El Toro is generally not run as the normal venue, but is occasionally used. We normally run out of California Speedway. Not sure if any other groups use El Toro though...

Sports Car Club of America.
http://www.scca.com/home.aspx

I believe (and maybe others have better info) that as of this year, SCCA sanctioned events require all participants to be SCCA members.

Weekend SCCA membership is $5 and the entry fee is $35, for those events listed on solo2.com.

how do I become a SCCA member? so the $35 or $40 gets you how many races? and one other thing besides then a SCCA membership and i'm guessing a helmet do you need anything else to race?

Modified by mike03,95civic at 5:04 PM 5/12/2008

Do lots of reading and I highly suggest going to several events even before you participate to see how it all works.

I'm unsure of what you mean by "racing." Autocross isn't most people's idea of racing, so I just want to understand what your definition is. If you mean true wheel-to-wheel racing, start at http://www.scca.com. If you mean trackday events/HPDE sort of things, start with my own thread here: http://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=972109

If you mean autocross, I think you can find that through the SCCA link, too.

Some autocross general info
http://www.civicforums.com/for....html
I have not read it through though. It was linked to from the FAQ.

Speaking of the FAQ
http://honda-tech.com/zerothread/353425
it contains quite a bit of info, and is worth browsing through.

I'm certainly no expert, but I have been autocrossing with the Cal Club Region for 1.5 years now, which is why I had the URL for the calendar ready.
http://solo2.com/
will have a good amount of information to read through.

Don't worry about membership yet. If you're still curious after doing a bit of homework, just show up, enter an event (or spectate), and ask lots of questions. You might run into the random punk who dislikes strangers, but most people are generally very receptive to helping new people learn about the sport. We were all clueless newbies at one point.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions I can answer. Or, just find me at the event on May 25th. Red Integra, #595 in STS class. I probably won't be there before 11AM or so though (running in the afternoon).

Generally, yes, there will be enough loaners.

Snell is a company that rates helmets (probably other things too for all I know).
To check, there should be a sticker inside of the helmet, under the padding, on one side. Many also have a sticker at the very back.

Bad pic, but they're in this location (side varies, check both).

tuner n00b i just joined SCCA, might try to find you if i go on the 25th and a have a chat.

Quote, originally posted by JDMF22B »

I hardly doubt the convo went like this... Cop:Yo, kid. You hit my friend, pay up 1300 or ur getting raped. LATE

Got some sick new wheels! No more Rotas.

what i'm wondering is do different helmets come with different snal ratings?

also if any body knows about any other groups other than SCCA that put on autocross at el toro let me know. its so close to my house so it would be real nice not to have to drive far.

Snell, not snal.
http://www.smf.org/

The requirements for approval change over time. The number, is the year that the helmet was tested to comply with. A Snell 95 complies with how they tested in 95, and only valid for a set number of years before it requires replacement. They do not number for every year, btw. SA2005 (or M2005 for a motorcycle helmet) would be the most recent.

I believe I am still using an M2000 helmet, and do not believe it to be any less safe than a car helmet for my uses. The additional testing for SA rating involves ability to withstand an impact with a roll cage (which I lack) and fire resistance (please let that never be a concern during autocross). I also prefer the larger eyeport that many motorcycle helmets have.

I am in the process of making my first roll bar but i don't know what standards have to be met for autocross racing that requires this. any information or links for the specifications on this would be very helpful.

Eh, no rollbar. Its dead weight for an autocross car (and in a bad location too), and you lose the ability to ever carry passengers in the back seat.

http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=61

Read the rules for rollbars, if you really want to use one.

thanks for the link. why is a rollbar useless for autocross? And so far as the passenger thing it's not a big deal because i have another civic to drive more passengers.

First of all you will never get your car going fast enough to ever roll it over, and second it provides next to no structual rigidity.

Quote, originally posted by Mr. E.G. »

whoa, thats tough. i guess i would have to say that i would rather lick a dudes asshole that sick his duck.

RIP Earl Laskey 1944 - 2006 You will be missed

I agree that it's probably not necessary to save your life, but I completely disagree that cars don't go fast enough to roll in autocross. I've personally witnessed two rollovers - at low speed. Also, on the larger courses like San Diego, some cars get up over 100mph. Also, if the "rollbar" is a cage, it can and will stiffen the chassis, especially if it's welded to the frame at various points along its edges.

don't some autocross events require you to have a roll bar? if so it seems like there would be a point to it. your probably right though that i won't roll it but i could see how with the right circumstances it could happen.

thanks for your input kb58.

As far as I know (and I haven't really looked into it much) you can't weld in a cage for most autocross classes. Bolt in 6 point cage or bolt or weld in 4 point bar, with no additional ties to the chassis.

And yes, you can flip a car during an autocross. However, I believe the vast majority of cars that have rolled were all in stock classes, meaning R compound tires, high center's of gravity, and soft suspensions. I really don't think you could flip a car on true street tires (and hopefully no one ever proves me wrong) without sliding into something physical sideways.

I haven't been down to San Diego myself, but if they're getting up to 100mph... Truth be told, I was a bit frightened the first time I hit my rev limiter in 2nd gear, knowing I was going 68mph in a parking lot...

But, there is some risk to any motorsport, and that should never be forgotten.

so are you saying you think that i wouldn't be allowed to race in autocross with a roll bar like i'm talking about in my car?

I'm saying I'm no rules expert, and that you should check the rules.

I believe, that if you have a standard bolt in or weld in 4 point rollbar, you'll be fine. If you have it connected to the B or C pillars, or other forms of chassis stiffening, you might not be compliant with the rules for most of the classes.

Of course, having mods outside of the rules is hardly an issue for a novice at their first event. Worst that would happen is you get protested (not gonna happen unless you win a class) and have your time not count.

alright i'll check it out even though this is going to be a 4 point rollbar. good information though, i wouldn't of even thought about that if you didn't bring it up.