New Member

[FLTegra]

After the grooling 2.5 hour long drive to New Market I finally signed up for my dream sport.. Solo 1!

Problem is, I think Im the youngest in the league? haha

Whats up?

[Chris91GT]

Ok, spill the beans... you have an Integra. What's it got under it?

[FLTegra]

Yeah, well Im 17, parents encouraged me to go ahead with racing so why not be the youngest..

1995 Milano Red Acura Integra with 96 LS non-vtec Engine..

15'' Rota Circuit 8's (Bronze)
Wrapped in Falken Azenis 205-50-15
Fluidyne Rad
Autometer 5'' Sport Comp Silver with Shift Light
Autometer Gauge Bezzle
Autometer Duel Gauge Pod
^^ Gauges to fill them..

Solo Short Shifter
Solo JDM Shift Knob
AEM Cold Air
Neuspeed Race Springs
KYB AGX Adjustable Damper Shocks
Neuspeed 4 Point Strut Brace
Neuspeed Rear Tie Bar
Neuspeed Rear Lower Tie
Power Stop Rotors (all around)
EBC Green Pads (Street/Course)
Tanabe Race Medallion Exhaust
Fire Ext.
LEAF 5 Point Camlock Belts

And Im running GT4 to begin haha..

[Chris91GT]

First advice... invest in some proper track pads and high-temp brake fluid (make sure you've had the fluid flushed thoroughly... brakes are the single most important part of your car). Solo 1 competitors have an incredible deal with Williams Performance Friction for ceramic-kevlar pads (a few of us are going to start testing them in the next few weeks). For your car, you're probably looking at ~$130 for a front axle set plus a 20% series discount.

[FLTegra]

Originally posted by Chris91GT
First advice... invest in some proper track pads and high-temp brake fluid (make sure you've had the fluid flushed thoroughly... brakes are the single most important part of your car). Solo 1 competitors have an incredible deal with Williams Performance Friction for ceramic-kevlar pads (a few of us are going to start testing them in the next few weeks). For your car, you're probably looking at ~$130 for a front axle set plus a 20% series discount.

Yeah the pads I have on now, I put them on because I was driving to school and stuff, I was planning on getting Hawk pads, but i'll take a closer look at these Willy P. Pads..

Ive already flished most of my lines, I did my Rad/Breaks/Pads/ Flushing all at once...

Anymore advice?

Also, Ive been seeing a lot of other cars in the classes, but none in mine? My car is like 160HP haha thats like 115 Wheel horse, am I going to get smoked by Subaru's and such?

[Chris91GT]

I'm sure the EBCs are a good street pad, but invest in some track only pads that you can swap in when you get to the track. You'll be very happy by just having good pads (late-braking is really, really fun).

HP really doesn't make or break a car. Suspension and brakes are great... HP is a bonus.

I don't really know who's going to be running in GT4... but that's my base class (stock 5L Mustangs). There's only one stock 5L that I saw last year, and he likely won't be out this year.

If you're interested in getting a head start, OMSC is running a lapping day / school at the Mosport DDT on April 19th. Send me an email to atkinscc@mcmaster.ca and I'll forward you the info if you're interested.

[ctheo]

Welcome to the sport. I used to drive a 94 Integra LS with a similar set-up to yours and it's plenty of fun to drive, and fast enough to scare you a few times.

Don't worry about getting "smoked by Subarus and such" for now. Just concentrate on improving your driving and having fun. If you concentrate on those teo things you'll be competitive before you know it!

One bit of advice. I'd seriously consider adding a roll bar if you plan on using that 5 point harness on the track. An AutoPower bmakes a relatively inexpensive but effective bolt-in roll bar. Do a search on "Harness" or "roll bar" on this forum to figure out why I'm telling you this. If you can't justify a roll bar I'd advise you use the stock seatbelts.

Beyond that be sure to ask lots of questions, try to get rides with as many people as possible and ask some experienced drivers to go for a ride in your car to give you some pointers. Don't feel offended if they try to bash in your floor boards with their right foot and scream, "BRAKE!!! BRAKE!!! It's all part of the fun.

BTW - Watch out for Geo, he's nuts.

[FLTegra]

Originally posted by Chris91GT

I don't really know who's going to be running in GT4... but that's my base class (stock 5L Mustangs). There's only one stock 5L that I saw last year, and he likely won't be out this year.



Hahah Im going to get tuned by those Stangs..

Im not sure which school it was, but I signed up for one that cost me $400 , today at the meeting in New Market...

[FLTegra]

Originally posted by ctheo
Welcome to the sport. I used to drive a 94 Integra LS with a similar set-up to yours and it's plenty of fun to drive, and fast enough to scare you a few times.

Don't worry about getting "smoked by Subarus and such" for now. Just concentrate on improving your driving and having fun. If you concentrate on those teo things you'll be competitive before you know it!

One bit of advice. I'd seriously consider adding a roll bar if you plan on using that 5 point harness on the track. An AutoPower bmakes a relatively inexpensive but effective bolt-in roll bar. Do a search on "Harness" or "roll bar" on this forum to figure out why I'm telling you this. If you can't justify a roll bar I'd advise you use the stock seatbelts.

Beyond that be sure to ask lots of questions, try to get rides with as many people as possible and ask some experienced drivers to go for a ride in your car to give you some pointers. Don't feel offended if they try to bash in your floor boards with their right foot and scream, "BRAKE!!! BRAKE!!! It's all part of the fun.

BTW - Watch out for Geo, he's nuts.

Haha yeah, Im 17.. I mean, a lot of the guys I saw today were wayyyy older then me, I have a lot of time to learn so why not do it this early! I appreciate the help, Im tring to get as much knowledge and advice I can get to have a bit of competative fun..

Whos Geo?

Also, I was thinking about getting the store where the registrations were at to build me a cage and do my setup with the belts and such, is that a good idea?

Also, who owns the Yellow Type-R? I had a bit of happy time looking at that car today! Its my dream to get a Type-R like that one, with the JDM front end conversion and some Mugen (circuit 8's - non fake) rims and spoiler..

[ctheo]

17 isn't that young dude. Chris P (Krispy) from HADA Motorsport Club started driving when he was still in diapers. I think he was like 14 or something. How old are you now Chris, 20 or 21?

I think the average age of a Solo competitor is 28. We just look old because of eating food with brake fluid soaked fingers, too much exposure to the elements while marshaling and spending so much money on the cars we can't even afford free health care. ;)

Geo drives a Type R, you'll get to know him. Actually all the guys who drive Type R's are a bit crazy. I think reving to 8400 RPM rots your brain.

Lots of Type R's in Solo 1. The one you saw today could have belonged to any number of people.

You'll hear many opinions about roll bars vs full cages and what material to use when putting on together. The actual specs are outlined in the rule book somewhere. I'd check to make sure you refer to the rule book before having anything built.

A full cage is you best option for a track car, but not great for a street driven car. You can get seriously injured driving a car with a full cage w/o a helmet on.

A roll bar is a better option on a street driven car, as it's out of the drivers way, but it renders you back seat useless for passengers. You don't want people siting back there if you get into an accident, even a minor one.

CSC can build you some roll protection, and they are a series sponsor, so it's fantastic if you can support them. If CSC is too far from home there are other places in Ontario that can build roll protection.

My advise is be sure you build something that conforms to the rules, and do your homework about the shop doing the work. Many shops will tell you they know what they're doing, but few actually do.

[AndyC]

Yellow ITR---That belongs to an Old Fart called Andy---#133 in Solo1 and #33 in Solo2. --that,s me. The car is stock for the winter and sports Tein coilovers in competition season.
See on the track.

[FLTegra]

Originally posted by AndyC
Yellow ITR---That belongs to an Old Fart called Andy---#133 in Solo1 and #33 in Solo2. --that,s me. The car is stock for the winter and sports Tein coilovers in competition season.
See on the track.

Haha man, I love your car.. I was seriously thinking about raising it putting on the JDM front end and driving it home haha..


and to everyone whos helped me in this thread, a big thanks..

and about the age thing, I was talking about, 17 is a little young to be starting solo 1.. not driving.

[ShaneG]

Hey Andy!


Also, who owns the Yellow Type-R? I had a bit of happy time looking at that car today!

Yesterday when I was going in I saw some folks admiring your car, but I just figured they were Spanish!:D

I don't know if it was you FLTegra.. but just a small inside joke;)

[ctenche]

Hey FLTegra.

I'be been running a '95 Teg LS in Solo 1 for the past 4 years. Looking forward to chatting with you at the track!

[Bubblecar]

Originally posted by FLTegra
Haha yeah, Im 17.. I mean, a lot of the guys I saw today were wayyyy older then me

You make that sound like a bad thing! Ahhh - if youth only knew . . and if age only could.





The world's youngest 49 year old

[Chris P]

Actually i think i did a SOLO 1 event when i was 15. I raced karts for 5 years before that.
17 is perfect, its before you really learn any of the bad habits most people pickup with street driving.


Geo, he was the krazy guy with blue hair working the HADA table. Heres a picture of the famous dood.

http://www.hotmayo.com/images/lovehotmayo.jpg


Don't worry about the Mustang, they are WAYYYYYYY overrated. Nothing a little defenseless 100hp honda can't take care of. :p

Look forward to racing with you.

[Chris91GT]

[cough, splutter] Fah! There's nothing wrong with suspension AND torque. :D

[Dave]

suspension? Mustangs don't have suspensions, they have some sort of ancient roman chariot technology that allows the wheels to roll in a straight line fairly effectively, but man oh man they sure don't like to corner much :P

[FLTegra]

Question!

I just got a Sparco EVO2 seat and a Leaf 5 point camlock belt with crotch strap..

Is there anything I need now? I was told something about a roll bar that was bolt on, because I need to still use my car for school, groceries etc.

Any info would be appreciated.


Damn, these hada guys are everywhere, raise the roof for St. Lawrence Auto Club! haha the only one around my area

[ADAM]

hada weasels are everywhere you can't hide from them...

[FLTegra]

Originally posted by ADAM
hada weasels are everywhere you can't hide from them...

haha yeah I noticed, the fact that they have cool logos and a type-r.. I want to roll with that gang haha..

[ctenche]

FLTegra, I would HIGHLY recommend that you not use the harness without at least a roll bar. Should you go shiny side down, the harness will hold you completely vertical and about the only thing that will give is you neck and spinal column. Ouch!

Heck, I'd even recommend against installing the race seat for the exact same reason; especially if it has big side bolsters.

What I do is to use my lower 3 point part of my harness and then snap the OE seatbelt on top of it.

[Chris91GT]

I think my Coke can had a Honda stamping on the inside... hmmmm.......

[ctheo]

To further the "don't use a harness w/o a rollbar" discussion...

http://www.tux.org/~joel/bmw/m3.jpg

[FLTegra]

Okay.

I just got a Sparco EVO2 seat and LEAF 5 point harness.

What do I have to do to make it safe, and street legal!

[ctheo]

This type of roll bar would work well. About 1/2 way down the page you'll find the street/race set-up with removable harness and x-braces. You could retain you school and grocery getter functionality.

You can probably get it for under $500 Canadian.

I/O Port AutoPower (http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60981&Category_Code=AP981)

[FLTegra]

Originally posted by ctheo
This type of roll bar would work well. About 1/2 way down the page you'll find the street/race set-up with removable harness and x-braces. You could retain you school and grocery getter functionality.

You can probably get it for under $500 Canadian.

I/O Port AutoPower (http://www.ioportracing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=60981&Category_Code=AP981)

Thats perfect, thank you.

Now I just need someone to install this.



Do you know anybody in Ontario who sells this sort of thing? Or could I go to my local shop ans ask them for one?

[ctheo]

Someone will chime in with a local Auto Power dealer. I can't seem to find one.

[FLTegra]

Alright...

If I add a Fire Extinguisher, SPARCO EVO seat and Roll bar like that one above, will I move down a class?up a class? or gain more room for parts with out moving classes?