2014 MD/DC/NoVa Autocross Season
 

If you're like me than you are anxiously waiting for autocross season to start up again. Typically we'll get rolling in mid to late March with some clubs running preliminary events, and things ramping up in April. Hopefully, those of you who I enjoyed racing with last year will be back again this season, and those who would like to try it out will come and join us.

Typically, I compile a list of events for the season, combining the three main clubs that I run with, and will be doing so again once the schedules are released. Hopefully I will be able to do that soon, and post it here for everyone's reference. I typically run with WDCR SCCA, Capital Driving Club, and Autocrossers Inc, and will be including those club's events in the master schedule. There are a few other clubs that host events, such as the BMW and Porsche clubs, and I would look to anyone who runs with them to share their schedules.

Hope to see everyone soon. I'll be rolling in STX class again this year, but with shiny new RPF1's and some fatter ZII's. Anyone else have anything autocross oriented they did to their car since last season?

I just bought the car a few months ago. I will be racing in SCCA this year in STX. I just bought a some kw coilovers and will probably be running rivals. I used to race my old civic si off and on.

Ive picked up a set of rpf1s also with some rivals on them but ill be switching to Z2s after i kill them. Also will be getting pads/rotors/ss lines soon. Ill be doing the full CDC schedule plus some others this year. I dont think ill do any scca until i get some coilovers though

Added some Power and Suspension. Lets start sliding!

I think it was November when I last drove the FRS... so I haven't really done anything yet, but at the least I'll have new tires, front bar, and brake pads. I think I'm going to run 16s and also have a decent set of tires for the stock wheels. I'll run either CS, CSR, or STX, or beg someone to let me codrive.

As my schedule allows, I'll run all of the WDCR events, most NCC and AI events, and I'll be doing ~4 SCCA national events this year.

NCC schedule is already out:
3/29 Bowie: Novice School #1
5/24 Bowie: Novice School #2
4/26 Bowie
5/10 Regency
6/28 Regency
8/2 Regency
9/13 Regency
10/11 Bowie

I ran CS this past season, and I will be competing in CSP this year. My modifications are track-oriented, hence why I'll be the underdog in SP lol.

I'm considering running with NASA as well this year. I noticed they will have a Test & Tune event on Feb. 2 in Petersburg, VA (http://www.nasaproracing.com/event/1762).

I bought some sweet new stickers for my car for autocross this year. I can't wait!

I'll have upgraded front brake pads. Given the Christmas money windfall I might look into suspension. Depends if I wanna do that or cosmetic crap again (I still need them LED DRLs...)

I plan to run all of CDC and maybe a few AI events. I'm not interested in official SCCA since I'm modified now and it'd just be a joke anyways.

I have #overnightedpartsfromjapan Brembo brakes. Hopefully I can pick up half a second with my "investment"

Yeah but AI uses SCCA classing. Wouldn't being a joke in one be a joke in the other?

The atmosphere at AI is less serious so I don't feel bad about being a joke :-)

Alan what are you doing in here!

Matt, you have some real skill for sure. That turbo hurts you big time on SCCA classing though, as you know, at least compared to CS, RTR, or STX. I think at AI you'll be fine in CP or CM, whatever the boooooost puts you into. If you wanna run SCCA I bet you could run non-comp STX just to come hang out and enjoy the awesome lot.

Did you get toyota oem wheels? :bonk:

While I haven't done any of this yet, here's my list of whats going on my car probably in Feb/March:

ACT Clutch w/ ProLite Flywheel
Drive Shaft Shop CF Driveshaft
Driveway Labs Rear Diffuser
Stiffer springs
Shorai battery (probably PTuning mount kit)
2nd set of Enkei RPF-1's with Hoosier R6's

These mods are primarily for NASA Time Trials, but I'm sure they'll come in handy for autocross as well. Also might get an E85 tune, I want to see if i can be competitive without it first though as I'm not a huge fan of running E85 on a car that wasn't specifically designed for it.

If you're talking about Toyota center caps yeah I have those on my OEMs which I use for winter tires.

Just changed over from the PC680 battery to the Shorai and went from stock 30#+ down to 14# (PC680) down to 4.6# (shorai), which is a huge weight savings.

Got some great prices on the Ohlin RT coilovers with your name on it. Same setup on my car :)

I abandoned the Z2s for now. I just ordered the new Yokohamas, so we'll see if they're money or a waste of money. Now I just have to find some light 17x7 rims for the ridiculous CS rules.

Okay, I made my list for 2014:
1. Rims
2. 19-20mm or Strano FSB
3. Brake pads
4. Wheel studs
5. Toyo R1R if the Yokohamas suck
6. Dunlop Z2 if the Yokohamas and Toyos suck
7. Beat Fred
8. Go back to BMWs

I mean that is really what it is all about. Is he going to CS from RTR as well?

So CDC is implementing optional fun classes for people to check off at registration for 2014. This wont be a club supported thing for trophies, just a class people can check off so one can sort the data and compare easier. There is a thread going right now about what classes to have, and it looks like FR-S/BRZ will be one. There is no prep restrictions, just the car itself, to keep it easy and on the fun side.

Should be cool since we can all check off and compete in it, similar to what the Miatas do now in small-bore. I am excited to see how we all can do with some fun competitiveness, and if running some events in Waldorf on a larger lot will change the landscape of the results.

Kosei K4R's are 17x7 and weigh 14 lbs. They're somewhere around $200 each. Those are some seriously light wheels.

I wish you and the Blue Jays the best.

Fred

That's what I'll end up with for 17s, but I want to try 16s too. I'll probably run spacers because the offset is a little high.

That's cool CDC is creating an FRS/BRZ class, but I doubt I'll get to any of their events this year.

Has anyone else done any new mods for 2014?

Glad to hear the fun can be had by all. Now I really gotta get that suspension work so I can compete.

I'll be on KW's here shortly :drool:

I think I am ready to finally go nuts lets hope I can recall my skills since they have been dormant for a while. Also I am betting I will need new tires half way thru the season which is fine.

First year for me, I'm 16.. am i aloud to go to the autocross? if i am i'm hoping to see yall there. AT sadly but i guess it'll have to do. :(

I dont think age is a factor so long as you have a drivers license. Maybe being under 18... but I'm really not sure. Check up a few of the clubs and their FAQs.

As for autocrossing in an AT, you'll be fine. If you look up videos, a lot of people in AT autocross just fine.

*EDIT* Yeah, so long as you have a valid license you're fine. Here are some of the rules copy/pasted from one of the autocross groups in the VA/MD area:

All drivers must have a valid driver's license. All drivers must be at least 16 years of age, unless otherwise noted.

Passengers may be any age provided they (and their parent or legal guardian, where appropriate) have signed the waiver and abide by all safety rules.

It depends on the club. You will obviously need a driver's license, and some clubs require a notarized letter signed by your parents.

On the other hand, if you want a taste of performance driving, anyone under 21ish should definitely take a Street Survival school. They are run locally by the BMW club. The schedule is being ironed out though there should be two in the spring; one in Sykesville, MD and one in Dulles, VA.

PCA requires parents' signatures for under 18.

X2 on Street Survival


Recent MotorWeek had a piece on the events:


http://video.pbs.org/video/2365159530/


My wife was instructing the young lady in the green beetle.

I am looking to get involved this season. I live in Fairfax, VA. I've never autocrossed before so any advice is greatly appreciated on where and which one i should sign up for. It would be cool to go with some other 86ers to get some input also. Thanks.

Fast forward to about 7:00 minute mark for driving class part. Even an FR-S in there.

Another driving org. is 'Drivers Edge'. It is free but they take donations and I took my son to this when he started driving. They will be coming to the D.C area sometime this year. If you have a teen you want to take to this, you need to watch for when registration opens as it usually fills up fast. It was held at FedEx field the time we went. http://driversedge.org/tour It was well worth it and I even learned some things.

A bunch of us go to CDC (Capital Driving Club) events. Fee is quite reasonable and there are a bunch of twin drivers with varying mods and experience.

We also typically meet up once every two weeks in Fairfax at Fast Eddies. Check the Mid-Atlantic Bi-Weekly Fairfax meet up thread if you're interested.

Awesome thanks. Ive been trying to make one of the meets in Fairfax. I usually work late on Wednesdays but should be able to make one soon. I'll take a look at Capital Driving Club.

Have fun this season guys...my first event down here in FL is the 22nd with SCCA, gulf coast region.

CDC is a good start. I've been twice, once with the FR-S. Nice group of drivers.

Went to nasas chilicross today and had a great time, sadly my gopro died before my 2 fastest runs but i might upload one of my runs after i watch the super bowl

I won't be back home until mid-may. I look forward to some events after that!

I'd recommend looking into the SCCA's autox schools. They're some of the best in the country, imo. Really friendly group with great instructors. The schedule hasn't been posted yet, but I've been told sometime in March.

Here is a tentative collection of CDC, AI, and SCCA event dates and locations. Keep in mind that all of this is preliminary and subject to change, so always double check, but this is what I have so far:
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/b...psbe8e5bde.jpg