This is topic How do you guys get started in AutoX/Road racing? in forum Road Racing, Auto X & Drifting at Northern California Ford Owners .
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Posted by 1.3_liters (Member # 2143) on
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After driving around on Redwood road the other day I got such a rush and really want to try autox and roadracing. For those of you that do this, can you spare a moment and give me some details.
How much does it cost, do you need a license? How often? I've never even seen an event but I want to get into this. thanks.
Posted by 2000BlackGT (Member # 283) on
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I'm assuming you're under 25 so you can join the SpeedFreaks program in the SCCA for I believe around $30 a year. You should really try out a street school program around thunderhill. It's 190 for the all day school. People say that its way expensive, but look at it this way. When I go to Sac Raceway I pay $40 and get roughly 6 runs in at 13 and a half seconds each pass so that is 81 seconds in the car racing and at the street school there are 3-4 12 minute sessions on the track alone. Good luck bud and try www.thunderhill.com
Posted by racercosmo (Member # 1864) on
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Here are a few links for you.
http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/index.html
http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/
http://www.norcal-saac.org/
Posted by 1.3_liters (Member # 2143) on
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I'll check out the links, BTW Im 32.
Posted by kpl (Member # 1879) on
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It's probably better to do some auto-x before open-track, though I didn't go that route. Looking back however that probably would have been better.
I first did an event with Nor-cal SAAC. Once a year they have a school which is 1/2 day instruction, and the remainder of the weekend open-track, but you could have instructors ride along with you the whole weekend if you want.
I also did 2 street/high-perf schools up at thunderhill. It used to be $175 no too long ago. You get lots of track time so it's well worth it. Plus there is tons of run-off room at Thunderhill, unlike Sears or Laguna.
NASA has HPDE, which I haven't attended, but know several people that have and mostly have heard good things about it.
Nor-cal SAAC also has some auto-x events, pretty low key so first timers should feel pretty comfortable. Held primarily at the Marina Airport, but with the current wierdness there I don't know what's going to happen next year. NASA used to use the airport also. I believe they still have events up at Sears though. I haven't done a SCCA auto-x but heard you don't get many runs so it seemed like a waste of time to go out to one.
Oh yeah, these organizations have different requirements as to safety gear. Be sure to check with each to find out what their requirements are before you go (i.e. some require you to have a fire extinquisher in the car, etc.). The school at Thunderhill seems to be the most lenient.
[ December 05, 2002, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: kpl ]
Posted by DaveG (Member # 1606) on
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Not sure as to how far you're willing to travel but checkout http://www.socalsvtoa.com/ . They're having a event next week!!! I have done a couple of events with these guys, all I can say is I'm hooked!!!
In case you do decide to go I recommend that you bring extra brake fluid and the neccissary tools to bleed your brakes. Spare brake pads help as well as I went through a set of new brakes in one weekend!!!
Posted by Tri-Bar (Member # 2191) on
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I run with the Fresno Chapter of the SCCA. for $25.00 Non-Members,$20.00 Members you can get 5 runs most of the time. And have a blast.We run over at Atwater, Castle Air Force Base.
Posted by Drift-GT (Member # 762) on
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Ok here is the skinny. If you want to try it just to see how you like it I am going to recommend you go to a SCCA event in Sacramento. I say this for a couple of reasons; #1 they set up there tracks to be bigger for muscle cars. #2 You do not need to be a member of SCCA (unlike the bay area) you just pay an extra $5.00 ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
#3 It is not that far away. Have fun any questions hit me up. Peace
Posted by 1.3 Liters (Member # 1428) on
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quote:
Originally posted by Drift-GT:
Ok here is the skinny. If you want to try it just to see how you like it I am going to recommend you go to a SCCA event in Sacramento. I say this for a couple of reasons; #1 they set up there tracks to be bigger for muscle cars. #2 You do not need to be a member of SCCA (unlike the bay area) you just pay an extra $5.00 #3 It is not that far away. Have fun any questions hit me up. Peace
Im interested in this, where is it located in sac and how much does it cost?
The fresno thing sounds cool, its just too far.
Thanks
Thanks everyone for your replies. I"m interested
Posted by Drift-GT (Member # 762) on
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They are done for this season but here is the web site http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/Sacramento/index.html
The location has been changing the past year or so. But they will either use the air force base strip, or cal Expo’s big ass parking lot. Last time I ran there in the RX-7 it was $30.00 and I am not a member (not this year ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
) Check there calendar after the first of the year if it is not already updated now. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Posted by darien87 (Member # 2022) on
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One thing I've wondered about open track: Are there any events where you can just run a course on your own? I'd really love to do some open tracking, but my car is my baby and she's my only vehicle. I'd really hate for someone to smash into me.
Posted by racercosmo (Member # 1864) on
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Unless you rent a track all for yourself, then that's not very likely. Russell Racing School has high performance street courses which have about 4 or 5 cars in each group, that way you can space yourself out.
Posted by Wolfie351 (Member # 651) on
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I did the Competition course at Bondurant to get into it. Mega $$$ but I learned a lot. After "graduating" I qualified for an IMSA racing license and a provisional SCCA license. It's not like I did anything with them, but at least it sounds cool
I think the Thunderhill street school would be the best bet to get into it. Auto-X can be fun but, personally, it doesn't float my boat the way open tracking does.
Posted by CobraKilla (Member # 1449) on
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quote:
Originally posted by Drift-GT:
Ok here is the skinny. If you want to try it just to see how you like it I am going to recommend you go to a SCCA event in Sacramento. I say this for a couple of reasons; #1 they set up there tracks to be bigger for muscle cars. #2 You do not need to be a member of SCCA (unlike the bay area) you just pay an extra $5.00 #3 It is not that far away. Have fun any questions hit me up. Peace
Well thats wrong...You are thinking of American Auto-X...They set the course up for high Hp old Vettes basically. You dont have to be a SCCA member as you said. Check it...
www.americanauto-x.com
Posted by ihatethesesns (Member # 684) on
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quote:
Originally posted by 1.3_liters:
After driving around on Redwood road the other day I got such a rush and really want to try autox and roadracing.
Man be careful out on redwood I spun out up there and wasnt pushing it at all when I was coming from the shooting range. Wonder if my big X is still in the road. LOL ![[burnout]](graemlins/burnout.gif)
Posted by Drift-GT (Member # 762) on
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quote:
Originally posted by CobraKilla:
quote:
Originally posted by Drift-GT:
Ok here is the skinny. If you want to try it just to see how you like it I am going to recommend you go to a SCCA event in Sacramento. I say this for a couple of reasons; #1 they set up there tracks to be bigger for muscle cars. #2 You do not need to be a member of SCCA (unlike the bay area) you just pay an extra $5.00 #3 It is not that far away. Have fun any questions hit me up. Peace
Well thats wrong...You are thinking of American Auto-X...They set the course up for high Hp old Vettes basically. You dont have to be a SCCA member as you said. Check it...
www.americanauto-x.com
Well your wrong ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
. Every SCCA event I have been to in Sac is a LOT larger than the ones in the Bay area (and you don't have to be a memeber). I should know I drive a tiny ass car and it give me a lot more room to pitch out the rear end . And yes the American Auto-X series is also out ther, as well as CSCC (http://www.csccautox.org/), so there .
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