Alright guys, you've heard me talk about these more or less non-stop for the last year and the first one is coming up in in 6 weeks! The way our SCCA Region (NWR) runs these is they turn it into a 2 day event. Saturday May 1st is going to be a Pro-Solo while Sunday is a normal AutoX, both at Packwood.

Event Links:

• Saturday: http://nwr-scca.org/solo/pro.htm
• Sunday: http://nwr-scca.org/solo/nextevent.htm

What's a Pro-Solo?

A pro-solo is two mirrored AutoX courses, usually around 30 seconds long each when done in Packwood. You line up with a car in the opposite course and you both launch with a drag start, complete with light tree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY7ZFCHRlmY

You get 4 runs on each side of the course and they always line you up against someone from the same class. Competition is done via your best combined time of the two sides and it is still PAX'ed based on your car's class.

What class do I put my car in?

Most of the common mods people do are compatible with the Street Touring classes (STU or STX, usually depending on the wheel width you're running). The big caveat right now is that the AEM/MS CAI is technically illegal for the class because you have to remove/cut a plastic panel. This is new for 2010 One of these days I want to put together a spreadsheet mapping common mods to SCCA class requirements so people can quickly check without reading the 230+ page rule book.

If you're unsure what class your car falls into, just post and ask! We'll try and help


Where the hell is Packwood?

Map and Directions.

It's about 100 miles from Seattle and 140 from Portland. It's hands down the best site for local autocross. It's where our National Tour stop is and both the NW Region and the Portland Region of the SCCA use it regularly. The Porsche club uses it for a "Duel at the Mill" event once a year as well. If that's not enough to convince you, it's also the site preferred by the Evolution driving school.



I hear you have to get up *** Early to go to these events, is that true?

Yah. But, what's cool about Packwood is you can go the night before and camp out. The pits are in an empty Warehouse so it's dry (though not warm) and there's usually a bit of a party (or so I've been told) the nights before and between these two events. There's also a Motel down the street and a few other options.

How early is *** Early? Well, if you're in the first run group you need to be there and registered before 8AM, which meant leaving Seattle by 6am for me... yah...




So... how about we make a Seattle vs. Portland side bet?

If we can get enough of us to go (it would be a blast to have like 10 RX-8's there) then the losing city buys the beer at the end of the night at the bar down the street. Compete by summing everyone's PAX'ed times, if the sides are uneven drop the lowest from the side with more.





and lastly... it might still be kind of cold there in May. If the weather looks like it's going to suck, there's another one of these on 6/26-6/27.

 

sounds awesome! it's on my calendar

 

Added some limited classing information.

It would be really coold if we could get a lot of people to go

 

added lots of typos you mean?

 

Wow, that was kind of ridiculous I think I fixed all of them

 

I should be signed up for the local beginner's solo class next month. If I do get into the solo racing, I may just have to take some time off work.

 

This is just a reference, read the rule book to get all the specifics.

Springs aren't allowed in stock and only the front sway can be changed. Wheels must be stock size and +/- .25 inch offset. Any cat back exhaust, as long as it passes the new 100db rule, which shouldn't be an issue with the stock cat.

The body kit rule has a max of 5 square feet for wing plus splitter. Fender flares, I don't think anybody would put these on an 8 but just in case, can only be cosmetic. The original fender may not be cut. It is legal to roll fender lips but not flair. The body kit rule may be taken back for 2011. Full exhaust including header is legal, cat must be with in 6 inches of stock location and must pass new 100db rule. Pretty sure mine doesn't pass. Seats must weight 25lbs including mount, sliders, and hardware. Cold air intake systems that remove or modify the the splash guard at the top of the bumper are not legal. coils are legal, pulleys are legal, ECU reflash is legal. LSD is legal. Triangulated strut bars are not legal. After market hoods are not legal. Brakes are open as long as not smaller than stock and rotors are same material as stock, aluminum hats OK.

Not sure about the cages. Stripped interiors not legal. No power adders allowed. No limit to wheel size. Same intake issue as STX. No cat required but must pass new 100db rule. No body kits allowed, spoiler ok, but no wings. Any clutch and flywheel is legal. Not sure if porting is legal or not.

SM is pretty open. Turbo's, super chargers, motor swap( must be mazda ). Bigger wings than STX. No limit to wheel size. May remove rear seats, but still cant strip interior.

Beyond SM there is XP. Any motor swap, stripped interior, any tire( true race slicks).

Hope this helps some, but the rule book is the best way to be sure. For people new to autoX, what seems to be a pretty insignificant mod can put you into SM.

And Packwood is an awesome site.

 

Ah man, I was trying to get the common stuff for ST* but completely forgot about AP's. Didn't realize the stripped interior kicked you all the way to XP... but I guess that makes sense since most of the others include Street in the name.

Thanks for the help Mike... now I kind of want to just remove the classing info from the OP since it's so far off

 

Bump!

So who is planning on going? Matt was IM'ing me about this today...

 

I am definetly down for this event. Any idea when registration is open? If its nice enough out I might camp saturday night, but might not be able to make it down Friday night to camp.

 

To XP and Beyond!

 

I hate life right now.

 

I can't make it, I actually have to work.

 

Anybody know when the registration will be open? I tried to register this morning but its saying "the database is currently locked for the event".

Also Nick do you happen to know what class my car will fall into if I get the midpipe put on?

 

Without you're in STU (ignoring that your intake is technically illegal for ST*), with you're in BSP.

Registration still isn't open... if it's not open on Monday I'll start sending emails.

 

Cool thanks for the info.

 

ProSolo regestration. http://scorekeeper.wwscc.org/register/pro2010

Nothing for the Sunday event yet.

 

Sunday registration is now open as well: http://www.autocrossscorekeeper.com/register/nwrscca/

Links in the OP lead to full event info for each day including cost and run group AM/PM splits. Edit: Still no sign of the AM/PM split for the ProSolo...

 

There is no split, everybody runs all day. If I remember correctly everyone gets four attempts in the morning and then two more in the afternoon before the challenge. Best run from each the left and right sides are added together for your actual time. I forget how many qualifiers go to the challenge round. Its a cross between drag racing and autoX, definitely worth trying at least once. Some people love them, me personally I'd rather either autoX or drag race, but I'll be there and it should be a lot of fun.

 

Anybody know what they are planning on signing up for or who is planning on camping/spending the night?

 

Cool! Should be a good time, I'll definitely be there. I'm thinking about running TOAM instead of NS5 this weekend and in general always running in the morning.

I'd be willing to meet up at Southcenter and head down in a group.

 

I'm torn on camping out or not... I might just drive home, especially if I don't make it into the challenge and then come back in the morning.

 

Yeah weather doesnt look so great for Saturday night into Sunday too. I might hold of on the camping until the next time they do this event when its a bit warmer.

 

Pits are covered, that's were every one camps. Myself and 3-4 others camped last weekend. It wasn't bad, but I came prepared. Thick sleeping bag + long johns + 2 extra blankets.

 

Im out for this one. Our job count went through the roof and have to work the entire weekend.