Autocross FAQ

[cfbjr]

Thought I would throw this up here so people could post info and links for autocross:

Driving tips/techniques/explanations
Car classification
Car preparation/setup suggestions
Other autocross related info that would be helpful to a newbie or internediate/advanced autocrosser.

[cfbjr]

Here is a link to a site that has all of the car classifications and classification rules. This site is updated on a regular basis to keep pace with changes made in rules.

http://www.moutons.org/sccasolo/


Here's a quick way to know where to start with classes with respect to the MP3:


Stock
-No engine or suspension mods with the exception of single or double adjustable shocks.
-Can use any treadwear rating tire as long as it is DOT approved and fits on the stock rim size. (Hoosier R3S03 or Kumho Ecsta V700 are the stickiest that have a size that fits(205/40-17).)
-Can change air filter or remove it, but no plumbing changes can be made.
-Some allowances for addition or removal of sway bars.
-any cat-back exhaust is allowed

STS - Street Touring
-everything allowed in stock(except the treadwear rating) plus:
-Body kits
-Any seats with reclining backs
-Wider wheels(7.5") and tires(limited to max treadwear of 140 so sticky stuff that stock gets to use is out)
-cross drilled/slotted rotors,same size as stock
-Suspension changes, such as coilovers, are allowed
-CAI's or other plumbing changes to the airbox are allowed
-emissions-legal headers are allowed
-Short throw shift kits are allowed
-lightened pulleys are allowed

Stree Prepared - MP3's go to FSP
-Go crazy you freak!:D
-Rollbars
-LSD's
-Engine mods
-You better read all the rules and understand them fairly well if you're going to go this far. Also, you better get ready to crack open your check book as well!

[ZoomZoomH]

oops, guess the CAI does make you STS.... LOL

[cfbjr]

Here is an article on a really good racing web site about how to properly take a line through a corner. It is more focused on road racing but the same principles apply to autocross:

Cornering Article (http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving/driving_cornering.lasso)

[cfbjr]

Again, this is more targeted for road racing but the same thing applies to autocross in this case:

Seating Position Article (http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving/driving_seating.lasso)

[cfbjr]

A good article on braking and accelerating smoothly.

braking and accelerating article (http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving/driving_braking.lasso)

[cfbjr]

Here's a link to a very good SOLO II handbook. Very good for all you newbies out there. Ignore the part abou the classes as these have changed recently and this was written in 1996.
Also, some regions/chapters have a novice program and many do not. The reason many do not is that they are not big enough to warrant splitting the classes up even further. For instance, here in Sacramento we do not have a Novice program because we do not have enough people to really warrant splitting it up that far. But in the nearby San Francisco region they can have close to 300 people show up so they do run Novice classes.
Read this whole thing it's pretty good:

http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

[cfbjr]

Here's a link to a very active mailing list about autocross. It's a good place to ask newbie questions as many experienced autocrossers are on this list.:

http://www.team.net/autox/index.html

[cfbjr]

Here's a link to SCCA Forums, a message board for all things SCCA. Scroll down and you'll find the section on SOLO 2. National Champions lurk around here.

http://www.sccaforums.com/

[cfbjr]

Here's a link to the spot on Mazda Motorsports page where the Team support and Contingency program forms are. There are also links there to the pages that explain these programs in detail. Fill these forms out and fax them in to Mazda. The Team support one is the one that will set you up so you can order OEM and competition parts at a discount. Just used this to get some new rotors, pads, bearings, oil filters, wheel studs, etc. The rotors where only $28 ea.! The list on them was $40. Good deal!

http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Forms?storeId=10001

[norman]

Thank you for the links Carson, they are helpful.

[ZoomZoomH]

thanks carson, you must have put in a lot of time typing in all these information!! :D

one question, I just submitted my application for Mazda Team Support Program yesterday, how long does it take them to send you the welcome package? I heard there's a really nice calendar that they're giving out :)

[cfbjr]

I never really got the welcome package. I sent an order for decals and got those a few days later. Didn't receive anything else. Although, the other day when I ordered some parts they didn't have me in the computer or anything so I think they didin't get me in the system until then. I already got the parts and there was no welcome package there. You might want to call them and ask if they're stil doing some kind of welcome package and if you can get your team support number from them.

[dolphin]

Sorry I got a late start on this, I was on a business trip and did not have much of a chance to check this forum.

Autocross links and resources:

The website to start searching for an autocross club. It has links to the local regions' websites, the basic rules, the FasTrack monthly updates and so forth.
http://www.scca.org or http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/index.html

The school for new autocrossers:
http://autocross.com/evolution/

Our club's webpage:
http://www.sierrasportscars.net/welcome.htm

The SCCA forums:
http://www.sccaforums.com/

Roger "the real" Johnson's autocross course design book:
http://www.ghg.net/cmjfsl/

The Miata net forums also contain an autocross forum and you can search the forum for particular topics. Its focus is of course on Miatae but lots of the information is useful to any car.
http://www.miata.net

Webpages with information about calculating tire sizes, gearing horsepower from various knowns and at different altitudes:
http://www.ihonk.com/h/speedcalculators/speedcalculators.html
http://www.gordon-glasgow.org/tirecalc.html
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Hopefully this will help someone. Of course you can also use this page to ask questions on autocrossing.