New to Autocross - What Class?

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

I think the best thing for me at this point is to take you up on the offer and come to a Chicago Region event, introduce myself, watch how things are run, and ask a lot of questions.

Whatever you end up doing, get a ride along with someone who looks like they know what they're doing. I wouldn't have gotten hooked if I didn't ride along with someone who blew my little rookie mind on my first day, it absolutely made me want to come back and get better.

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

Thanks for the good information! When you say that a chat with the competitors locally will suffice, do you mean that even if some of my parts aren’t legal for SM that talking with them may get them to overlook it because I’m not interested in points and probably won’t be competitive anyway? That’s the way I read it, but I just want to make sure I got it right.

Absolutely, I've seen guys self class in STX with superchargers, but they were so far off the fast times nobody bothered them.

[RJasonKlein]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Whatever you end up doing, get a ride along with someone who looks like they know what they're doing. I wouldn't have gotten hooked if I didn't ride along with someone who blew my little rookie mind on my first day, it absolutely made me want to come back and get better.

That’s a great suggestion and I’ll definitely try to find someone to let me ride shotgun - I know I’d love it. Two related questions, though: Won’t my weight hinder their run? If so, why would they let me ride with them?

On a side note, your user name makes me think you play a vintage Stratocaster. If so, keep on rocking - I have a Fender Custom Shop ‘62 Jazzmaster in Sonic Blue, but it would be cooler if it was actually a ‘62!

[14stu]

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

That’s a great suggestion and I’ll definitely try to find someone to let me ride shotgun - I know I’d love it. Two related questions, though: Won’t my weight hinder their run? If so, why would they let me ride with them?

On a side note, your user name makes me think you play a vintage Stratocaster. If so, keep on rocking - I have a Fender Custom Shop ‘62 Jazzmaster in Sonic Blue, but it would be cooler if it was actually a ‘62!

Most people love spreading some knowledge and impressing the new guys, and sometimes, a passenger balances the car. Generally, most people will take passengers at least for the first half of their runs (often even more).

In my 9 years and hundreds of autox events, I've only been turned down for a ride once and I've only declined a passenger once (maybe twice, but I helped the person get a ride in the next heat).

You'll be surprised how helpful everyone is willing to be, especially if you have a good attitude (you sound like you've got that part down).

[Jamestl]

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

Yeah, they do. I had the Whiteline bushings first, but got the Perrin steering rack lockdowns later thinking I could further eliminate play - if I had to do it over again, I would have skipped the bushings because the Perrin pieces make them unnecessary.

Got it. Did you find that the lockdown is not effective thank the bushing? I decided on the lockdown simply b/c it was so easy to install!

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by RJasonKlein

That’s a great suggestion and I’ll definitely try to find someone to let me ride shotgun - I know I’d love it. Two related questions, though: Won’t my weight hinder their run? If so, why would they let me ride with them?

On a side note, your user name makes me think you play a vintage Stratocaster. If so, keep on rocking - I have a Fender Custom Shop ‘62 Jazzmaster in Sonic Blue, but it would be cooler if it was actually a ‘62!

Yes
Because even though a lot of people go through a 'srs bsns' phase with autocross (myself included) most people are out there to have fun, it's not likely that the first or second run will be fastest for most people so having a passenger is not highly likely to ruin their day. Add in the idea that taking someone for a ride is likely to be a highlight of their day and many are willing to sacrifice a few tenths of a second.

The 61 is unrelated to my instrument collection unfortunately, I didn't think I'd spend as much time on this forum as I did so I picked a throwaway name from when I was a kid.

[Stang70Fastback]

I also compete in Chicago Region events. I honestly would suggest you just go ahead and register. Don't worry about starting off "spectating" until you figure out what to do. This is a very friendly sport for new drivers, and you'll have a lot more fun actually participating! I would just recommend registering as SM, and then talking with people day-of. They can change your class if necessary; it isn't a big deal.

Look forward to seeing you out there! I'll be the guy running two-season old tires, drifting around the whole course, lol.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

I also compete in Chicago Region events. I honestly would suggest you just go ahead and register. Don't worry about starting off "spectating" until you figure out what to do. This is a very friendly sport for new drivers, and you'll have a lot more fun actually participating! I would just recommend registering as SM, and then talking with people day-of. They can change your class if necessary; it isn't a big deal.

Look forward to seeing you out there! I'll be the guy running two-season old tires, drifting around the whole course, lol.

You'll be sent packing. You know better than to drift the course.

My tires will be rather muddy...

[RJasonKlein]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

I also compete in Chicago Region events. I honestly would suggest you just go ahead and register. Don't worry about starting off "spectating" until you figure out what to do. This is a very friendly sport for new drivers, and you'll have a lot more fun actually participating! I would just recommend registering as SM, and then talking with people day-of. They can change your class if necessary; it isn't a big deal.

Look forward to seeing you out there! I'll be the guy running two-season old tires, drifting around the whole course, lol.

I think that’s exactly what I should do, and all of you guys on this forum have made me a lot more comfortable just jumping in an giving it a try. I hope to catch up with you guys at the track - be on the lookout for the slow guy!

[RJasonKlein]

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

I also compete in Chicago Region events. I honestly would suggest you just go ahead and register. Don't worry about starting off "spectating" until you figure out what to do. This is a very friendly sport for new drivers, and you'll have a lot more fun actually participating! I would just recommend registering as SM, and then talking with people day-of. They can change your class if necessary; it isn't a big deal.

Look forward to seeing you out there! I'll be the guy running two-season old tires, drifting around the whole course, lol.

I think that’s exactly what I should do, and all of you guys on this forum have made me a lot more comfortable just jumping in an giving it a try. I hope to catch up with you guys at the track - be on the lookout for the slow guy!

Oh, by the way, @Stang70Fastback you have a cool blog with great photography - I’ve checked it out several times in the past!

[TrqlessWonder]

If you're feeling adventurous/trusting about seeing potential... You could also offer to have an instructor drive your car for a run. Consumes one of your runs as a non-counted run (or can, depends on local rules), but it's one of the ways it set the hook in me. Particularly when you watch a stranger (in my case, a 250+lb guy) beat you by multiple seconds with your own stick, after you figure there's nothing left out there.

The instructors also like seeing the student's eyes light up a little when things start to click for them about what just happened and why it was different.

[strat61caster]

^ +1
Maybe not on the first day, but at some point absolutely hand the keys over to an expert, you'll learn a ton. Although the sooner you do it the sooner you'll have a few lightbulbs click on.

[Stang70Fastback]

Oooo! PICK ME! PICK ME!!! *waves hand furiously*

[sirbobbinhood]

+1 for letting a pro drive. It was required for the regional autocross school I went to and it's crazy how fast your car can go when someone who has some experience gets behind the wheel.
I still like letting other guys take it out it's a great way to learn what the limits of the car are and to see what different driving styles in your same car feel like.

[Imp]

Originally Posted by sirbobbinhood

+1 for letting a pro drive. It was required for the regional autocross school I went to and it's crazy how fast your car can go when someone who has some experience gets behind the wheel.
I still like letting other guys take it out it's a great way to learn what the limits of the car are and to see what different driving styles in your same car feel like.

And usually no where near the limits of the car (unless they have something similar and know). Ive usually done 75-80%, and at the end of the run "Wait, that was dialed back?" Yeah.


--kC