MotorSports Northeast Club - Autocross Manual
Prepared by Peter C. Pivko
February 7, 2006
Table of Contents
- What is an Autocross?
- On Being a Novice
- What to Bring to an Event
- What Happens at a Solo
- Registration
- Tech Inspection
- Course Walking
- Drivers' Meeting
- Your Runs
- Your Work Assignments
- Fun Runs
- Course Clean-up
- The Awards
- Tech Inspection Requirements
- Working Rules and Safety
- Car set-up Tips
- Course Walking Tips
- Driving Tips
- Solo Etiquette
- How to Help Out at an Event
- The Rule Book and Classes
- Championship Points
- Membership
1. What is an Autocross?
Autocross events (also known as gymkhanas or solo) are an all forward motion driving skill contest. Each driver is individually timed to the thousandth of a second, over a short, miniature road course clearly defined using traffic cones. Cars compete one at a time, hence the name "Solo", in a class with similar cars. An event can be held on any flat paved surface, usually a parking lot, or airport apron or runway. We strive to steer away from setting up an exercise in ‘navigation’ but one where fun is an important part of the overall experience. “Solo II is a precision sport, much like, say, archery, riflery or golf. You must be precise and consistent, all the while driving so fast you can barely concentrate" -- Mark Sirota
The skills you learn and practice here; smooth transitions, enhanced braking, and skid correction, will have an immediate impact on improving the safety and skill of your street driving. Autocrossing is an excellent way to teach car control to young drivers in a safe environment.
It is also a very social sport, filled with some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. The camaraderie of the drivers is a special part of autocrossing that is profoundly satisfying.
Cars are divided into categories and classes. Classes separate cars by performance, based on the stock parameters, like horsepower to weight ratio, acceleration, braking, cornering, etc., with certain amount of modifications allowed, before moving to a higher class. In the Street Cars Category – there are 9 classes, including the Unlimited Class for highly modified street cars style='color:red'>. so that VW Rabbits compete against Honda Civics, and Porsche 911s compete against Nissan 300ZX Turbos. Categories separate cars according to their level of preparation. Unmodified cars compete in classes in the Stock category. Cars with modifications to the suspension, intake or exhaust system, or different wheels and tires compete in higher classes. pen-wheel cars and race cars compete in a Race category (with 3 classes), differentiated by the engine displacement. The complete descriptions of classes and preparation allowances are spelled out in the Club’s web page.
The costs of autocross competition are reasonable because you can compete in anything from a real race car to the car you drive on the street every day. Entry fees are usually $30 to $40 per driver, and two drivers can share a car.
Motorsport Northeast (formerly The M Club) sanctioned events are insured and are conducted under the watchful eyes of Safety Stewards. The rules and guidelines established and enforced by the Safety Stewards are what make this one of the safest motorsports. A day of autocrossing is far safer for both car and driver than most people's daily commute to work.
Approximately 1100 autocross events, totaling more than 10,000 competitors, are held each year throughout the country. More people compete in this type of competition than any other motorsport save drag racing.
2. On Being a Novice
You'll remember your first event for a long time. The adrenaline that makes you shake at the start-line before your first run, and the even bigger surge of adrenaline you feel when you finish. That excitement is part of the sport, and it's why we all do this.
Don't let being a novice overwhelm you! Every driver had a first day and a novice season. Autocrossing is a skill that requires instruction and practice to see improvements. If it was easy, it wouldn't be so competitive, or so fun. The great thing about this sport, though, is that even when you're going "slow", it's still fun driving.
The course may seem "busy" at first, because it's tighter than what you see on the street, and you're trying to attack it faster than you could in traffic. You'll have fun learning the sport and learning to keep the car in control as you get faster and better with more seat-time.
With that said, here are some tips to give you the right novice attitude, so you don't become discouraged:
- Your goal is to have fun! That's why everyone is here.
- Your goals is to arrive early and walk the course with experienced drivers.
- Your goal for the first run is to avoid getting lost on course (see course-walking tips)
- Your goal for the rest of the day is to improve your time on each run
- Your goal for the second event is the same as the first.
- What you will gain is that it will make you a safer, more confident driver on the street, as well as having better car control skills.
Generally speaking, the veteran drivers like to help the novices. The magic words "I am a novice" will get you extra instruction from other competitors, who can critique your run. Just be careful not to interrupt a driver on a course walk, or while he or she is concentrating on going over the course in his or her head. Don't forget, there are Instructors available to answer your questions and help you get started.
3. What to Bring to an Event
This list covers everything from sunscreen to snacks to tires pressure gauges. You will probably come up with your own list of things you need at a Solo event, but this will get you started.
You must have:
- Your car (although you may share a car with someone else) Your entry fee and a valid driver's licenseYou may want to bring:
- Your membership card, to get a discount on entry fees.
- An approved safety helmet.
- Extra air in your tires. Stop at a gas station and fill your tires 4-6 psi higher than the normal every day recommended pressure, or invest in a portable air tank or compressor.
- Suitable shoes for driving. The best are light-soled, with a narrow sole which does not stick out past the side of the shoe.
- Sunglasses, hat &Sunscreen.
- Clothes appropriate for the weather forecast, plus a change for when the forecast is wrong.
- Rain gear / umbrella.
- A folding chair.
- Thermos of water or other non alcoholic beverage.
- Cooler for lunch or snacks.
- Windex, paper towels and work gloves.
- A pad and pencil to write down all the advice you'll get.
- A good tire pressure gauge.
- Your gas tank should be full to avoid gas sloshing around on sharp turns.
4. What Happens at an Autocross Event?
People begin arriving before registration opens so they can unpack their car, change tires (in case you want to invest in softer compound tires) and get ready for the day before registration begins. It is best to arrive at or before the beginning of registration so you will have time to register, tech your car, walk the course.
5. Registration
To register you must have a valid driver's license and entry fee (usually $30 to $40). Fill out the information card at the registration area. We encourage that you consult the club’s web site to determine in which class your car belongs in. We will help choose the class for your car if you don't know what it is. You will also be assigned a car number. At registration, you will be asked to sign the insurance waiver. You must do this to compete, and any guests you bring must sign the waiver also.
Once you know your class and car number, mark your car using white shoe polish on the window (it comes off with Windex), tape paper numbers inside the window, or use magnetic numbers if you have them.
6. Tech Inspection
Your car must pass tech inspection before you can compete. Read the tech inspection chapter to see what you'll need to do. Registration may be at one central area, or at your "pit" space.
The tech inspector will recommend changes to make the car pass, such as additional tie-downs for the battery or removal of loose items or hub caps if you've forgotten.
7. Course Walking
After tech, you will have time to walk the course. Before you go, read the chapter on course-walking tips. Course maps may be available at registration. Try to have the course memorized before you go on the guided walk. Another feature of this club is that in addition to walking the course, you will be given an opportunity to actually drive the course at a very slow speed (15mph) for another opportunity to become familiar with the layout.
8. Drivers' Meeting
The drivers' meeting is mandatory for all drivers. The event chair will hold the meeting approximately one half hour before the first car starts. Be sure to attend. This is where you will find out information you'll need to know about the course conditions, number of runs, in which running group you will be participating, particular safety concerns, how penalties are assessed, and how work assignments will be handled.
At the end of the drivers' meeting the work assignments will be distributed to all participants as well as special instructions will be given to all novices.
9. Your Runs
You will have a minimum of 8 timed runs (weather permitting). Become familiar with the cars running immediately ahead and behind you at the first time you take a place in the grid. This is to keep the same running order and not only makes the timing people's job easier but keeps the event running smoothly, but if someone gets in front of you, or you are running a little behind, don't worry too much about it. Once you are in grid, you will wait for the cars in front of you to launch, and you will move up until you are on the start line. A starter will let you know when it is OK for you to start. The timer will not start until you pass through the lights.
If you do get "lost" on course, take the time to orient yourself and continue. Don't head back to the start line, because you may be pointed toward another car. Just take the time to get back on course, and continue the run as a practice and make sure you go through the finish line to stop the clock for your run. If the next driver catches up, they will be red-flagged and be granted a re-run. If it happens to you, then remember to take your re-runs as directed by the course marshals.
If this is one of your first times at an autocross, the Club will provide an instructor to accompany you for a few runs to help become familiar with the course and give you tips on how to improve your skills. Only Instructors are allowed to accompany you on a timed run.
Times are posted after each run session so you can track your progress. Your fastest run of the day is used to determine your finishing position.
10. Your Work Assignments
It's best to report for your work assignment as quickly as possible when it is time for you to work. Otherwise, some people end up working longer than others, which is no fun. The place to get work assignments will be announced in the drivers' meeting. Remember if you aren’t running then probably, depending on the number of participants, you should be working.
We try to put a novice with an experienced driver on a station if we have enough people. For a little bonus instruction, ask your co-worker to talk about the techniques of the cars on course. Read the section on working to get more detail on how to call in cones and stay safe while working the course.
11. Fun Runs
If time permits, fun runs are held at the completion of the event while trophies are being readied. This is your opportunity to ride with other drivers and have them ride with you. Fun runs usually cost one to two dollars.
12. Course Clean-up
Once all the timed runs and fun runs, if any, are complete, everyone helps clean up the course. This involves bringing in the fire extinguishers and flags, cones and timing equipment, and storing them in the trailer. Scoreboards need to be cleaned off and the pit area needs to be checked for trash. When everyone helps, this can be completed in fifteen to twenty minutes.
13. The Awards
After the event, following course clean-up, everyone meets for the trophy presentation. The location for the presentation is usually announced at the drivers' meeting. The event chair and his/her assistants will give out results and present trophies to the top third of each class, plus a trophy for Fastest Time of the Day (FTD).
14. Mandatory Tech Inspection RequirementsSafety Helmet:
If you bring your own safety helmet, it must be approved by Snell in the current or two most recent ratings (e.g. if Snell 2005 is in production then that, 00 and 95 are legal). The club provides loaner helmets for people who do not own one.
Safety Belts: Original safety belts, at a minimum are required. Shoulder belts are not required, if your car did not come with them, but you must have a lap belt. Belts must be firmly attached.
Solidly Mounted Battery: The battery must be held down properly. If it can be moved at all, it will not pass. There are some additional battery requirements which may affect you if you have modified your car. The Tech Inspector will help you out with them.
Legal Tires: DOT approved tires must be in good condition. Excessive wear or visible cord/plies will fail inspection. Usually tire pressures should be higher than used for the street.
Brakes: The brake pedal must be firm, with no loss of pressure when held down.
Steering / Suspension: The steering must be tight, with no excessive play. Wheel bearings cannot have excessive play.
Hub Caps and Trim Rings: Hub caps, trim rings and wheel covers must be removed for competition, unless they are bolted to the wheel.
Loose Items in Car: All loose items must be removed from the passenger compartment and trunk. This includes the floor-mats. You may remove the spare tire and jack, but you are not required to if they are properly secured.
Fluid Leaks: Excessive fluid leaks will not pass inspection. Dropping oil on the course is forbidden. It is a very serious problem as it will endanger cars following your run and may necessitate altering the course and delaying the event.
Numbers and Class Markings: The car numbers and class markings should be prominently displayed on both sides of the car in colors that contrast with the paint, and should be large enough to be seen easily from the timing area. White shoe polish for marking windows (comes off with Windex) is available for people who don't have magnetic or paper numbers. Contrasting masking tape is another choice.
Adequate Muffler: Your car must be quieter than 95db measured 50 feet from the course at a place where you are under full throttle. Due to the possibility of losing sites for noise problems, this rule is strictly enforced. (If your car is quiet enough to avoid attracting Police attention, it will most likely pass the noise requirement). This rule may be waived at events in Giant’s Stadium in East Rutherford.
Throttle: Accelerator pedal must have a return spring and operate freely.
15. Working Rules and Safety
Do's
- Report to work promptly.
- Make sure your station has adequate supplies; extra pylons, fire extinguisher, radio and red flag.
- Know your area of responsibility and station number.
- Make sure cones are in their proper place when you get to your station, and check them periodically during your shift.
- Understand the pylon rules e.g., pointer cones do not count if hit (see below), and a car is off-course (DNF for Did Not Finish) if they pass on the wrong side of a cone.
- Pay attention to cars on course for accurate cone counts and your safety. It is best to watch the back of the car and the cones themselves to see the wobbling cone which may have left the box.
- Check all cones that have been hit by any vehicle. It may not be out of the box but it still needs to be put back completely in the box. Replace cones as soon as possible as another car will be coming through in as soon as 30 seconds.
- Be prepared for exposure to sun/rain, wind, heat/cold while on station
- Keep red flag in your hand, unfurled (but not flapping) ready for immediate deployment.
- Stay alert for unexpected pedestrians and vehicles.
- Alternate responsibilities while working at the same station.
Don'ts
- Do not use cameras or cell phones while on station.
- Do not sit down and do not wander away from your post.
- Do not turn your back on cars on course. Safety First!
- Do not red flag a car unless instructed to do so by the radio person or if it is an emergency. However, if in doubt, err on the side of safety!
- Do not litter
- If the cone is knocked over and is out of the box.
- If the cone is knocked over and is in the box.
- If the cone remains standing but is out of the box.
- Remember if you have the radio, to carefully note the car number and/or make & color to call in the infraction as soon as it’s confirmed.
- If a car misses a gate entirely it is given an ‘off course’ penalty. But, if it backs-up or passes through the gate again, then it is not counted. (Remember this maneuver must be done safely and quickly as another car will be on the course approximately 20 sec. behind.)
A penalty is NOT given if:
- The cone remains standing is touching the box
- The cone remains standing and is partially in the box.
- And of course, if the cone remains standing within the box.
16. Car set-up Tips
Keeping things inexpensive, we'll only talk about things you can do for free, or under $50. After a while, you may want to put more go-fast goodies on your car, but make sure to read the rule book, and stay legal for your category.
But also keep in mind; at this point you can go faster sooner by working on the driver instead of the car. See the course-walking and driving tips!
What you can do Today
Tires: You've already read that you should put an extra 10 to 15 psi in your tires. The reason for this is to keep your tires from rolling under during hard cornering. But how much is too much? Put chalk on the edges of your tire, in three places around the diameter, and you can see how far over the tire was going during your runs. Bleed out a little if the chalk is still showing on the tread, or add a little more if the chalk has been worn off down the sidewall. The line of worn chalk to remaining chalk should be right at the corner of the tread and sidewall. Keep notes on how many psi you ran, and where the chalk line was, for your next event.
Remember that as you get better and corner harder, you'll need more air to compensate, so keep using the chalk at every event.
Driver Restraint: In order to have good control in driving, you, the driver, have got to stay put. So make sure your seat belt is tight and firm. Some people like to tug hard (fast) on the shoulder strap to engage the lock on the reel.
Driver Location: Most experienced drivers will agree that the best place for your seat - to give you the best control - is seat forward far enough to have your leg slightly bent when the clutch is all the way to the floor, and seat-back reclined or upright to a position that allows you to rest your wrists on the steering wheel when you shoulders are firmly against the seat and have a clear view of the course ahead. This position allows you to run the full range of steering inputs and foot motion without stretching or moving in your seat, and can have a huge impact on your driving skill.
What you can do before the next event
Alignments cost $20 to $60, and if you're looking for a cheap way to improve your set-up (i.e. to increase the negative camber). Some words of caution, first. Manufacturers set their alignments to what they consider to be the most predictable and stable settings. Improving your car's turn-in for autocross may make your car twitchy on the street. So use your own discretion. To get some suggestions, though, ask a driver who has a car similar to yours in weight, wheelbase or front or rear wheel drive.
17. Course Walking Tips
"You must be able to keep track of the course in your head. If you can't, then you can't drive it to its fullest potential"- Josh SirotaThat quote is worth five seconds to a novice. Knowing how to walk the course is the most important step in being competitive and staying "ahead" of the course. Usually, you'll want to walk the course at least three times.
Step 1) Walk the course. - Your first walk will be to get the general layout, and is often a social walk. Now get away from friends and walk the course alone, concentrating on memorizing the layout. Think of it in sections, with key cones marking the turns, such as:
- Start
- Slalom (enter depending on pointer cone)
- Exit fast
- Decreasing sweeper to the left
- Right-hand curve (look for three pointers)
- Tight right, then tight left
- Finish
1. Stop every now and then and run through the course in your head, from the beginning to where you are. Get down - the course looks different from a seated position. This will give you a better picture of what the course will look like at speed. (You will be given the opportunity to drive the course at a very slow speed as your first run.)
2. Pace off the distance between cones in a slalom. Some course designers vary the distance, and it's good to know before you arrive whether you will have to vary your speed in a slalom. Take a note-pad if you like, and make notes such as pavement changes, camber change, bumps, sand, etc.
3. Make a mental note to yourself (or write it down) how far ahead you will be looking. When I walk the course, I say to myself, "OK, when I am here I will be looking there" This will help you to remember to look ahead while you are driving. This aspect of looking ahead cannot be overstated.
4. How do you know if the picture is perfect? Sit down by your car and try to draw the course on a blank piece of paper. Include the key cones you want to recognize while you drive. If you can't draw the course, you will want to walk it again. Once you leave the start line in your car, you should not be spending any time figuring out where the course is.
Step 2) Plan the course. - (Do this while walking the course again) Now decide exactly how you want to drive the course. Driving the course perfectly involves two things; coming up with the correct plan, and executing the plan correctly. If you don't have a plan, you can't possibly know where you didn't execute it correctly. It's hard to know if you did this step correctly, but step 4 is something you can work on.
The plan involves the line you will take through the cones - the quickest way through. Note, I didn't say shortest. Think about the characteristics of your car; does it corner better than it accelerates, or the other way around? That will tell you whether to slow down so you can get through the corner in control and get on the throttle as soon as possible, or try to carry speed through to keep up the revs.
Don't forget to plan where you will be looking. There is no need to memorize every cone on the course, only the ones you plan to be near, the "important" ones. Look from one important cone to the next in your plan.
Step 3) In Grid - Before you run, while you are in grid, go over the course again several times in your head, executing the plan you made before. Another technique is to concentrate on 2-3 gates with every run. As you get familiar with these, select new ones to concentrate on with each subsequent run. Remember that you will have 10 runs during the entire day. One slow speed Parade Lap. One medium speed Practice lap (not counted for times) and usually 8 other runs broken up into 2 running sessions of 4 runs each.
Step 4) After the run - Sit in your car and go over your run. Figure out where you didn't execute the plan. If the plan was to be near aparticular cone, and you were five feet from it, then you didn't execute the plan correctly, and a red light should have gone off in your head. Maybe you need to adjust the plan because you were going too fast in the slow parts. Decide at this point whether your next run needs to be a better execution of the plan, or a modification of the plan. Basically, don't use the car as an excuse; you will see a big difference in your times when you drive a course that never surprised you.
18. Driving Tips
Seat time, seat time, seat time. That's the best way to go faster. They say, "Before you fix the car, fix the driver". That's because there's so many techniques to improve your driving, it takes seat time to learn them all, but once you do, someone without those skills would have to spend a lot of money on their car to beat you, and probably still couldn't.Here are a few techniques to get you started. Don't try to apply them all in your first run, you'll be too busy. But read through the whole list, then work at gaining these skills one at a time.
Hand position - It is recommended that you place your hands at 3 and 9o’clock and ‘push’ in the direction as opposed to ‘pulling’ the wheel. If you have a shift gear once you get to second gear you’ll find that you can concentrate on driving and leave it there for the entire course.
Look Ahead - I can't emphasize this enough. I repeat it out loud while I am driving. It's so easy to forget, but makes such a big impact on my driving. It all relates to hand-eye (and eye-foot) coordination. Look where you want your hands to drive you, and look far enough ahead to take advantage of the feedback. If you're looking at that outside cone that you're afraid you'll hit, well, you'll hit it. If you're looking ten feet in front of the bumper, the turns will keep surprising you. Imagine looking at your feet while you are running on foot! You won't be very coordinated, and you won't have a good sense of distance or speed. Same goes for driving hard corners as you do in autocross. Look ahead. You will be astounded at your performance the first time you remember to do this all the way through a course.
Slow Down to Go Fast - A common problem when you're starting out is trying to take the tight sections too fast, and not staying in control. I still remember finishing a run and saying, "Well, I didn't go very fast, but it sure was smooth," only to find out I'd gone faster by a full second! Just be patient in the slow spots. They're slow spots, after all.
Brake hard in corners - Go ahead, squeeze the brakes hard. There's no morning coffee on your dashboard, or eggs in the front seat. Once you decide to slow down for the corner, don't waste any time. If you find yourself at a crawl and you're not at the corner yet, why, you've just found out that you can brake later. Locking up your tires will not make you stop faster, so squeeze the brakes and let them do the work, not your tires.
Adhesion. Don't ask too much of your tires. For any tire/pavement pair, there's only a certain amount of traction. We'll call that 100% traction. You can use up that traction with your throttle, your brakes or your steering wheel. So if you're going into a corner, using 100% of your traction to make the turn, what happens when you ask for more traction by applying the brakes? Either you won't brake or you won't turn. Or both. Same goes for accelerating out of a corner. Ease in the throttle as you ease out of the turn. So use full throttle and full braking only in a straight line. This goes back to slowing down to go faster, and brings us to...
Smooth Inputs. You may have noticed that I used the phrases "squeeze the brakes" and "ease in the throttle". This is here you have to change your mind-set about inputs to controlling your car. You need to convince yourself that you can make your car respond better by squeezing the brakes hard instead of standing on the brakes, by rolling in the throttle rapidly instead of stomping on the gas, by turning the wheel quickly instead of cranking it around. Subtle, but it will show up in how often your car is in control instead of scrubbing off speed pushing around a corner. And it will take a lot of practice to become second nature.
Shift near redline. On the street, we don't usually shift near redline (high rpms). But in autocross, you want to be making the most of the power available to you. You'll learn to hear the motor as you drive and stay in a low gear longer. Most ourses will be in second gear for stock cars. If you're shifting to third, you're shifting too soon, and giving up power (ask local drivers if this is true in your region).
Don't worry about the blinkers, wipers or horn. You're bound to hit them as you drive. Don't let it throw you. We've all done it!
More, Later... There are many more techniques for getting better times, but start with the ones listed above. After you've learned them, you'll be ready to buy a book on autocrossing (see Recommended Reading), or attend a driver's school and learn the advanced techniques of heel/toe, shuffle steer, late apex, and more.Go to as many events as you can. Go to the ones with the toughest competition - winning something local is fun, but losing to someone fast will probably teach you more. Attend drivers' schools in your area, or travel to other events.
Always remember to have fun, even when you are being stomped by some national hotshoe. You'll never stop learning - the best drivers will tell you this still applies after ten or twenty years! Remember, seat-time, seat-time, seat-time. Nothing will make you go faster sooner. And nothing is less expensive in improving your times.
19. Etiquette Autocrossing is a social sport, and most drivers are happy to give you advice and critique your runs. Ask someone with a similar car if you may follow them through a course walk. Maybe they'll even think aloud for you (don't do too much talking yourself, or you will be making them walk again). Ask if you can ride with them on a fun-run, and offer to pay the $1-$2 for the run. If you're not sure when to line up, go ahead and ask. Ask someone to look at the chalk on your tires to see whether you need more air. Ask someone to watch your run if they have time, and tell you what needs changing. They'll be glad to.
There are a few bad times to ask for advice, though. Here's a quick list:
- When they are walking the course. (They're trying to memorize it.)When they are staring into space or have their eyes closed, they're probably going over their run or plan.
- When they are in grid. They are only thinking about the course.
Try to help out. There is more work to be done than the mandatory course-work. This is an all-volunteer organization, so help is always appreciated. Luckily, this also puts you in a position to talk to other drivers, because the veterans are helping out, too. If you share the work, they'll have more time to talk to you. Likewise, showing up early will help out the registration and tech crew, and give you more time to walk the course. Read the next section on how to help, if you're looking for ideas to lend a hand.
Everyone stays to help clean up the course and pit areas. Keeping the sites is important to everyone, so leave your pit area cleaner thanyou found it.The trophy presentation is a continuation of the event, and people talk about the course or their cars or runs. It's nice to have everyone show up, to cheer the winners, even if you didn't get a trophy yourself.
20. How to Help Out at an Event
- Arrive extra early and be a gopher during course set-up.
- Help sweep the course in sandy corners.
- Line the course, or mark the cones.
- Fill and bring water coolers if it might be a hot day
- Help at registration: carry the waiver board through the line, or go through the line with registration cards and a pen. Check that everyone has their license and membership card out.
- Offer to be pre-event gopher. Marking pencils, scoreboard cleaner or batteries?
- Get water/lunch/whatever for the event officials stuck in the timing trailer or safety.
- Corral people to help clean up, or take a walk through the pit area to pick up things left behind.
- See if the trailer needs supplies between events, then pick them up and bring them along next time.
When you get more comfortable with the way things run:
- Learn how to tech cars
- Learn timing and scoring.
- Learn how to set up timing
- Get involved! It's fun to be a part of the action.
21. The Rules and ClassesThe Club Rules will tell you about legal modifications, rules on re-runs, and many other topics. The reasonis that modifications may equalize the cars. In general, the stock classes can be listed by stereotype:The car Classification Chart is primarily based on a horsepower-to-weight ratio and then adjusted to reflect other improvements and performance of each individual car.
22. Championship PointsThe Championship Series is the system for year-end trophies. The champion of each class is the driver with the highest number of points at the end of the season for that class in 2 categories: Overall points and Consistency points. Usually, the points are awarded based on how you finish, or place, in your class. Often, you must be a member to compete for Championship points, and you must compete so it helps you to drive in as many events as possible.
There are also year end special recognition trophies for Most Improved Driver. The Championship trophies are awarded at the annual banquet (free to members!) and all members are invited (encouraged!) to attend, whether receiving a trophy or not.
23. Membership “has it's benefits”:
- Membership in the Club is a great investment.
- You receive discounts on your entry fee
- your choice between receiving the monthly Grassroots Magazine or a collector T-shirt
- Free year end banquet & trophies
- Permanent season number
- Guaranteed spot at every event, including events at the track (HPDE).
- Discounts at Essex BMW and DCH car dealerships for parts and sales.
- Discounts at club sponsors such as Flirt Sushi Restaurants; IMP; NASA-NE, Stable Energies; MotorWorksWest; Supreme Power to name a few. Please consult our web page for a listing of our current sponsors.
- Please remember to support our sponsors.
24. Back to Reality - You've had a blast driving in an Motorsport Northeast’s autocross event. The adrenaline was high; you're ready for another event. You can't wait to start improving your skills. Before you leave, lower your tire pressures to recommended levels for street driving. Don't forget to check when and where the next event will be held! Driving in an autocross is a real thrill. But don't forget when you leave the course that you're in traffic again. Take your new car control skills with you for emergencies, and obey all road laws. Save your spirited driving for our events, where it's legal!
MotorSports NE (MSNE)
Credits: This document is based on the Solo II Novice Handbook, written by Kate Hughes of the Glen Region, SCCA; Painted Post, New York © May, 1996. Revised, March, 1998