Wanting to race

[Gdub]

I'm hoping a few of you on here could hep me out. I'm a virgin to the racing world. My family has never raced or anything so I really don't have much idea of where to start. I hopefully have most the kinks worked out of my car protouring dart this winter, as I have been driving it for a year. Anyway, what I really want to do is some road course racing, but figure prob best to start auto x first? Either way I need some advise. First with car somewhat coming sort this winter, what safety stuff should I update on car? Driveshaft loop? Any other things you recommend? prob no cage going in until I get maybe to higher levels. Out side of modifications, what events should insert with or classes etc. Are there rule books or anything I should be studying? I'm looking at getting track set of wheels and tres too. Any help would be great. Oh also I'm on a low budget now, and I'm located in central ohio
Thanks

[lzdick]

I'd look into your local SCCA chapter and see where they host autocross events. All you need is a membership with them, a certified helmet and pass their tech inspection. They will be able to place your car in the correct class...most likely CAM (which was created for pro-touring style cars). That is the best way to 'get your feet wet' IMO.

[nokones]

No, you don't need a driveshaft loop for autocrossing. You won't be doing any dragstrip starts. I agree that you should start out autocrossing first and SCCA or other autocross type organizations in your area would be a good place to start. You can search online by entering autocross in (enter your city name) and you will see the local organizations near you. You should contact them and become a member in their organization in order to get their schedule for next year.

[Rod]

the other two posters are leading you in the correct direction

1) look up your SCCA region..........SCCA is a great learning tool
2) get a good helmet...................fit the helmet correctly and get a good SA2010 issue
3) show up ready to take advice....you know how to drive, but not how to race. so listen, and watch, watch all the other drivers

once at the event ask if there going to have afternoon fun runs, and ask if they need help after the event stacking cones, be a good patron to the sport...I used to stay after and help tear down the events and after a few months they asked if I want to come set up the day before..(its only a select few that are asked) and on setup day we would run the course several times to determine any changes needed...this equals FREE RUN TIME...so I would drive before the event, at the event and after the event, seat time is how you get better

[BMR Sales]

All good ideas so far.

Besides SCCA, there are dedicated A/X Clubs and usually other Clubs (Porsche, BMW, Corvette) will be glad to have you to have more entrants.

If you are serious, you might want to see if you can borrow a Helmet for your 1st few events. The SA2015 Helmets will be available in a few months and that way you are set for Years of Fun. Try on helmets before you buy - different helmets fit different shaped heads.

When you get to your 1st A/X, Walk the Track by yourself and then with an experienced cone-crusher. Start Slow, Listen to Advise (both from Instructors and your Car). Most important - Have Fun!

[Rod]

oh!! WAIT... you can also look at the link in my signature that says Auto-cross 101 I have a autocross hand book on the web for you to read

[Gdub]

This is great info! I'm always up for taking advice, and learning; I know there are plenty better drivers/racers out than I am. I'll start looking over autox 101 too!

[Tomswheels]

Track days at bigger tracks many times will have instructors available at little or no charge. "Streets of Willow" is great for beginners, and most track days you get in a slower group and go at your own pace

[nokones]

Please remember the following as you improve on your skill. They may not mean anything now but, they will later.

Patience Patience Patience
Look Ahead, not at your hood ornament, way ahead.
Sometimes, slow is fast.
Be smooth, roll on the gas.
Do not over drive.

Don't be embarrassed at first. Yes, you will be slower than a turtle unless you're a natural than you will be just a tad faster than a turtle.

As you start enjoying and learning from the get-go, you will see improvements in seconds. At some point your improvements will start to be less and less. This is normal. In about 12-18 months, you could, and in no doubt, you probably will not be seeing any improvements. This is normal and this is the point where people will start to loose interest and your lack of patience will get the best of you. This where you will need to exercise an abundance of patience for a few months and concentrate on your many mistakes.

Also, adding go-fastparts could be counterproductive. Just be patience and always seek advice from an experience autocrosser. Do be afraid that they will hold back their secrets. An experience autocrosser normally will not hide secrets. Everyone benefits when experiences and knowledge is shared with everyone.

[Rod]

someones been reading my site! been preaching driver first for years

Please remember the following as you improve on your skill. They may not mean anything now but, they will later.

Patience Patience Patience
Look Ahead, not at your hood ornament, way ahead.
Sometimes, slow is fast.
Be smooth, roll on the gas.
Do not over drive.

Don't be embarrassed at first. Yes, you will be slower than a turtle unless you're a natural than you will be just a tad faster than a turtle.

As you start enjoying and learning from the get-go, you will see improvements in seconds. At some point your improvements will start to be less and less. This is normal. In about 12-18 months, you could, and in no doubt, you probably will not be seeing any improvements. This is normal and this is the point where people will start to loose interest and your lack of patience will get the best of you. This where you will need to exercise an abundance of patience for a few months and concentrate on your many mistakes.

Also, adding go-fastparts could be counterproductive. Just be patience and always seek advice from an experience autocrosser. Do be afraid that they will hold back their secrets. An experience autocrosser normally will not hide secrets. Everyone benefits when experiences and knowledge is shared with everyone.

[nokones]

I used to be an instructor for the McKamey/Evolution Performance Driving School many many years ago.

someones been reading my site! been preaching driver first that for years

Please remember the following as you improve on your skill. They may not mean anything now but, they will later.

Patience Patience Patience
Look Ahead, not at your hood ornament, way ahead.
Sometimes, slow is fast.
Be smooth, roll on the gas.
Do not over drive.

Don't be embarrassed at first. Yes, you will be slower than a turtle unless you're a natural than you will be just a tad faster than a turtle.

As you start enjoying and learning from the get-go, you will see improvements in seconds. At some point your improvements will start to be less and less. This is normal. In about 12-18 months, you could, and in no doubt, you probably will not be seeing any improvements. This is normal and this is the point where people will start to loose interest and your lack of patience will get the best of you. This where you will need to exercise an abundance of patience for a few months and concentrate on your many mistakes.

Also, adding go-fastparts could be counterproductive. Just be patience and always seek advice from an experience autocrosser. Do be afraid that they will hold back their secrets. An experience autocrosser normally will not hide secrets. Everyone benefits when experiences and knowledge is shared with everyone.

[Gdub]

Also from what I've picked up, cart racing help? It's inter here so won't be outside, but there's some indoor racing places. Biggest dream or goal I have right now is to do a big road track, you know go fast! But really it's to put my car through the paces and see how she's holds up, see what my 2 hands can create and how it performs. Just wondering if there are some things maybe I can do over winter to hep prepare.

Also I know go fast parts don't always help, but just wondering if there are any small things anyone here recommend doing while I'm working on car this winter, safety wise or maybe small performance. I've built a quad a while back and did some racing on it, and built suspension first. And honestly I know it'll take a long time until I get to the point where My driving level is above my cars performance level.

[shmoov69]

One thing that Kenny said made the biggest difference for me (in my VERY limited experience!) is to look past the hood. An instructor told me that at the MMCC event and it made the single biggest difference in my driving, to look to the next turn and thru the one your coming to, so to speak.

Auto-x is where we should all learn on I think (even tho my first turning corners was on a road course), because they are MUCH more forgiving on your ability as well as your cars ability. Don't forget GOOD seat belts and a fire extinguisher.

[SSLance]

All good advise above for the driver... Schools, test n tunes, ride alongs with other drivers and having veterans ride along with you are all ways to improve as a driver.

As far as a single mod for the car, tires are probably the #1 mod to do. You need a sticky tire of some sort to really be good on the track.

[Rod]

I used to be an instructor for the McKamey/Evolution Performance Driving School many many years ago.

excellent! been there! Evolution schools have some of the best instructors, I have had refreshers with them every year, two years ago Sam Strano was my weekend refresher instructor, and this year I spent an entire day at Gingerman Raceway with Jim McKamey in my passenger seat as he talked into my headset about car placement and object recognition around the track while driving at 100 miles an hour...and every time I didn't do it right he would ask me "you can hear me right? did you understand?"

I am wearing my Evo hat right now

[Gdub]

No want to thank everyone so much for the advice, I am pumped to hit the autox next year! And yes seat belts, and fire extinguisher is definitely happening this winter. I don't have a cage so I'm going with some 3 point belts and possibly upgrading my seats. Tires and wheels are a definite also!

[BMR Sales]

Also from what I've picked up, cart racing help? It's inter here so won't be outside, but there's some indoor racing places. Biggest dream or goal I have right now is to do a big road track, you know go fast! But really it's to put my car through the paces and see how she's holds up, see what my 2 hands can create and how it performs. Just wondering if there are some things maybe I can do over winter to hep prepare.

I race Karts a lot! It will keep you sharp, but racing a Kart is a different skill set in that there is no Suspension, Your Hand Position is very different and Shifting (on a Shifter Kart) is totally different method. And you have to Left Foot Brake - some Racers use this to learn Left Foot Braking in Cars. I don't in that I can't seem to unlearn right foot braking in a car.

[High Plains Mopars]

I hopefully have most the kinks worked out of my car protouring dart this winter, as I have been driving it for a year.

Not sure if anyone else caught this, but what does your pro-touring dart consist of? You may have already modified yourself into an outclassed position. That isn't to say that you can't enter an SCCA autocross and turn laps, but the amount and depth of the mods could put your car in a class that will make actually competing difficult or potentially discouraging.

Which also leads to my next question of what in your mind constitutes "racing"? If you simply want to take the pro-touring dart to open track days to run on a road course at high speeds, then you may be in luck. If you are looking to do actual racing, wheel to wheel against other cars, in rule limited classes, then you should have started with a rule book before ever turning a wrench on your car to se ewhere you car, skills, and budget will land you.

[Gdub]

My protouring dart consist of coilovers, rack and pinion, tubular front end, 12" brakes all the way around, triangulated rear four link, minitubbed and six speed. As for racing I want to get some wheel time and then ultimately like to run a road course and get as much out of it as I can, if that makes sense. I want to be decent at the wheel before I spend any big amount of money for racing around a big road course, that way when I do I can push my car to the limits. Maybe one day be able to run in an OUSCI event! My main reason for building the car is driving it on the road, but would love to push it to the limits on the course. Also thanks for the info on the carts, I didn't realize all the difference in carts vs cars.

[Red67Mustang]

Wheel to wheel racing should never be done in a pro-touring built car. That's where a "real" race car is needed. And by that I primarily mean 1) it's heavily modified specifically for driver safety and 2) you could afford to crash it then set it on fire without damaging your finances or desire for the sport.

It seems from what I read here that autocross and open tracking are really what will be of interest to you.