What is Solo?
Solo is the SCCA name for autocross competition. Solo
events are driving skill contests that emphasize the
driver's ability and the car's handling through a course
designated by traffic cones (pylons) on a location, such as
a parking lot. While you are the only car on the course and
speeds are no greater than those driven on the highway, the
combination of concentration and car feedback creates an
adrenaline pumping experience.
When you come to your first event, come early so that we can
make sure we get you set up with a car number, class and
give you any help that you need to get started. Park your
car in the parking lot and go to registration. Tell them you
are new and they will get you started.
Registration
Registration is from 9:00-10:15am. The cost is $21 for SCCA
members and $28 for non-members. A $5 late fee will be
charged after 10:15am, if the event chair allows late
registrations. We need to get everyone through
tech/registration so that the workers will have time to get
everyone entered into the computer. When arriving, consider
the fact that it takes time to walk the course and you
should walk the course at least three times. This means you
have to be through registration and tech well before
10:30am. Please get to registration at 9:00am.
To receive the member's rate you must show proof of SCCA
membership. Your SCCA ID, returned dues check or copy of the
membership application is okay.
A valid US drivers license and Snell M95 or SA95 or better
helmet is required. Look for the sticker inside the helmet
liner. A few loaner helmets will be available but you will
have to share them. A new open faced helmet will run about
$85 at local motorcycle shops. At registration we will fill
out a score card and a tech inspection sheet. Print and fill
out all required information legibly. When complete,
tuck this form under your windshield wiper with a "tech"
sheet.
Car Classing
At registration, you will get a car number and a class. You
need to determine what class to run in. This is an important
decision as we want to place your car in its most
competitive class and changing it later is a hassle. This is
just an overview of your options, it's a good idea to buy a
rulebook for more info. It is your responsibility to class
your car correctly.
Cars are divided into categories and classes. Classes
separate cars by performance, so that Neons compete against
Civics and not against Corvettes. Class listings are found
in the
SCCA
Solo Rulebook (PDF). Categories separate cars according to
their level of preparation. There are 4 main car preparation
levels.
Stock class is for
unmodified street vehicles. The rules allow you to use
certain aftermarket parts for wearable items. Replacement
shocks, brake pads, plugs/wires and air filters are 'free'.
Any wheel can be used as long as it's the same diameter and
width as stock and has the stock offset within +/-.25 inch.
You may replace the front sway bar and use a cat back
exhaust. You may not use a chip, headers, cone type air
filter or cut/replace/lower your suspension springs.
Street Touring
allows sedans (four seaters) with a maximum displacement of
3.1L, normally aspirated. This category is for the popular
street cruisers with lowered suspension, air filter systems,
and wider wheels. The category consists of two classes; STS
for street tired cars and STR for "R" compound tires.
Street Prepared uses the
Stock rules and allows further modifications. Aftermarket
clutches, computer chips, cone filters, lowered springs,
fender flares, strut bars, any wheel size, camber plates,
torque arms, panhard bars, headers, LSD's and underdrive
pulleys are all allowed. You may not overbore
the engine past .0472 inch, use an alternate cam or
turbocharger.
Prepared cars are
usually older SCCA road racing machines. They have weight,
carburator and wheel size restrictions, require roll bars
and are generally not street legal, (see the rulebook for
more info). Unfortunately, otherwise Stock class cars with
aftermarket cams must run here or Street Modified to
be legal.
Modified class cars are
usually purpose built racing machines. Cars with alternate
motors, turbochargers, big wings, open wheel formula cars
and college SAE cars fall into this category.
Street Modified
is similar to Street Touring except that extensive
drivetrain and suspension modifications are allowed.
Street Modified 2
is similar to Street Modified, but encompasses small,
lightweight and two seater cars.
After you decide which class and category your car falls
into we need to think about tires. Racing slicks
automatically put you in Prepared or Modified while DT
approved R series tires, such as the Kumho V700, Toyo RA1,
Yokohama 032R or Hoosier A3S03, are legal in Stock or Street
Prepared.
To help attract lady drivers, we have a
Ladies class for every open
class. Depending on the number of Ladies entries at the
event, the Ladies Classes may be scored in a Combined class
using an index for computing the results. If enough entries
exist, they will run as a separate class. Drivers should
notify registration (Ladies do indeed have the option to run
in the open classes), if they plan on running in the Ladies
Class.
What Do I Do Next?
Now that you have decided on your class/category we need to
write it down on you score card and tech sheet. You also
need to display it on you car so that the workers and timing
& scoring can see it from a distance. The number and class
designation should be on both sides of the car. Magnetic
numbers and letters are available from various retail sources.
Painters tape works, as does masking tape in a pinch.
Technical Inspection
After registration, It's time to prepare for Tech Inspection.
First, empty your car of all loose items.
Remove your jack and spare, or make sure they are secured to
the car. Remove trim rings and/or hub caps. Make
sure everything is tightened down, especially the battery
and your lug nuts. When done, proceed to the tech
inspection area which is signed and typically has a line of
cars with hoods and trunk lids popped. The Tech workers
try to make sure that your car is autocross worthy. Items
that they will check are your wheel bearing, brakes/fluid,
battery security, etc. Basically it's a safety check. They
will make sure your helmet has a Snell M95 or SA 95 or newer rating.
They will check to see if your car number is legible. They
will also check for loose items in the car that might become
projectiles while out on the course. Remove any loose items
from inside your car and from the trunk before you go to
tech. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure they
have their car ready. When your car passes tech, the
inspector will put a sticker on your windshield. Once
your car is passed, park your car in the paddock area and
get ready to study the course.
Course Walking
The course is setup each morning and is different from event
to event. There may or may not be a course map available. It
is very important that you memorize the course so you know
where you are going before you have to figure it out in a
snap decision at speed with a sea of pylons in front of you. Walk the course at least three times.
Look for the laydown or pointer cones. Those will mark the
insides of the turns, we will be turning around them.
Do try and find someone to walk the course with. Do
not be afraid to ask for help. Even the veterans
aren't always sure what the course designer was thinking
that day!
Drivers Meeting
At the drivers meeting, we will discuss the rules of the day
along with any other SCCA Solo II information. These are
standard rules: no alcohol or illegal drugs are allowed,
drivers are responsible for their guests. No tire warmups
(burnouts) or
brake tests are allowed on or around the premises. Lots big
enough to hold Solo II events are hard to find so please
don't do anything that makes us lose the site.
Work Assignment
Everyone has to have a worker assignment. If you do not work
you will not receive an award for the day. There are a
variety of assignments to choose from such as course
working, grid, and timing and scoring. At the end of the day
we need help stacking cones and loading up the trailer. You
are required to work in the heats that you do not run. If
you drive in Heat 1, then you work in Heat 2
Driving the Course
Do your best to drive through the course. Drive smoothly as
you will have more runs in which you can improve your times.
Smooth is fast! Locking up brakes and fishtailing will
only add time. You're looking to maximize tire contact
without going over the limit. If for some reason you
get "lost" on the course be sure to ask another driver who
has driven the course without error to help you figure out
where you went wrong.
Awards
At the end of the event awards will be presented, make sure
you stay for that.
HAVE FUN!!
Printable
Novice Information Sheet to bring with you
First-Timers Coupon - $10 off each of your first two events
with us! |
