New to SOLO2: Any advice/tips?

[Gonad]

Hey everyone,
A little about myself and my car.

Nothing much about myself, other then the fact that I want to get into SOLO2 cmpetitively for the 2004 season.

My weapon of choice: 1992 Nissan 240sx Coupe. You can visit my website for my list of modifications and such (click my sig below to visit site).

Anywho, I'm trying to register, and am wondering if I just fill out the form 2003 Solo II Series / Event Registration & Car Prep Point Form which is : http://66.46.236.210/2003/pdfs/2003SoloIIRegForm.pdf

Is there anything else I should be aware of, or read up on as well?

Some pointers for someone totally new to this game, would be very much appreciated.

[tanney]

The rules and forms are going to change for 2004.

The 2003 CNAC rule book is on line (at the site you indicated) and will be changed to facilitate a series. The 2004 rule book is in draft form and being reviewed and will hopefully be finished in the next month or so. The third draft will be available for competitors to review once I get comments back on the second draft (out this week)

The registration forms will be updated after the rule book is finalized and we will be taking no series registration forms until the SoloOntario Open House at CSC Racing on March 28th (details to follow).

Keep your ear to the graound as all the "official" anouncements will show up in these forums.....

[Greg F]

Originally posted by Gonad

Is there anything else I should be aware of, or read up on as well?

Some pointers for someone totally new to this game, would be very much appreciated.

Unless something breaks, or a really good deal comes along, don't spend a dime on performance parts for your first year.

Go to as many events as you can--there are many clubs that host events.

Marshal every chance you get.

Ask an experienced person if you can tag along on an early run.

Offer an experienced person a free fun run in your car.

Play Gran Turismo instead of going to work.

Go go-karting instead of having sex.

Raise your tire pressures.

Move your driver's seat closer to the steering wheel and put the back vertical.

Tune up the car and make sure it's 100% safe to drive. In other words, don't endanger any of the marshals.

Get there early and walk the course many times. Offer to sweep the course if it needs it.

Others will continue to post here soon, I'm sure...

[tanney]

Be prepared to be humbled in your first season and remember that almost everyone started at the bottom and got better.

If your running a modded, you are probably going to be running against people that have a lot of experience doing autocross, and have prepped their cars well, so they usually raise above the rest, don't be discouraged.

Everything that Greg said has merit....

Join a CASC-OR affiliated club.......

[Martini Focus]

Originally posted by tanney
Be prepared to be humbled in your first season and remember that almost everyone started at the bottom and got better.


Damn that's true last year I watched an event and thought, how hard can it be to drive around a few cones.

OMG how humbling or to use a better work embarrassing my first experience was. I got lost on course mowed down 6 or 7 cones and generally made a mess of things.

With that said there is no more friendly group of people than solo II folks. People made suggestions, gave me hints let me tag along on walk throughs. By the end of the season I was greatly improved and enjoyed every minute of it.

Since we are deep into winter see if you can get a copy of Secrets of Solo Racing: Expert Techniques for Autocrossing and Time Trials by Henry A. Watts. I read it last month over Christmas and would highly recommend it to anyone starting out.

See you in spring, I'm the guy with the silly looking Focus come over and say hello!


:cool:

[haniforama]

I'd definitely sign up for the SOLO 2 school.

I had the privilege of being an instructor and seeing the wide smiles on the students faces was priceless :D. The progress they made during the day was outstanding and it really helped me since it reminded me of the discipline required to be consistent.

The learning curve is steep, but the school will help you up it!

A stock or near stock vehicle will have an inherant safe and consistent nature built into it by the factory. Be sure that the safety components are all within specs and tight (suspension, brakes, etc).

Hanif

[Gonad]

I'm a little shy at first but I will definately try to make some friends
and hopefully learn a lot more before I actually get ino the game.
I have a lot to learn, and I can't afford lessons just yet, so I am
basically going to be out there to have fun.

As said earlier, my car is slightly modified, so it's not bone-stock
anymore. According to the 2003 rule book, I have:

Vehicle Modifications Declaration Steering, Suspension & Running-Gear:
SS - Strut or Sub-frame braces
SS - Shifter
1 - Anti-sway bars (front and rear)
1 - Panhard rod or bushings
1 - control arms (front and rear) or bushings
3 - Springs (I will actually have coilovers)

Engine & Drive Train:
1 - Air filter element

Body & Misc:
S - Muffler
S - Brakes, pads
S - Gauges, accessories, steering wheel, pedals
S - Rims (non OEM size)

Body Panels & Parts - Lightweight/Removed:
S - remove spare tire, jack, t-tops, etc
1 - Seats (each)

[haniforama]

The SOLO 2 School is maybe double the cost of an event, but you'll get far more seat time, and seat time with instruction!

The instructors are also fellow competitors and can answer any and all questions you may have - they'll likely be at the events you go to and will be a welcome face!

I went to a car control school in Oshawa before my first event (back in 97) and it totally made my first year of SOLO2 a blast! I knew what was going on, what to do at the event, how to have my car prepared (take out any moveable objects, pump up tire pressures, have good brakes, etc, etc), what to bring to make my day enjoyable (suncreeen, lots of water, hat, etc), and most importantly, gave me a great bunch of peope to talk to during the event!

Hanif

[gatherer]

do you have to be a rookie to go to the school I'd like to do it again....(since my car has changed a bit....)

[tanney]

no

[Marsh]

Originally posted by Greg F
Unless something breaks, or a really good deal comes along, don't spend a dime on performance parts for your first year.

This has to be one of the most ignored pieces of advice I've ever given. Learn in a stock vehicle, it can't be stressed enough.

[tanney]

This has to be one of the most ignored pieces of advice I've ever given. Learn in a stock vehicle, it can't be stressed enough. Yeah, but I won't go fast in a stock car. It won't turn, no power, gotta do mods.......

If your going to mod your car, start with stickers, lots and lots of stickers (the yellow ones alone are worth at least 15% power increase)

Sorry I couldn't resist :D

[Gonad]

Well I hope you don't think I'm a *****, because I'm far from it.

I've only spent my money on suspension mods. The
powerplant is bone-stock (except for K&N).

And my only suspension changes include polyurethane bushings
(in place of the 12yr old rubber ones), strut bars, coilovers and
anti-swaybars.

I'm not out there to prove anything, or win. I am there to learn,
and have a good time. Having never done SOLO2, I'm totally in
this for the experience.

I know you guys dont mean anything bad by your comments, so
don't think I'm hostile with this post. :D

[tanney]

I was just being a sarcastic dickhead with my last post....... sorry.

There was someone out last year for some club events that got beat in his first outing, so he figure he needed more power to go faster, meanwhile, he was getting kicked by well driven stock cars.

The best way to go quick is by improving the driver. A stock car gives you a good feel for what cars are designed to do, so after you max out your driving, then you can start modding your car and concentrate on the car set up.

When you come out next year, it won't take long to distinguish the truly good drivers from the competitors that are there to "show off" their car or "driver skills" (I say that with total sarcasim).

Be humble, take the school (as Hanif suggested), ask experienced competitors to go out with you, ask to go out with them, soak it all in and work your way up to being fast.

[gatherer]

Originally posted by tanney
There was someone out last year for some club events that got beat in his first outing, so he figure he needed more power to go faster, meanwhile, he was getting kicked by well driven stock cars.


hehehe yeah that was at a PITL events... I know who that was....

[njansenv]

Hmmm. Who? I hope it wasn't me:). If I was going to drive a car JUST to be competitive, I'd keep it stock, but for me, the car has to be fun everyday: hence the move to stiffer springs and sways on my last car. The standalone was a school project. Don't run a modified class on Motomasters if you want to be competitive:D. At the same time, have a blast: it's a GREAT learning experience. I loved Gregs tips. This car, I'll probably keep stock for the first event, just to see the difference the parts make.... I still don't plan on being competitive yet:).

N

[Peter Lejbjuk]

Hey,

I was in your shoes this time last year. I had bought my car a year earlier and knew I wanted to race it, but I was nervous... and a little shy.

You've definitely got the right attitude, and I have no doubt you'll realy enjoy yourself. You'll soon find that the who solo2 community is very friendly. We're all here to help eachother out and make sure everyone is having fun, although we're competitive there realy aren't any speed secrets between competitors.

I would strongly recommend the school, it will build your confidence and take the edge off the nervousness you're bound to feel lined up at your first event.

If you ever want a ride in a Subaru I will gladly take you for a spin, and/or go for a ride along with you.

From the mod's you've listed it sounds like you started in the right spot (suspension)... what kind of tires are you running?

-Pete

[DareBee]

Gonad

Would like to see you out to play at PITTL events. Can always use another A Mod car.

[MitS]

Originally posted by DareBee
Gonad

Would like to see you out to play at PITTL events. Can always use another A Mod car.

Especially one that doesn't take out cones by the dozen! :D

[Gonad]

Hey,
Yea I think i will try to come out to several PITL events, and
hopefully I'll be able to introduce myself to others. I'm a little
shy so bare with me :)

But yea, I'll be a bit nervous at letting others drive my car so
hopefully I can get a ride in someone elses so they can show
me a bunch of pointers so I don't plow through a buncha pylons :)

[miataboi]

Originally posted by Gonad
Hey,
Yea I think i will try to come out to several PITL events, and
hopefully I'll be able to introduce myself to others. I'm a little
shy so bare with me :)

But yea, I'll be a bit nervous at letting others drive my car so
hopefully I can get a ride in someone elses so they can show
me a bunch of pointers so I don't plow through a buncha pylons :)

See you there...
Feel free to bring any cute / sexy / single / nympho female friends you may have as well...

Don't worry... they won't be lonely... there are LOTS of other women there... ;)

[max attack]

Well since your a newbie it seems you've picked the right user name!At least we can say "allright who's the gonad that just killed the timer?"
Joking btw,there isn't too many people that won't anyone with a question a decent attitude towards learning new things.
With a 240 as your car you should look into some of the drift schools thru driftnation.com,I've been asked to help with instruction so if you decide to try it out you'll see me with the nuclear butterscotch corolla(can't miss it!).Good way to learn car control.,food for thought.

[Gonad]

I'll be there at the Drift Nation event for sure. I wouldn't miss it.
Considering the event is being held about 5min from where I live (The Brampton Centre). :)

I'm from the www.Son240sx.ca car club (for those that know,
phillip_240sx is also from the same club).

[silverwolfracin]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tanney
after you max out your driving, then you can start modding your car and concentrate on the car set up.

When do you max out your driving?
I'm sure my car is capable of going faster around corner 2 on Pro than I can make it.

I worked on it one day: I got faster, and faster, and faster, and faster... why is the world spinning, and spinning....is that what I had for lunch?

Ah blame it on the concrete patch......and wear a neck brace:)

Always blame the driver, the car is alway better than you give it credit for. Lend it to Steven Tong or Tony McGrath, they'll show you what it can do.

[Gerry]

Hi:
Just to back up what's already been posted: concentrate on improving driving skills. A good school and lots of practice will give better and quicker results than the incremental improvements from hardware changes.
Example: I normally compete Solo 1 & 2 with a modified 3rd generation RX-7. Last summer, my car was in for service and the dealer loaned me a brand new stock Miata demonstrator. With the dealer's knowledge, I took the car to the PITL event and placed 3rd in a very competitive class. And I know I still have a lot to learn.
The most important aspect of this hobby: remember to have fun!
See you in the Spring...

[max attack]

Sounds good Gonad(I love saying that btw!:D )I look forward to getting started with the drift thing-I'll be getting some more practice in this coming weekend...ice racing is finally here!!.
If you drive the 240 in the winter you should also be getting lotsa practice,I drive pick-ups in the winter so I love just about every drive to and from work.My passengers get a little motion sickness every now and then but thats none of my concern!!.
See you at the first drift school come spring.

[soloZ]

Originally posted by tanney
I was just being a sarcastic dickhead with my last post.......



Hi and welcome to a really friendly sport of driving. hehe nice one big guy.


Yes start stock and then play with parts. I ran my car stock (well ok it is still stock) for the first two or three years and on street tires, then I got some sticky tires and that was all I needed to go faster.

[soloZ]

Originally posted by gatherer
hehehe yeah that was at a PITL events... I know who that was....

was he getting beat by a stock Z24? hehe I hopeso i like helping out the local parts shops by making them money.

[spoonie]

welcome! it's always nice to have new competitors in the sport.

wait, that would mean that i'm competitive. doh. :D

everyone's advice is spot on the mark. my 1st season just passed, and i've learned a lot. it probably would have helped me a lot to take the training session - it probably still would, but i'm a stubborn bastard with the understeering car of the century with a chip on my shoulder :P

nice looking car - i look forward to seeing it up close.

as stated above, bring girls. lots.

~spoonie

[Greg F]

Yup, PITL always has a lot of nice girls. Maybe they prefer to party Saturday night instead of having to worry about getting up early Sunday morning to go to an autocross.

:confused:

[Gonad]

Unfortunately, I have no women to bring. I will just be coming
solo with a friend or two :(

Hopefully I can keep my eyes on the pylons rather then the girls :D