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Thinking about trying RMSS Feb 2nd

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by Regulator
So I'm brand new to autocross, but I really want to try it out. I have been signed up on rocky mountain solo series for a while now but never committed to taking either my old mazdaspeed6 nor my new evolution x to make a run at it.

Can anyone give me some advice as to what to expect? I also have the basic noob questions like is my car considered fast enough to need a helmet? Will I catch a lot of trash talk for wearing all seasons for my first event? Will I need to remove my wheel spacers (hubcentric w/ extended wheel stubs)?

As for my evo I am registered under the stock class for the event. Only performance mods to the car are whiteline sway bars and eibach springs on stock bilstein shocks. Yep.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by tsx_guy
I have no advice, but wish you the best of luck!

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by Regulator
tsx_guy wrote:I have no advice, but wish you the best of luck!


Troller!

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by Saul_Good
You'll need a helmet regardless if your car is fast or not -- it's a rule. If it's your first time ever don't be surprised if 'slow' cars are faster than you... by a lot. No you will not get trash talked for using all-seasons, most autoxers are pretty respectful and not trash talkers, plus it's better to learn on all-seasons to learn the limits of your car before you move on to better rubber.

Most of all have fun, ask lots of questions, and learn from the old-timers.

Also, "slow is fast"

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by Brigdh
Regulator wrote:So I'm brand new to autocross, but I really want to try it out. I have been signed up on rocky mountain solo series for a while now but never committed to taking either my old mazdaspeed6 nor my new evolution x to make a run at it.

Can anyone give me some advice as to what to expect? I also have the basic noob questions like is my car considered fast enough to need a helmet? Will I catch a lot of trash talk for wearing all seasons for my first event? Will I need to remove my wheel spacers (hubcentric w/ extended wheel stubs)?

As for my evo I am registered under the stock class for the event. Only performance mods to the car are whiteline sway bars and eibach springs on stock bilstein shocks. Yep.


Spacers are fine, so long as it look like the lugs are securely on. Helmet is required, but there will be loaners available. Technically you are only allowed to change one swaybar, and not allowed to touch springs in the stock class, but for your first time it should be fine. Winter series events are fairly relaxed.

I recommend you look up the directions to FRA, including the best exit to take and the exact road to get on site from the rmsolo.com website since you'll be looking for the "backdoor" which tends to get many first timers lost.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by chromal
I know RMsolo offers or tries to offer trackside helmets, though they are shared between many drivers.

Expect to get sunburnt if you don't wear sunscreen or take whatever measures. :) You'll spend hours under an open sky, if only while working the grid during your off heat(s). Don't worry about all-season tires on your first visits, I took my civic autocrossing on low-tread snow tires my first time. :)

Also, don't be surprised if upon hearing it's your first time autocrossing, someone offers to ride with you on a lap to help coach how you drive it. They can point out stuff you don't even realize you're doing.

If you go and are organized and prepared, you can spend most of your 'free' time checking out the sweet cars that turn up and talking to their owners.

I'd suggest you take the car you can accept damaging. If you hit a cone badly, it can do some cosmetic damage, and other mishaps are always possible.

Bring and drink lots of water.

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by Regulator
Brigdh wrote:Spacers are fine, so long as it look like the lugs are securely on. Helmet is required, but there will be loaners available. Technically you are only allowed to change one swaybar, and not allowed to touch springs in the stock class, but for your first time it should be fine. Winter series events are fairly relaxed.

I recommend you look up the directions to FRA, including the best exit to take and the exact road to get on site from the rmsolo.com website since you'll be looking for the "backdoor" which tends to get many first timers lost.


Thanks for the reply! I just secured myself a helmet from a friend. The car is so low that I have never seen the swaybar(s) myself, but the last mechanic who worked on the car said they were whitelines. I'll look into those directions right now!

Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:14
by Regulator
chromal wrote:I know RMsolo offers or tries to offer trackside helmets, though they are shared between many drivers.

Expect to get sunburnt if you don't wear sunscreen or take whatever measures. :) You'll spend hours under an open sky, if only while working the grid during your off heat(s). Don't worry about all-season tires on your first visits, I took my civic autocrossing on low-tread snow tires my first time. :)

Also, don't be surprised if upon hearing it's your first time autocrossing, someone offers to ride with you on a lap to help coach how you drive it. They can point out stuff you don't even realize you're doing.

If you go and are organized and prepared, you can spend most of your 'free' time checking out the sweet cars that turn up and talking to their owners.

I'd suggest you take the car you can accept damaging. If you hit a cone badly, it can do some cosmetic damage, and other mishaps are always possible.

Bring and drink lots of water.


I'll be sure to bring some sunscreen, I'm familiar with the raccoon sunburn during the winter skiing months.

I'd appreciate someone riding along that would be awesome. I have no idea how the car will react to me driving it this hard for the first time.. I'm almost counting on the transmission overheat light to turn on, since my evo x mr has this crazy automatic transmission.

I've been to tons of car meets, it will be fun to walk around and chat, especially with all the questions I will have about autoX.

My car is already scarred up pretty good, I'm ready to try and run over a cone or two.

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:14
by geo2maz
Riding along in someone else's car helps a lot too, (that's as far as I've gotten)
I still want to autox sometime too...

Posted: Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:14
by Shadowden
Oi...this is coming close. Maybe I should plan to go. If I do and it is possible, you are more than welcome to ride with me some. I haven't pushed the s yet, so it could get interesting in a hurry:D

Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 9:14
by Regulator
Shadowden wrote:Oi...this is coming close. Maybe I should plan to go. If I do and it is possible, you are more than welcome to ride with me some. I haven't pushed the s yet, so it could get interesting in a hurry:D



If you go I def want to ride along. I bet its scary as f**k in that s2000.:D

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 9:14
by Regulator
I am just finishing up numbering my car for the event tomorrow, so I'll be there for 100% sure if anyone else is going. I'll be the very first car running in heat 2. PM me if you wanna exchange numbers and maybe cruise up to the event!