I have read a lot of posts from people who race on road courses, and autocross events. Can anyone tell me if there are any good courses in NJ, PA(eastern), or NY(lower up-state)?

I'd like to add my support for this question, as I'm curious myself.

I'm not too far from Road Atlanta, but I know there is no chance of getting on there. I would be very interested in knowing of any courses that your average joe could get on and abuse our vehicles.

There has to be some. I will need a place to play with my RX-8 when I get it.:p

Mid Ohio from time to time. But best bet is join SCCA and they'll set you up with events all over North America even some in Mexico.:D

Originally posted by KayakDaddy
I'm not too far from Road Atlanta, but I know there is no chance of getting on there. Says who? :) I can take my car to Laguna Seca and drive it around there. It's a little more expensive than lesser-known tracks but it's still easily done.

Check with your local SCCA and NASA regions and see where they run their road racing programs.

Me, I've got 4 tracks not too far from where I am...
Buttonwillow - 1 hour, 40 minutes
Laguna Seca - 2 hours, 15 minutes
Willow Springs - 3 hours
Thunderhill - 4 hours

Quick Q about autoxing... do you need to buy a helmet? And if so, what kind, how much, and where can I get one? :)

Anything as long as its realatively new even Bicycle helmet would be adiquite. But just check with SCCA to make real sure.

And whats NASA not North America Space Administration??:confused:

NASA = National Auto Sport Association

And for autocrossing you definitely need more than a bicycle helmet! I believe a motorbike helmet may work but I don't know. I do know the automotive minimum is a Snell 90 helmet (not sold anymore - all new helmets are Snell 2000 now). Some autox regions will have loaner helmets for you to borrow in exchange for your driver's license. I used my local region's loaner helmets for a year before getting my own brain bucket.

As for how much... new they can range from $100 to, well... a lot. ;) Mine was $280 a couple years ago, it's a Simpson Super Voyager full face helmet, Snell 95.

http://home.earthlink.net/~bryan64/pics/me-2.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~bryan64/pics/thunderhill/meturn1.jpg

I've since spruced it up with some stickers. :D

Edit - bought it from the son of an Indy 500 winner. :cool: <-- Useless tidbit

I only Xcrossed twice this year so loaners is what I used and they ranged from the bike up to totally inclosed models so I was only going by my experiance.