newbie q's

[nuros]

i'm interested in journeying into the world of autox. i would like to start out cheap to make sure it's something i enjoy and then work my way up. the rulebooks have me somewhat confused, so i am looking for some advice.

which car/class would you recommend to start out? i don't want to put a ton of money in yet, but i still want a car i can mod later.

are the events usually one day only?

typical event cost?

are there quite a few events near the mpls/stp metro area?

thanks a million

-nuros

[MNbiker]

Definitely come out and try autox with us next year! It's a low-risk sport, and no "special" equipment is required to get started. We have several drivers at each event with no previous motorsports experience.

There are typically 6-8 autox events within 30 minutes of the Twin Cities each Summer, with another 6-8 within 90 minutes.

Most any car will do to get started, as long as it's in reasonable mechanical condition. A stock car with performance street tires is the the least expensive way to start out - and easier to learn car handling basics in. Inexpensive, light, nimble coupes (such as the Honda Civic, Dodge Neon or Nissan Sentra) are excellent cars to start with.

I'd HIGHLY recommend you attend MAC's Novice School next Spring, to get a jump-start on autox.

Events are almost always 1 day, and typically cost $20-30.

Here's a link to Kate Hughes' Novice Handbook - an excellent starting point for anyone interested in autocross.
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm

-Steve Garnjobst

[DCM]

Nuros
Welcome to the addiction, er' sport.
:dancin:
I'm goin' into my 15th year. There are some at over 30 years.
OK, so I did run two events back in the mid-sixties. But then marriage, children, house sorta got in the way.
But I 'hung on' to my Austin Healey Sprite, and crewed for a club racer until I couldn't stand it anymore. Now I get to drive.
But once hooked.........
DCM

[RX8noobie]

JUst bring a car (that will pass tech - basically that it runs- but see a multitude of other posts and links on this) and do it. It is fantastic! I just started at the end of this season, and like Dwight said - it's an addiction! You don't need much to do it. Entry fees ($20-30), $1 to reserve a number for the year (Not a requirement - but then you just have to make 1 set of numbers - see Phil's rants on how to make numbers!) As for the car - people run everything from completely stock (like me) to completely modified! Keep watching the site for the begining of the season, unless you want to start with ice-crossing! If you have specific questions - feel free to email me.
Andy

[nuros]

i think i'm going to start looking around for a 1995 nissan 240sx. this should be an average car to race stock and be a good car to mod. What do you think?

Do you have advice as far as how high of mileage I should go? I've never really been around non-domestic cars. What is the expected shelf life of a car like this, in miles?

Thanks again for your input, I can already feel myself racing. I quit snocross due to injuries and haven't raced anything for 4 years. Going from a semi-pro to a couch potato has been tough!

[914 Dave]

Sounds like as good a choice as any. Do your researh, seek out the nissan and 240sx sites, learn all you can about the car, then shop long and hard. I think this can be true of any car, there can be low mileage examples that have been beaten to death, and high milers with great maintenance history in very good condition. I would suggest buying the best example you can afford. Easier in the long run to start with a good car and get to know it, than to try to save a few bucks up front and have to be constantly fixing everything rather than driving it!

[MNbiker]

Originally posted by nuros

i think i'm going to start looking around for a 1995 nissan 240sx. this should be an average car to race stock and be a good car to mod. What do you think?

Do you have advice as far as how high of mileage I should go? I've never really been around non-domestic cars. What is the expected shelf life of a car like this, in miles?

Thanks again for your input, I can already feel myself racing. I quit snocross due to injuries and haven't raced anything for 4 years. Going from a semi-pro to a couch potato has been tough!

The 240sx should be a fun car, if not a particularly great autocross car. In stock form, the car's power/weight ratio isn't very good (155hp/2700+lbs). However, they're a great platform for an engine swap.

The cars seem to be pretty indestructible, if you can find one that hasn't been beaten to death. For autocross use, you should count on replacing the suspension bushings, if the car has over 70-80K on it.

-Steve

[StevenMosley]

A 240 would be fun drive for autocrossing and on the street. Other very affordable cars to consider are Miata's, MR2's, Rabbit/Golf's, CRX/Civic/Integra, even and C4 Corvette can be found for under 10k now. So what do you currently get around in?

I would suggest coming out in what you have and see if this is the sport for you. It is very fun, but also is a lot of standing around. You won't know if it your thing until you try it.

[StevenMosley]

Since we are talking about 204's. I saw a stock looking 240 with a big intercooler up front. Can you say sleeper. :tease:

[AlexL]

Originally posted by MNbiker
The 240sx should be a fun car, if not a particularly great autocross car.
-Steve

it will be your miata's death (nick on alex's computer - i infiltrated the "miata hq"):flame: :dancin:

[MNbiker]

Originally posted by AlexL
it will be your miata's death (nick on alex's computer - i infiltrated the "miata hq"):flame: :dancin:

We shall see...... ;)

[MattD]

Hmmm...even "better" than a 240, would be an old SE-R. Clearly the Mosleys and Chuck have done well with that car. And, on the street, it is very competent as well.

Of course, if you had a ceiling of around $16k, I would suggest an Integra Type-R. I mean, if *I* can run FTD for part of an event in an ITR, then anyone can. ;)

MattD
Rookie. :p

[AlexL]

Originally posted by AlexL


Originally posted by MNbiker
The 240sx should be a fun car, if not a particularly great autocross car.
-Steve

it will be your miata's death (nick on alex's computer - i infiltrated the "miata hq"):flame: :dancin:
I know of at least one Miata that's going to be stomping your 240. ;)

I don't know how fast Steve's planning on going next year, but you might want to at least try beating more than half of the stock class Miatas before setting your sights on SM2 cars (an even better starting point would be a running car). :flame:

Of course if you're trying to say you plan on beating Steve without beating me, we might not have too much of an argument...:D

-Alex (who doesn't need anit-lag or rally car radiator packages to be fast, and who will remember to log out next time nick comes over)

[914 Dave]

All this Miata smack talk... how about a 4 cyl. 914 that smokes you all!!!!! :p

(well a guy can dream, can't he) ;)

[pinhead]

sorry to stray back on topic, but ... nuros, if you're more comfortable around American cars, there is no reason not to run one :D Essentially any 3rd-4th gen Z28 is a good F-Stock car (some being better than others of course, but none of them "suck"). V8 Mustangs are also good autocross cars.

One of my buddy's used to run a Contour SVT, and he did pretty well in it. But really, if I was gonna run an american car, it'd be a pony car unless I could afford a Z06.

[StevenMosley]

Originally posted by pinhead

One of my buddy's used to run a Contour SVT, and he did pretty well in it. But really, if I was gonna run an american car, it'd be a pony car unless I could afford a Z06.

I still think a nice prepped Contour SVT or 2nd Generation Probe GT could be a contender in GS. You have 200hp going for the SVT. The Probe GT has the tire advantage with 225/50R16's and silky smooth 165hp V6.

Amen on the Z06. You can take it the autocross one weekend, the track the next, and have a comfortable summer to and from work car.

[DCM]

To bad youse guy's wasn't 'round in the 'Heyday' of British sports cars............:flame:

Tell 'em Phil..........

DCM

[MNbiker]

Originally posted by DCM

To bad youse guy's wasn't 'round in the 'Heyday' of British sports cars............:flame:

Tell 'em Phil..........

DCM

...but we are in the "good old days" of cheap used Miatas. Inexpensive, nimble & sporty, just like the MG's, Triumphs & Austin Healy's of old - and RELIABLE to boot. ;)

-Steve

[914 Dave]

uh, Steve, did I just read you right, you put "reliable" and "270whp" in the same post? :D

Seriously, I look forword to seeing that beast, not only to see how a car of that national level runs, but the garage mechanic in me wants to check out the motor and suspension set ups.

And yes, while I didn't want to jump on the band wagon to early, I to would like a drive or at least ride along for a buck run or two...

[nuros]

my daily driver is an '05 Chrysler 300 Touring that has 0% chance of seeing the track. Anybody race the 80's 300zx's?

[MNbiker]

Originally posted by nuros
...... Anybody race the 80's 300zx's?

I can't recall seeing one locally, and very rarely elsewhere. That era Z simply isn't a very competitive platform - not nearly as light as the original Z's, not nearly as powerful or good handling as later editions. If you like sporty Nissans, a 240sx might be a better place to start.

If you want a true 2-seater, Miatas or MR2's are tough to beat - plenty of early editions available cheap, light & nimble, reliable.

-Steve

[StevenMosley]

I talked to a guy in an 80's 300ZX turbo last year at an event. It could be a fun unique car with a little suspension work. It would make a better track car then an autocross car though. Weight is the enemy for autocrossing since it is more about transitions then power. Our small lots favor light cars.