► Road Racing/Autocross Forum FAQ/Guidelines

[.RJ]

There are alot of common topics that come up regularly in this forum, so ive put together a resource of sorts to answer the FAQ's. If you do not find the answers in the following links or need clarification or just want to talk about it then feel free to post as we're all here to help. Road Race/Autocross Forum Moderators: Ponyboy - Honda318dx - nsxtasy <FONT COLOR="red">Forum Guidelines</FONT> ALL POSTS SHOULD REFLECT RESPECT FOR FELLOW MEMBERS Do not incite riots or instigate fights. Please do not refrain from spirited discussions but do not intentionally post antagonistic or inflammatory remarks directed at another member. Offending content will be removed and points docked. - This forum is for the discussion of Road Racing and Autocrossing as well as other forms of sanctioned motorsports, and HPDE/Open Track/Track Days events. Please refrain from posting your illegal or poorly rationalized exploits unless it is intended to teach a lesson. This includes drag racing, street racing, drifting, too-gay (some of you spell it "touge") or canyon carving - If you do, we will quickly make you an example of what not to do. We do not condone any behavior that places yourself, or others at risk. We encourage everyone to keep their racing at an appropriate and safe venue. Posts on those topics will be deleted and user rating points docked. - *********Search!!!******** This is the most important 'rule'. Use the search function first, before you ask questions. Reply in an existing thread rather than posting a new one. There is a ton of information here, and its either likely been covered before or will give you a head start. Redundant posts on frequent topics will be locked. - Want to drive on a racetrack - read up here - http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=972109 - How to use the search feature - http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=749544 - No bumping. Makes a mess out of things. If the topic isnt active enough to stay on the first page, it probably wasnt that interesting anyways. - Keep your search queries short (1 word) and always search archived topics as well - http://www.honda-tech.com/zerosearch - Posts with excessive vulgarity or poor taste will be removed and user points docked - No ebay links, unless for Racing/Autox/HPDE related product - Posts appropriate for other forums will be moved (I will notify via PM). Example - "I'm looking for an exhaust/spring/intake/etc setup for my (insert car here)" will be moved to the appropriate forum where the question can best be answered. This forum is also not a catch-all for suspension questions - ask in the forum for your vehicle unless the question is specifically autocross/track related. - For Sale Items can be posted here (within the specific FS thread) as long as they are racing parts (race tyres, seats, race cars, springs, etc) but may not be "bumped" outside of the exception below. If not sold here, try Honda-Tech classifieds, http://www.sccaforums.com and http://www.improvedtouring.com/Classifieds - In order to maintain transaction transparency for the benefit the buyer and seller all For Sale posts must include offered price. Posts w/o said offered price will be deleted at any given time and w/o previous notice. - If you have more than one item to sell, keep them in one post. If you have a post of f/s item(s) already, and have more item(s) to sell, add it to the original post and bump the post once. You must also be willing to ship the item(s) unless they are free. - Group buy purchases must be approved with the moderators before they are posted. - No commercial ads - site sponsor information here - https://secure.rely.net/ht-ads/ <FONT COLOR="red">Common Questions/Links:</FONT> Autocross Primers http://www.7thgencivic.com/for...33268 or http://www.pi-motorsports.com/...&PN=1 Scott's Rear-Stiff Suspension Summary: http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=285747 NASA VA - http://www.nasaracing.net What is HPDE / HPDE Primer - http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/ Want to drive on a racetrack? - List of groups here - http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=972109 Track Schedule.com - HPDE calender (east coast) - http://www.trackschedule.com/ SCCA rules and classing questions Road Race Rulebook - http://www.scca.org/Club/Index...0|070 Autox rulebook - http://www.scca.com/_filelibra...s.pdf Honda Challenge Rulebook - http://www.nasaproracing.com/r...c.pdf Where is my SCCA region? - http://scca.org/Inside/Index.a...Sites&~= Tyson has been so kind to write FAQ's on the following topics: Helmet - http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/helmet.html Coil Overs - http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/coilover.html Roll Cage - http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/rollcage.html Road Racing - http://www.norcalcrx.org/tyson/roadracing.html Honda Challenge Questions Look Here - http://www.honda-challenge.com Schroth Harness FAQ - http://www.soloracer.com/harnschrothfaq.html Other Harness Discussions - http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=340267 (pullup/down) http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=356397 (brands) http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=303099 (all sorts of info) Proper Harness Mounting - http://simpsonraceproducts.com..._info Tech, Race and Big Brake Kits - http://www.teamscr.com/techarticles2.html Track Driving - http://www.turnfast.com Building an IT Race Car - http://www.it2.evaluand.com/recipe.php Build Your Own Racecar - http://www.gmecca.com/byorc/ Physics Of Racing Series - http://www.miata.net/sport/Physics/ Tire Size Calculator - http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html Autocross Links: Autocross Guide - http://www.soloracer.com/autoxguide.html Autocross Checklist - http://www.soloracer.com/autoxchecklist.html General Info - http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm http://home.dejazzd.com/mlouie/autocross.html Novice Handbook - http://www.miata.net/sport/autox.html Grassroots Motorsports Beginners Guide - http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/flysolo.html Midwestern Council Sports Car Clubs - http://my.execpc.com/~mcscc/ Washington DC/Metro/Va/Md AutoX - http://www.autocrossers.org/ http://www.nerdsracing.com - Driving schedules in the Northeast NERDS = North East Recreational Driving Schedules <FONT COLOR="red">Want to go racing?</FONT> These links will give you a rough idea of what the costs are like for road racing a Honda. Its probably more than you think, so check it out. http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=679722 http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=334253 http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=557013 Cheap, competitive autocross car build: http://www.redshiftmotorsports.com/ChrisTech.htm Grassroots Motorsports Tuning Articles: Grassroots Motorsports has a couple good tech articles on their website: Shock tuning Corner Weighting swaybar setup Just some basic tuning advice Head And Neck Restraints - http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=653180 Where to buy R(ace)-compound tires - http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=792232

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[.RJ]

[jdmjunkie8]

I live in Nashville TN are. I wanna try autocrossing. I have heard its a good experience and alot of fun. I have heard about some stuff in the south east where you can get like driving classes and track time. If anyone has some info to help me out I would appreciate it. Thanks

[Ponyboy]

You may want to check out the FAQ section w/i this forum for more into re: ax. Good luck in your search for an ax event close to you.

[RPM_69]

Check out http://www.motorsportreg.com/calendar/index.cfm. You can seach for clubs and events near your zip code. You'll want to search for "Autocross" and "Drivers School" under event type. Typical Autocrosses are timed course in a large parking lot. The couse is layed out w/ cones, and you get 4 or possibly more (depending on the club) tries at getting your best time. They range in price from $25 -$50 depending on the club, location, and your membership status. Don't be shy - tell them you're new to Autocrossing and ask if someone can walk you around the track before the event (some clubs have a noobie track walk scheduled), and ask if someone can ride w/ you the first time or two.

Track days (Drivers Schools) are usually a full weekend at a race track. You get classroom instruction and track time with an instructor riding with you. Usually a couple of classroom sessions a day and 3-4 20-30min track sessions a day. Most clubs charge about $300-$400 for the weekend. You are about 4hrs from Road Atlanta - you should check it out sometime. It is awesome. I drive it w/ the Peachtree BMWCCA.

Carefull though - this stuff is VERY addictive.

[newuser333]

http://www.myautoevents.com to search for local events.
http://www.scca.com to track down your local region.
http://www.autocross.com - getting started from the drop down list.

Just find an event and go to it. Don't hide the fact that you are a novice driver. Most local SCCA events will have instructors available for ride alongs (either as passenger or driver) to help new drivers.

After your first event or two, find a novice school to attend. Then another. It's a participation sport where you should always be learning.

But, whatever else you do, have fun!

[jdmjunkie8]

Thanks guys

[jdmjunkie8]

Also what are the safety requirements? Do you have to have roll cage, helmet, interior no interior etc??

[bender]

Originally Posted by jdmjunkie8

Also what are the safety requirements? Do you have to have roll cage, helmet, interior no interior etc??

There are no 'extra' safety requirements for cars; normal 100% stock street cars are allowed. No cage or harnesses needed. Your car will need to pass a safety inspection, which is all normal maintenance stuff: is the battery tied down, does the throttle return spring work, are the wheel bearings ok, are you missing lugnuts, etc. And you will need to remove all loose stuff from the car, probably including floormats, so nothing flies around inside the car during your run.
You will need a helmet, but many clubs will have a few loaner helmets available for you to borrow (check first, of course).

[jdmjunkie8]

thanks,
are those requirements the same for road racing also?

[Targa250R]

Originally Posted by jdmjunkie8

thanks,
are those requirements the same for road racing also?

No.

Road racing and time trials require a license, cage, fire suit, and other equipment as specified by the rule book of whichever sanctioning body you intend to race with.

However, HPDEs, track/lapping days, and driving schools only require the same safety equipment as autocross in most cases (i.e. car technical inspection, no loose items, Snell helmet) plus a long sleeve shirt. It's not wheel-to-wheel racing, or competitive in any way, but it does give you the opportunity to gain experience driving on an actual road course at high speeds and learn how to deal with flags, lines, turning smoothly, braking points, etc.

[Chaveli]

Could you guys help me out Im building an EJ2....And I wanna get into Auto X eventually entry level road course events. Where do I start suspension wise.??

[PuroMotor]

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/1684994

Everything thing you need to know is in that book...happy reading and good luck.

[CRX Toad]

Originally Posted by PuroMotor

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/1684994

Everything thing you need to know is in that book...happy reading and good luck.

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread/353425

[PuroMotor]

Yea thats what I meant...thanks

[granracing]

Suspension wise? Stay stock and start autocrossing now.


Thanks Puro.
Since its a stickey in Honda Tech (thank you, thank you, thank you!), why not mention it in addition to other resources?


Modified by granracing at 10:06 PM 1/24/2008

[nemisish20]

Ok i have never tried auto X but i want to sooo bad! What HASA to be done ot the vehicle in order to get on most tracks.? EVEN amateur ones.? I want to try it out because i love DRIVING my car. Not crusing or going in a straight line but getting into the groove of my vehicle and feeling and responding to every little thing. I want to know any open tracks in the New England area and the Requrements for Auto X tracks?


Thank you, Nick!

[clem kevin]

just bought the book, cant wait to crack into it on the toilet! you should get it too

[verticle]

autoX is not on tracks. it is an event put on by your local SCCA in big, open parking lots. If your car is safe enough to drive on the roads (seat belt, battery secure, etc etc), then you are good to go for autocross. they should have loaner helmets there for you.

[granracing]

Dude, crack into it on the toilet? LMAO

[granracing]

Hey, you're in my neck of the woods (I live near Hartford, CT). Check out http://www.NER.org for the New England Region of SCCA. Two other clubs that host autocross events in our area are Fairfield Sports Car Club (www.fscc.com I believe) and CART http://www.CART.com . If interested in taking your car out on a track such as Lime Rock Park, NHIS, or Watkins Glen, take a look at Sports Car Driver's Association - an awesome group - http://www.SCDA1.com . Do sign up early if interested. Then there's http://www.NASAnortheast.com . That's a start for ya.

You'll find people to be extremely helpful along your path into the sport. Like verticle said, you really don't need much to get started - the key is just getting out there.

[sgallagher]

Originally Posted by clem kevin

just bought the book, cant wait to crack into it on the toilet! you should get it too

You're going to be on that porcelain throne for a while. Once I opened that book I couldn't put it down.

[Chaveli]

So stay stock? Should I at least get some oem shocks and struts ???

[granracing]

What do you have on the car now? If the shocks / struts are not blown now, just use what you've got.

[The Destroyer]

Use the money on brake pads and maintenance. All in all, just have fun.