Ok, for all of you who missed out on the first novice school this year, you got very lucky! MAC is doing ANOTHER Autocross novice school! ask anyone who's been to the last one, and they'll all tell you it was absolutely worth the $50! It's a STEAL for drivers education. The Minnesota Autosports Club (MAC) will once again be hosting a 2 day school intended for NOVICE (less than 1 season experience, no previous autocross school) autocrossers who want to learn more about the sport, how to get started, what to bring, how to prepare, how an event is conducted, how to get the most from your driving experience, and more! Where: Dunwoody College of Tech & Midway Stadium When: June 16-17 Cost: $50 Register: Click Here Lunch will be provided on the day of the autocross, many runs will be had. it's a STEAL for the amount of learning you'll get from this event. anyone can run, as long as they have a safe car. don't worry about your suspension setup, or what tires you have. seat time is seat time any experience is better than no experience, ESPECIALLY with instructors. This class has a maximum of 50 entries, so sign up now before it's too late!
Only 20 Spots left! i'd like to see a strong suby showing here guys! Trust me, these things LOVE runnin through the cone fields
My WRX is still stock so we'll see how she handles this :laugh: Off topic, but you still using the stock RE92's or did you get new tires?
Mods: 24mm Whiteline RSB + endlinks 22mm Whiteline FSB (stock endlinks) Self-tuned stage 1. Yeah, still using the stock wheels wrapped in RE92's.
I just signed up. My only previous experience is drag (in a different vehicle) so we'll see how it goes.
I'm assuming a helmet is required, anyone know the guidelines on what's accepted? I don't see anything about it on the event info pages and forms.
You need a Snell rated helmet from the current or previous specs. At this point, SA2000/SA2005 or M2000/M2005 helmets are OK. About the cheapest viable option is an HJC CS5. Just don't buy a red one as the club loaners are red. http://store.bobscycle.com/browse.cfm/2,7242.html Yes, the club has loaner helmets, but using them at the Novice School is a real pain as there's such huge demand for them, and there's only one of each size, I think. So if somebody is out on course with the one you need, you have to wait for them to bring it back after their run before you can go. Stuart.
Bring her along. I brought mine out this year (it's the main reason I was allowed to attend the School a 2nd time) and she had an absolute blast. She's frantically trying to talk a whole bunch of her girlfriends into attending next year. Not to mention, she's also signed up for MOWOG3, so she's actually trying her hand at competing. Pretty cool for a lass who couldn't give two hoots about cars. We're treating it as a date. Hmmm, that could be your sales pitch to the missus. Good luck, Stuart.
Erm, the one I mentioned is only about $65. And that's for an M2005 that will last you until 2015. You might find one cheaper used, but it'll probably be quite smelly. Stuart.
http://store.bobscycle.com/browse.cfm/2,7244.html they have them for 34.99 also, take a look at the M2R MR 225 open face....matte black for me!
That helmet isn't listed as Snell Rated. Snell M2000 is the minimum rating needed for autocross use although, M2005 is the latest rating, and will last longer.
Helmets are teched at events. If you get one that isn't Snell rated, it *will* fail tech, and you *won't* be allowed to use it. I already posted a link to the cheap option. Or do you think there's nothing inside your head worth protecting ? The CS5 is offered in matte black, so you can at least stick with the colour you want. Also, you will want to try one on first to make sure it fits. Too tight and it will hurt pretty quickly; too loose and it can slip and cover your eyes, which would be bad. Stuart.
So the other helmet doesn't say it's snell rated either, how are you supposed to know if it isn't specifically stated? And as far as what there is to protect, what is the worst that can happen going 30 mph in a parking lot full of cones?
On the back of the helmet, there is a Snell sticker that indicates it's Snell approved. I'll be using a full-faced motorcycle hlemet that's DOT & Snell M2005 approved unless they say I can't. Anyone know if the helmet has to be DOT approved as well? Just curious with that one. As for the worst that could happen, well, this would be my first outing for autocross stuff but I assume it's just safety precautions. If you somehow manage to flip the car or something, I don't think they'd like to be given flak about "Was the driver wearing any safety gear?" if something terrible happened to you. Someone with autocross experience may want to chime in?
The Snell sticker they look is in the inside of the helmet, under the liner. The DOT sticker is on the outside... which doesn't matter.
It's not our choice on how much protection you wear, and the levels of it. our insurance agency dictates what the minimum level of safety gear is, and that's what we adhere to. The insurance company mandates that a helmet must be atleast snell M2000. and yes, we do check EVERY helmet. if we let someone slide, and something happens, it's our responsibility, and that's unacceptable. any helmet that is Snell approved, will meet/exceed DOT ratings.
I bought one of these helmets for the wife. The M2005 sticker is under the lining in the back. It's brown. And as low risk as AutoX is, it isn't 100% risk free. If it was, we wouldn't require helmets at all. The rules state M2000/SA2000 as the minimum spec. If you turn up with a helmet that doesn't meet that spec, you won't be kicked out of the event, but you will be required to use a different helmet. And while you might only hit 35mph at Midway, you could easily be pushing 60mph at DCTC or Valley Fair. And the rules are there for everyone. While your car may be completely stock inside, some of the cars in the club have very elaborate roll cages, which would definitely put a bump in an unhelmeted noggin were it to hit it at speed. We're not trying to give you an especially hard time, but the helmet question has been answered. If you want your own helmet for the Novice School (and subsequent AutoX events you might want to attend) Bob's Cycle in St. Paul is probably the quickest, easiest and cheapest place to get one. Stuart.
She said I could sign her up if I watched the kids. Only one of us so I would rather go than have her go.
Ah, right. We have a very sympathetic friend who is willing to watch our two wee ones for the day so we can go out and play together. It doesn't happen often, for sure, but it's nice to have that occasionally. If all else fails, she can attend the class next year while you watch the kids. Stuart.
9 Left now! Come out, learn to drive, hear great stories, make new friends, and did i mention learn to drive? it's like a win win win win event!
Yes, it will matter. In a good way. The Novice School takes place at a site that's very easy on the cars, and seriously emphasizes handling over power since it's so small and tight. At the last competitive event we held there, my lowly RS made it around the course in 31.190secs, while it took Shane a whopping 32.106secs. Of course, when we go to VF and DCTC he tends to beat me by a good margin because there's plenty of room for him to get the turbo going. I know of two brave souls who do this stuff with their early '90's Legacy wagons, so you should be OK as long as the car is mechanically sound. Stuart.
Thanks for the info...I do have a couple of technical issues to check out before I register. I would love to take this course!
