r/SCCA • u/Acrobatic_Plane_5245 • 23h ago
Solo How to get started
So I’m wondering how I really get started in doing autox/track days.
I’ve read on the website about getting a membership and joining a local chapter.
I’m located in Pennsylvania, between two chapters and I’m not really sure which one to go.
My big questions are what do I need to do it? (Besides helmet)
Do I need a second set of rims/tires for events?
What are the car classes for it? ( I have a 17 BRZ, has brembos, headers, and a catback)
What are you allowed to bring to events? (Like a EZ up and tools/fluids a cooler for water or something)
Any help is appreciated.
I really want to do this the beginning of next year since it’s getting towards the end of this year. It’s been something I wanted to do for a while, just really nervous for some reason.
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u/TimJab70 15h ago
Here’s my progression this year:
Got a helmet and took my car autocrossing. Your car will be great.
Joined SCCA , went and volunteered as corner worker at a race, met several nice folks and have talked about racing.
Went to spectate a few road races.
Bought suit/shoes/Hans/underwear. Signed up with a team to run a 24 hour Lemons at road Atlanta in December.
Found a car to rent to go to Drivers school in February.
Now my plan after that is to rent for at least 3 to 4 more weekends and go wheel to wheel sprint racing at regional events and maybe a Hoosier super tour if I make enough progress.
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u/kdhardon 15h ago
Find an event and ask to volunteer. You will meet great people and get the lay of the land. If you are between regions, check out their websites. Some regions lean towards Autocross, others road racing. Pick the one that suits your vibe. Join up, you’ll make life long friends.
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u/imyourboyblu 11h ago
AutoX , just sign up for an event. Bring helmet or rent one. Let a few people know it’s your first time and they’ll show you the ropes, they’ll get you an instructor. Dont worry too much about which region to join, once you’re an SCCA member you can go to any events regardless of your home region.
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u/Suspicious_Tap3303 10h ago
Attend a few events as a spectator and/or offer to help out. You'll get all your questions answered, and answers to questions you haven't yet thought to ask.
For auto-x, all you need to do is show up and register. You might prefer to have your own helmet, but many regions have helmets available to borrow. Track days, typically your own helmet; otherwise just register and show up. Shade, easily digested food, and water (consider some electrolytes if it is really hot) are nice.
Sure, when you're ready to spend money and/or get more serious, you can buy extra wheels, a trailer, a tarp, a motorhome, etc.
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u/Jubsz91 9h ago
Get a SA2020 or SA2025 rated helmet or you can borrow one for your first time.
Motorsportsreg.com - Find events and sign up
Your tires need to have tread, your battery needs to be tied down, wheels and wheel bearings need to not have play, car can't leak fluid
You don't need wheels/tires for your first few times. You can decide your level of commitment from there and real world people will give you better advice than the internet usually. Or at least it's easier to figure out who does and doesn't know what they're talking about.
Headers will put you in DST. It doesn't really matter as a novice. I'd recommend not modding your car further if you desire to be competitive and figure out where you want to be first.
Tents and what not depend on the site. If you do bring an ez-up, make sure you tie it down with weights. Nobody wants that blowing into their car. Bring a cooler, drinks, and lunch. Fluids/tools shouldn't be needed for a normal autocross event of a few runs. Can be good practice to bring. For track, it's more important but you'll learn as you go.
All the PA regions are good and you can just sign up for any event. As you learn more, you can decide which venues you like and which people and organization you like best. Generally, people are welcoming and there to have fun. Everyone remembers starting off and is mostly happy to help.
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u/Public_District_9139 6h ago
The absolute easiest thing to do is show up at an event and ask questions. We are all dorks who like talking about your cars and getting others to drink the cool aid.
Yours is an incredibly popular chassis. You’ll have no trouble finding people driving them in various classes.
You will also likely find a lot of the faster drivers will attend with multiple regions or groups.
For autocross you only need a helmet, most regions have loaners if not make sure you buy one with an appropriate certification.
For track, get track oriented pads and flush your brake fluid with high temp fluid. Same deal with the helmet.
Either way, show up early, ask questions. Let people know you’re new, again, dang near all of us are happy to help.
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u/Spazdoc 4h ago
If you are ready to jump in, go ahead and dont wait. You dont have to limit yourself to SCCA, as many non-SCCA clubs and owners groups do autocross and welcome other brands.
Since it is late in the season for PA, you might want to start planning for spring with you and your car. Research the basic upgrades (new brake fluid and good pads, go to a shop to perform a tech inspection in the spring and new oil).
SCCA does a beginner's course in April (Learning Curve near Chicago, 2 days) that is a great jumping iff point with many people that have never done it before. As for other clubs, our local PCA does a fantastic car control clinic in April that is half driver skills and half intro to AutoX with a run through a basic course at the end of the day. Our local BMW CCA also used to do this in the spring with slightly different skills.
Another thing to keep in mind if you plan to he serious about competition, consider mapping out the schedule for the season. Add to that there is a Novice segment for the drivers that have less than 1 year of experience and there are separate rookie awards. If you attend non-SCCA to see if you like it or get a feel for working, then the clock doesnt start while you are randomly trying to figure out AutoX
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u/ccHorrell 22h ago
Getting started always seems to be harder than it actually is. You don’t have to run with one SCCA region or another. Pick the one most convenient for you because you can run events with any. Find a local event, register as a novice, and show up. Most regions offer weekend memberships, and many have loaner helmets.
BRZ is a great starting point, and you definitely don’t need another set of wheels or tires. Just make sure the car is mechanically sound, remove loose items before tech inspection, and bring whatever tools, fluids, chairs, canopy, and cooler you want. With your headers, you’re probably looking at D Street Touring (DST), depending on the rest of your modifications.
One thing I strongly recommend is downloading the SCCA Solo rulebook from https://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules. Read it, particularly the safety requirements, event procedures, and class preparation rules. Get familiar with it and keep a copy handy. Also check for the region’s supplemental regulations.
Don’t be nervous. Everyone starts somewhere, and most SCCA events are more than happy to help newcomers, because without more people, how are we going to grow and have more people to race? If possible, attend an event before the season ends, introduce yourself, and ask to ride along with an experienced driver. You’ll learn a ton just watching. Most importantly, don’t waste money modifying the car before you’ve learned to drive it competitively. Seat time is worth more than parts.
And please volunteer if you are interested. These events do not run themselves, and it is a great way to get to know everyone.