Do you really DRIVE your car?

[1972novafever]

Went to my very first goodguys show last year.And seen autocross up close for the first time<That is why im here and changeing my cars set up.

[Kcorrigan2]

Went to my very first goodguys show last year.And seen autocross up close for the first time<That is why im here and changeing my cars set up.

Great to hear you have the bug. If you get a chance to go back to a Goodguys event keep asking lots of questions, take a few rides and build your ride to suit your budget and desired use. I look forward to seeing you out there!

[Kcorrigan2]

I'ts my daily driver, and I hope to make it to a HPDE session when I know the engine wont explode:

What region do you compete in the SCCA? CAM is a great new class and I am happy they created a few different sub-classes!

[1972novafever]

Great to hear you have the bug. If you get a chance to go back to a Goodguys event keep asking lots of questions, take a few rides and build your ride to suit your budget and desired use. I look forward to seeing you out there!

Yea I'm already registered for columbus this year and hotel booked.My car will be there but probably won't run it till I get the speedtech torque arm in there.

[Space Dynamics]

What region do you compete in the SCCA? CAM is a great new class and I am happy they created a few different sub-classes!

I'm in the San Francisco region. I only run about once or twice a year, partially due to owning a new car every two years or so. Hahah! I swear I will keep this one longer though.

Went to my very first goodguys show last year.And seen autocross up close for the first time<That is why im here and changeing my cars set up.

Yea it really gets you going when you finally get out to the track and watch others racing!

[72BBSwinger]

I wouldn't have my car if it wasn't for driving, like a rental. Just been under new "additions" stage for 18 months lol! I am going to fully document my upcoming excursions trust me...

[gscherer78ta]

I have followed a similar path... I got my 78 TA Y88 special Edition about 7 years ago and was super happy to take it out for cruises and I hit the car show scene pretty hard the first two years and then got bored seeing the same cars over and over and started wondering if there was more fun to have with the car. I hit the drag strips a few times and thought that was a blast. I started looking for events that used the cars instead of driving somewhere and parking the car. Then I watched a GG's autocross and was fascinated and determined to go to the next GG's autocross. I did and met some people there and now am slowly in the process of changing a perfectly original car into something that can turn corners and go fast through the straights...

I have met a lot of great people by doing this and a lot of them are willing to share what they have learned.

[SSLance]

hopefully I will see you at one of the events this year. I am looking forward to meeting Barney!

I just changed the pencil to pen for the USCA event at NCM. My schedule aligned and we'll be making the trip to Bowling Green in three short weeks.

Are you coming there Keith?

[CarlC]

I just changed the pencil to pen for the USCA event at NCM. My schedule aligned and we'll be making the trip to Bowling Green in three short weeks.

NCM is awesome. The facilities are still young but the track is fantastic. Driving into the Sinkhole seems like driving off a cliff.

If you get there early, and if not already taken, grab a spot under the tent canopy. It's the only shade around unless you go off to the fringes of the parking area.

I'll also parrot Bret's response. Most all of the folks in our little world a great to talk to and more than willing to help. Just be respectful and note what is going on. If track time is upon us, it's usually not the time to discuss your troubles with installing a widget.

I go to shows, but after an hour or so I gotta go. This is much more fun.

[SSLance]

Thanks for the heads up Carl. This will be our first attempt at RV camping onsite at a track day event so I'm looking for every bit of advice I can get in regards to track layout, paddock and camping areas and whatever else to prepare for. Hopefully some of the other regular RVers or others that have been to that facility can pop in with any tips or tricks they have as well. We are okay with no hookups...but would prefer to park around the camp area that everyone else will be camped in as well and not have to mess around with moving the RV once it's in and set up for the weekend.

I understand from my WRL friends that the pit wall is pretty tall which makes viewing the cars on track from the pit area difficult. Other than that' I've heard it is a fantastic venue and I can't wait.

[AutoX_D21Hardbody]

Why haven't I? I guess partially because I don't want to do anything half-assed. I had my 98 Pontiac Trans Am that might have been okay, but it had over 200k miles when I sold it a few months ago. I guess the practice would have been good, but I'd rather do it in a proper car to begin with, rather than a sloppy stock, worn out car (and frag an engine on a car I knew was going up for sale soon). So I've got my 71 Firebird with all new ridetech suspension ready to go on that I hope to have on the road early next year, and my cheap 82 Camaro... which ironically replaced my 98 Trans Am, but it's a simpler and lighter car. I won't be a champion with that car, but I'll at least be able to have some fun.

Best way to get going is in a crappy car. That can only make you better as a driver. Plus, if you are unsure about the crappy car would you trust yourself in the nice one as a novice? The car is only part of the equation, the driver is the biggest part. If you can compete in a crappy car you can compete in anything.

I race a mini-truck and I am slow but I know that what I have learned from driving such a beast is that I will be fast in a fast car. I liken it to a batter swinging a bat with weights on it when he's on deck, the same is for driving a crappy car. You will be better and very fast with the practice even if the practice ride is quirky and slightly less than ideal.

Tipping cones is addicting as hell and I love it. So glad I got out there and I'm on my third season in the truck and I am starting to notice I drive faster each time.

[rfalker1]

I never have autocross or tracked neither one of my cars! Its crazy, but i just not have found the time! I am always ripping and running when I get home from my season so I just never have. Now it interest me! But I think I will wait till i finish my career to start playing in the field!
But I can't wait to take my 68 camaro and 93 overpowered supra to auto cross. But till then I shall cruise!

[CarlC]

Yep, viewing can be tough. The best place is near the end of the straight along a trail that parallels the track. It's a 20 second walk from the parking lot. If viewing the event + having a bit of outside shade + RV is in the cards, I'd look hard at this location. As you enter the parking lot it will be on your LH side between the track and where construction for the fuel pumps are.

Watch out for Deception. My co-driver was looking at the rumble strips out the RH window. The problem was they were supposed to be on the left! Entrance to Sinkhole all the way to the straight is a test of patience. Lots of time can be lost, but not a lot of time gained. When coming up the hill out of Sinkhole, wait.......wait......wait.....and wait some more.

[Kcorrigan2]

I just changed the pencil to pen for the USCA event at NCM. My schedule aligned and we'll be making the trip to Bowling Green in three short weeks.

Are you coming there Keith?

I will be there! Can't wait to meet Barney in person.

[Kcorrigan2]

Thanks for the heads up Carl. This will be our first attempt at RV camping onsite at a track day event so I'm looking for every bit of advice I can get in regards to track layout, paddock and camping areas and whatever else to prepare for. Hopefully some of the other regular RVers or others that have been to that facility can pop in with any tips or tricks they have as well. We are okay with no hookups...but would prefer to park around the camp area that everyone else will be camped in as well and not have to mess around with moving the RV once it's in and set up for the weekend.

I understand from my WRL friends that the pit wall is pretty tall which makes viewing the cars on track from the pit area difficult. Other than that' I've heard it is a fantastic venue and I can't wait.

I am not sure if there is any real RV camping there at all. I was there a month ago and there were no hookups. I know they have been working on that so maybe they are ready for this event. I stayed at a KOA about five miles away. That is a very nice campground.
NCM itself is a very nice venue....the skidpad is basically perfect. We ran in the rain and our times barely suffered....this is going to be great fun.

[vintageracer]

Your Question:

"There are literally thousands of you posting and chatting on pro-touring, lateral-g etc and thousands of cars at events like the Goodguys but only a handful that actually hit the autocross....my question is why?"

Why?

After having raced "Wheel to Wheel" in many Vintage Races at many different tracks across the country there is absolutely NO thrill at all in waiting in line ALL DAY to make 3 to 6 one minute laps if your are lucky around a tight autocross course in a parking lot. Not much more thrill in open track event either where the slowest car determines the track speed for everyone else since passing is strictly limited.

Speaking for myself it's not about the value of the car that your are racing it's all about the On Track Time. In the case of autocross especially the time and money spent for the actual "On Track" time is a horrible investment in both time and money. It really is not much more expensive to go wheel to wheel Vintage Racing as there are many classes and types of cars to race and have just as much fun as the Big Boys with the Big Money. It does take more time and money on the front end that is needed to acquire a Vintage Motorsport Council recognized Competition License. Once you have that you are pretty much ready to Vintage Race anywhere and drive anything with the exception of a GTP car or open wheel car. Type of car to race? If it's a vintage car there is class in which to race.

And let's not forget the parties, the people and the camaraderie. After all that's what it's all about since it is a safe bet none of us is going to make a living doing it!

[Tomswheels]

Great to hear guys getting out and driving them. We are very lucky here in San Diego to average 10-15 CAM-T cars per SCCA event. We bring a BBQ and hang out before and after our run group. A great way to spend a Sunday!

[Kcorrigan2]

After having raced "Wheel to Wheel" in many Vintage Races at many different tracks across the country there is absolutely NO thrill at all in waiting in line ALL DAY to make 3 to 6 one minute laps if your are lucky around a tight autocross course in a parking lot. Not much more thrill in open track event either where the slowest car determines the track speed for everyone else since passing is strictly limited.

And let's not forget the parties, the people and the camaraderie. After all that's what it's all about since it is a safe bet none of us is going to make a living doing it!

I would say you make some good points here. I will tell you that at the USCA events I attend i get so many runs that by the end of the weekend I am exhausted. I am also ok with limited passing although in the advanced division you have more opportunity to pass. I am just not excited to take a car that I have worked hard to make beautiful and that I enjoy driving on the street as much as the track...going wheel to wheel just does not appeal to me anymore. Hats off to you for doing that.
I do believe that as the Goodguys has gained popularity and attendance it is also going to growing pains. They are at the point now where something needs to change but it is hard to do. I went to cruisin the smokies a few weeks back. Those types of events and the format and venue that the autocross is held is awesome. During the autocross we got 20 runs or so which with trying to tune the car between, talking with fellow drivers, giving rides to those who don't have one etc...it was a very full day...add to that a car show, multiple cruises to destinations, many social gatherings....what a great weekend in a beautiful place.
I am very happy with what I am doing now. Driving my cars, putting many miles on them. Pushing them to the breaking point, fixing them and doing it again. The people I have met and talked to...just like you..are wonderful. Lots of opinions, lots of discussion but we all get it...it's all about the fun. Like you said...we are not making a living at this but it is sure giving us a life worth living...and enjoying every minute!

[SSLance]

I am not sure if there is any real RV camping there at all. I was there a month ago and there were no hookups. I know they have been working on that so maybe they are ready for this event. I stayed at a KOA about five miles away. That is a very nice campground.
NCM itself is a very nice venue....the skidpad is basically perfect. We ran in the rain and our times barely suffered....this is going to be great fun.

This will be the first time my wife and our two small dogs have gone to a race weekend with me. We are trying now to decide if we should dry camp at the track or stay at the KOA down the road. I'm leaning toward dry camping at the track just to have everything close by and not worry about ferrying back and forth as the RV and Barney will be our only transportation options. We should have enough capacity with the RV systems to make it 2-3 days I think... Plus, for the off hours camaraderie...

[SSLance]

I am not sure if there is any real RV camping there at all. I was there a month ago and there were no hookups. I know they have been working on that so maybe they are ready for this event. I stayed at a KOA about five miles away. That is a very nice campground.
NCM itself is a very nice venue....the skidpad is basically perfect. We ran in the rain and our times barely suffered....this is going to be great fun.

I just reserved an RV site with NCM with electrical hookups. It's where the yellow star is on the map below.

Just to let anyone else know if they are considering camping onsite.