Race in June! (2010, Seattle Area)
A ProSolo isn't a good event for a Novice, but the event the next day would be perfect.
06-20-2010, 12:43 AM
#62
Sunlight Silver Bias
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:-) I still wanna ride with you Nick, I'll load up your car with goodies to help your time...Like 2 tires in the trunk, and maybe a dead baby or two, and I'll bring a computer full tower and maybe my PS3 and 360!
LMFAO
06-20-2010, 01:11 AM
#64
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Pro Solo's are a lot more complicated in terms of operations than a normal AutoX. There's a lot going on and they don't run a Novice class. Sunday the 27th, I might stay the night on the 26th and race in the morning before heading back at lunch. It's a looong drive though 
06-20-2010, 01:45 AM
#65
Derp Kitten
06-20-2010, 03:43 AM
#66
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Pro solo's are more competitive but by no means does the "Pro" part mean professional like getting paid or something. Maybe just more competitive? People don't give rides at Pro Solo's 
06-20-2010, 06:30 AM
#67
2fast4u (ggavgg)
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hey i want to join.. what do i need.. how much $.. im new never been to the tracks... just streets i guess.. i was looking at the 21st and was wondering what i have to do to get in and participate
06-20-2010, 12:08 PM
#68
Mr. Örange
The 21st at Pacific Raceways is different than the autocross schools they were talking about. I have taken the class and I think they do an excellent job, becareful because it's crack and you'll want more. The link I've provided explains most everything. It's a little expensive ($555 when you use your own car,) but really worth it. It's an all day class. In the morning you do a bit of class room stuff, then you do some drills teaching car control and collision avoidance. Then in the afternoon you'll get three sessions of track time. Before you go make sure you get a really good nights sleep.
http://www.proformanceracingschool.c...rmance-driving
When you're ready to join click the Enrollement tab on the above link and sign up
Here's a video of a school day, the guy in the Porsche and I had already completed the course and were driving with the students. It's pass by permission only, you'll see the instructor put his arm out in designated areas when they allow us to pass. When you don't have an instructor, you put your arm out to let someone pass(obviously haha.) 128MPH was the top speed I saw this day. Make sure you top off your tank when you get lunch, because you'll only get about 7 MPG on the track. Just so you know, your car is not insured by your insurance company on the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqooOUv2zro
http://www.proformanceracingschool.c...rmance-driving
When you're ready to join click the Enrollement tab on the above link and sign up
Here's a video of a school day, the guy in the Porsche and I had already completed the course and were driving with the students. It's pass by permission only, you'll see the instructor put his arm out in designated areas when they allow us to pass. When you don't have an instructor, you put your arm out to let someone pass(obviously haha.) 128MPH was the top speed I saw this day. Make sure you top off your tank when you get lunch, because you'll only get about 7 MPG on the track. Just so you know, your car is not insured by your insurance company on the track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqooOUv2zro
Last edited by TANKERG; 06-20-2010 at 12:14 PM.
06-20-2010, 02:01 PM
#69
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I'm thinking I'll finally do the proformance school sometime in July or August
There are no more Novice schools for AutoX this season however the porsche driver skills day are a really good place to start. You'll learn a LOT about the way your car handles and it's a much cheaper (and potentially safer) way to start out. After that, every autox event except for a Pro Solo has a dedicated class for novices along with one or two people whose sole job is to ride with novices and help them out.
In terms of cost, I'm pretty sure if we did out the math for Proformance they would be about the same as everyone else until you've done 2 or 3 lapping days after the school. At that point, proformance becomes much cheaper in $/seat time. For the rest, schools like the skill days with porsche give you the most seat time for your money.
In autox, the speeds are a lot slower, you're likely going to hit cones so a lot of people put painter's tape on their bumpers and a few other places to avoid leaving marks. Autox courses are a lot more technical and focused on car control. An average course will have 30+ elements, while pacific has 9 turns depending on how you count it. There are certain places at pacific where if you do screw up, you stand a good chance of totaling your car. The schools and clubs do their best to stop this from happening but it does happen and ultimately, like Scott said, you are resposible for your car unless you get track insurance on top of your normal insurance.
Edit: Driving at Pacific takes a lot of car control as well, but it's a different kind of car control. Going from my own experience, I feel like if I had started out going to Pacific instead of AutoX, there are certain skills I wouldn't have learned by now and I don't think I'd be as fast. That said, the high speeds of Pacific make it look like a LOT of fun, so it's still something I'm going to do.
There are no more Novice schools for AutoX this season however the porsche driver skills day are a really good place to start. You'll learn a LOT about the way your car handles and it's a much cheaper (and potentially safer) way to start out. After that, every autox event except for a Pro Solo has a dedicated class for novices along with one or two people whose sole job is to ride with novices and help them out.
In terms of cost, I'm pretty sure if we did out the math for Proformance they would be about the same as everyone else until you've done 2 or 3 lapping days after the school. At that point, proformance becomes much cheaper in $/seat time. For the rest, schools like the skill days with porsche give you the most seat time for your money.
In autox, the speeds are a lot slower, you're likely going to hit cones so a lot of people put painter's tape on their bumpers and a few other places to avoid leaving marks. Autox courses are a lot more technical and focused on car control. An average course will have 30+ elements, while pacific has 9 turns depending on how you count it. There are certain places at pacific where if you do screw up, you stand a good chance of totaling your car. The schools and clubs do their best to stop this from happening but it does happen and ultimately, like Scott said, you are resposible for your car unless you get track insurance on top of your normal insurance.
Edit: Driving at Pacific takes a lot of car control as well, but it's a different kind of car control. Going from my own experience, I feel like if I had started out going to Pacific instead of AutoX, there are certain skills I wouldn't have learned by now and I don't think I'd be as fast. That said, the high speeds of Pacific make it look like a LOT of fun, so it's still something I'm going to do.
Last edited by Anijo; 06-20-2010 at 02:11 PM. Reason: Fixed some typos too
06-20-2010, 02:14 PM
#70
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As far as costs go, if you're under 25 then an SCCA AutoX is $15/half, so $30 for the day if you pre-register (which is free, even if you don't show). BSCC is $25/half if you pre-register (which again is free) and the Porsche Driver Skills days are $55 however unlike every other club, Porsche requires you to pay to rent a helmet if you don't have one which is another $30. Their school is really good though and is definitely worth the $55. Also, they give you lunch 
06-20-2010, 03:43 PM
#71
Mr. Örange
Here's an insurance provider that will cover your car. I have no idea how much it costs.
http://www.kandkinsurance.com/Pages/Home.aspx
Also just noticed you want to do the event tomorrow. You might have needed to have signed up by Friday, but I'm not sure. You can give them a call. It starts pretty early in the morning. Good luck.
http://www.kandkinsurance.com/Pages/Home.aspx
Also just noticed you want to do the event tomorrow. You might have needed to have signed up by Friday, but I'm not sure. You can give them a call. It starts pretty early in the morning. Good luck.
06-20-2010, 03:50 PM
#72
Mr. Örange
Dollar/seat time
Autox: $35/3.5 minutes = $10/minute
Afternoon lapping $245/140 minutes = $1.75/minute.
the afternoon lapping seat time cost does not include the 30 gallons of gas that is used haha
Autox: $35/3.5 minutes = $10/minute
Afternoon lapping $245/140 minutes = $1.75/minute.
the afternoon lapping seat time cost does not include the 30 gallons of gas that is used haha
Last edited by TANKERG; 06-20-2010 at 03:55 PM.
06-20-2010, 04:33 PM
#73
Mr. Örange
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx-zmGm3Kj4
I'm guessing he lifted of the throttle on turn 1. This is something that all the instructors will stress every driving briefing "Do NOT lift off the throttle in turn one!!!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phf_sLQ000I
Both drivers survived with just bumps and bruises (according to the videos)
06-20-2010, 11:22 PM
#74
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And hey, if you're <25 and at Packwood
$15/5min = $3/minSpeaking of Packwood, there's a practice day there next month. I can't encourage people enough to go!