First Auto-X This Weekend!

[RallyX13]

Just thought I would let everyone who does not already know that this weekend is the first event of the season. Here are the details on the event:

Solo II - Champ Event #1

Date: Saturday, May 4, 2002
Time: 9:00AM - 5:00PM GMT

Champtionship Event #1 at Chugiak High in Chugiak Alaska. From
Anchorage, go North on the Glenn Hwy to the Birchwood Exit.
After exit turn left the school will be on the right hand side.

Tech Inspection 9:00 - 10:30
Registration 9:30 - 10:45
Walk-through 11:00

If anyone can come early to help sweep it would be greatly appreciated as this will be the first event in this parking lot and it will be dirty.

Well I hope to see some WRX's out at this event, and hopefully I will not end up going to work this weekend.

Later....Kris

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[KapaFool]

Ahm working this weekend. The first autocross is the best time to go too.

[S10V6X]

Someone tell me about this fabled autoX. Is it open to anyone, where do I sign up, how much does it cost, and how many slow cars are there that I might be able to keep up with?? I have to get new shocks and my suspension redone but tell me about it anyway...

Luke

[RallyX13]

Auto-x is where you get to take your daily driver and go out and see what you can do with it. Anyone can enter, as long as your car (or truck) can pass the tech inspection and you have a helmet.

You race in a closed course against the clock and the most you can hit are some cones.

Its a great time, and the best way to explain it is for you to come out and check out an event.

Kris

[AK_2002_WRX]

so whos goin to be in it? i'll try to stop by before work.

[SonomaWRX]

How come it couldn't be last weekend?????

[S10V6X]

Hey Kris, thanks for the info. I'll see if I can swing by there for a little while on sat, not going to do anything crazy like run in it the first week, is there a mailing list I should be on to find out about when the events are? Besides, Halibut season starts next weekend for those of us who don't fish in the snow.

[AKSubie]

I'll try to make it. I'm debating about running. Will my wheels push me into another class? I mean I'm already out of stock because the exhaust and intake, would that push me further out?

Also, do I HAVE to have a helmet, I thought I heard some where that they had "loaners" laying about.

[RallyX13]

You can sign up on the yahoo message groups to get e-mails from there about the events. If you are interested in that, you can sign up at this link.

Ben....Yes they do have loaner helmets available for use there. But if you can get your hands on one, I recommend it, otherwise you might have to share with someone. Not a big deal, but it is easier if you have your own.

You better run that car, and do not worry about what class you are in. We can figure that out later. Just come out and run your car and have fun! I know that I will never beat Jake, so I just go out there with the goal of improving my lap times each run, and having a good time!

[AutoXr]

The event last weekend was canceled because there was too much snow melting in the lot and it had not been swept yet. While this would have been fun for us Subie guys & gals, it would have been a significant disadvantage to everyone else.

Don't worry too much about where you will be classed, just come on down and have some fun. After you get a handle on what is required, you will know whether it's worth worrying about.

For anyone that participates, plan on being there until at least 4pm. The typical schedule is to have two groups of cars, one driving while the other works corners, picking up cones and keeping spectators and animals off the track. Without corner workers we can't run a safe event so we need everyone to do their part. Besides, the best runs come late in the day as the rubber gets laid down.

Just a clarification about pickup trucks. Because of problems with a high center of gravity and tipping, pickups are limited to 2 wheel drive <i.e. no 4wd trucks of any kind> with a limit on ground clearance, lower the better. SUV's are not allowed because of the same issues.


Any questions?

[S10V6X]

AutoXr, gotcha, makes sense... I was worried about the same thing. How much ground clearance, and what about different anti-sway shocks..?? I've gotta do a bunch of rebuilding on mine anyway, it's frustrating to tip like you mentioned. Just want to see what the goals for clearance and suspension would be---- actually no 4x4 of any kind...?... hmm....

[AutoXr]

I'm working on getting you something more concrete than just "that's the way it works. . .". I have been unable to find a ruling on maximum ground clearance or center of gravity, and am sending the question to Howard Duncan, SCCA, for a definative response.

[WRXnFX]

How about renting a street sweeper? I stopped one the other day and they quoted $75 an hour. I'm sure with a little shopping and some coercion you can get a better price. I remember the race at Bartlett last year was full of gravel patches. I would want to give the two-wheel drive cars a chance.

Winslow

[R-RATED]

Dam i wish i could go so much, but stomp that idea. quick Unles some one wants too rent out there tranny. Damn i wish i could drive the thing if anything, I forgot how fast my car was i thought this stock tsi was fast the other day, Winslow you know which one.

[AKSubie]

OK, yeah I'm not really worrying about which class, just wondering which 3 cars I'll be "grouped" with. Yeah...

Anyway, about the helmets, Snow machine helmets will work, correct?

[nano]

Yeah R-rated not having a trannie sucks!! Me and TRDcelica (travis) are going to install my new one tommorow.. I sure hope we can finish it. That new freaken tranny weigths a ton!! It's easily over 200lbs. Took three guys to lift it. Hell I can't even hold it in my arms. It literaly kicks my ass. Damm heavy automatics . Who's TSI did you ride in? He didn't even have free mods done? And when is your car going to be done?

[RallyX13]

I would hope that 4x4 trucks are not eliminated just because they are 4wd. I am sure some lowered 4wd trucks could do pretty darn good. I remember stock S10's (no lowering) running with us down in the SCCA in California, but cannot remember if it was 4wd or not. But Ron is on the ball and will find out for us right quick.

Ben....A snowmachine helmet should work as long as it is Snell 95 and higher I believe? Check for the Snell rating and let me know what it is. But unless it is really old, then you are probably good to go.

Kris

[S10V6X]

Thanks for finding out for me, I appreciate it.... Right now though I'd be scared to run mine, too much sway in it- Once I get my new shocks it'll be fine, but since they're considered HazMat to the shipping companies I have to pay $$$ to have them sent to me.

I have swimming goggles, they say 'swim 95' on them, would they work?? oh and I have a couple of sets, just incase someone wants the loaner pair...

I'll be out there on saturday though, after work, just to check it out.

[AutoXr]

OK, here's what I got back from Howard today about trucks and SUVs competing:

Section 3.1, third paragraph of the Solo II handbook states that :
"Unstable vehicles with a high center of gravity and a narrow track must be excluded" It goes on to say that extra caution should be taken when "non-traditional vehicles, e.g. trucks using racing slicks, sport utility vehicles, etc."

Additionally, section 3.3.4 states that:
"Any vehicle that is judged by the event chairman to be in an unsafe operating condition at any time during the event shall be barred from further competition until the deficiency is corrected to the satisfaction of the Cheif Technical Inspector".

So, if you own a Ford Lightning or have lowerd your truck or SUV to a similar height, it's probably not a problem. The ultimate call is made by the Technical Inspector and/or the event chairperson.

I can remember at least two trucks that have competed in the past 3 years. One was an older Ford Lighning that had a complete suspension package and race rubber. The guy did pretty good too, beating quite a few cars. The other was a Toyota 2WD truck with air bags that Travis and his buddy drove.

Any more questions?

[S10V6X]

Thanks for the excellent answer--- I'll have to get my shocks and suspension redone ($1000) -- then get new wheels ($$!!) -- then I'll run down there and get it checked to see. Not expecting anything crazy though, all the modifications have to be done anyway, not just for autocross.

Luke


Edit: Got bored and did some photochopping, check the truck how it could be for AutoXing, now all I need is some neons (and yeah I'm kidding.. )

http://www.alaska.net/~jnielson/S-10/dropped1.jpg

[AKSubie]

OK, so I got a helmet from my co-worker, so I'm all set. (I think)

Is there anything "required" to bring? I ended up at subrew.com in their "newbies checklist" and noticed that it claims I need to bring a ton of stuff, some stuff is common sense for a day outing (water, food, comfortable shoes, money, etc...) or for racing (shoe polish for numbers) and some stuff I don't really need (race tires, magnetic numers, jack, etc...) Magnetic numbers might come later, if I really get into it

Ohh yeah, so what color polish should I use?

[KapaFool]

S10V6X - I was just given a set of camaro rims. I think 85' or something older. They are a 5 bolt pattern and just need a washing. Oh, you also need some tires for it also. Come take it away if you want. It'll probably work for auto-x with some cheap low profile 15's if anyone has a spare set.

[AutoXr]

AKSubie, white shoe polish usually does the trick

The only thing required is your helmet. This to do before coming include cleaning everything out of the car. Basically, anything loose is a hazard because it could potentially stick under the gas or brake during competition. As a result, the technical inspection will not be complete until all loose items are removed.

Some other things that are nice to have include:
- A tarp to cover your stuff (maybe just a container) while you're tearing it up on the track
- Shoes that have a thin sole and are good for driving (better pedal feel)

That's about it.

[RallyX13]

Just make sure you come dressed for all different weather possibilities. Dress in layers and bring something waterproof in case it rains!

Kris

[S10V6X]

Originally posted by KapaFool
S10V6X - I was just given a set of camaro rims. I think 85' or something older. They are a 5 bolt pattern and just need a washing. Oh, you also need some tires for it also. Come take it away if you want. It'll probably work for auto-x with some cheap low profile 15's if anyone has a spare set.

I'd love to take those off your hands..!! That's alot better than trying to find a whole new set of rims...... I think I can snag some 15's from american tire for pretty cheap.... Let me know when I can pick them up........? (also, Thanks.....)