NooB Auto Cross Questions - Honda CRZ Forum: Honda CR-Z Hybrid Car Forums

SS2CRZ · 01-11-2012, 05:00 PM

My local SCCA chapter is doing an "Autocross school" in 2 weeks in the infield of a small speedway not far from here. I've always wanted to try it out, but I'm not sure if I can now. My CR-Z is lowered 1" on Tein H-Tech springs. I am also running 215/45/17 tires on 17"x7" wheels. Those are my only two mods to the car. What class would I have to run in for SCCA "Solo" Auto Cross?

Do my aftermarket 17" wheels really bump me out of even participating? That would suck.

My sister-in-law wants to buy my OEM wheels and tires for her daughter's '07 Civic. I am ready to sell them to her, but am wondering if I should keep them for Solo?

I have searched this site, AND read the SCCA rule book, but would like a definitive answer from GoMarlins or one of the other veteran AXers.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

dtoups · 01-11-2012, 05:16 PM

Yes, you can participate. They really won't care what you're driving as long as it's safe.

When you begin to compete in earnest, your car will be in an SCCA class called STF (Street Touring FWD). It allows your change of springs and a wider-than-stock wheels, plus a bunch of other typical street modifications such as exhaust, intake and seats.

You'll be competing against other small FWD cars such as Minis and Mazda3s that have similar modifications.

If you want to run stock class, you would be in H Stock. But you would need to return to your stock springs and stock-sized rims. The only modifications you can make in Stock classes are shocks and a cat-back exhaust. You can (and should) put the fattest, stickiest tires you can buy on the factory rims (or any rim that has the same diameter and width as the factory rim; offset can differ by .25 inch).

Have fun.

jester33 · 01-11-2012, 05:30 PM

What is the stock exact size and offset of the factory rims?

TCroly · 01-11-2012, 05:49 PM

Who cares what class you will be. Your times will not be anywhere close to competitive to win any class, if it is your first year of competition, but you will learn allot about your car and about car dynamics. Go and have fun and learn!

SS2CRZ · 01-12-2012, 12:40 AM

I wasn't that concerned with what class I would be in; it's just that reading other posts and reading the SCCA handbook it almost sounded like I wouldn't be able to run at all...even with "just" springs and rims modded on the car.

It looks like a hella good time. I think I will try it out.

sohcsol · 01-12-2012, 04:28 AM

You can run your car regardless of what mods you have, as long as it is safe as dtoups said, and doesnt leak any fluids, etc. If you are unsure of what class your mods put you into, I believe it is SM2 (street modified 2) that is pretty much anything goes that I used to run in. And no, you wont stand a chance against the other cars in the class, but thats not the point its just to have fun and improve your own driving skills. Autocross is 90% driver and 10% car anyways.

SS2CRZ · 01-12-2012, 12:32 PM

Cool. Thanks for the info, guys...

Jayemtee · 01-12-2012, 02:22 PM

When I was big into autocross, I had a set of wheels with sticky tires just for those events. I was driving Corvettes at the time.

While you're there, you might want to talk to the others about non-SCCA events. There are some car clubs and some speedways have open track days and various driving events. These are much more fun and less intimidating and a good way to learn your car without a rule book.

The SCCA can be very competitive and even if you're in a "fun-class", there's still more competitive ego than group fun. I love the SCCA, but it has it's place. Track days and car clubs are more fun for the beginner.

SS2CRZ · 01-12-2012, 08:06 PM

Yeah, Roger that!

Last year (when I owned a 2010 Camaro SS) The Camaro5.com forum had "Camaro5fest" at Road Atlanta. Everyone got a little track time on the road course there. I would LOVE to run that road course flat-out!

HEY! Maybe we should organize some sort of CR-Z Fest sometime this year!?

01-12-2012, 04:28 AM	#6 (permalink)
sohcsol Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 564	You can run your car regardless of what mods you have, as long as it is safe as dtoups said, and doesnt leak any fluids, etc. If you are unsure of what class your mods put you into, I believe it is SM2 (street modified 2) that is pretty much anything goes that I used to run in. And no, you wont stand a chance against the other cars in the class, but thats not the point its just to have fun and improve your own driving skills. Autocross is 90% driver and 10% car anyways. __________________ 2011 CR-Z EX, 6MT, CBP, #7960

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01-11-2012, 05:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
dtoups Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 21	Yes, you can participate. They really won't care what you're driving as long as it's safe. When you begin to compete in earnest, your car will be in an SCCA class called STF (Street Touring FWD). It allows your change of springs and a wider-than-stock wheels, plus a bunch of other typical street modifications such as exhaust, intake and seats. You'll be competing against other small FWD cars such as Minis and Mazda3s that have similar modifications. If you want to run stock class, you would be in H Stock. But you would need to return to your stock springs and stock-sized rims. The only modifications you can make in Stock classes are shocks and a cat-back exhaust. You can (and should) put the fattest, stickiest tires you can buy on the factory rims (or any rim that has the same diameter and width as the factory rim; offset can differ by .25 inch). Have fun.

01-11-2012, 05:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
jester33 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Diego/ Coronado Posts: 69	What is the stock exact size and offset of the factory rims?

01-12-2012, 02:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jayemtee Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 212	When I was big into autocross, I had a set of wheels with sticky tires just for those events. I was driving Corvettes at the time. While you're there, you might want to talk to the others about non-SCCA events. There are some car clubs and some speedways have open track days and various driving events. These are much more fun and less intimidating and a good way to learn your car without a rule book. The SCCA can be very competitive and even if you're in a "fun-class", there's still more competitive ego than group fun. I love the SCCA, but it has it's place. Track days and car clubs are more fun for the beginner.