I don't have any info on how to rig it up.
I know the timers don't go in the car, I've been to many autoX's before, it's just that I hear of nothing that goes on here in the central valley, with all this open wide flat spaces here and I'd like to put somthing on.
I've searched on sites and I tried different searches to find the stuff even if it uses like the sensors for garage openers ( when you cross and the light comes on or when the doors closing and you cross and it makes the door go back up) but if you can even do that I don't have any info on how to rig it up.
snapcaseacilec , google "autocross timing equipment" and you'll find plenty of sites. The local SCCA uses JACircuits equipment, but I'm sure there are cheaper solutions out there.
rb240z71 , each competitor gets 3 laps on a Championship day, and the best time out of those three laps is what counts for points at the end of the day. The challenge is to be fast without getting any practice or qualifying laps. There is a different course at each event, because they're made of cones we can change them around at the end of the day. Drivers are allowed to walk the course in the morning to get a feel for the course, decide apex points, braking points, choose which direction to take some of the slaloms, etc... Practice days usually end up with 12-14 laps per driver. It's about twice the cost and quadruple the track time. However, your times are simply handed to you, and not compared with the other drivers at the event. There are no trophies awarded for practice days.
Dcrosby , in my opinion, autocrossing is cheaper than any other form of racing because you put less wear on your car; there is no chance of going 'off-track,' hitting walls, or anything like that. You don't need special brake pads, tires or safety gear.
Often times in circuit racing (or canyon carving), the fast guys either own a very powerful car and don't need to push it in the corners to be fast, or they're beating the **** out of a slower car, putting themselves and other drivers at risk to shave a second per lap.
Autocrossing takes away the long straightaways and adds a few more corners and a couple of slaloms. The emphasis is on cornering and choosing the proper 'racing line' through a sequence of turns. I'd bet that the average autocross course has more corners than most race circuits.
You mentioned working course: while it can be tedious sometimes, you can learn from it too. A smart driver will find an important part of the track to work, and compare the different drivers' techniques up close. It's pretty helpful to see which line the fast guys take around the various slaloms, sweepers, or tight hairpin turns. Some courses can be deceptive: if you follow the cones too closely, you'll be taking a slower line than if you look ahead a few turns and make one smooth arc. This sounds like a simple thing, but there aren't any painted lines on the ground showing you which way to go, so it's easier said than done.
-scott-
rb240z71 , each competitor gets 3 laps on a Championship day, and the best time out of those three laps is what counts for points at the end of the day. The challenge is to be fast without getting any practice or qualifying laps. There is a different course at each event, because they're made of cones we can change them around at the end of the day. Drivers are allowed to walk the course in the morning to get a feel for the course, decide apex points, braking points, choose which direction to take some of the slaloms, etc... Practice days usually end up with 12-14 laps per driver. It's about twice the cost and quadruple the track time. However, your times are simply handed to you, and not compared with the other drivers at the event. There are no trophies awarded for practice days.
Dcrosby , in my opinion, autocrossing is cheaper than any other form of racing because you put less wear on your car; there is no chance of going 'off-track,' hitting walls, or anything like that. You don't need special brake pads, tires or safety gear.
Often times in circuit racing (or canyon carving), the fast guys either own a very powerful car and don't need to push it in the corners to be fast, or they're beating the **** out of a slower car, putting themselves and other drivers at risk to shave a second per lap.
Autocrossing takes away the long straightaways and adds a few more corners and a couple of slaloms. The emphasis is on cornering and choosing the proper 'racing line' through a sequence of turns. I'd bet that the average autocross course has more corners than most race circuits.
You mentioned working course: while it can be tedious sometimes, you can learn from it too. A smart driver will find an important part of the track to work, and compare the different drivers' techniques up close. It's pretty helpful to see which line the fast guys take around the various slaloms, sweepers, or tight hairpin turns. Some courses can be deceptive: if you follow the cones too closely, you'll be taking a slower line than if you look ahead a few turns and make one smooth arc. This sounds like a simple thing, but there aren't any painted lines on the ground showing you which way to go, so it's easier said than done.
-scott-
No it's not Turbo'd
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,511
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles, Ca
Originally Posted by scotty305
Dcrosby , in my opinion, autocrossing is cheaper than any other form of racing because you put less wear on your car; there is no chance of going 'off-track,' hitting walls, or anything like that. You don't need special brake pads, tires or safety gear.
Often times in circuit racing (or canyon carving), the fast guys either own a very powerful car and don't need to push it in the corners to be fast, or they're beating the **** out of a slower car, putting themselves and other drivers at risk to shave a second per lap.
Autocrossing takes away the long straightaways and adds a few more corners and a couple of slaloms. The emphasis is on cornering and choosing the proper 'racing line' through a sequence of turns. I'd bet that the average autocross course has more corners than most race circuits.
You mentioned working course: while it can be tedious sometimes, you can learn from it too. A smart driver will find an important part of the track to work, and compare the different drivers' techniques up close. It's pretty helpful to see which line the fast guys take around the various slaloms, sweepers, or tight hairpin turns. Some courses can be deceptive: if you follow the cones too closely, you'll be taking a slower line than if you look ahead a few turns and make one smooth arc. This sounds like a simple thing, but there aren't any painted lines on the ground showing you which way to go, so it's easier said than done.
-scott-
I understand the Idea of autocross, and have an appreciation for it, I like events like RevItUp etc.. since everybody competes on "The Same Car" with the same tires suspension etc... so you take the whole HP /Handling thing out of the equation (given tire ware gas in tank etc..) minor stuff...
I feel that I have Purpose Built My car to be a "Track Car" weather that track be a autocross course or a race course, are probably semantics...
I do feel better prepared for the race course if I've autocossed beforehand, yet I feel more in my "element" on a course where I can see the edge of the road rather than aiming for a cone...
Hitting a cone can cause quite some damage as well, and running off-road onto the dirt provided you don't hit anything can be done without incurring damages... I guess anything can be argued for or against... but I welcome the opportunity to try and learn, regardless where... (except for the public road of course)
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