How many here Autocross?

[Solo2.org]

Just wondering how many of the FSAE student autocross other than FSAE competitions? do you do it in your street car? I unfortunately missed out on FSAE while I was at school and stumbled upon Solo2 after college.

Solo2.org (http://www.solo2.org) Autocross This!
http://www.solo2.org/i/fsae/sig.jpg

[Solo2.org]

Just wondering how many of the FSAE student autocross other than FSAE competitions? do you do it in your street car? I unfortunately missed out on FSAE while I was at school and stumbled upon Solo2 after college.

Solo2.org (http://www.solo2.org) Autocross This!
http://www.solo2.org/i/fsae/sig.jpg

[stscxr]

Many of us on the UCDavis team autocross our own cars as well as our FSAE cars. I've been competing fairly seriously in STS since before I joined FSAE and feel that autocrossing is the best thing you can do to prepare for competition. The experience definately showed for us last year and we expect it to show even more this spring.

[Dominic Venieri]

I autocross, along with a lot of my FSAE teammates. I used to run an 95 Neon ACR for a little while. Now I just drive our FSAE car. I plan on building my own A Mod when I get out of school. Another guy runs a Probe GT in STS, and does very well, winning many regional events. Our chassis group leader runs his 67 VW bug from time to time. And some of our newer members autocross their street cars as well. We run the FSAE car in SCCA events on a regular basis. This year we did 4 regional events and the Divisional Championships. Next year, we plan to run 2 cars, at the National Tour event, Divisional Championships, and 5 or more regional events.

Dominic Venieri
Mohawk-Hudson Region SCCA
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Formula SAE Team Leader

www.formularpi.com (http://www.formularpi.com)

[Travis R]

I've autocrossed consistently since '99. Started out in my '99 Subaru 2.5RS, and now in my '02 WRX wagon. Done a few divisionals, and went to my first National Tour this year. I run our formula car every chance I get. Actually we've got a race this weekend. Shooting for FTD. The picture in my signature was at the last autocross in Oct. I missed FTD by just .022sec. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
I've also started building a 2nd gen RX7 for FP.

Travis Rouse - Test Pilot - The University of Texas (Austin)
http://www.ls1power.net/RX7/autox4_slide.jpg

[Richard Lewis]

We autocross our car every chance we can. Its (sadly) our best opportunity to test, as its tough to get space around here. Our members also run their own cars in autocrosses, typically we have 3 or 4 cars driven by our members in events here, including our 2002 FSAE car. (the first of many)

-------------------------
UVIC Formula SAE Team
http://members.shaw.ca/drax77/UVICFSAEcar.jpg
http://fsae.uvic.ca

[Michael Alexander]

I started autocrossing this summer. I am driving an 82 Rx7 with no modifications. That is how I found out about FSAE in the first place. I have not been able to convince any of the other members of the UNM FSAE team to join me yet though. I don't know why, seeing how fun it is!

[Moeye]

I started to autocross in 99 with Central Illinois Region with my MkII CRX Si. I'm in CSP and it's been a money pit ever since. /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif I don't see much Street Prepared cars in my region with an exception of a couple 914s, Fieros, MR2s and a Le Car. Maybe I should head down to St. Louis where there's a load of CSP drivers. I'm thinking about moving into FSP with an 85-87 Corolla GTS if I can even find one in the Mid-West.

[Solo2.org]

We get a lot of variety here in St. Louis, the Missouri-Rolla team finally started autocrossing two cars regularly this year, they will hopefully continue that next year realizing that the more time they can get the better they can do in Detroit.

We are hoping to get quite a few FSAE teams to the St. Louis events next year, some incentives we had this year included FSAE drivers paid SCCA Member fees, instead of our normal non-member fee, even if they weren't SCCA members. Next year I would hope we would do the same, and possibly get some other things organized to make it easier for FSAE guys.

Solo2.org (http://www.solo2.org) Autocross This!
http://www.solo2.org/i/fsae/sig.jpg

[Charlie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The Missouri-Rolla team finally started autocrossing two cars regularly this year, they will hopefully continue that next year realizing that the more time they can get the better they can do in Detroit.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's cool you have incentives for the teams! The SCCA Autocross events are great because they offer a pressure environment for the drivers like Detroit does. Here at Auburn we've traveled to Huntsville and Birmingham SCCA events to practice. However, it's a big trip to plan, and a whole day affair. If we really want to get testing done we are much better off doing it here. But it's a fun break and good driver training.

-Charlie Ping
Auburn University FSAE 1999-present

[-Gabriel]

I just discovered autocross this summer at the same time as some of our team members. We started autocrossing because we have heard it frome other FSAE teams. It's a good way of getting practice in a race environment. The few autocross we did this summer gave us the chance /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif to discover some bugs on the car... In a perfect world we would have appreciated to dicover them without having to pay registration fees, but next year's car will be more reliable! I you have the chance to have a practice area to tune the car and debug it, I think it would be better than autoX. But those events give a good way to simulate a competition environment, especially for the members who didn't drive at the competition.

[Formulastudent]

I started auto-Xing in '98 to better my street driving skills (and show people up in the canyons):). I became a member of the So. Cal Solo2 club the year after and I love it more every year.
I race a '93 civic hatch in EP or SM depending on whether I was able to gut my car the night before.
In fact, if it wasn't for solo2, I wouldn't be doing FSAE right now. I found out about the Cal Poly team at a novice school.

[Bavarian Motorsport]

I dont AutoX, but do track events. Hopefully picking up a world challenge touring e36 soon to have for some club races.

Any of you do any club racing, or amatuer series?

[Marshall]

I started into solo-2 when I found my local club through FSAE. I've done 5 seasons now, been the Solo Director of the club, the Promotional Director and even won my class a few times in region. Now I just need to convince my team to let me run our SAE car in regionals.

Marshall McLean
University of Western Ontario
http://www.cockyracingguy.com/pictures/tripodsig.jpg (http://www.cockyracingguy.com)
UWO FSAE Racing Team (http://www.engga.uwo.ca/sae/)
Western Ontario Sports Car Association (http://www.wosca.com)

[Andy K]

I plan on doing some autocross this summer when I'm visiting relatives in NJ. Never had a car until I lined up a deal with my aunt... I should take official ownership of a 1987 Porsche 924S mid-May. It needs some work before I can run it... http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif It will eventually see some track time, hopefully in SCCA club racing or PCA events.

Andris Kanins
McGill Racing Team - Body Design

[Dave Ogburn]

i autocross my d-stock 2002 nissan Spec V with the virginia motor sports club in richmond, Va. it is a blast and a great way to learn car control. i just bought a set of used r-compound tires, so I am still getting used to those. so, far ive just done local events. next season i want to do some regional races and a pro-solo event.

btw, im not actively participating in FSAE right now. im still in high schoo. i will be going to UVA next year and hope to get involved in their motorsports program next year- they race legends cars.

[SOHC_MShue]

Hi I'm new here too and I go to school with Dogburn. I've been building up my civic for e prepared class and so far I've only been to one event, but after the winter when I get my new tires on the car I plan to race quite often. I will be going to vcu engineering school next fall and plan to participate in their FSAE program there.

[Angry Joe]

I autocross in Philly reigon quite a bit...



Lehigh Formula SAE Alumni
Team Captain 2002-2003

www.lehigh.edu/~insae/formula (http://www.lehigh.edu/~insae/formula)

[steve d.]

I did...I'd even travel to the nearer events. I ran a CSP CRX for quite a while. Tried DS in my Subaru RS, but it just wasn't the same...now the D-mod Subaru 360 microcar project has arrived, and I'm keen on getting it working right...think 2 seater SAE car with full bodywork.

As an alum I'd say that you should autox as much as you can to get the feel for what a course is like...nothing can prepare you for the feel of the SAE car, except the car itself, of course.

[smciner1]

I do a fair bit of Club level racing in my Falcon GT. It is all good learning car control. Something like FSAE shows you how a properly set up race car can go around corners as opposed to a hotted up road car.

[95M3Racer]

I'll be at the track next week dialing in the E36.

Anyone else in the Northeast autox thier Fsae car's at regional/national events?

[Angry Joe]

I have been autocrossing regularly, but as event sites have been dropping like flies I haven't had many opportunities lately. There is simply no one that will let that sort of thing go on up here in the Philly reigon. It's one more thing that makes me angry http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[-]

Hey Joe,

On the 13 of July there is a Philly SCCA soloII autocross at Nazareth. I know for sure you will have a little fsae compeition if you guys come out.

[canuckr]

Dont really autox as much as I like. However I do alot of track events. I will be at Waterford Hills tomorrow, Grattan on Memorial day, then back to Grattan next friday http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gifhttp://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif My plan is to run Honda-challenge next year. Ulimate goal would be to do a World Challenge Touring race or a two.

This summer I do plan on autoxing the fsae car as much as possible. Not only do we have SCCA autoxs here in Detroit, but we also have council events. Which just means we can run the car alot. Hopefully I can get other members of my team invloded in autox. Its the most fun you can have in your car with your clothes on :P

[95M3Racer]

Canuckr: Unless you have a company/business you are trying to get exposure for, you are better off running Club Races, because to be even remotely competitive in WCT these days you need a couple hundred grand.

The other alternative is to rent a back-of-the-pack car for $15K for a weekend race...but thats not very financially efficienthttp://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Honda-Challenge is pretty good, and ITS is begining to be the class to race. Spec Miata of courseis hot these days...and of course csr/dsr is coming back with new manufacturers entering new cars.

Goodluck!

[canuckr]

I know, but its gives me something to work for to become a better driver. http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

However Paul Mumford (RIP) gives me hope:
http://www.nsxfiles.com/mumford.htm

[Dr. Bob Woods]

UTA has been autocrossing regularly now for 15 years. It is one of the better ways to learn how to compete. We normally take at least two cars and four drivers.

I would encourage all teams to go to SCCA nationals this year. We now have our own class and it is a great time to be together without the pressure of Detroit and an opportunity to see the best drivers in the country. You can register online at SCCA.org.

-Dr. Bob Woods
UTA faculty Advisor

[Piper]

I've been doing Solo2 for over a year now, and just joined my FSAE team. It's hard to decide which car to race on the weekends, the formula car or my daily driver, they are very different from each other, which can make it hard sometimes.

[James Waltman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MrIllegalX:
...It's hard to decide which car to race on the weekends... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hard to decide?!! I can figure out two reasons you might have trouble deciding:
1) You haven't gotten to drive the FSAE car yet
2) Your daily driver is an Audi R8, Corvette C5-R, Porsche GT1 or similar

[Daves]

I just started competing in the H-Stock class of SCCA Solo 2 with my 1991 Honda Civic DX hatchback automatic. Yes, automatic. I start out in drive and then shift it into 2nd gear and leave it there for the rest of the course. 2nd gear goes up to 75 mph, much different from an FSAE car or shifter kart.

Tomorrow I'll be at the Dallas Solo2 event watching the end of the UTA Texas Autocross Weekend and also racing my Civic.

One huge difference between the FSAE car and my Civic is how fast my heart is beating after running the course.

[Denny Trimble]

Well, I couldn't make it to the Texas Autocross Weekend, but I just got back from the Bremerton National Tour (Washington state). Brought home FTD both days in "Tubby" (our '04 car).

[Piper]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by James Waltman:
Hard to decide?!! I can figure out two reasons you might have trouble deciding:
1) You haven't gotten to drive the FSAE car yet
2) Your daily driver is an Audi R8, Corvette C5-R, Porsche GT1 or similar <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Both cars are very fun to drive. My DD is an 89 240sx with an SR20DET swap. (S4, 2.0L T-25 turbo engine), but I think I'll be going with the formula car now for more practice.

[Homemade WRX]

I autocross and have been doing so for around a year. Last spring the team finally headed out to one and several of them were instantly addicted, while others still preffer the straight line. To each his own.
Take it easy, Micah

[Erich Ohlde]

If anyone is interested and in the area, the Salina KS SCCA is holding an FSAE challenge March 20 details can be found on the website
http://www.salinascca.org
ALL FSAE teams are encouraged to attend there are lots of local motels and they are inexpensive if u are interested email Rocky Entriken rocky@tri.net


If anyone wants to come but can't because of housing accomodations. I live about 20 mins from the autocross location and I can possibly host a few people. If you are interested email me eohlde@ku.edu

[Bentley58]

When I was stationed at Cannon AFB I used to Auto-X every month in the West Texas Region. I won the Street Tire Championship in 2001 ('94 Nissan Sentra XE) and the Overall Championship in 2002 (Shifter Kart/Sentra/Civic) but I'm still slow in an FSAE car. These things are hard to drive!

Sean Bentley
Cornell Racing

[adrial]

I've been autocrossing my Porsche 944 turbo for the past 3 years with PCA...lots of fun...turbo lag can make things tricky though. More recently I've gotten into DE's (track events with performance driving education mind).

We take the fsae car out to local scca events every once in a while... Only downside is we have to wake up early and it costs $$ for limited seat time. It is great for the competition and socializing though...

[DangerousDrifterDan]

i have been autocrossing since 2001 with my club GESCC(www.GESCC.com) and TRSCCA and as my name suggests i have recently got into drifting i entered my first event this weekend at the ATL dragway it was called LuckySlides. id like to get more of my team out on the track so they can actally know what a car does.

[James Waltman]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DangerousDrifterDan:
...and as my name suggests... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually Dan,
I think your name suggests that loving you was wrong. Dead wrong.
http://dot.etec.wwu.edu/fsae/HostedPics/Junk/The_Drifter.jpg

Sorry for that everyone - I need some sleep. (Dan you don't, by chance, drift/own a Crown Vic do you?)

[wrcRS]

I autocross. Have a great time at it. Won my first autocross and finished second last year in FSP

I'll probably end up having my team leader ERIN run my car if she don't get running this year.

[jandro62]

I've been autocrossing since I turned 16 with Houston Region, in a variety of classes. Then I found out a group on campus designed/built autocross cars.

Unfortunately, its difficult to get time away from class to compete in the fall at Nationals - but it sure would be fun to see the best Solo2 drivers in the nation.

[Kyle Walther]

I autocross my lexus is300 in STX. going after my second midiv title this summer.

[BU_SpeedRacer]

Started autoXing about 3 years ago, but didn't get truly addicted to it until this last year. Trying to cut back on it until after graduation (Tires are expensive!) I'm in SM1 with my fat pig 3000Gt and it's usually very competitive. Anyone here run Cen Div by any chance?

[Alfonso Tan]

I started auto-X'ing my 1998 Acura Integra GS-R last summer. I only got in two events before the season ended, but had a really great time, and took home first place in the Novice class (NOVA?) both times http://fsae.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif . There are a few people on the UW SAE team that have been auto-X'ing for a while, so it'll be sweet to be able to go w/them and all my car-geek friends once the season starts up again.

[Dan G]

Started reading Grassroots Motorsports around 10th grade, found it on the rack at Borders. Started autocrossing about a year later when I got the 944. (http://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/p944) I've been in a drought lately, the last half dozen or so events (autox or track) I've done have been in other people's cars. My e36 (http://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/3Vil) has the dreaded rear subframe mount tear, found that out after a pair of autoxes with some nasty clunkiness. I owe a bunch of guys some seat time in the 951 (http://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/eVil951) this summer. I had a blast in one buddy's S2k (http://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/s2kiFC05) and another's FD RX7 (http://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/Gman05) at a pair of track weekends, so next summer its their turn in my beast...

http://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/albums/eVil951/IMG_2342.sized.jpg (http://evilallianceracing.com/ipw-web/gallery/eVil951)

For those that haven't tried it yet, the $150 or so you spend on your first track day will the hands down best cash blown at the habit. Once you go track, you never go back. Or maybe only sometimes, a little autox on the side never hurt anything.

[Korey Morris]

Several members of our team autocross regularly.

I run my truck in STK (Sport Truck), usually by myself. It's cool to pull the SAE trailer to an event, unhook the truck, switch tires, and race the truck and the car both.

Another one of our members runs his turbo Miata in SM2. Yet another runs a formula Vee.

Also, our region (Central Kentucky Region) hooks us up big time. They let us run the SAE car in all heats (usually 3 heats per event), and run two drivers per heat. We usually get close to 40 runs on the car each event by the time fun runs are over, though it's hectic staying on top of everything. Another big deal for us happens when our region uses the school's stadium lot for autocross (including one divisional). The school considers the money that they pay for the lot a donation; all donations can be "assigned" to a college. They assign the money to the College of Engineering, the College of Engineering gives SAE the money. It's not much, but usually amounts to a grand or so each year.

Also, the deal stands for any SAE team that may be in driving distance (except the money, that's ours) AHEM AHEM Louisville, Cincinnati; come play with us next summer? They usually have two events before competition!

[DangerousDrifterDan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by James Waltman:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DangerousDrifterDan:
...and as my name suggests... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually Dan,
I think your name suggests that loving you was wrong. Dead wrong.
http://dot.etec.wwu.edu/fsae/HostedPics/Junk/The_Drifter.jpg

Sorry for that everyone - I need some sleep. (Dan you don't, by chance, drift/own a Crown Vic do you?) </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

haha sorry about this taking forever but yes i do drive a crown vic. have yu heard of me? haha send me an emial if you read this dehaire21@tntech.edu

[conekilr]

I started autocrossing with my dad when I was 14 in my 2nd gen DSM (eclipse). After riding with some friends my dad was convinced to buy a miata which in turn caused me to buy one as well. I started to set mine up for CSP with TEIN Flex coilovers, better suited tires, and a lightened flywheel. But since I'm doing the whole college thing and driving the formula car I let my dad take up the CSP car, adding a roll bar,13x9 wheels, R-compounds, etc. I think we will be selling his roadster now but I still drive mine when at home and during Evo school.

[JesseN]

I've been autocrossing seriously since April 2001. Competed Nationally the past 4 years doing numerous National Tours and ProSolos, and attending the National Championships the past 4 years, the first in my old STS Mazda Protege, and the last 3 in my Toyota MR2 in E-stock. Managed to be 2nd for the ProSolo season the last two years, and taken a couple of National Tour wins along the way also. Best finish at Nationals so far is 5th in 2004, with 8th's in both '03 and '05.