½mv²

Let's pretend for a minute:

You pull your RX-8 into a parking lot. You get out of your car and notice that this lot is not only enormous, but it's also completely empty. Suddenly a guy walks up to you and says: "Hey, I've got a crapload of cones and chalk on me. Would you like me to set up a mini race track around this lot for you? It'll be totally legal, too - I've got all the documentation right here. All you need to do is sign this one paper."

Would you say yes?
You're damn skippy you would.

The guy then says "I like you. I'll even do it for real cheap. I'll only charge you what it would cost you for a full tank of gas. Plus I'll even throw in some free magnetic numbers to make your car look all race-like, and loan you a helmet for safety. Hell, I'll even set up some laser tripwires at the start and finish lines to give you some serious lap times!"

Would you say OK?
Yes. Yes, you would.








Alright, back to reality...


Attention RX-8 club:
The Houston SCCA has a crapload of cones and chalk on them. On Sunday, March 7th they will be setting up a mini race track around an enormous, empty parking lot. All you need to do is sign a single waiver and you can legally race on it. The Houston SCCA really likes newbies, and will only charge you $45 to participate (about the cost of a full tank). Plus, they provide free loaner helmets and magnetic numbers for your car (makes it look all race-like).


To Register:
1 - goto www.DLBRacing.com & create an account (free)
2 - On the DLBRacing calendar, click the "register" icon for the HouSCCA event on 3/7
3 - Follow the instructions on the site. (Pick any number you want & select "I will 'buy' numbers at the event". Register for class STB.)

To Compete:
1 - 07:30 AM Arrive at site using the entrance I've kindly marked for you on this map
2 - Drive up to one of the MANY cars you will see parked there.
3 - Ask ANYONE there for help, and let them know you are a newbie. They will be more than happy to help.




Yes, it's that easy to autocross.

If you have any questions, there's TONS of info on their website: Houston Region SCCA

If you have any autocross related questions, I would recommend you post on the HouSCCA forums, as they will get back to you much faster that I will.





Hope to see you all there!

SPHINX144

i might come to check it out.

rotarygod

$45!!! Holy crap! When I used to autoX, back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, they only charged $25. I complained about the price back then. Gulf Greyhound Park is a full tank of gas away!

Shijin-Kun

iTrader: (1)

ill be there sporting my new set up.

½mv²

Actually, autocrossing only costs $30 dollars. However, for insurance reasons, the SCCA no longer allows non-members to participate in any events. Instead, they now offer "Weekend Memberships" which cost $15.

At first, this sounds like a way for the SCCA to pad their bottom line. However, if you decide to become an SCCA member later on they will reduce the cost of membership by $15, so in the end you actually break even. (Assuming, of course, that you decide to become a member)


Personally, I don't think $30 or $45 bucks a month is that much extra to spend... especially for something this much fun.

Myardor

iTrader: (7)

No
and
NO
I wud then ask
how much will u pay me to go around ?
will u loan me ur car? and pay me to mess it up? ( not too good in downshifting)
heck i hear a few noises when i do that.
and the
for insurance reasons,
KILLS THE DEAL
went once and lucky me. ...it was the day they said....for insurance reasons,
never looked back

½mv²

Not sure what you're talking about, or where you've been autocrossing...

All autocrosses start out with a sharp turn, so you never need to launch, so you wont hurt your clutch, tranny, or differential.

During that first turn, you should shift into 2nd gear (and not a speed shift, either, because it's faster to ease into 2nd while turning), which is the gear you'll be in until you cross the finish line (in my years of Autocross I've never had to downshift), so you wont hurt your tranny.

After that it's just turning, braking, and gassing between 35-50 mph, so you wont hurt your engine.


The only things you will hurt is your tires and brakes, but by how much you hurt them is completely up to you. I mean, yes it's a timed event, yes it's a "race", but the atmosphere no more competitive than that of your local bowling alley or pool hall. There are a few small groups of people that are there to play for keeps, but the VAST majority is just out there to have fun. There's no money to win, no glory to claim, and no fame to claim - it's just about going out and having fun in your car with other like-minded individuals.
There's no reason to push your car any harder than you're comfortable.


As for all that "for insurance reasons" stuff... I understand that it sucks, but the cost of membership is worth it. You get discounts everywhere. Oil changes, tires, rotations, parts... you can flash your membership and they'll always find some kind of discount for you. And like I said, they give that $15 "insurance" back to you.
...And this is just hearsay, but due to the economy, they might be lowering the cost to $5 soon, if not doing away with it completely, so don't give up on them yet

Shijin-Kun

iTrader: (1)

ill be hitting you at the autox event for some more pointers.