New Driver

[grok]

Hi, I'm a 41 year old virgin ... well to racing and autocross! ;D

Bought my first sports-car (yeh midlife crisis obviously) and want to play. Joined SCCA and registered for your Novice school March 11, and the AutoX March 12. Hope to have some good safe fun.

As far as helmet, they all seem to be $275 and up. Can someone point me to an allowed helmet model that's in the entry-level range?

On the entry form I took my best guess and put my car in the STS class, thought it might be DS? If someone can assist I'll try to change it correctly:
2004 Volvo S60R, Evolve exhaust and engine mount bushing, 19"x8.5" wheels (factory are 17" and 18" only), 235/35-19 Pirelli P ZERO NERO, with 10/15 spacers front/back respectively.

I hope not to get bogged down with technical stuff my first time out. The only fun driving I've had so far was Tail of the Dragon.

[prancingdawg]

www.soloracer.com/pyroopenfacesa.html


Welcome aboard-

You can get an open faced SA2005 model for an excellent price here- from Pyrotect, plus shipping may be free if you order more than just the helmet from them (bag, gloves, rotisserie chicken, etc.) They're quick, too.

Pdawg

[jbyrd]

Welcome aboard, grok.

Here's another place you can try.

www.thebellstore.com/

Check out the Bell/Bieffe closeouts, but make sure you pay attention to the Snell rating (or lack thereof).

Must be Snell M or SA 1995, 2000, or 2005.

From the looks of you wheels, that will probably knock you out of DS and into either STS or ESP.

Somebody else feel free to jump in here! We can look it up fer ye at the Novice school - just find one of the vets with a book.

Mind you - that's vets, not vettes - they don't use books. ;D

[lagunamiata]

www.zamp-racing.com/closeouts.htm

The J-1 (what I have) is SNELL M-2000 approved, fits like the ones you get at motorcyle shops and is entry level priced.

If I ever do track stuff I'll get a G-Force full face SA helmet...

Welcome to this crazy board!! Watch out for that flapping bird!

[grok]

jbyrd said:

From the looks of you wheels, that will probably knock you out of DS and into either STS or ESP.

Fine with me, I fully expect to get spanked my first few times out. Besides dont I start out as a Novice the first time regardless of the car? Think I read that somewhere but might have been unrelated.

Someone mentioned taking the spare tire and jack out of the car, is that required? I'm planning on bringing a tripod and video camera, too. Is it safe to leave unattended and rolling while I'm out driving? (not meaning this to be offensive question, sorry)

Hmm what else to ask .. I don't know. What else should I ask?

[lagunamiata]

Nope, not required, just make sure they are tight.
You can leave stuff outside the car. Having a tarp to cover things is nice. Or put your stuff in the trunk of a friends car.

[lagunamiata]

Or get someone to tape / shoot you and your car running....

[Imprezivblue]

OMG i'd LOVE to see an S60R running! Please take pics and post them guys as I won't be there!!! I'm in love with them!!! I have a poster on my wall of two lol!!!

Edit: There's NO way you're in STS! I just read the rules and you're in STU! So if you pre-register, pre-register in STU. The wheels are what puts you in this class. You might want to read what other options you have in regards to modifications as you get more serious (if you enjoy autox) to think about doing other things (as well as improving your driving).

[lagunamiata]

Will do... Just for ya TK!
Hopefully I'll remember to take a lot of pictures at the school.

[kjenkins]

lagunamiata said:

www.zamp-racing.com/closeouts.htm

The J-1 (what I have) is SNELL M-2000 approved, fits like the ones you get at motorcyle shops and is entry level priced.

I found this on E-Bay for $69 + $15 shipping in 48 states.

Is this an acceptable helmet?
Visit this guy's Ebay store, Helmet Depot
stores.ebay.com/Helmet-Depot

He also has the other helmets you have listed.


AGV GP1 Helmets - Black Helmet

* Extremely affordable, high-quality street helmet.
* Clear-coated HIR-TH resinshell.
* Dynamic ventilation system with adjustable air flow vents.
* Soft, comfortable antisweat interior.
* Clear, 100% UV-resistant shield featuring quick-release removal system.
* Double D-ring strap retention system.
* Snell M2000 and DOT certified.
* MSRP $119.95 US Your price: $69.99 ($14.95 Shipping 48 States)

[grok]

imprezivblue said:

OMG i'd LOVE to see an S60R running! Please take pics and post them guys as I won't be there!!! I'm in love with them!!! I have a poster on my wall of two lol!!!

Preview


You're right. I first need to learn to drive. The car is capable of far more than I can make it do.

HELMETS: People keep saying M and SA, but M is motorcycle ... but they're approved for Autocross? Might sound like a stupid question for you veterans, but not so obvious for me.

[AJordan]

Yeah, either STU or ESP.

Doesn't CCR run a Tire class, guys (and Tara)? If so, you could run ESP-Tire (E Street Prepared-Tire).. which may give you a better chance at being competative in a class. STU will be less letters to stick on the car, though, and considering this is your first time out, it may not matter.

Your next thing to consider is whether or not you want to run in the Novice class for the year.

Regarding the helmets.. do realize that not everybody has their own.. there are loaners available at every race. If you still feel like you need a helmet for the first event, and think that you may get into some track racing in the next 10 years, check out the G-Force Pro Hybrid. I bought one several years ago and couldn't be happier. If you have glasses or an abnormally wide sense of peripheral vision, the large eyeports are a big help. $200 for an SA2005 helmet is a great deal. They are kinda ugly though, so I don't reccomend wearing them out to dinner for fun.

[edit]Yeah, M = Motorcycle and SA = Special Application. The difference is that an SA helmet requires a flammability test. It's not likely that you're going to crash your car so badly at an autocross that you end up trapped inside burning wreckage, so the 20sec or so of flame resistance that the SA helmets provide isn't a requirement. For many road racing events, SA helmets are a requirement if you're driving a car.[/edit]

[Imprezivblue]

ajordan said:

Yeah, either STU or ESP.

Doesn't CCR run a Tire class, guys (and Tara)? If so, you could run ESP-Tire (E Street Prepared-Tire).. which may give you a better chance at being competative in a class. STU will be less letters to stick on the car, though, and considering this is your first time out, it may not matter.

Your next thing to consider is whether or not you want to run in the Novice class for the year.

Regarding the helmets.. do realize that not everybody has their own.. there are loaners available at every race. If you still feel like you need a helmet for the first event, and think that you may get into some track racing in the next 10 years, check out the G-Force Pro Hybrid. I bought one several years ago and couldn't be happier. If you have glasses or an abnormally wide sense of peripheral vision, the large eyeports are a big help. $200 for an SA2005 helmet is a great deal. They are kinda ugly though, so I don't reccomend wearing them out to dinner for fun.

[edit]Yeah, M = Motorcycle and SA = Special Application. The difference is that an SA helmet requires a flammability test. It's not likely that you're going to crash your car so badly at an autocross that you end up trapped inside burning wreckage, so the 20sec or so of flame resistance that the SA helmets provide isn't a requirement. For many road racing events, SA helmets are a requirement if you're driving a car.[/edit]

You are correct. You could also run ESP-Tire. However, you might even consider running STU-Novice, or ESP-novice depending upon what you want to do. These are just indexed classes meaning you take your time and multiply it by the class "pax" modifier and then the class is sorted by the fastest time taking first and the slowest time being last. I want to say that this concept will totally confuse you as I try to explain it but both the Novice and Tire classes are set up similarly. But if you're a novice you'll either want to run STU-Novice or ESP-Novice. ESP is a designation for "E street prepared" meaning that you can run street tires (per scca rules) that are DOT approved. STU is a "Street Touring Unlimited" class which ephasizes the use of street tires for competition instead of rcomps. But the street touring classes give you the option of showing up on your street tires and running. However, there are still some idiots (like myself) that will bring a "competitive" set of street tires along to compete on. A competitive set of street tires meaning something with a treadwear as low as possible to 160 I believe the current ST* lowest rating is. Mud and snows are good to learn on but with all the sidewall roll and can be really frustrating. I hope *some* of this makes some sense.

[grok]

imprezivblue said:

I hope *some* of this makes some sense.

Haha, no, not really. Sounds like I want to be in a novice class. Those are the good times right? Miss that freebie year and it'd be like skipping high school? LOL.

The stock wheels were 18" with summer Pirelli's, which I upgraded to the current all-season tires. It sounds like you're saying that move penalized me in some way and forced me into a more competitive class? So if I were to put the factory 18's and really sticky tires back on, I might be better off in two ways.

[bogner47]

My dad has an S60R as well that my brother's been begging to run up north in SCCA. Man, I do love that tweaked T5 engine! That thing is torque crazy from the bottom compared to how my old WRX was........ Look forward to meeting you on Saturday at the school, which will also be my first time, so I think you'll be in good company with other clueless people like myself!

[Imprezivblue]

grok said:

imprezivblue said:

I hope *some* of this makes some sense.

Haha, no, not really. Sounds like I want to be in a novice class. Those are the good times right? Miss that freebie year and it'd be like skipping high school? LOL.

The stock wheels were 18" with summer Pirelli's, which I upgraded to the current all-season tires. It sounds like you're saying that move penalized me in some way and forced me into a more competitive class? So if I were to put the factory 18's and really sticky tires back on, I might be better off in two ways.

Yeah, run novice class. Then pick STU or ESP. Hint: STU has a better multiplier so pick that class

[AJordan]

I'm with Tara.. go with the better Pax index.. STU!! (with Novice).

grok said:

So if I were to put the factory 18's and really sticky tires back on, I might be better off in two ways.

Your engine mount bushing(s) still put you out of Stock, so you might as well embrace the non-stock classes

That said, the stock 18's with sticky tires would be much better for autocross than the 19s. It's hard to find good autocross rubber in 19" sizes, and the heavier wheels slow the car down a bit.

All you need to focus on is improving your own driving for right now, which is why the Novice class would work well for you. After you've been inagurated it will be much easier for you to select a class that you want to go for.

Don't be afraid to ask people about what they've done to their cars that puts them in 'X' class when you're at the events. Everybody's curious about everyone else's car and everybody loves to show theirs off.

[lagunamiata]

And CCR does run a tire class... just FYI.

[grok]

ajordan said:

Your engine mount bushing(s) still put you out of Stock, so you might as well embrace the non-stock classes

I"m the noob so you're probably right, but it was just yesterday I was reading something *somewhere* (maybe not SCCA?) that an engine mount bushing that is of the same geometry as the stock bushing, and does not require any different geometry for the mount point, does not force any movement between classes. (so long as its not a metal bushing) I won't go back to the stock bushing, and to my knowledge all it does is make the car shake harder and rattle my teeth out of my jaw. Oh and makes the car louder, which of course translates directly into about 15 whp. =) hehe

lagunamiata said:

And CCR does run a tire class... just FYI.

See when someone makes an informed statement like that, it goes right over my head! What's a tire class? My first thought is an instructor teaches us about tires, but that can't be it. Maybe it's a branch off of one of the 350 driving car classifications like STU ESP XML ... wait XML is a computer data format.

So if the engine mount bushing forces me out of novice .. this tells me you guys are just scared and don't want me to come beat your tails ;D

[lagunamiata]

A tire class is a regular class, but on street tires. As in, C-Stock top dogs run R-compound tires. If you run in CS on street tires, you'll get masacared. You register for the tire PAX when then gives you a shot at doing well.

[Imprezivblue]

Just remember "STU-NOVICE".

And if you can't remember STU. . . just think of STFU minus a letter




And your spacers are so big that they'd throw you out of stock class anyway with your wheels. Have to be less than 0.25" spacers. So, wheels, spacers, bushings. . . yeah not stock lol.


And goregous car btw

[grok]

imprezivblue said:

Just remember "STU-NOVICE".

And if you can't remember STU. . . just think of STFU minus a letter




And your spacers are so big that they'd throw you out of stock class anyway with your wheels. Have to be less than 0.25" spacers. So, wheels, spacers, bushings. . . yeah not stock lol.


And goregous car btw

Thanks. Bummer about the spacers. They're going on strictly to fix inner wheel rub that is pandemic on S60R's. Many people getting them, though it worses an already horrible turn radius.

Can't wait to meet everyone and go out and play after school!

[C4Shane]

Quick word on tire class ~ try to clear up a little confusion. Street Tire Class is a regional class (not recognized natioanally) that CCR has to permit folks to run in a PAX class against other cars, with the requirement that you run "street" tires, with a wear rating of 140 or better. About the best tires available seem to be the Falken Azenis Sport - they have two models - RT-215 and RT-615. Both are great - I used the 215s and Colin won the Tire class championship the past two years with those tires. So, if you are in E-stock for example and you ran in tire class, T-ES, you would be competing against everyone else in "tire class", which may include TBS, TCS, etc. That is what made it fun was getting to compete against a wide range of cars.

If you are in the STS, STU, STX etc. you have to run on "street" tires anyways - so the same rules above apply. However, they are not competing against others in "tire" class, only within their own group.

Hope that helped. Key is to get out there the first time and ask a lot of questions. Walk around the Paddock and look for any of us and we will be happy to talk.

[C4Shane]

Ooops, meant to drop a comment on helmets. Bought an AGV full face from Dennis Kirk - www.denniskirk.com. Similar deal - you can get a really great helmet cheap if you pick up one of the earlier (M or SA 2000) models. About half price and, to be honest, they are identical to a newer one as most manufacturers have constantly upgrade them. An SA200 model will be good for the next 10 years or so, as SCCA allows use of current spec (2005) and two previous specification (so, 2000 and 1995). The AGV model you list above would be a good helmet for autocrossing

[AJordan]

grok said:

So if the engine mount bushing forces me out of novice ..

Just to clear something up: All cars are welcome in Novice.. it's a subclassification that can be applied to any class.

The same goes for the Tire class (for any car on street tires, of course), with the exception of the Street Touring Categories (STS, STX, STU & ST2) which are already street tire ONLY. STS-Tire would be more than a little redundant.

Some of the best drivers stick to Stock classes.. don't confuse them with Novice.

Regarding what you read about the engine mount bushing...
Pretty much, the only thing you can modify for Stock class are these:
Brake pads, tires, front swaybar, shocks, cat-back exhaust, fluids and comfort and convenience items. If anything related to the suspension or drivetrain is not OEM or OEM spec, you get bumped to the next class.. which would be Street Prepared or Street Touring.

The rule that you are describing is for Street Prepared, Street Touring and Street Modified (and possibly others).

Make sure that you're reading the most recent rules from the source.. and not something on somebody's outdated and/or innaccurate website.

SCCA Solo Rulebooks & Supplementals (free downloads)

[grok]

Completely lost now. I'll just show up and have some fun wherever you guys put me.

[C4Shane]

That's the right idea! Don't worry, our tech guys can help ya out.

[lagunamiata]

grok said:

Completely lost now. I'll just show up and have some fun wherever you guys put me.

I know the feeling!! The rules and class breakdown is a pain... We'll help you figured it out, no worries!

[AJordan]

grok said:

Completely lost now. I'll just show up and have some fun wherever you guys put me.

Ehh.. sorry about that ;D

Looking forward to seeing your Volvo in action.

[damnyankee]

grok said:

Completely lost now. I'll just show up and have some fun wherever you guys put me.

That's exactly what I am going to do!