I live in the Ann Arbor area, and I want to get started w/ AutoX.
What do I do, where do I go, and how much does it cost? What do I need?
BTW, I've got absolutely no experience, no helmet, etc. I've been wanting to do this for a couple years, but haven't had the time/money/gumption to do it.
http://dcscc.blogspot.com/
Any AROC meets will be good learning experiences for you as well.
A car.
In SE Michigan, you have multiple choices for autocrosses- SCCA, Michigan Sports Car Club, the Corvette Club of Michigan, and my personal favorite, the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Detroit.
I would suggest sticking with the MSCC, CCM, or AROC to make sure you like it, since the initial investment of cost and time are generally less than the SCCA. But SCCA normally has much bigger events, and a lot more competitions in each class (or so I hear, it's been over a decade since I've been to an SCCA event around here).
For the most part, keep an eye on dcscc.blogspot.com and for now www.umich.edu/~alfa/ (the latter should get updated to a real site within a few months now that we have a new webmaster).
Equipment wise, I'm 100% sure that MSCC, CCM, and AROC will have loaner helmets, and am 95% sure SCCA does, too.
(I'm considering calling Washtenaw Comm College again to see if we can use their lot, as well)
Eric (also A2)
First of all, the weather needs to turn warmer. Around May, the Detroit Council of Sport Car Clubs will hold an autocross. So will the Detroit SCCA, but those aren't very well-run, and you spend a lot of time standing around and little time racing.
Sign up for a DSCC event (http://dcscc.blogspot.com/). The night before the event, clean your car out, completely. Check the fluids, and air your tires up to about 40 psi. Take a yellow crayon and a tire gauge to the autocross, along with a chair and food/water. Also, take masking tape to make numbers for your car.
The day of the event, get there early. Follow directions. Put the numbers on your car. Find someone else in your class who may help you follow the directions, as they may be confusing the first time. Walk the course, either with this person, or follow behind. Make notes while walking, if only to help you memorize where to go (no bother knowing the best way; you'll need to know the right way first).
Color the edge of your tires in three places with your crayon, while you're waiting in line to race. Small marks work as good as big marks, and don't look as hokey. Drive the course when it's your turn (most organizers will loan you a helmet).
Afterwards, look at the crayon marks, and ask someone else to advise you about your tire pressures. They'll tell you to raise or lower, and you'll have your gauge to help you do so.
After racing, let your car cool down and check your to see how you did. Before going home, lower your tire pressures to the proper level.
Go back to another autocross soon after. At that one, worry about how to go faster.
It will cost you about $40 or $50.
Forgive my ignorance, but does one ACTUALLY need a corvette or alfa for those clubs?
scardeal wrote: Forgive my ignorance, but does one ACTUALLY need a corvette or alfa for those clubs?
No.
Although to be a MEMBER of CCM, you do need a Vette, you don't need to be a member to run in one of their events.
And AROC does not require an Alfa to be a member. We've got a bunch of non-Alfa members who joined just to autocross and come out to our track days. (now some of them own Alfas... we are such bad infuences...) And you don't need to be a member to autocross with us.
E-
or get their eMails ;)
Where to I sign up for the email list?
http://arocdetr.ipower.com/ is the new website as well, just released for the masses.
I was looking for that club about an hour ago.
Eye R Omnipotent
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