Autocross event & School

[92RAGTOP]

What is Autocross (Solo2?)
Solo is the SCCA brand name for autocross competition. Solo2 events are driving skill contests that emphasize the driver's ability and the car's handling characteristics. This is accomplished by driving a course that is designated by traffic cones on a low hazard location, such as a parking lot or inactive airstrip. While speeds are no greater than those normally encountered in legal highway driving, the combination of concentration and car feedback creates an adrenaline-pumping experience. It is like being in a movie chase scene, only you are holding onto the steering wheel instead of a box of popcorn!
Over 1200 Regional- and Divisional-level Solo2 events are held across the country at local shopping centers, airports, and stadium parking lots -- or wherever competitors can find a large amount of pavement to safely lay out their courses. The sport typically attracts ordinary sports and sports-type cars used for daily transportation, as well as heavily modified vehicles used for racing only. Owners of “street” cars usually inflate the tires to higher than normal pressures, remove the hubcaps, empty the interior of loose items, buckle the seat belts, and have a go. A helmet is required for competitors and SCCA has loaner helmets available. The registration fees for these events are $30.00 per event.

The SCCA has made a video to give you an idea as to what it’s like from inside your vehicle running an event. To watch the video click here... 2004 DC Tour Incar Video
The local SCCA division is in Philadelphia and can be found on the internet at www.phillyscca.com. You can find all the info, schedules and directions to the sites there. Most Philly SCCA events are held at Ripken Stadium

What’s next?
OK, you're interested; what do you do next? Instructions are given at the events for free, including walking the course with an instructor. However, if you want more intense instruction an instructor will ride with you in your car on the course or drive your car if you prefer to see what it can do in the hands of an expert driver. Runs driven by the instructor do not count towards your total runs for the day. There is no additional charge for this. Also there will be a Novice School with classroom instructions offered April 1st at Julie's Steakhouse on rte.611 in Willow Grove. On April 2nd there will be a hands-on driving session at Ripken Stadium and April 3rd there will be an actual solo2 event at Ripken Stadium, so you can practice what you learned. The cost of the Novice School is $90., including dinner at Julie's and the April 2nd activities at Ripken.
As you can see from the schedule above there are a number of Winter Events before the April event. It may be a good idea to attend one before beginning your instructions to get a better idea as to what’s going on.

CCDV Involvement
Our club is not involved with the SCCA except for the fact that we are sports car people and so are they. They design the course, set it up and run it. We are very fortunate to have a CCDV club member who is very active in this sport; as a matter of fact he is a national-level Z06 driver and qualified instructor. He is Frank Gonzalez if you have any questions at all don’t hesitate to call him at (215) 643-5968 or email him at gonzalezfj@cs.com .
Thanks Don Terranova

[92RAGTOP]

SCHEDULE

1/08/05 Ripken Stadium
1/22/05 Ripken Stadium
2/05/05 Ripken Stadium

3/19/05 Ripken Stadium
4/01/05 Classroom Instruction at Julies.
4/02/05 Practice Day Ripken
4/03/05 Ripken Stadium

[GoVetteGo]

Thanks for posting the SCCA info Don. This sounds like a lot of fun. Drag racing an almost 30 year old car doesn't sit well with me. Autocross appears to be less stress on the old components.

How many others are interested in the type of an event?

[92RAGTOP]

I going to check out one of these events at Ripken either on Feb 5th or March 19th. Anyone interested let me know. Don Terranova

[GoVetteGo]

Originally posted by ninetyred
I going to check out one of these events at Ripken either on Feb 5th or March 19th. Anyone interested let me know. Don Terranova

I would be up for the March 19th date. I'll be working on Feb 5th.

[92RAGTOP]

We had about a half dozen hands go up at the meeting. I'm going to put this in the Gas Cap also. I hope we get a good turnout, we'll see. Sounds like a lot of fun.

[Doug Bereczki]

Originally posted by ninetyred
SCHEDULE

1/08/05 Ripken Stadium
1/22/05 Ripken Stadium
2/05/05 Ripken Stadium

3/19/05 Ripken Stadium
4/01/05 Classroom Instruction at Julies.
4/02/05 Practice Day Ripken
4/03/05 Ripken Stadium

Is anybody going to this saterdays event?
I,m planing to attend if the weather holds off.

[92RAGTOP]

I think I'll take a raincheck on this Saturday's event. If it doesn't snow at best it will be cold. But most definitely Feb or March for sure. I think I sign up for the $90 school if I like what I see on Feb or March. If you deduct the $30 saving from the 4/3 solo it's a good deal. What do you think?

[Bill Burkholder]

Originally posted by Doug Bereczki


Is anybody going to this saterdays event?
I,m planing to attend if the weather holds off.

bring chains.. looks wet and white... :(

[Doug Bereczki]

Originally posted by ninetyred
I think I'll take a raincheck on this Saturday's event. If it doesn't snow at best it will be cold. But most definitely Feb or March for sure. I think I sign up for the $90 school if I like what I see on Feb or March. If you deduct the $30 saving from the 4/3 solo it's a good deal. What do you think?

Sounds good to me.

[C5pilot]

Originally posted by govettego
Drag racing an almost 30 year old car doesn't sit well with me. Autocross appears to be less stress on the old components.


Auto-X can be just as hard on a car. On the plus side, at least the Corvette was built for racing.

I've been wanting to try it so don't be surprised if I show up one day. ;) I'll have to find out what the rules are for ragtops.

[92RAGTOP]

Check this Video out http://www.phillyscca.com./photo_gallery.htm#solo_2_pictures then click on 2004 incar dc video

[92RAGTOP]

Joe I asked Frank Gonzales if ragtops were permitted he assured me there was no problem.

[Nick Scull]

Yo, Don Terranova,

Include me in the group meeting at Julie's on April 1st. This looks like fun. If it's as thrilling as Arnold's go-carts I may have to get medical clearance first!!

Nick Scull

[Glennm27]

I am up for the April 1,2 and 3 thing.

I'll read more about this all and post more later..............

[GoVetteGo]

Add me to the list for April 1st - 3rd.

[92RAGTOP]

Nick Scull is in for the April 1st class at Julies

[92RAGTOP]

I added your name to the autocross thread Nick. Nick just as a FYI it is not necessary to start a new thread to reply to an exsisting thread. For instance in this case all you needed to do is click the POST REPLY icon(bottom right). This way you can add your message to the already formed thread.

I merged the two threads. Bill

[C5pilot]

Rats. April 2nd is an ECSCC race day. Decisions, decisions. I'm half tempted to switch from drag racing to SoloII. At least soloII heats last longer than a few seconds.

[Doug Bereczki]

Originally posted by Bill Burkholder


bring chains.. looks wet and white... :(

Just watched Action News weather. Looks like a white-out! I'm going crazy. I want to RACE my Vette!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Polo96]

I would be interested in this type of event. Like Don, I will check it out in Feb. then take the class in April.

[Joel Fellman]

I've done it a few times & it's a BLAST!! Like the drags, I only do it occassionally for fun. Unfortunately, I can't commit to specific dates but I will definitely make an appearance.
Joel
ps: John - those old components you mentioned - are they your's or the Vette's??

[GoVetteGo]

Originally posted by Joel Fellman
ps: John - those old components you mentioned - are they your's or the Vette's??

Ahhhhh - both! Yeah - that's it. Both Joel!

[Bill Burkholder]

Originally posted by Doug Bereczki


Just watched Action News weather. Looks like a white-out! I'm going crazy. I want to RACE my Vette!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doug... I'll meet you on the south end of the by-pass and we can make a run to Plumstedville and back to 202... :D :D :D

[Doug Bereczki]

Originally posted by Bill Burkholder


Doug... I'll meet you on the south end of the by-pass and we can make a run to Plumstedville and back to 202... :D :D :D

Bill... What is your best time?

[Bill Burkholder]

14 min. at 1XX.... ;ae

[Doug Bereczki]

Originally posted by Bill Burkholder
14 min. at 1XX.... ;ae

I only have a stock 87, can I have a handicap?

[Paul]

It really looks, fun. But I wamt to see it before I totally commit. March looks okay.

[92RAGTOP]

Paul I'm thinking the same thing. Sounds like fun but I want to see an actual event. March might be a better bet for good weather although there's no guarantee. Got too much going on in Feb. anyhow.

[92RAGTOP]

An additional classroom session has been added to the Autocross schedule. April 22nd classroom and April 23rd onsite training at Ripken. Contact Frank Gonzalez for more info.

[92RAGTOP]

Is anyone thinking of going to Auto Cross this Saturday March 19th at Ripken to check it out?

[Glennm27]

I'll be at Englishtown on the 19th

[GoVetteGo]

Nope - BOWLING FOR DOLLARS!

[Mike Campbell]

I think my wifey, her son and my future daughter in law will be bowling. ;yn I'll be making a *%!?&%$ fool of myself!! ;yn I haven't bowled since 1960. ;yn Yes, that is A D, or as the "politically correct say" the "CE".....
:mad:

[92RAGTOP]

I think I'm gonna head down early AM to check it out. I plan on being back in plenty time to make bowling.

[GoVetteGo]

Originally posted by Mike Campbell
I think my wifey, her son and my future daughter in law will be bowling. ;yn I'll be making a *%!?&%$ fool of myself!! ;yn I haven't bowled since 1960. ;yn Yes, that is A D, or as the "politically correct say" the "CE".....
:mad:

Hey Mike, I haven't bowled in many years either. Just looking for some fun. Maybe we should team up & combine our score!

[Doug Bereczki]

Hey Don, did you check out the autocross event? If you did fill us in with your comments.
I was at E-Town for the day, so I was unable to go.

[92RAGTOP]

I wrote an article for the April Gas Cap about my trip to the Auto Cross. However a few people have asked me what I saw there so I figured I would reprint the article here.
Auto Cross What a Hoot

Last Saturday March 19th I went down to Aberdeen Maryland to check out the Philadelphia Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) put on their Auto Cross or as they call it SoloII. The Corvette Club of Delaware Valley is not affiliated with the SCCA. I was very impressed as to how organized it was. They use a very large empty parking lot at Ripken Stadium about an hour and a half from Willow Grove. A course is set up here using orange rubber cones resembling a grand prix course. Lots of hairpin curves and slaloms. You line up at the starting line and when the light turns green you go. Your time is electronically measured and points are taken off if you hit a cone or go off track. Every kind of car and person was there I saw a lady that had to have been someone’s Grandmother wearing a helmet (you need a helmet if you don’t have one they will lend you one) driving a Saturn station wagon through the course. Ten minutes later there was a guy that trailered in a brand new Lotus set up for this type of event running the course. You see everything else in between Corvettes, Mazda, BMWs, family cars etc... The cars are released every 20 seconds so you are not racing against anyone except your own time. One of our club members is intensely involved in the SCCA as well as an expert Auto Cross competitor, and trainer, his name is Frank Gonzalez (215) 643-5968 gonzalezfj@cs.com and he has vowed to spend as much time as needed to teach fellow CCDV club members the sport of Auto Cross. The Philly SCCA does offer 2 day classes which are highly recommended the first is on April 1st and 2nd the second date April 22nd and 23rd. Call Frank for details and to find out if they have other dates planned. Whether you’re driving your car down the quarter mile at Raceway Park at 100 mph or Auto Cross at around 70 mph it’s a blast. What the heck you got a Corvette this is what it was designed for.
Don Terranova

[GoVetteGo]

THANKS FOR TH UPDATE DON.

Looks like a ton of fun!

[Doug Bereczki]

Thanks for the info.
Looks like I have an open weekend on the 22nd & 23rd. Sounds like alot of fun.

[92RAGTOP]

I'm signing up for the 22nd & 23rd also. I'm not sure how fast the class fills up so I'm getting my registration form in this week.

[Doug Bereczki]

How do I get a registration form?

[92RAGTOP]

here it is Doug
http://www.phillyscca.com/solo2/flyers/2005/Novice_School.pdf

[Joel Fellman]

Don: Nice article!
Looks like Nick Scull & I are the only 2 signed up for the 4/1-4/3 classes, etc. Can't wait! We'll give a report at the 4/14 CCDV membership meeting! Unfortunately, won't make it to Englishtown until 5/7!
Joel

[92RAGTOP]

I really would have preferred to attend the same class as you but I had planned a weekend trip to DC not realizing that was the weekend. I thought I missed out until Frank Gonzalez told me that they added another class date.

[92RAGTOP]

Doug I got an email from Frank Gonzalez yesterday, he said that when we fill out the class registration form on the line marked affliation put his name in there. Mines in the mail for the April 22/23 date..

[Doug Bereczki]

Originally posted by ninetyred
Doug I got an email from Frank Gonzalez yesterday, he said that when we fill out the class registration form on the line marked affliation put his name in there. Mines in the mail for the April 22/23 date..

Will do. Thanks for the info.

[Doug Bereczki]

Originally posted by ninetyred
I'm signing up for the 22nd & 23rd also. I'm not sure how fast the class fills up so I'm getting my registration form in this week.

I just got conformation that I'm in for the same weekend. Can't wait. See you there.

[92RAGTOP]

Me too Steve Rosenberg from the Philly SCCA called to tell me I'm in. We talked for a while the guy is really into it bigtime.