[Shotimes] Autocross a SHO

[Zach Leahy]

Tespreist.

I did this for several seasons, and we had a pretty good G-stock class.
Even with some minor mods the region let me run in G-stock as I just would
not be competative anywhere else.  I ran the car hard, and managed to win a
few events, but our class was reasonably competative, so victories were
short lived.

Lee is right, you don't need too much to make the car fun out there.  Now,
just realize that without spending $$ you won't go out there and win.
Basically if you want to win a class you need to have a great car that's
maximized withing the boundries of your class.  Even in stock class there
are mods that can be made.  Struts can be swapped with direct fit
replacements, and any tire that is DOT approves goes, so competition tires
are seen all the time.  But that's to be very competative... to have fun it
requires much much less.  You need to show up with a good helmet, and if you
don't have one they have loaners many times, and then just go out to learn
and have fun.

Tip...  Bring a small cooler with some drinks, and a hat as you will be
standing in the sun all day.  Not a big deal at those March auto-x's but
when July rolls around, it can be brutal.  Relax, realize your probably not
going to be winning your class anytime soon, and just enjoy the time out.
Find the older wiser crowd and glom as much info you can off of them.  If
they do a rookie walk-through of the track - go and listen to what the
leader has to say.  We even have a school once a year.

To many of us who are more of the open track type driver now, this is how we
got our starts.  I began running autocross for a few years, and then I did
the track event at Tulsa....  I realized that the track days are much more
what I want to do than the Auto-X.  The trick there though is that the days
are more expensive, the breakage and wear is more extensive, and the prep
time is longer per event.  It's a lot of fun - but I don;t recommend regular
track days for a car that must get you to work the following day.

Anyway, have fun with it!

Zach


On 3/1/06, Paul L Fisher <sho@paul-fisher.com> wrote:
>
> Have you changed the y-pipe or rear swaybar? If so, you no longer are
> eligible for stock classes, at least according to SCCA sanctioning rules.
> How about your air filter?
>
>
> Paul L Fisher
>
> Visit my website: http://www.paul-fisher.com
> SHOClub Member: http://www.shoclub.com
> Amsoil dealer: http://www.paul-fisher.com/oil
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net [mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
> On Behalf Of Techpriest
> Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 8:57 PM
> To: ShoTimes (E-mail)
> Subject: [Shotimes] Autocross a SHO
>
> The story about the skater that Autocrossed was the first time I ever
> heard
> of Autocross.  Turns out there are two clubs not that far from me that
> race
> regularly.  I have been racing RC cars, this sounds more fun and not
> really
> any more expensive.
>
> I have an 89 SHO with 5spd.  If I wanted to enter the Stock Autocross
> class
> I would need a helmet and would want another set of tires.  Anyone do this
> before and have some pointers?  Anything in particular with this car I
> need
> to know?  Any problems I am bound to run into?  The car is my daily driver
> (100 miles a day just to get to work and back) so I want to stay in the
> Factory Stock Class.
>
> 89 SHO "TEKPRST"
> Your typical four-door family sport car.
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