Autocross/Road race training?

[69496]

My car is not done yet and it will be a boat compared to alot of other cars doing this (Chevelle) but I would love to participate in autocross events, lilke what goodguys is doing. Maybe even some open track stuff. But as spirited as I drive around town and doing a little drag racing I know nothing about how to drive around an autocross. Is there places to learn in Socal that don't cost an arm and a leg or do I just learn as I go. I am building my car to have fun with and I want to make use of the money I am spending. You can only sit back and look pretty at a car show for so long. Thanks.

[Yelcamino]

Join the SCCA. After I relocate this summer I plan to join the chapter nearest me so I can get seat time.

http://www.scca.com/home.aspx

[Twentyover]

NASA has a pretty big program in SoCal. Might want to contact them for their HPDE track days.

Confidant that you could get an instructor to show you the ropes.

Alternately, VARA has the University of VARA every February at Buttonwillow (just off I5 and the Lerdo Highway about 90 miles north of LA.) They encourage people to rent modern cars (like from Hertz) and come out and get some istruction. Can be accessed through VARARACING.com

[bigvegan]

Click on this link: http://www.solo2.com/calendar.asp

Find an autocross / solo 2 event near you at a convenient time.

Bring your daily driver. (Your brakes, tires and clutch should be the only things that might suffer extra wear. The course layout and orange cones should minimize any potential damage to your car.)

Pay the fee, use a donor helmet, have a blast!

Repeat with the Chevelle once it's complete.

Move up to open track events as time and budget permit, or just enjoy the autocrossing.

[69496]

Awesome, I guess their is alot of options. Luckily I have an 05 mustang GT (wife thinks its hers) that should make it alot easier to learn the ropes with. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Steve1968LS2]

If you want more one-on-one training in autocross go here:

http://www.evoschool.com/

Well worth the $$ and it made me much better.

[James OLC]

The is also UFO although they seem to be more active in northern California.

[David Pozzi]

Come on down to the Good Guys show this upcoming weekend at Del Mar as there will be another autocross (Friday and Saturday). Any of us will give you some rides and it's a blast. We can also answer any questions about your car and how to set it up so it will be fun for street and track stuff.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[69496]

Come on down to the Good Guys show this upcoming weekend at Del Mar as there will be another autocross (Friday and Saturday). Any of us will give you some rides and it's a blast. We can also answer any questions about your car and how to set it up so it will be fun for street and track stuff.

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

Wow that would be a blast. I will be there saturday for sure. If I can get a ride I am sure that will sink the hook in nice and deep. I assume you guys will be hanging out by the autocross track?

Mike

[PT Sportwagon]

Don't worry about the size, There is a guy on the east coast running a mercury colony park wagon. Whipping up on the Porsche's

Tim

[bret]

In the context of the Goodguys autocrosses...they are a bit less "hardcore" competitive and more just fun. The speeds are low [you don't even have to wear a helmet] and you will see a variety of vehicles and skill levels. It is a great place to practice some basic vehicle manuvering without feeling intimidated. In addition a "ride along" in one of the air ride cars is available just for the asking [you have to be 18 and sign a waiver]. We are not professional instructors by any means but we have made several laps in this environment and are more than happy to offer advice/encouragement, no matter what kind of car or suspension you may have. We are all hotrodders looking to have a good time!
After you have whetted your appetite at the Goodguys events, the SCCA is a great place to get deeper involved. If you can invest a little money, a driving school such as Bondurant, Skip Barber, or Ron Fellows will do more for you than any suspension component you can buy. I went to Bondurant for 4 days...they were able to make me as good a driver in 4 days as I THOUGHT I was when I got there! You will actually get so much track time at speed that you'll get tired of it.
Hope to see many of you at Del Mar this weekend!

[Steve1968LS2]

Wow that would be a blast. I will be there saturday for sure. If I can get a ride I am sure that will sink the hook in nice and deep. I assume you guys will be hanging out by the autocross track?

Mike

Just say hello and you can have a ride or two in Penny. And yea, we will be drawn to the autocross track like flies to .... well.. we will be by the autocross track.