Possible first timer, need some info

[Dan203]

I drive a BMW 135i and I've been thinking about trying my hand at autocross. However I'm a complete newb. I did attend a BMW CCA performance driving school out at Reno/Fernley a few weeks back, but I've never done autocross, so I have a few questions...

1) I saw that you had a "school" back in April, any plans to do another one this season? Or is that a once a year thing?

2) What class would I fall in? Is it based off the car or the driver?

3) How many runs does each person get in a day?

4) Is it really intimidating for a complete newb to just show up out there never having done it before?

5) If I do come I would probably come with my Dad who drives a Lotus Elise, would we be in the same class/run group?

Thanks,
Dan

[Kevin M]

The school is done once per year, but anytime you come out you can find people willing to help you out with everything you need to know.

Basically, you would want to run in our local Novice class. You can drive anything that passes tech, that way you can spend your effort towards learning how to drive and how to participate in the event as a whole without getting bogged down with what to mod or not mod.

Generally it's 4-6 runs per session, and as a Novice you could run both morning and afternoon if you wanted for double seat time. I'm chairing the next event and provided we don't get an extra large turnout, I'll be shooting for 6 runs each.

Definitely not intimidating! Our region takes pride in being very beginner friendly.

We can definitely accommodate a request to put both you and your dad in the same run group as Novices.

[solonut]

1) auto-x school is once a year
2) classing is by car....if your car is stock it will fall in D-stock...
3) anywhere fron 3-6
4) nope its a blast....
5) elise is in a different class....possible samr run group

Dan come on out to Reno/Fernley raceway this sat.... http://www.renoscca.org/documents/Race/2008/08jul19TTFlyer.pdf

welcome to the addiction.....Pat

[Dan203]

Thanks for the info guys.

So it doesn't matter what kind of car it is, or how much HP it has, as long as it's stock then you're in the "D-Stock" class?

Man I wish I could come out to Reno/Fernley on Saturday. Unfortunately me and my wife have tickets to see Shakespeare up in Tahoe so I wont be able to make it. However I told my Dad about it so you might see him show up. (he drives a yellow Lotus Elise)

Dan

[nmhansen]

No, there are different levels of stock class, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H. In the rule book, you would just look up your car to see where it falls if its stock.

But, like Kevin said, it would probably be best to just do the novice class and not worry about that stuff just yet.

[will]

4) Is it really intimidating for a complete newb to just show up out there never having done it before?


My first run was about a month ago. I came in my family Subaru Legacy Out Back.
Everyone was very friendly and helped me through the procedures. I had a great time, even though I was the slowest car that day. It didn't matter it was just too much fun.
My next event I had a Miata, I spun out, or did a major fish tail on almost every run. One run I even ran on the wrong side of the cones.
I had to laugh at myself or run home with my tail between my legs. This is really big fun, and I was the only one who laughed at me.

[Cody]

1) auto-x school is once a year
2) classing is by car....if your car is stock it will fall in D-stock...
3) anywhere fron 3-6
4) nope its a blast....
5) elise is in a different class....possible samr run group

Dan come on out to Reno/Fernley raceway this sat.... http://www.renoscca.org/documents/Race/2008/08jul19TTFlyer.pdf

welcome to the addiction.....Pat

A 300 HP coupe is in D-Stock with us lowly WRX's? Class killer much? :P

Welcome aboard Dan! Can't wait to see one of those in action. :)

[nmhansen]

A 300 HP coupe is in D-Stock with us lowly WRX's? Class killer much? :P

Welcome aboard Dan! Can't wait to see one of those in action. :)

Well, its not like the WRX is at the top of the d-stock class to begin with, so the 135i isn't exactly a class killer.

I do find it funny, though, that the 128 and the 135 are classed the same.

[Kevin M]

Well, its not like the WRX is at the top of the d-stock class to begin with, so the 135i isn't exactly a class killer.

I do find it funny, though, that the 128 and the 135 are classed the same.

I vote to send them to H and G Stock. :p

[Dan203]

I've been thinking about buying a device called a "Split Second Turbo Timer" which adds about 40HP to the car. If I do that would it put me into a different class? Want about something smaller like a different air filter setup that adds a few HP? I'm just wondering where the break off point is that makes it so a car is no longer "stock"?

Oh and one more question... When doing this are you suppose to do both sessions to do it right? Or is showing up for one session pretty normal?

Dan

[solonut]

I've been thinking about buying a device called a "Split Second Turbo Timer" which adds about 40HP to the car. If I do that would it put me into a different class? Want about something smaller like a different air filter setup that adds a few HP? I'm just wondering where the break off point is that makes it so a car is no longer "stock"?

Dan

the turbo timer will take you out of stock....

here is the short list of what you can do to a car in stock class

cat back exhaust
air filter element within stock air box
shocks
front sway bar

Here is some good reading.....http://www.scca.org/documents/Solo%20Rules/2008_Solo_Rules_2.pdf
it will answer most of all your questions...Pat

[nmhansen]

I've been thinking about buying a device called a "Split Second Turbo Timer" which adds about 40HP to the car. If I do that would it put me into a different class? Want about something smaller like a different air filter setup that adds a few HP? I'm just wondering where the break off point is that makes it so a car is no longer "stock"?

Oh and one more question... When doing this are you suppose to do both sessions to do it right? Or is showing up for one session pretty normal?

Dan

When you run competitively, you have to run in class, be it morning or afternoon. Bit, as a novice you have the option to run either or so it would behoove you to get the extra seat time and run both sessions.