Autocross

[bren]

Yesterday at the '08 Track Day at US 131 there was some discussion about autocross. I thought I would start a thread on that subject. I talked to Rudy about autocross; he is our club expert. He gave me some websites to look at on the subject. I will list them here later. I am interested in trying it with my blue car when I get it done. Who else is thinking about it?

[ghiastein]

I was thinking of it too. I always wanted a pure Road Course car with a pure race suspension gutted interior and a hopped up engine. Well money has a way of interrupting dreams. After a few tweaks I will try the Ghia but a road course Ghia would be fun.

AJ

[gokart]

I've done a few Autocross events. Never gotten serious about it but, it is fun no matter what you drive. (In college I raced mom and dad's '82 Chevy Citation 4 door.) They have a class for everything.

The South Bend SCCA has one event left this year. But it is the same day as the color tour (this sunday). www.sbrscca.org/solo/2008_points/index.html

Tom with the yellow Ghia in MVWG works for the Tire Rack where the events are held.

Wester Michigan SCCA races in Gratten (Grand Rapids). Looks like they are done for the year.

www.wmr-scca.org/

[Southpaw]

Autocross , Is that the same as the Gingerman Raceway here in South Haven ?? www.gingermanraceway.com They also run SCCA type events . On OCT. 25-26 the last day of this years schedule they are having ( Gingerman's End of Season Tailgate GTG )

[jmallen05]

If I can find a set of rear tires by then I will be there. I won't be setting any speed records due to the narrowed beam and 135's, but it should be fun.


Jerry

[bren]

Rudy mentioned something about a possible event at US 131. I think it was in early November. Rudy?

[bren]

Here is some web site info on the subject from Rudy:

As far as autox websights, I really haven't looked much. "Grassroots Motorsports" magazine has a website and you can check out the "Furrin Group" sportscar club at www.furrin.org and the SCCA website has a section for "Solo" or "Solo II" which is their name for autocrossing on www.scca.org

Rudy

I also did some searches on you tube. Type in Michigan autocross and you will find some. Also type in VW autocross and you will find more. Looks like fun to me!

[Ruffuss]

Ruffuss is up to giving it a try, Kenn

[dubfreak1]

The Nov 8 Furrin Group event at US 131 is tenative. Ususally these events are run rain or shine, but this one is fair weather only. The regular season is over for the Furrin Group, this event, if it happens, is kinda a bonus.

[Chris]

AJ, you dont have to have a stripped car with a hopped up engine. Just build a Germanlook, thats what my plan is

[ghiastein]

I have enough trouble paying for Volkswagen parts. I really don't think I could afford Porsche parts. A Germanlook Ghia would be cool.

[thatmacguy]

I've been running Autocross for the last 3 years or so with the Furrin group (where I met Rudy and thus finally got together with you guys at Drag Days). This is about all the time I have for doing Autocross, so I haven't bothered to look up info about other organizations which sponsor events (I believe the SCCA is the biggest of them).

Just come along to the next event. Especially with the Furring group these are days to "have fun". It is competitive of course, but also friendly. For example, drivers are almost always willing to let you ride with them. Everyone loves seeing new faces. You can drive anything you want as long as it is safe (I even drove my Prius once when I was worried about a problem with my VW). Sometimes people go out there and just drive it almost like they are on a city-street. That's fine too. Whatever you are comfortable with is fine.

If you have a DOT helmet you'll want to bring it, but if not there are about 10 loaner helmets which the club owns, so no big deal.

I enjoy auto-cross a lot. The first time I did just watch, the second time I drove because it was obvious that a lot of new drivers are there each time and that this is a group of friendly people who won't laugh at you (very much) if you are a clod . It felt very "natural". I haven't progressed to left-foot braking or anything like that yet (at least not in the Bug where I can't fit my feet on the accelerator and the brake at the same time very well!), but I have a great time and do occasionally do fairly well. Then again, sometimes (like at the last event) I'm totally awful I run my Bug in "Vintage" class, which saves me $5 and which is just for older cars. If you want you can also run in whichever class your VW matches (depends on how much you've modified it).

For about 5 years now I've been big fan of Racing / Driving Simulators (For those who don't know - these are essentially games which try to emulate real-world driving physics and for which special steering wheels are produced which contain motors to provide "real" feedback. Some of them extremely good, good enough that professional race drivers are now using them them to learn tracks etc.). Thus I did feel like I had at least some theory about "driving fast" going into things. If you are extremely intimidated by the idea of taking some bends fast, and one of your buddies in into racing sims, give him/her a call and put in a few hours practice.

I've only made a single autocross video from my bug (races in bumper-cam mode - camera attached directly to front bumper). If you select the "Watch in High Quality" option under the video it looks a lot better:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKosNWd6Q0w&feature=PlayList&p=26003F0107526D1F&index=0

There are other racing vids on my youtube channel as well, but they are all from racing simulators so if you aren't into that they won't be interesting.

[ghiastein]

I just saw you other youtube videos on video racing simulators and we need to talk. You have just found some competition, I too enjoy them especially that game.

We need to talk
Sent you a PM
AJ

[dubfreak1]

Cool video David. Thanks for posting it! The course came back to me watching it. I hope more VDub people will come out and join in the fun.

[dansam]

Great vid!! Ive done my share of autox (though not for like 3 years or so)(even did ice racing once back in the day-- early 90's) Never did it with my aircooled but Id like to try it ITd be fun. To all that have never been I once got I disagree kicked by a bone stock cavilier that was driven by an outstanding driver (I was driving a built up 89 trans am gta!!!) The car is really not the deciding issue; though it helps Id like to put my camber compensator to the test

I always feel like Im in a chase movie when doing autoX like the french connection or one of those old chase movies as it is fast paced with lots of turns.

Dansam