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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 6, 2006 12:38:41 GMT -5
Hey guys, I'm new to the area and looking to get involved with a little road racing and have a few questions. I've bounced around this site for a couple days and hopefully I'm not asking questions that I could have found answers for on my own.
My biggest question is if I could even race my car with you guys. The car I have is a oval track street stock. While the it retains the stock (1980 something Monte Carlo) supspension, pretty much everything else is not stock - sheetmetal body, no interior, set back engine, ect. Seems to me that it would fit in either the Prepared or Modified class.
Would I be allowed to race a car like that?
I have a lot of other question, but this is the big one.
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Post by sleeper on Nov 6, 2006 13:04:04 GMT -5
I think you can definitely run a solo event, your car would most likely be classed in Prepared, either XP, BP or CP depending on some other technical details.
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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 6, 2006 15:24:29 GMT -5
Thanks for the direction. I looked in the rule book and it looked to me like the XP class would be 99% correct. The only problem I saw from a quick look is my firewall and engine are shifted back about 4 inches.
Do you guys get many cars in the Prepared division?
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Post by lagunamiata on Nov 6, 2006 15:40:50 GMT -5
Most of the cars that we get in the Prepared classes are ex-road race cars. CP, EP and FP are the popular ones for our gang.
As for allowed to race, if it'll pass tech inspection (ultimately my call on that) and isn't too loud, you should be fine.
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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 6, 2006 16:19:34 GMT -5
How loud is "too loud"? ;D
A 12:1 383 running through open headers tends to make a little noise when you step on the go pedal. One change I know I'll need to make is to add a couple glasspacks to calm her down a bit.
But on the tech, you guys wouldn't get your panties in a bunch over a sheetmetal body and dirt racing tires? Safety wise, the thing is a lot safer than any street car.
Should be fun to run even if a left hander like me would get his butt whipped by you road racing experts.
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Post by bogner47 on Nov 6, 2006 16:50:14 GMT -5
Hang on, are you talking road-racing, or actual parking-lot auto-crossing? I'm thinking there may be a confusion here since you mentioned road racing, but posted in the auto-x section.....
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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 7, 2006 7:07:26 GMT -5
Sorry, I mean AutoX parking lot racing. To a circle track guy, I guess anything requiring a right turn is road racing.
Actually, I posted this the wrong section, I thought I was in the novice forum.
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Post by lagunamiata on Nov 7, 2006 7:34:27 GMT -5
Don't worry about what section...
The noise issue is pretty subjective. Most of our sites are away from the population, so we don't worry about it too much. I don't think there's an actual DB listed in the SOLO rules, just a statement about it being reasonable.
We hosted a SCR event last December when they couldn't get a site at the last minute. Some guy had a Civic with an open exhaust. To me, it was too loud, and I grew up crewing at road races!
For the most part, true race cars that pass a tech inspection at a track will pass our tech inspection without a problem.
Bottom line - bring it out - you'll have fun!
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Post by jbyrd on Nov 7, 2006 8:01:16 GMT -5
From: SCCA Solo National 2006 RulesSection 3.5 "Adequate Mufflers are required for Solo Events. The criterion for "adequacy" is not what the exhaust system consists of, but the sound level. Any car deemed by the Event Chairman or his designated representative to be excessively loud shall not compete without acceptable modifications installed on the car." If you have an un-muffled cup or gn car, my gut feeling says you're probably too loud. The best thing to do is bring it to an event if possible, and let our Solo Director listen to it. Even though most of our sites are away from residential areas, some are close enough that a totally un-muffled car is still probably too loud. Some events in the Carolinas do have clearly defined and monitored noise restrictions. The rule book is available at www.scca.com in pdf format. |
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Post by sleeper on Nov 7, 2006 9:31:13 GMT -5
Good point John. Although I think he'll be fine at Knights at least because there are no residential areas nearby.
Bring that beast and let's see what she can do.
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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 7, 2006 9:35:39 GMT -5
Well, I fired the car up in the garage over the weekend and my neighbor came over because he first thought was that he heard thunder. I think a pair of glasspacks would be in order. I can get an exhaust on this car one way or another.
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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 7, 2006 9:39:24 GMT -5
I think I'll work on getting this thing ready to turn right for next year.
Maybe I'll just show up this weekend to see how things work.
So, AutoX is synonimus with Solo2 which is timed parking lot racing, right? Do you guys do any side by side racing with each other?
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Post by jbyrd on Nov 7, 2006 10:15:20 GMT -5
Yes. If you will go to www.scca.com you can scan through some of the raciing activities associated with the SCCA. Our region offers a Solo (formerly Solo2) program, as well as road racing, solo track events, and driving schools. There are various forums for your interest. The website is currently a little behind, but we will be working to remedy this soon. |
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Post by bogner47 on Nov 7, 2006 10:15:33 GMT -5
We did do some side-by-side, but then the damn Po-lice came and took my car away this weekend!
I kid, I kid! We'd love to see you come out this weekend, but I personally am not familiar with the 'real' side by side racing aspect of SCCA. You stand a good chance of finding people this weekend who'd be happy to talk to you about it though!
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Post by lagunamiata on Nov 7, 2006 12:26:09 GMT -5
I spent 20 years working as crew for my dad and his road racing, so I can probably answer questions that you have.
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Post by C4Shane on Nov 7, 2006 17:51:14 GMT -5
I run in E-prepared - and I think you would end up in Modified since the rulebook shows:
"The chassis, frame, or subframe may be notched or cut and
brackets may be added for the purpose of attaching alternate
suspension or drivetrain components, except that the firewall
may not be modified for engine block or cylinder head clearance.
Holes may be cut to provide clearance for authorized suspension
and drivetrain components, through their entire range of travel."
Sounds like the firewall and the engine have been relocated, which would not be permitted in a Prepared class car. But, I would suggest you download the latest rulebook and look over the Prepared/Modified class rules to see where you end up.
Come on out and play with us. I'd love to see the big beast roll around the course.
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Post by soloracer on Nov 12, 2006 21:45:55 GMT -5
I think I'll work on getting this thing ready to turn right for next year. Maybe I'll just show up this weekend to see how things work. So, AutoX is synonimus with Solo2 which is timed parking lot racing, right? Do you guys do any side by side racing with each other? Hate we missed ya this weekend. Was really looking foreward to meeting you and seeing you run. Maybe next year? I remember seeing a camaro run a few years ago. Thinking it was a late model sportsman. He did pretty good. James |
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Post by damnyankee on Nov 12, 2006 21:48:40 GMT -5
You might be able to see him this year. Stay tuned for a possible non-points run in December.
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Post by soloracer on Nov 12, 2006 21:55:28 GMT -5
That would rock.
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Post by damnyankee on Nov 12, 2006 22:05:30 GMT -5
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Post by prancingdawg on Nov 12, 2006 22:18:20 GMT -5
12/9 sounds good. Waiting...
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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 13, 2006 7:17:39 GMT -5
Oh I was there, but the cars in no shape to run right now. The body's trashed and she need's some pretty significant changes to run on the pavement. Pretty sure we'll get it fixed up and run with you guys next year.
The racin' looked like alot of fun, can't wait to try it out next year.
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Post by prancingdawg on Nov 13, 2006 14:18:26 GMT -5
12/10, woof!
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Post by C4Shane on Nov 13, 2006 21:10:27 GMT -5
12/10!!!!! Might have to bring out the Corvette again...
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Post by pistonwheels on Nov 15, 2006 10:03:16 GMT -5
Hey WesternAuto,
Hope you get your car fixed up. It sounds as though you will run in Modified class. We used to have some people bring out cars that were pretty modified. Some on here may remember the Hopkins father and son. I think Mac (the father) had a small block Chevvy engine in his Opel body shell.
You can get a reasonable sound-meter from Radio Shack for not a lot of money. If you can get your car under 103 decibels at 50 foot, you're should be OK at most autoxes and other events. (then yoyu can return the sounds meter...)
A logical next step for you after getting involved at Autoxes would be Time Trials events. These are usally held on race tracks but are not side-by-side racing. They will let you drive as fast as your able (and sometimes faster) on a restricted course.
Your concern with side-by-side racing is the need to get a club racing licence. That requires attending a school. There is also investment in appropraite clothing/helmet etcetera and very specific requirements for vehicle prep.
You might want to check out Hillclimbs for future direction as well. Your car's set-up may work well for these type of events and they are huge fun and challenge.
Sincerely,
Martin.
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Post by westernauto17 on Nov 15, 2006 10:15:47 GMT -5
Thanks, Martin. Thats all very useful information.
Honestly, this old girl has probably seen her last side by side competition. In the next few years, we're going to build a new oval car. The Solo2 and the Time Trials are what I am very interested in for the old car.
I think that a pair of glasspacks should quiet it down enough.
Can't wait to get a new body on this thing a do some racin next year.
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Post by pistonwheels on Nov 15, 2006 16:43:56 GMT -5
I need a new body too. This one is pretty beat up. Has taken a lot of knocks (many from this forum!).
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Post by ROADBOY on Nov 18, 2006 0:52:07 GMT -5
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