Topic: Autocross season is starting! Does anyone here still run?

[slab8]

Doesn't look like there's a lot of activity in this forum, just wondering if people are still autocrossing their Solstices and Skys.

[elff]

Nope
I got tired of the stupid rules.

When a CAI bumps you a class, but R-Comp Tires don't, there is an issue.

So I decided to enjoy my car and build it how I want.   

[tallcraig]

I run A Class in Thunder Bay. I'm looking forward to my second season with the Thunder Bay Autosport Club. I've made a lot of new friends in the Great White North! The Scoobie and M3 boys are kicking my butt. Good times... Good times...

[username]

Nope
I got tired of the stupid rules.

When a CAI bumps you a class, but R-Comp Tires don't, there is an issue.

So I decided to enjoy my car and build it how I want.

Have you checked out STR? That's a street-tire class that allows some modifications to the car.

[Gentleman Jack]

Nope
I got tired of the stupid rules.

When a CAI bumps you a class, but R-Comp Tires don't, there is an issue.

So I decided to enjoy my car and build it how I want.

So long as the rules are the same for everyone and they are announced up front, who cares?

A CAI robs an engine of power
Sticky tires increase grip.

Seems logical one would be allowed and the other not.

[slab8]

Tallcraig, do they use the SCCA classes up north? Or does A class not mean the same thing as AS?

[tallcraig]

We only run three classes as there are only 25-35 cars per event.
Find Your Base Car Class
In order to compete, you must properly class your vehicle.
First, find your car in the SCCA Street Category (for example: SS, AS, BS, CS, DS, ES, FS, GS, HS).
Second, use the chart below to take your SCCA class and convert it into one of the 3 TBAC classes (for example: A, B or C). This is now your TBAC Base Class.

SCCA   TBAC
SS   A
AS   A
BS   A
CS   B
DS   B
ES   C+
FS   B
GS   C+
HS   C

Note: a (+) indicates you receive 12 base modification points off the bat.

4. Complete the Car Classing Worksheet
Now that you have your TBAC Base Class, you receive 'modification points' based on how your car has been altered from factory. Go down the list and total all your mod points to get your Final TBAC Class. If you started in C+, don't forget to add your 12 base points. For every 25 points, move up one class (for example, if you started in B Class and have 29 points you are now in A Class).
Fill out the Car Classing Worksheet and bring it to the event.

[slab8]

Oh, that's an interesting way to do it, versus the more typical approach of applying PAX index multipliers to the raw times.

[elff]

Have you checked out STR? That's a street-tire class that allows some modifications to the car.

yes, it had other really odd constraints that seemed to affect the Kappa platform more than other cars.

So long as the rules are the same for everyone and they are announced up front, who cares?

A CAI robs an engine of power
Sticky tires increase grip.

Seems logical one would be allowed and the other not.

A Cai does not provide any advantage in autocross, whereas R-Comps are race tires, extremely expensive, and require that you tow your vehicle to the event, or swap tires once you get there [So you don't destroy them on the street] and are so thus so far from stock that it's ing so stupid they are considered ok for stock.

So in a stock class, if you don't spend at least $2000, and with a Kappa, have a trailer and a tow vehicle, or a tow hitch and a small trailer you have a serious disadvantage.

if the Class is called Stock, you should only be able to compete on tires that you can legally drive on the street and they should need to be the size sold with the vehicle and run on wheels with the exact diameter and width as the wheels sold with the car.

[Gentleman Jack]

yes, it had other really odd constraints that seemed to affect the Kappa platform more than other cars.

A Cai does not provide any advantage in autocross, whereas R-Comps are race tires, extremely expensive, and require that you tow your vehicle to the event, or swap tires once you get there [So you don't destroy them on the street] and are so thus so far from stock that it's ing so stupid they are considered ok for stock.

So in a stock class, if you don't spend at least $2000, and with a Kappa, have a trailer and a tow vehicle, or a tow hitch and a small trailer you have a serious disadvantage.

if the Class is called Stock, you should only be able to compete on tires that you can legally drive on the street and they should need to be the size sold with the vehicle and run on wheels with the exact diameter and width as the wheels sold with the car.

But the intent is to improve your driving skills in your car, not to win, right?  I mean, I know some people are out to win, but the reality is, for most, it's all about personal improvement.
So, run whatcha brung and get better

[Rockchops]

The events around here are huge, basically sit around and work for 6 hours then get 4 runs total. I started doing rallyx and haven't looked back. Usually about 30 people, 2 groups that alternate until it gets dark.

[Rockchops]

^ just to clarify the above, I don't take the Saturn out for rallyx!

[Sol Asylum]

But the intent is to improve your driving skills in your car, not to win, right?  I mean, I know some people are out to win, but the reality is, for most, it's all about personal improvement.
So, run whatcha brung and get better

If that was the case why have any classes at all?

Everybody gets a snow cone!

[Critterman]

  Participation trophy 

[Sol Asylum]

This is what happens when you move to California, so much for being Boston "strong."

[username]

If that was the case why have any classes at all?

Everybody gets a snow cone!

Even if you're not trying to win, the classings (and/or PAX) are a good way to track improvement over the course of a season. Since the layouts change every time, it's not like you can compare your runs from the last event, but you can see if you're closing the distance from the most comparable cars.

[Gentleman Jack]

If that was the case why have any classes at all?

Everybody gets a snow cone!

If you want to win, great! Go for it. But don't hate the game just cause you're a loser. Drive better. Be better. It's not always the high dollar team that wins.

[Gentleman Jack]

Ok. Never mind. Winning is what matters. I just changed my mind.

Sorry for losing it there for a bit. I'm stuck in an airport again and the are Zebras.

[Sol Asylum]

Pictures or else they are just unicorns.

[Gentleman Jack]

They ran away.
I will see if I can catch them.

[slab8]

A couple events in, I'm enjoying CAM-S. Seems to be the 'right' place for a Solstice. I just need to get down to minimum weight!

[Syjos]

I stated autocrossing my GXP in March of this year after a 43 year absence.  What a blast. 
I'm out there to have fun and learn the cars handling traits.
Not racing in a class.  Going for time only.
If my times get better, maybe get into a class.
I can't go for season points since I'm out boating from June through August.

[slab8]

Even if you're not really competing, picking a class can be useful to see how you do versus "comparable" cars, and work to closing that gap.

[scanner]

Ran last weekend in B Stock which is where the NA 2.4L falls. The hard part is there are much more powerful cars such as the WRX, Focus RS, and C4 Corvettes. It seems the car should be in another class. I plan to run the rest of the season in Detroit area clubs because it is just plain fun and there are a lot of good people. Next event is next Sunday at MIS with Detroit Region SCCA we should see at least 130 cars.

Clear Skies!

[CLH]

I'm still running my GXP at least for this season. The car is actually up on jackstands right now getting some suspension adjustments and other pre-season prep that I'm behind on (I've had other things diverting my attention so far this year). I'll be at the local event next weekend.

I'm on the waitlist for a BMW M2 allocation and hope to have that in my grubby paws by the fall, and will likely auto-x it next season.