Ray and others on the list,=20
Keeping in mind that I am a novice at this Autocross business and all my =
info is US-Specific, here goes:=20
The SCCA classifies Autocross as Solo2 competition. (Solo1 is "time =
trials")=20
The is still a lot of Autocross that is run outside of the SCCA.
An Autocross is an event where cars run through a course defined by =
pylons (traffic cones) against the clock. Cars are divided into =
categories based on level of preparation (from Stock through Street =
Prepared, to Prepared to Modified) and classes (based on the type of =
car, i.e.. small sports cars do not compete directly with large sedans.) =
At "local" (as opposed to national) events there are usually separate =
classes for novices.=20
The course is usually run in second gear, you might touch third on some =
courses. It's not a real speed thing - it's mostly about maneuverability =
and precision. The idea is that no roadgoing car should exceed normal =
highway speeds. A typical course runs anywhere from 50 seconds to a =
minute and half.=20
In the US it costs somewhere between $15-30 to run for a day, depending =
on whether you are a member of the sponsoring organization. You'll =
probably get about six timed runs.
=20
Your car is inspected for safety ("teched") They look for: firm brake =
pedal, no excessive fluid leaks, battery well secured, no wheel bearing =
slop, at least lap belts, no obvious gross safety defects, a helmet that =
meets at least Snell 1985 specs. If you don't have a helmet they'll lend =
you one. Any reasonable car will pass. IMHO a car that can't pass has NO =
business on the public roads. (the battery tie-down is what usually gets =
people - it shouldn't be able to move at all.)
You drive through an electric eye to start the timer at one end and =
another one at the finish to stop it. Two seconds (usually) are added to =
your time for each cone you knock down. You can be as hard or as gentle =
on your car as you want to be. All of the course will be traveled in =
forward gears. If you leave the course, you must re-enter where you left =
or you will be scored as Did Not Finish (DNF)=20
If there are two cars on the course at once, it will be where one is =
starting as another finishes etc. You will never come close to another =
car or have any effect on each other's time. Collisions are virtually =
unheard of. Vehicle damage of any sort is very rare. =20
You best run for the day is the one that counts.=20
I have seen everything from traditional British and Italian Sports cars, =
Ford Ranger Pickups, to battered econoboxes to Twin-turbo Porsche 911's, =
NSX's, Formula cars, lots of late-model coupes, vintage Corvettes, you =
name it.=20
See:
http://www.autocross.com/ (see the FAQ and novice handbook link on the =
main page)
Then there's the SCCA site:
http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/index.html
Another good description:=20
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/abtsolo.htm
See here for some history of the nationals:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/silversolo.htm
Hope this helps
Phil Vanner
Mk1 Midget DSP=20
-----Original Message-----
From: RAY WYGONIK [SMTP:RWYGONIK@grove.iup.edu]
Sent: Monday, July 20, 1998 8:34 AM
To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: What is an autocross?
Maybe I am the only one on the list who is ignorant in this area, but =
please
accomodate me.
Posts to the list talk about autocrosses, time trials and various other
competitive or casual events.
Can someone define the various competitions, events that are common to =
our
hobby?
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