Newbie. Overwhelmed?

[FrankC]

Hi guys, I just signed up for the forum.

A little intro about myself: I have been doing performance driving schools and lapping days for a while and would definitely like to step up a notch and join some Solo1 and/or solo2 this year.

However, is this series suitable for newbies like me? Yes I have been doing some BMW club driving schools and lapping days hosted by other motorsport organizations; but most of them are somewhat btw social/softcore driving events.

How do I (and my car) get started? Any special requirement/qualification? I have checked out the 2002 solo1 rules and I admit the information is a bit dense to absorb for me (still reading it as of now).

For information I drive a 100% stock E36 M3 which I acquired 2 months ago.

Thanks, great forum guys.

[ctenche]

Hi there!

First off, yes, this series is definitely suitable for your. Heck, I wouldn't call you a newbie based on teh driving schools and lapping days that you've been doing. Each year Solo 1 and Solo 2 both have new drivers sign up that range the gamut from zero experience to full on racer. To your other point, though both sports can be quite competitive they are also very social too. A better bunch of people I have yet to meet. We generally have BBQs after events and hang out and often you will see competitors helping each other out changing wheels or lending spare parts, etc. Great people.

Of course, if you'd like to step it up you can. You can make it as competitive as you'd like it to be, and believe me, when people are fighting for that extra tenth of a second to beat their fellow competitor, it can get quite tense.

You're right about the rule book though. It is a lot to digest. To answer your question on how to get started, have you check out the "How do I get involved?" link on the Solo Ontario (http://www.soloontario.com) web page? It should cover the basic to get you going. Beyond that, ask away. There are lots of people on this message board that able to answer them.

[Taylor]

Well to "get started" I think everyone would strongly recommend you get a set of R-Compound tires. Though not an official requirement, you won't find anyone running on anything else (unless it's raining).

Toyo RA-1's are commonly known as the best bang for your buck tire (perfect for Novices). And yeah, you have more experience than most do when they start off, so I think you're the perfect candidate for Solo 1. :) I bet you've taken more schools than a number of Solo drivers.

You'll need a Helmet (which you needed for your schools and lapping days (riiiiiight?)) and I'm sure whatever they require is good e'nough for Solo One in a stock car. (You need an M or SA 95 or better rated helmet).

That's about it, oh you'll need a CASC Basic License too, it's like $50 or something like that, just fill out the forms. Which are on the soloontario site. Open house is a good time to show up and schomooze, the solo 1 school is good for that too but with the number of schools it sounds like you've taken and the limited slots for the school you'll be more than fine without it. I've taken the BMW school and the Solo 1 school and you've already been exposed to the same skills/information/practice you need. There's still the format of the events, gridding and stuff but you don't need the school for that. People will be more than happy to explain it to you... repeatedly. :)

[Dave Barker]

Frank C , come on and join in . Yes, it will seem intimidating at the begining and no , you will not likely win your class first year but you will have a hoot and likely get hooked. Watch out , it can get addictive .

[Rob McAuley]

You can sign up and register at the Open House, then you can meet the long-time members at the school.

I did the School last year, and it helped get to know the event organizers and other key individuals that make things happen. You also get to see how an event is run in addition to the Shannonville track time.

Your M3 will be a blast. There should be 4 or 5 bimmers out this year, ranging from B1 to B3 stock, as well as BSS1 (2001 Series Champ). Last year we had an E46 M3 out on street tires.

Most E36's run on 17*8 inch wheels with 235/40-17 or 245/40-17 tires. Hoosiers are fast, but don't last. They've got great grip until you push them too hard, then they just let go. Toyos should last a bit longer, but don't have the ultimate grip of the Hoosiers. They do tend to be more forgiving when pushed (ie. grip goes away gradually).

If you're doing the April BMW Club School at Mosport, look for either Christian Sorensen (Red E36 328is), or myself. We'd love to tell you even more!

[Taylor]

Rob: Did you get some kind of confirmation on the Mosport school registration? I faxed in the morning of the 1st and I haven't heard squat.

[TEUTON]

Another newbie here :D

However, my car is not stock and a lot of penalty points will be added. I will probably move up one class. Does this mean it is too late for me to join in? Or I should use another car to do it?

Thanks.

[Taylor]

Too late? Umm not sure you can ever be too late.. :)

There arn't any limits on competitors (essentially), you don't have to start at event 1 and you don't have to do all 14 events. But the best 8 of 14 are scored.

The only limit is for the Solo 1 School and I hear the spots have been filling up (but I didn't think they/we were taking applications until the open house, but apparently I'm wrong.. so if you want in the school, better fill out the form and get it off to them). As for the series, just show at the open house in April and come to whatever events you can (though you get a discount for pre-registering the events you want to attend).

[Dave]

nice website, Teuton! Would be great to get some more of the Bimmer boys to come out and play with us.

There are no requirements that your car be stock when you start competing in the Solo 1 series. You can bring anything out from a completely stock Ford Fiesta to a Formula race car or even a F125 shifter kart. We've got a class that your car will fit into. The only illegal vehicles for competition are trucks and SUV's (or anything over our maximum height limit, due to high roll center which we deem dangerous for track use).

In terms of registering for the series, you must be a member of a CASC-affiliated club. You can get a listing of of the clubs at http://www.casc.on.ca/Clubs.asp You can even join one of these clubs at the Solo Open House in April, as the clubs that host Solo 1 events (BAC, HADA, OMSC, and TAC) all have tables set up at the Open House so that anyone new to the series can register with a CASC-affiliated club (which allows you to get your race liscense -- no school required, just a valid driver's liscense and $50).

So bring out your E36 (M3?) and get all your Teutonic friends to join us too! 2002 promises to be a great year and like Dave Barke says it's so much fun you'll be an addict in no time.

Cheers,
Dave, Go-Fast Crackpipe addict #1

[FrankC]

thnx for all the 'encouraging' words and replies :cool: I guess I'll give it a shot this year just for the fun of it.

Yes I have seen Chris Sorensen in action on Mosport. Although I admire his incredible driving skills and aggressiveness :eek: , it was also one of my primary concerns that deters me from participating with the semi-pros in the series. But I'll still join 8)

Another Q here, most of my experience have been built on Mosport (the big track) and some on Fabi. Are there practice sessions and/or lapping days available through SoloOntario (or others?) prior to the 'formal races' (ie. at Cayuga, Nelson, DDT, etc..)?


Taylar: you should get a confirmation pacakge in your mail soon whether or not you are in. There will be a note informing you that you are on the waiting list (and your number) if the school has been filled out. You can also give Rolf a call at 416-233-6604 to confirm your registration.

[Dave]

nice thing about Solo 1 is Chris Sorensen can't drive on your bumper and scare all the rookies away. If Chris grew up a few generations later he would have been the Ritalin posterboy!

For lapping days, check out www.hadamotorsport.com/events or have a look at the WiredMotorsports.com event calendar.

Cheers,
Dave

[ctenche]

Of course at a lapping day, all bets are off with Chris :)

[alexb]

Dave giving Chris a shot is like the Pope complaning about God.Come out and have some fun whith the well heeled group:)

[TEUTON]

Thanks for the replies and nice compliments. :D

Chris was my instructor once at BMWCC driving school. I thought it was fun to see him chase down M3s when I got a ride with him on the track. However, it was pretty scary when I saw his red 328 filling up my review mirror last September. Totally different feelings :(

[Rob McAuley]

...and you likely will be gridded after him, so he shouldn't catch you.

But if you're running an M3, you could be the 4th or 5th car out in his group. Then you will have to try and stay ahead of him!

[mito]

This forum is ALIVE!!

I thought I would post that I am a rookie this year also. I won't be participating in solo 1 since I know well I'm not ready for it... basically financially. I will see you all at solo 2 and at the open house. Don't laugh when I knock down every single pylon. I only participated at one event last year at the hershey centre. Looking forward to sun burn and to licks burgers.

[Dave]

Mito, hope to see you at plenty of Solo 2 events this summer.

Solo 1 is often more intimidating to people since the speeds are higher, but we have lots of rookies come out who compete at their own speed and comfort level. You don't have to be the fastest person at the track to enjoy Solo 1 and get a feel for the limits of your car and your driving. When you're ready for it, sign up for the Solo 1 school or some other track driving school, maybe try a lapping day or tow, and then come on out and give Solo 1 a try! You'll be hooked in no time :) You don't have to take a school or do any lapping before you try Solo 1, I'm just suggesting it as a way of easing your way into the sport so that you're more comfortable at your first competion event on a race track.

Lick's burgers and pylons sound good to me!

Dave

[Shaman]

Personally, I find Solo-1 much more rewarding than Solo-II but if you have a faster car, you are more likely to find that than a slower car. I think what you should do is beg, borrow or steal to go to the course day and discover if it's for you.

Solo-II can also be rewarding if you have a smaller car.

[mito]

I haven't been to solo 1 school yet but I've tested out the fabi track and the cayuga tracK (aka tmp :rolleyes: ) It's a lot of fun for sure, but I'm not prepared to bring it to the competition level yet.

[lovince]

Yet another newbie from Teutonic.ca :D

I'll be looking to try out a few Solo I & IIs this year. I've only done a few driving schools last year, so you'll see me dead last pretty much all the time :D

Q: I'm going to be doing a (CASC) race school with MCO in April. Will that be enough to allow me to do Solo I? Or do I have to do a Solo I school as well? :confused:

[DECH_92]

Hi Lovince
I went to CASC school last year with HRC, ( same thing as MCO )
It was my only track time befor joining Solo1 last year.
Scary but what a rush.:)
That is the only schooling you need to join.
Come for sure to Solo1 and the lapping days, your love it.
My first year, no first places but was not last place ether.
Its hard not to but don`t worry about it, just do it.
once you do you first day, you will never look back.:D

[Taylor]

You do not HAVE to have any schools under your belt. All you need to compete is a CASC Basic License which you get by filling out a form and attaching payment. (Of course to get one you have to belong to a CASC affiliated club, but there arn't any prerequisites(sp?) for that).

However this year there is a sign-off rule on rookies which means you need to be signed off by a coach (someone running solo longer than you) before you can go on the track alone. I'm pretty sure you can still compete, but you'll have a coach in the car with you until you've been signed off. But hopefully that gets done during your first morning open lapping session.

As a result of that (and common sense) it definately helps if you have some form of track driving event under your belt and then you drive within your limits. Do that and you're golden.

[mito]

the coach and basic license only apply for solo 1, correct?

[Dave]

correctamundo :)