[brimmer555]

I'm very interested in autocross and know of scca autocross here in my area. but my cars not ready yet and the last run on the calender is in October.

I live in Carlisle, PA.

Any tips or tricks I should know about?

my daily driver is a 1989 Mustang GT. 5-speed.

Thanks for your time.

[Smilieboy]

Just do it, have fun, and avoid the cones.

[01KnightRiderGT]

Just check your brakes sytem over, and try to get your hand on some decent tires. auto x is all about tires and brakes.

Have fun!!

[Whiskey11]

Originally Posted by brimmer555 I'm very interested in autocross and know of scca autocross here in my area. but my cars not ready yet and the last run on the calender is in October. I live in Carlisle, PA. Any tips or tricks I should know about? my daily driver is a 1989 Mustang GT. 5-speed. Thanks for your time.

Not sure what "not ready yet" means There is a class for every level of modification from none (F-Stock) to full race car (Modified) and everything in between. I would say before you do anything else to it, run it! Tires, brakes and all. Maybe change out brake pads if your stock pads are not very grabby but you don't need some ultra race compound (in fact I advise against it, you probably wont get them hot enough to be useful) to be competitive. Tires are your choice but I run the ones that came from the factory (for now) so I have an excuse to ditch them for a better set hopefully next season!

The only things you NEED are your car with working safety equipment and secure battery, and the registration money. They should have helmets at the event to borrow/rent so bring a little extra money if it costs (shouldn't be more than 5$, most are around $1 or so for the day if they cost anything at all).

This is an excellent thread with some good beginner tips on what to expect:
Totally new to Autocross but interested. What to expect?

Remember, you are there to have FUN!!!! Also, if they allow you to sign up for the Novice Class DO IT!!!!! Have one of the top guys there ride with you and give you tips, walk the novice walk! I still walk the novice walk at every event even though I can walk the course once and have it memorized. You'd be surprised at how much info the guy doing the novice walk will tell you even with some experience under your belt!

[brimmer555]

Wow thanks for the info.

I need to get my new clutch in the car.

The big mod I hope to have on my car by next year is a rear drum to disc conversion.

I have an open face DOT motorcycle helmet, would that work?

[Whiskey11]

Originally Posted by brimmer555 Wow thanks for the info. I need to get my new clutch in the car. The big mod I hope to have on my car by next year is a rear drum to disc conversion. I have an open face DOT motorcycle helmet, would that work?

The SCCA requires SNELL approved helmets, I believe they can be as old as two certifications prior to the current (that would be 2000 in our case). A Snell 2010 Helmet will last quite a long time and are not horribly expensive. I picked mine up for $120 from Solo Performance Specialties (Welcome to SPS and Solotime!).

If you need help with classing the best place to go is the forums for either your local chapter or the SCCA as a whole. The SCCA real forums are not that busy, but if you Google SCCAforum.com you should find one that is more active and is willing to help with classifications.

[hotmustang95]

Yea unless your clutch is totally screwed then there's no reason keeping you from doing it already. Don't be one of those guys who always says he needs to do something to the car before he gets out there. Those guys are not serious. Any real track guy will tell you to start with your stock car and work from there. If you start throwing shit at your ride then you'll be put in a group of guys who mostly did it the rite way and know how to use the extra equipment they have and smoke you. Learn how to drive first. The best example of this is to let an experienced driver behind the wheel of your car and watch as he does things with it you'd never thought it could do. Happened to me.

[94racing]

Originally Posted by Whiskey11 The SCCA requires SNELL approved helmets, I believe they can be as old as two certifications prior to the current (that would be 2000 in our case). A Snell 2010 Helmet will last quite a long time and are not horribly expensive. I picked mine up for $120 from Solo Performance Specialties (Welcome to SPS and Solotime!). If you need help with classing the best place to go is the forums for either your local chapter or the SCCA as a whole. The SCCA real forums are not that busy, but if you Google SCCAforum.com you should find one that is more active and is willing to help with classifications.

one of the best purchases is a tight helmet. dad has a 2010 and i have a 2000 snell helmet and that are only going back to 00 and when 2015 is out mine will be too old. it would be good if you can wait for the snell 2015 but you will still get plenty of time out of the 2010. make sure when you get youre helmet it cannot rotate around youre head at all. good luck sounds like you will have fun and just remember. the best mod is the DRIVER MOD. still working on the mod and you cant ever perfect it.

[brimmer555]

I'm not gonna be one of those guys that keeps saying I have to work on something. I was saying I need to install my clutch because, when I get on the gas the power going to the wheels gets lost at the spinning clutch. The guy I bought it from told me the clutch was bad.

I'll be getting out to some events in my area next season.

I'm not trying to supper mod my car. I have a new born son so I don't have the cash to do much more than go out with what I have and have fun.