autocross school

[mopar1]

I am trying to have my car ready for the school but I am not sure if I can do it.It will be ready by the late spring early summer to go out and compete in some regional events.My question is does it matter what car i use for the school if my car isn't ready.I was thinking of using my girlfriends car if mine isn't ready but it is a chrysler intrepid that is bone stock even the brakes and tires.I just want to attend the school to learn a few things before I compete whenever that may be.

[JoeT]

I am trying to have my car ready for the school but I am not sure if I can do it.It will be ready by the late spring early summer to go out and compete in some regional events.My question is does it matter what car i use for the school if my car isn't ready.I was thinking of using my girlfriends car if mine isn't ready but it is a chrysler intrepid that is bone stock even the brakes and tires.I just want to attend the school to learn a few things before I compete whenever that may be.

The school is more about the driver than the car. Bring any car, as long as the driver comes with it... LOL

The techniques taught at the school will benefit the driver, regardless of what car they drive.

[Marsh]

The school is more about the driver than the car. Bring any car, as long as the driver comes with it... LOL

The techniques taught at the school will benefit the driver, regardless of what car they drive.

^ Second that.

This is generally true of any autoslalom, but especially true of the school. I also think it's easier to learn in a car that has lower grip levels.

[finboy]

not sure about easier to learn...

i'd say you'd learn more with less traction

[Marsh]

I'm of the opinion that since lower grip levels mean higher slip angles the 'limit' approaches much more gradually making it easier to find. Once you have learned how to get to the limit you can reproduce that lesson in another car without an instructor.

I think it's difficult to argue the point though since you can't go back and re-learn again. Whatever way you started out is the only way you know. I started out on all seasons.

[mopar1]

So would it be a good idea to start out on all seasons for the school and my first year of autacross.My main objective is to learn before I try to win.

[JoeT]

So would it be a good idea to start out on all seasons for the school and my first year of autacross.My main objective is to learn before I try to win.

Use anything that you have, almost any tires will do. As long as your objectives are what you've indicated. It's fun regardless.

[Marsh]

Use anything that you have, almost any tires will do. As long as your objectives are what you've indicated. It's fun regardless.

If you have all seasons then so be it. If you have good street tires then I would say their good to learn on. BUT they will not make you fast. So you'll have to decide. I would definitely recommend streets for the school. At the school you'll have to opportunity to ride in some instructor cars and you'll get to feel the difference between good streets and R's. After that you can decide how soon you make the jump. When I say "learn on streets" I would say that the school might be enough. But if you are thinking that R's might be a big bite in your wallet the first year then just stick with streets and have fun. You'll find that at most events, even provincials, there are enough people on streets that they have a little side competition of their own. Assuming, that is, there is no bonus for street tires, which at least two clubs currently offer at their club level events.

[mopar1]

Is there a bonus for street tires at the wosca events

[mikewolf]

Is there a bonus for street tires at the wosca events

Yep. wosca and pitl both offer a 2% bonus.

[mopar1]

I haven't had time to read through the whole rulebook so how does the 2%rule for street tires work.

[13inches]

At our PITL events, your official time is 98% of the time you actually run. Cone penalties (2s each) are added after the factor is applied.

[Marsh]

Ditto for WOSCA. You're time is multiplied by 0.98 to give a corrected time. The paxed time used for overall results is calculated after the street tire bonus calculation.

[michalcoughlin]

Can someone give me a good school recommendation?

I'm from burlington, totally new to all this. Would love to get started this year.

Would love to get on board and eventually get into racing in the future. I was directed here by John from touringcar.ca and he told me this is the place to come for all my info.

One last thing, normally how long does schooling take for completion to be "legal" ready for competition???
(((or if you guys can give me a link/thread with details on this would be great too)))

[JoeT]

Can someone give me a good school recommendation?

I'm from burlington, totally new to all this. Would love to get started this year.

Would love to get on board and eventually get into racing in the future. I was directed here by John from touringcar.ca and he told me this is the place to come for all my info.

One last thing, normally how long does schooling take for completion to be "legal" ready for competition???
(((or if you guys can give me a link/thread with details on this would be great too)))

For Autoslalom, there are no requirements to get licensed for competition. For touringcar, yes, school is required for you to get signed off for competition.

MCO and TRAC Racing Depot both run schools that will help you get signed off for racing.

Info for Trac
http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=12773

MCO:
http://www.mco.org/cms/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=7575

Hope this helps

[MazdaMatt]

I started in autocross without going to a school. I showed up to PowerAid Center in brampton to a HADA event, introduced myself to a couple people and lined up to go. I spent the day taking rides in other people's cars and having them ride in mine. Listen to what people say and don't rush it and you'll be golden.

If you want to do anything above autocross, definately take a track school. The spring Solosprint school is HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended! Its 400 bucks for 2 days. Sounds expensive, but there is NO 400 dollar upgrade you could ever do to your car to make you faster than that school will.

[Burnsey]

^^^^Agreed.

I did pretty much the same thing for AutoX last year. Followed a friend to a PITL event and had a blast.

All you need to do is show up with a running car, a driver's license, an open mind and a heavy right foot :D You can even borrow a helmet from the PITL folks.

Tap someone on the shoulder and ask for a few pointers ;)

[MazdaMatt]

I've never seen a sporting community where people are more eager to make their competition go faster. I wouldn't have learned nearly as much in my first year without Hanif, G, Steve from TLMC and many others.

[michalcoughlin]

Thanks for the imput everyone. Definately will look at schooling so that I can actually one day be able to compete :)

Doing some reading the school is only 3 days long? By taking this schooling & after completetion, where do I head from there? Would I be eligable to move onto track @ entry level

Thanks in advance for all the help :)

[Slowpoke]

Doing some reading the school is only 3 days long? By taking this schooling & after completetion, where do I head from there? Would I be eligable to move onto track @ entry level

Hi Michael,

I THINK you're referring to the SoloSprint school. The school is actually two days (Saturday and Sunday) but you get a free event when you sign up so it's actually three days on the track. After this school, yes, you're ready to go on track for Solo events. (Not race.) A year of SoloSprint before race is a very good idea. (Class C license required, and you're elligible.)

The Autoslalom school is two days (Saturday and Sunday) and is focused on Autoslalom; precision driving at lower speeds, usually in parking lots or airport runways. This school would teach you some good basic skills that carry over to the track, but doesn't sound like what you're aiming for.

Then there's the MCO and TRAC Race Schools. Assuming you pass, the MCO school CAN give you approval to apply for a Class B license. TRAC schools have been recognized in the past as well for Ontario; double check with them to make sure. This school is a little more pricey but would allow you to start racing this year. The difference between race and Solo is passing; race has it, Solo doesn't. SoloSprint is akin to Time Attack if you're familiar with that format.

[StewPiddass]

michael, fyi, if you're wanting to run in John's series (CCTCC) you need to first get your race license and run in 6 or more regional race events (this is the requirement for an ASN-FIA license that is required for the CCTCC series)

It's kind of like a ladder system, many of us around here do it, start out with Autoslalom (Solo-2) then move up to Solosprint (Solo-1), these can be done in the same season (some people skip autoslalom completely). Then, if you have a race car and obtain your CASC race license you can move up to road racing (regional racing) once you have done at least 6 of these events and you pass your ASN FIA license and you have a car that fits into the CCTCC rule set (Touring or Super Touring, less than 10 years old, etc...) you could move to that series if you wanted.

[MazdaMatt]

Unless you're a millionaire, this typically takes a few seasons. Unless you're gifted, the skills take as long...

What kind of car do you plan on racing?

[michalcoughlin]

I have a 2003 Saab 9-3 2.0t

If eligible that is.

Well I was told the school in Ottawa is a great school to goto, but the only way for me attending that would be on weekends since I'm 5hrs away.

I'll guess I'll find out info on when class dates are held, hopefully weekends, if not, Anyone know of any other schools near GTA region?

A closer trip would be preferred.

Thanks to everyone for your helpful info :)

[George]

I started in autocross without going to a school. I showed up to PowerAid Center in brampton to a HADA event, introduced myself to a couple people and lined up to go. I spent the day taking rides in other people's cars and having them ride in mine. Listen to what people say and don't rush it and you'll be golden.

If you want to do anything above autocross, definately take a track school. The spring Solosprint school is HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended! Its 400 bucks for 2 days. Sounds expensive, but there is NO 400 dollar upgrade you could ever do to your car to make you faster than that school will.

Same here.

I just showed up at a TFBM/OMSC autocross which was run on the DDT Parking Lot; finished in the middle of my class, made some friends and a few weeks later I ran a lap day on the DDT. I have yet to attend any schools but it would probably be a good idea.

Pretty much every form of racing which I’ve been involved with over the years I’ve found that people are very helpful towards those who want to get started in the sport.

The main thing is just to get on with it and not worry too much about how great your tyres are at this stage because there’s a lot of driving skills to acquire before working on the car itself.

You might also wish to consider attending one or two TFBM events as they are relatively low pressure with not a lot of entrants so you get lots of seat time; their course layouts tend to be more open for the larger cars which makes the circuit easier to learn as well. So these events are good for someone just getting started.

[mopar1]

I plan on attending the open house and if I get there in time I will sign up for the school if not then I will just show up at the first autocross event and go from there.Thanks to everyone for the input.