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Post by 09eclipse on Dec 31, 2010 16:36:16 GMT -5
I'm a new member of the SCCA and anxious to see the 2011 Dixie schedule. I've been reading up on helmet specs, car classifications and rules. I live in north Florida and have been drag racing for years but have decided to venture into some wheel turning  I have a showroom stock 09 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and from what I can figure I'll be racing in the "GS" class (?) One question that I still have after reading through rule books, guides and forums is car identification. Are the numbers assigned at the event, is it your SCCA number, can you choose a number as long as it's free? I'm used to just writing a track number and dial-in with shoe polish on the windows minutes before the race, but I take it that isn't acceptable to the SCCA. I like to be well prepared and I would appreciate this being cleared up. |
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unFIT2compete
Full Member
I saw it on TV so I'm pretty sure I can do it.
Posts: 117
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Post by unFIT2compete on Dec 31, 2010 21:32:08 GMT -5
Shoe polish or painter's tape is fine for local events until you buy magnetics. Non-members usually use a 3 digit # not already in use in their class. You can choose one when you register. (online or at event) Was your car previously raced in the scca Showroom Stock racing series?
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Post by Sandy Heath on Jan 2, 2011 17:08:52 GMT -5
I'm a new member of the SCCA and anxious to see the 2011 Dixie schedule. I've been reading up on helmet specs, car classifications and rules. I live in north Florida and have been drag racing for years but have decided to venture into some wheel turning I have a showroom stock 09 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT and from what I can figure I'll be racing in the "GS" class (?) One question that I still have after reading through rule books, guides and forums is car identification. Are the numbers assigned at the event, is it your SCCA number, can you choose a number as long as it's free? I'm used to just writing a track number and dial-in with shoe polish on the windows minutes before the race, but I take it that isn't acceptable to the SCCA. I like to be well prepared and I would appreciate this being cleared up. I think these days any number that hasn't been used recently in the class you will run in is okay. It doesn't matter how you mark it on the car as long as it's visible to the course workers on both sides. Put what number you want in the online registration but they may get you to change it at the event if someone else has been using it in that class. If you plan to run on street tires you might want to look at the street touring classes too. They also have a novice class for new comers to run in. After you win one event in the novice class you move on the the class the car fits best in. |
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 3, 2011 10:46:25 GMT -5
Howdy-
Glad to have ya come out and play with us!
Like Sandy said, just choose a number when you register. Non-members are asked to use a 3-digit number, but that's not a "set in stone" rule. Masking tape or shoe polish is OK to start with, but the number and class should be visible from both sides of the car, like on both rear quarter windows.
Street touring classes are a good choice, if you don't already have "race rubber" and if your car isn't modified past the rules for ST. Getting into the "Novice" class at first is a good move as well. The main thing, though, is just come on out and have fun with it.
See Ya-
JD Kemp
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Post by Sandy Heath on Jan 3, 2011 13:01:22 GMT -5
I'm a new member of the SCCA and anxious to see the 2011 Dixie schedule. I've been reading up on helmet specs, car classifications and rules. Rob just posted the early schedule: dixiescca.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=announcements&action=display&thread=206&page=1I have a medium SNELL M2000 helmet I'd sell if it will fit you. They have loaners available at the event so you don't have to have one right off. Wiregrass region is having an event this coming Sunday in Alabama if your interested. www.sccawiregrass.org/What part of N. FL do you live in? |
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Post by mnemon on Jan 4, 2011 1:21:12 GMT -5
Greetings, friends. I'm just like 09eclipse, except I know nothing, and I wish to learn more.
Hope to meet y'all.
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 4, 2011 8:11:25 GMT -5
Yo Mnemon-
We got a meeting Wednesday night at Beef O'Brady's on Thomasville. Dinner's at 6:30 (or so) meeting at 7:30. Come on out and visit... You too "Eclipse"!
Back to that "I know nothing" part... What would you like to know? Start with basics... You got a car? Driver's license? What kind of car, how modified is it, etc??? Tell us a bit about you, and ask away!!!
Peace, Love and Pushrods-
JDK
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Post by mnemon on Jan 7, 2011 1:28:09 GMT -5
Good evening. I missed the meeting, and thank you for the reminder. I'll see you all next Wednesday.
Senor GonzoRacer, I just bought a used Mazdaspeed3 about 3 months ago, it's at 17k miles, all stock. I need to see what it can do without breaking it, it'll be mine in only 5 years! Just discovered the whole notion of SCCA last week, I've been dreaming about such an organization and events for a while now. So far I'm afraid my tires may not be good enough, and I need to figure out what UTQG treadwear 140 means.
Cheers, and good day to ye.
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 7, 2011 8:37:31 GMT -5
Yo Mnemon-
A 'speed 3 ought to be a hotrod, seems like one of our folks autocrosses one already and does pretty well. That's a good choice!
As for "breaking it", well, autocrossing is some hard driving for about a minute at a time. The likelihood of breaking something isn't all that great, but it could happen. The counter-point is: Anything that breaks during an autocross (AX) run was a weak component that was going to break soon anyway. Where would you rather it break- in a big parking lot with about a hundred amateur mechanics in attendance, most with tools, some with trailers; or on I-10 one rainy Thursday night about halfway to Marianna?
Tires are another matter. AX does increase tire wear. A lot of folks use a dedicated set of wheels/tires just for AX. That can get expensive, but it'll save in the long run. As an alternative, we did just institute a new "Street Tire" class, so's you can run on the tires you drive everyday if you wish and only compete with other folks who are on street tires too.
That UTQG number will be embossed on the side of the tire, like the sizing info. It is a relative scale based on the hardness of the rubber (amongst other things) to give an idea of the expected life of the tire. Tires that promise 40,000 miles usually have an index of 400 or so. Hoosier A6 and Kumho V710 autocross tires are 30 or 40 or so. (I forget the number, I've only bought about 168 of the damned things!!!) A tire with an index of 140 is a viable street tire (unlike the A6/V710) but soft enough to give you some grip on-track.
For a "noob" (sorry...) like you, I'd say don't worry about buyin' tires or anything, just come on out and give it a whirl.
JDK
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Post by GonzoRacer on Jan 7, 2011 8:40:49 GMT -5
Oh, one other thing- If you go to Beef's next Wednesday, you won't see us... We meet once a month. So, come to the next meeting, the first Wednesday of February!  |
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Post by 09eclipse on Jan 7, 2011 22:29:54 GMT -5
Wow, I forget to check the forum for a few days and I get all sorts of responses.
I'm just north of Gainesville, FL.
I imagine that the Novice Class would be best for now. I have no road course experience.
I'll be on the street tires that came from the factory. I'm starting out literally show room stock.
I've got a SA2005 helmet on it's way in the mail.
Hopefully at registration I'll get some more guidance on what class to register in.
When you say "non-members", do you mean SCCA or Dixie region? When I signed up with the SCCA I was placed in the Buccaneer region. Most of their races are 2 more hours away than SGMP so I imagine I'll be racing with you guys the most.
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Post by IPPO on Jan 8, 2011 9:05:56 GMT -5
Member = SCCA membership from any region.
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Post by 09eclipse on Jan 8, 2011 22:32:17 GMT -5
Another question: a friend of mine is interested in coming and watching before possibly getting into autoX himself. Do spectators often come? Is there any fee for spectators?
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unFIT2compete
Full Member
I saw it on TV so I'm pretty sure I can do it.
Posts: 117
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Post by unFIT2compete on Jan 9, 2011 16:16:40 GMT -5
No fee, just an insuranse waiver and minors need parent's permission(signature). 09eclipse If you're going to be with us the majority of the time, you could switch your region of record. just sayin' |
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Post by mnemon on Jan 10, 2011 10:06:51 GMT -5
JDK, thank you for all the info! Apparently I have treadwear 240 on Dunlop (forget the type) tires, which cost $250 each at Walmart. Outch! I'll just have to drive slower than anyone else, that'll save my tires See you at the next event. |
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