New Time: 86 Sessions Auto-X Day w/SCCA - Aug 21st

[Locust]

Come one, come all! It's time again for the 2nd annual 86 Sessions autocross day with the SCCA on Sunday, August 21st. We'll be doing this one out in Packwood, WA again this year. This is an open invite to everyone in and out of the 86 Sessions group so bring all your friends, too! We should have a class set up specifically for 86es and any non-86es are welcome to run Time-Only PM, Novice PM, or whatever class their car fits into.

*** NEW TIME ***

Pre-meet for the cruise portion will be at McDonalds in Enumclaw at approximately 6:45AM and will depart promptly at 7:15 (or earlier if everyone is there on time). If you need gas please get it before arriving as it's a 100 mile cruise out to Mt. Rainier and there won't be a station until you reach Packwood. The drive is approximately 2 hours pending Prius traffic so if you want to stop and take photos at any of the scenic lookout spots there should be time to stop once and still make it. Registration is open from 7:30AM-8:30AM so if you miss the pre-meet/cruise try to arrive no later than 8:15AM. This way everyone can run both morning and afternoon and get in 8 runs for the day.

*** NEW TIME ***

What you need:
- Pre-register at: http://scorekeeper.wwscc.org/register/nwr2016/
- $50 cash/check entry fee (weekend membership is $15 + entry of $35). *I need to look into this because it may be $45 but the fee structure this year has changed a little.
- Car clean of any debris that might fly around. You can empty it on site if you'd like. Tires must be securely fastened, battery cannot wiggle, and nothing dragging underneath the car (except grounding strips).
- About 1/2 tank of gas. This will easily get you out to Packwood, through the entire event, and into town at one of the two gas stations on an average 86. If you turbo'd your car you may want to carry a little extra.
- Helmet is optional but recommended. We have loaner helmets on site for those that don't have their own.


What you get:
- Four runs on an awesome 60+ second autocross course (designed by me!!!)
- Competition with your fellow 86'ers (bragging rights!)
- Free in car instruction from highly experienced SCCA drivers; some of whom are national champions
- A cruise on one of the most scenic roads in the PNW and a day spent at the most scenic autocross venue in the country
- Great memories and fun times!
- Possibly an exclusive goodie or two. We're still working on the details for this one so stay tuned


Directions:
1. Follow WA-410 E out of Enumclaw to intersection of 410 and 123.
7. Stay right at fork to WA-123S towards Packwood, WA
8. Turn right at end of WA-123S onto HWY 12W
9. Follow HWY 12W through Packwood, WA
10. Look for lumber mill on LEFT as you exit Packwood (there should be an open gate with a couple cones in front of it just past the Tattoosh Motel)


***This event will be updated as further information becomes available.***

[gtslow]

This was a great event last year and I've been out to Packwood numerous times this year as well.

The NW Region SCCA has some of the nicest people you will ever meet who also happen to be into cars. Joey's alright too.

If it is your first time autocrossing check out this link: http://www.nwr-scca.org/solo/start.htm

There is very little risk involved with autocross as well and Packwood is by far the safest site I have ever run on. Don't worry about having the fastest tires for autocross as there are a few 86 regulars who are running on stock tires and still having a blast.

This is definitely a great hobby to participate with our cars as they are nationally competitive in 2 classes (C Street and STX) and since it is timed you will be able to see yourself get better and better after each run.

[slyphen]

Originally Posted by gtslow

This was a great event last year and I've been out to Packwood numerous times this year as well.

The NW Region SCCA has some of the nicest people you will ever meet who also happen to be into cars. Joey's alright too.

If it is your first time autocrossing check out this link: http://www.nwr-scca.org/solo/start.htm

There is very little risk involved with autocross as well and Packwood is by far the safest site I have ever run on. Don't worry about having the fastest tires for autocross as there are a few 86 regulars who are running on stock tires and still having a blast.

This is definitely a great hobby to participate with our cars as they are nationally competitive in 2 classes (C Street and STX) and since it is timed you will be able to see yourself get better and better after each run.

i wonder which 1 of those poor bastard is running on stock tires.

[Pete156]

I've gotta get in on this!

[gtslow]

Originally Posted by slyphen

i wonder which 1 of those poor bastard is running on stock tires.

You, Steven, Travis...

[slyphen]

Originally Posted by gtslow

You, Steven, Travis...

Travis is not running on stock tires.

[soulreapersteve]

Originally Posted by gtslow

You, Steven, Travis...

lawl, lets make this a stock tire only event

[Ragua007]

Anyone from southwest WA/OR planning on going to this?

[RobertPaulson]

Originally Posted by soulreapersteve

lawl, lets make this a stock tire only event

i'll need to borrow someone's set then, i only have winter tires on my stock wheels

[stockysnail]

If we only get 4 runs as the original post suggests, this is too far of a drive for only 4-5 minutes of getting to do autox, plus the cost of entry. If it's 10 or more runs then I would consider it.

[gtslow]

Originally Posted by stockysnail

If we only get 4 runs as the original post suggests, this is too far of a drive for only 4-5 minutes of getting to do autox, plus the cost of entry. If it's 10 or more runs then I would consider it.

If you look at it from a cost per time in seat that may be true, however we had a lot of fun on the cruise down to Packwood last year. That's just typical autocross and how SCCA events are run. There are plenty of people who drive from Oregon for Packwood events. If you want to run 2x (8 runs total) in the same day you can head out to Packwood in the morning and run Time Only or Indexed Time Only. You can run Time Only or ITO2 in the afternoon.

[FNCrazy]

This is exciting I so want to try this but am worried about embarrassing myself. I'd love to go to an event watch and pay a steep entry fee, but it might be worth it. Driving from Eugene though is kind of a bummer.

[Locust]

Originally Posted by FNCrazy

This is exciting I so want to try this but am worried about embarrassing myself. I'd love to go to an event watch and pay a steep entry fee, but it might be worth it. Driving from Eugene though is kind of a bummer.

Well we drive just as far from Seattle as people in Portland do. You won't embarass yourself, guarantee it. Just come out and have fun. Everyone has to start somewhere and if you keep looking at life that way you'll never make it out of bed in the morning!

[Locust]

Originally Posted by stockysnail

If we only get 4 runs as the original post suggests, this is too far of a drive for only 4-5 minutes of getting to do autox, plus the cost of entry. If it's 10 or more runs then I would consider it.

This is something I hear from people a lot. It's really not as bad as you think. The only thing that makes it less cost effective is that you need to work half of the time you're there at an autocross.

For the heck of it though let's look at some financials...

Track day costs between $150-$250 and you get around two to five 20 minute sessions. Let's call it $200 for 60 minutes of track time which is about $3.40 per minute. To keep your car functioning you need to change oil every other event, bleed brake fluid every event or sometimes even between sessions, change tires every 2-4 events, change brake pads every 2-4 events, etc. etc. etc. These costs start to add up. So while you're paying less for seat time you're paying a lot more per event in car maintenance. The faster and longer you go the more stress on the car.

Autocross is about $30 for 4 runs (plus a club membership if you don't have one) so about $7.50 per minute. You can do an entire autocross season on the same set of tires, 2-3 seasons on the same brake pads/rotors, change your oil a couple times a season, and you don't really need to bleed brake fluid.

Yes, you get less time on course per time/money invested. But the event is also safer. You're almost never going to total your car if you screw up at an autocross. There's also more opportunity to work on car control. If you're sliding sideways/spinning on a track you're in trouble. At autocross that's just a bad run.

The best way to look at autocross is like a social outing that includes racing. There's a lot of time to talk with people and go for rides with them in their cars. If you want to maximize your time and money you can probably see the course at speed 12-14 times in a half day (8-10 as passenger and 4 as driver).