6 replies to this topic

[Andrew C]

I just found this today, and first of all, I want to say, this looks awesome. I've been looking around for some kind of autocross events that are easy to get into and don't cost half the price of my car to compete at. I'm glad I stumbled on this. I'm planning to be at the Feb 5th event.

Anyway, I watched a few of the videos posted and stuff, and I think I have an idea of how it all works, but I have one dumb question. In the info pdf it states that I must have my number and class on both sides of my car. I know my class is DS, but I don't know what my number would be. Am I supposed to do this before the event, or am I assigned a number when I show up?

Secondly, what would be the best way to do this? Magnetic numbers? My car is pretty much brand new, I'm not quite ready to paint some numbers on the side of it, yet. I saw one pic where it almost looked like the guy had made the numbers out of blue masking tape.

Lastly, tires. It sounds like it's okay to run normal all season tires, but I just want to get an idea of what people normally run at these events. I have Continental DWS on for the winter, which, according to my Android app, have pulled almost 1.2G (no idea how accurate that is) without even hinting of breaking loose, so I think they should be fine, but I just wanted to get some ideas of what people run in the winter.

Thanks in advance.

[bhipp2004]

Andrew C, on 15 January 2011 - 11:04 PM, said:

I just found this today, and first of all, I want to say, this looks awesome. I've been looking around for some kind of autocross events that are easy to get into and don't cost half the price of my car to compete at. I'm glad I stumbled on this. I'm planning to be at the Feb 5th event.

Anyway, I watched a few of the videos posted and stuff, and I think I have an idea of how it all works, but I have one dumb question. In the info pdf it states that I must have my number and class on both sides of my car. I know my class is DS, but I don't know what my number would be. Am I supposed to do this before the event, or am I assigned a number when I show up?

Secondly, what would be the best way to do this? Magnetic numbers? My car is pretty much brand new, I'm not quite ready to paint some numbers on the side of it, yet. I saw one pic where it almost looked like the guy had made the numbers out of blue masking tape.

Lastly, tires. It sounds like it's okay to run normal all season tires, but I just want to get an idea of what people normally run at these events. I have Continental DWS on for the winter, which, according to my Android app, have pulled almost 1.2G (no idea how accurate that is) without even hinting of breaking loose, so I think they should be fine, but I just wanted to get some ideas of what people run in the winter.

Thanks in advance.

Regarding the car numbers, you can either pre-register here (you will have to create an account and search for SJR SCCA and also the NJMP Winter Series) with whatever number you want, or pick one if you register in person the day of the race. Typically, we just use blue/green painter's tape, but some use magnetic numbers because they are re-usable (if you pre-register, you can pretty much keep the same number throughout the season). I used green painter's tape last year on my blue car, but I think this coming season I will be switching to magnets since they are re-usable and easy to apply.

As for tires, I'd suggest just to come out and run your car as you have it now (make sure to over-inflate the tires for added support), that way you get a feel for how it performs and if you like the experience or not. You will show the most improvement in your driving by changing your technique behind the wheel and learning all you can from the instructors, rather than just changing parts on the car left and right.

Hope this helps, and we look forward to seeing you on the 5th!

[Andrew C]

Thanks alot! That does help. I thought that might be the case for the numbers, but I wanted to be sure. As for the tires, I wasn't actually planning on upgrading them, I was just curious as to what people run. But thanks for the info!

[bhipp2004]

Well I'm running Dunlop star specs (225/50/16) on my H-stock '05 civic si, and they're great because I can just drive them to/from the events without changing there. They are a performance summer tire normally run in the ST classes, but I wanted them for the convenience. For the winter series, though, it might be best to use normal street tires due to the cold.

It really depends on your level of competitiveness, though, and what your class allows. Some guys run R-comps, some run sticky street tires, others just use cheap tires and have fun.

[IMPREZvWRX]

I usually run whatever tires are thrown at me because I'm a cheapskate. Luckily, last year it was a set of Kumho XS (which rock for dry autox) and this year is a set of Dunlop Star Specs (which I hear is better than the XS I ran last year).

For the winter series, I run Kumho ASX all seasons because I feel more comfortable driving to and from the event on them and it's not possible for me to swap them at the event.

I always encourage everyone to register online to ensure you get the number you wish to run and to save me some typing the morning of the event.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Spanky]

I am running ASX's aswell.They are an awesome tire for the money.

[Ciotti]

If you decide you do want to get magnetic numbers, here's the best place I've found...

http://www.izoomgraphics.com/

Great quality and the magnetic material they use sticks really well.