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Any helmet recommendations? I would prefer to have an open face model unless there is a huge drawback I'm missing.
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Mar 16, 2011 03:54
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| # ? Apr 24, 2024 14:50 |
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Go for an SA2005 rated one if you have any interest doing track. If you want to keep it cheap and only for autox, check your local car club's/clubs' rules and see what type of motorcycle helmets they allow (should be Snell M or DOT).
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Mar 16, 2011 04:06
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I have a really comfy HJC CL-16 which is Snell 2010 which will make it legal for twice as long as Snell 2005 helmets. It's an entry level helmet too which makes it rather affordable. Read about it here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/hjc/cl-16/
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Mar 16, 2011 04:24
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I wish I had an open face helmet, although I do feel all super race car driver with a full face helmet on.
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Mar 17, 2011 02:35
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I would recommend an open face if you don't have a convertible. It gets hot as balls in a full face helmet, and the open air of a convertible is the only thing that cools it down. The problem I find with full face helmets is that you have an extra few inches of helmet hanging off the front of your face. So if you turn your head to look out your driver side window (something that you should be doing if you look ahead as you drive), then your helmet smacks into the window
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Mar 17, 2011 02:51
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Lightbulb Out posted:The standard E30 rack is 4 turns lock to lock and is annoying on the autocross course for sure, but wouldn't make me sissy enough to not try it at least once. Get an E36 rack, it's awesome.
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Mar 17, 2011 03:05
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whiskas posted:The problem I find with full face helmets is that you have an extra few inches of helmet hanging off the front of your face. So if you turn your head to look out your driver side window (something that you should be doing if you look ahead as you drive), then your helmet smacks into the window Why is your window up?
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Mar 17, 2011 14:18
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I can't say I've had side window problems in my Miata. I have had issues with the helmet hitting the softtop mechanisms though. Which is why I hate when it starts pouring before a run. That said, wet autocrosses are the best autocrosses.
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Mar 17, 2011 16:32
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At that point i'd just say "screw it". Replacing a carpet isnt that difficult or expensive 
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Mar 17, 2011 17:29
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SNiPER_Magnum posted:Get an E36 rack, it's awesome. It is one of the best upgrades I've ever done to both my more racing car and the DD 318. I can't loving wait to autocross this weekend. I just got a new full face helmet, so we'll see if I like it.
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Mar 17, 2011 17:47
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Podothehobbit posted:Good time for a thread! I actually just finished up an event at Firebird International Raceway today. Here have a shaky vid of me tearing up the course in my little Yaris --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTlFkkrm5gQ . This man speaks truth; autocrossing is pretty fun in any car, unless you're trying to be super competitive. I started last summer, in Asheville, NC, which I believe is the Highlands Sports Car Club. I ran my Taurus in Street Modified, just because I had no idea what to classify it as at the time, due to the auto-to-manual swap, torque biasing diff, 13" front brakes, and other stuff. I think it was the brakes that the organizers told go SM for, actually. Of course, I was the slowest in my class, driving a 90's Ford Sedan, but it was still fun as hell. Anyway, here are my two videos; I think one was my best or second-best run, and the other was funny because I managed to lock up the rear wheels and spun a little early on, at the end of the slalom. The chattering in the videos is my sweet camera mounting solution vibrating. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2GMV0fFcCU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=781orjuAEpM They had a photographer at one of the events, so here are links to two photos of my jellybean. http://jkayphoto.smugmug.com/Sports/autocrossNS5/MG6216/959644481_DUfdW-L.jpg http://jkayphoto.smugmug.com/Sports/autocrossNS5/MG6344/959690690_Gq3HQ-L.jpg Edit: Wow, I'm slow in those videos!
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Mar 18, 2011 02:27
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Any suggestions for a really thin/low profile helmet? My head is practically touching the roof already, I don't know how I could fit with some of the helmets I've tried on.
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Mar 18, 2011 03:34
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Any seattle goons going to the slush run autocross on sunday? I'm going to see how my impreza fairs in ST1 HS index with my lovely tires. Should also be interesting to see how my friends do in SS with an Elise. Event info: http://www.wwscc.org/evinfo/2011/slush2.html
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Mar 19, 2011 05:43
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Hooray! An autox thread! I'll go ahead and throw in here, I'm a massive cone dodger. Currently driving my 04 WRX in STX, done some national tour and divisional events, and took her to two years running. If you haven't made the pilgrimage to Lincoln, do it... even for a National Tour or Prosolo. LAP is ridiculously huge. Obligitory autox photo (Nats '10, West Course) 
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Mar 19, 2011 06:20
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whiskas posted:I would recommend an open face if you don't have a convertible. It gets hot as balls in a full face helmet, and the open air of a convertible is the only thing that cools it down. I opted for the full face so i could run with a really dark tinted visor... i really don't like wearing sunglasses with my helmets on.. But an open face is considerably cooler. that being said, the more expensive closed face ones have much better venting. What kind of car are you driving that your face is that close to the window? HachiGo posted:Any suggestions for a really thin/low profile helmet? you really aren't going to find one that will meet most sanctioning body's rules. Snell M2000 is current SCCA minimum, which dictates a certain level of padding, and resistance to multiple impacts. I do know where your coming from though, car hopping while instructing or fitting into a miata generally sucks for me (long toroso), but generally you just have to move the seat around to get the needed clearance.
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Mar 19, 2011 06:30
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HachiGo posted:Any suggestions for a really thin/low profile helmet? My head would hit the ceiling in my 240sx with a helmet, and would get very close to hitting the ceiling without a helmet. If you're really serious, the answer is to get an aftermarket seat and brackets, or just a set of custom seat brackets to lower the height of the seat.
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Mar 19, 2011 06:33
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Attended my first AutoX recently. I usually do track events, and it is noticeably cheaper to autocross, but I had more power than I knew what to do with on the course. Each one will be different, but on this particular one, with it's combination of turns and asphalt condition left me struggling with traction, as it kept me in second gear the entire time... I left thinking one thing though- I'd really like to shift more than the initial first to second while driving hard. 
Way2slow fucked around with this message at 06:43 on Mar 19, 2011 |
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Mar 19, 2011 06:40
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Seat Safety Switch posted:Some of the rules to get pushed into SM are a little stupid; camber plates are apparently allowed in STX but an anti-lift kit/control arm relocation kit will get you in SM. I've got a pair of bolts that slot into factory holes on the car as well that also shove me into SM. If I were more into competition than just getting more seat time, I'd probably have to remove these. just imagine how ridiculous you could get with unlimited funds, access to a machine shop and a team of engineers at your disposal with a rule set that allowed you to relocate a suspension mounting point. it can get insane. a trip to nats shows you that these people exist, and will exploit any rule to the limit of interpretation to get that little bit of edge on the next guy. now, even the SCCA says in the rule book that the rules are for national events and that local regions are not only allowed, but encouraged to create more classes and loosen classing in the name of participation and enjoyment. Seat Safety Switch posted:It's also pretty neat to get home, wait a few days and then find out what goofy face you were making while racing. I found out that I get my pinky out when taking a particularly aggressive corner. Sorry if I'm thread whoring, our overnight guy quit suddenly last week, and i got tagged to take his shift this week... so bored.
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Mar 19, 2011 06:50
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Way2slow posted:Attended my first AutoX recently. I usually do track events, and it is noticeably cheaper to autocross, but I had more power than I knew what to do with on the course. Each one will be different, but on this particular one, with it's combination of turns and asphalt condition left me struggling with traction, as it kept me in second gear the entire time... the only shift being the 1-2 is pretty common in autocross. even most of the big nationals events will be a single shift, as the common goal in autocross course design will be to make the course fast and flowing enough not to necessitate a downshift but slow enough to keep you in second. hitting 3rd in something with doors that work is a very very rare occurrence. most stock cars, top of second being 60-69mph is pretty much the range considered safe at most autocross venues or just space constrained. as for traction... that's just part of the challenge.
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Mar 19, 2011 06:59
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Way2slow posted:I left thinking one thing though- I'd really like to shift more than the initial first to second while driving hard. It really depends on the car you drive. Most cars do a 1-2 shift and that's it. S2000's are a drat row boat. 90% of my conversation with other S2000 drivers at any given event have to do with when and where to shift. We have about as much torque as a sewing machine, and if we drop out of VTEC we're pretty much as fast as a civic so we gotta work hard to keep it above that 6000rpm sweet spot. whiskas fucked around with this message at 18:49 on Mar 19, 2011 |
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Mar 19, 2011 18:31
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whiskas posted:It really depends on the car you drive. Most cars do a 1-2 shift and that's it. I can understand that, but this little turbo 4 has a lot of torque from 2K->5K, so I'm not needing to shift for power band reasons, I meant with regards to speed- I'd like to be able to go fast enough to get into 3rd gear a couple times. However, based on how autocrosses seem to pan out, that won't be happening. I think this car really either needs Hoosier A6's, or I should just stick to track days.
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Mar 19, 2011 23:39
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I found this video from an event I did last year. I think this is one of every autocrossesrs worst fears, the guy spun and got disoriented and then came back the wrong way, notice the lack of red flags. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0-sO1filMk
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Mar 20, 2011 01:14
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Yikes. You don't see many Infinitis at driving events, but that may be a good thing.
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Mar 20, 2011 03:31
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shane86 posted:most stock cars, top of second being 60-69mph is pretty much the range considered safe at most autocross venues or just space constrained. Main reason I'm not too interested in doing this (and I defy all the people saying that any daily driver makes a great auto-x) is that 60-69 is the top of fourth for me. That plus manual steering and brakes would make it such a chore, it would be no fun.
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Mar 20, 2011 09:27
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Raluek posted:Main reason I'm not too interested in doing this (and I defy all the people saying that any daily driver makes a great auto-x) is that 60-69 is the top of fourth for me... ....in my car, which is a.... ?
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Mar 20, 2011 15:54
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Raluek posted:Main reason I'm not too interested in doing this (and I defy all the people saying that any daily driver makes a great auto-x) is that 60-69 is the top of fourth for me. That plus manual steering and brakes would make it such a chore, it would be no fun. As was said before, with any given car its usually a 1-2 shift at the start and leave it in 2nd the whole way. Whatever your car can do in 2nd is your top speed unless you get into 3rd for a split second. You might see a Z06 on sticky tires get up to 70mph on a well designed course, but that upper limit is not for everyone.
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Mar 20, 2011 16:24
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Im interested in autocrossing my '99 miata. It's got a Hard Dog Hard Bar. Is this SCCA enough to let me on the course or do I need one of the more expensive Hard Dog bars? What's the difference between Solo I and Solo II?
First Time Caller fucked around with this message at 17:00 on Mar 20, 2011 |
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Mar 20, 2011 16:52
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I want to autocross my 96 miata with no bar whatsoever. Will i be ok with a helmet? I honestly dont see flipping as a possible issue, the center of gravity is quite low.
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Mar 20, 2011 17:52
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You don't need a roll bar to do SCCA autocross, all you need is a Snell certified helmet, and no fluid leaks and you're good to go.
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Mar 20, 2011 18:01
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Brain Issues posted:You don't need a roll bar to do SCCA autocross, all you need is a Snell certified helmet, and no fluid leaks and you're good to go. Not totally true, NJ state law requires convertibles such as miatas have a rollbar that clears the top of the driver's helmet. So it can vary. Best bet is to ask someone in your local organization.
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Mar 20, 2011 20:29
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MetaJew posted:Someone start up an Austin autox. This, this, a thousand times this. The only autocross club I've found in Central Texas is Spokes. They run most of their events in San Antonio (I'm not driving ~160 miles round trip to autocross), they cost around $50 and you get 3-4 runs MAX. I just want something in greater Austin that's not stupidly expensive 
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Mar 20, 2011 20:52
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c355n4 posted:Not totally true, NJ state law requires convertibles such as miatas have a rollbar that clears the top of the driver's helmet. So it can vary. Best bet is to ask someone in your local organization. Oh sorry my bad, I didn't know that it varied by state/region. That's just the way it is at the Indiana events I've been to.
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Mar 20, 2011 21:08
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Detroit Q. Spider posted:This, this, a thousand times this. The only autocross club I've found in Central Texas is Spokes. They run most of their events in San Antonio (I'm not driving ~160 miles round trip to autocross), they cost around $50 and you get 3-4 runs MAX. Right, the only other "close" AutoX is TAMSCC in College Station. Their practice events are pretty cheap and you get a lot more runs, but again you're driving a good ways, just to dodge cones. So until the F1 track opens up and someone runs autox's in the parking lot or track days there's probably nothing "close" by. (The Driveway can eat a dick.) This parking lot looks like you could run an event in it, but you have those pesky concrete parking blocks running down the center and dividing it into three smaller areas. And I'm not sure how open Austin ISD would be to renting it out, and all that nonsense.
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Mar 20, 2011 22:55
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Sockington posted:....in my car, which is a.... ? F100. superdylan posted:As was said before, with any given car its usually a 1-2 shift at the start and leave it in 2nd the whole way. Whatever your car can do in 2nd is your top speed unless you get into 3rd for a split second. You might see a Z06 on sticky tires get up to 70mph on a well designed course, but that upper limit is not for everyone. I start in second, so second is usually good to 10-15mph. Third is good to maybe 30. With the stiff suspension and high center of gravity I doubt I'd want to exceed 30 anyway.
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Mar 20, 2011 23:05
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Raluek posted:F100. I believe, depending on the configuration of your truck, you may not be allowed to autocross it due to SCCA restrictions on vehicles with high centers of gravity. I know that SUVs, vans, and some trucks are banned. You may want to check out the rule book and ask someone who helps run the events in your locality.
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Mar 20, 2011 23:28
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Raluek posted:F100. Even if you're going really slow, it's good fun. Although, I know some organization won't allow trucks or SUV's; I know around here, Knoxville, TN, SUV's were banned after UT's student SAE section brought their ChallengeX Equinox to an event. Edit: Beaten!^^
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Mar 21, 2011 00:05
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I guess I'll stick to not going to auto-x events then!
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Mar 21, 2011 00:26
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It wouldn't hurt to go to one to watch, and ask the organizers, unless you're vehicle is listed in the rules as not allowed by SCCA. Even then, if the local org has loose enforcement, they might let you.
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Mar 21, 2011 00:29
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ToreA55 posted:It wouldn't hurt to go to one to watch, and ask the organizers, unless you're vehicle is listed in the rules as not allowed by SCCA. I encourage participation in motorsports, but just watching an autocross is not something I'd consider worth someone's time.
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Mar 21, 2011 00:41
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I used to autocross with a club in Tucson, and the car safety inspections consisted of one guy asking a few questions: Does it go when you press to go pedal? Does it stop when you press the stop pedal? Do you have a helmet? Ok, you're good to go.
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Mar 21, 2011 00:51
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