Midwest Council: Time Attack/Autocross

[StevenMosley]

I have wanted to do one of these events for a couple of years.

Check out their site.
http://autocross.mcscc.org/events/schedule.php

[73GT]

Me too Steve
Expecially Blackhawk Farms


Lee F

[Chin]

Time Attack is what my goal has been since day one.... Now I need to find the time and $$ to do it...

Christian Banks
#202 DSP
'00 Impreza 2.5RS

[StevenMosley]

Blackhawk farms is the event I want to do. Time is a problem. I have loads of vacation hours banked and no time to use it.

[Steve in Minnesota]

Time Attack is what my goal has been since day one.... Now I need to find the time and $$ to do it...

Christian Banks
#202 DSP
'00 Impreza 2.5RS

Being relatively new to Auto-x, could someone explain how Time Attack differs from what we do in MAC?

Steve

[StevenMosley]

Timed laps on a road course. No cones. SCCA calls it SOLO1.

COM does this at BIR every May/June.

[91TB78]

Timed laps on a road course. No cones. SCCA calls it SOLO1.

COM does this at BIR every May/June.

Are there other cars on the track or is it 1 lapr per car and then the next car goes?

[phile]

Timed laps on a road course. No cones. SCCA calls it SOLO1.

COM does this at BIR every May/June.
SCCA used to call it Solo 1. Now only autocross is called "Solo" and the track stuff has been taken over by Club Racing division and called "Time Trials"(?).

More than one car on the track at once, but the tracks are large so separation is not a big problem.

Either way, it is a different sport than autocross. Be prepared that the risks to your wallet and body are higher than in autocross, but less so than wheel-to-wheel road racing.

[nort0188]

Madison SCC (part of MCSCC) is holding a lapping day at BHF on May 26 if you want to combine that with Time Attack on the 29th to make a weekend out of it. www.madisonsportscarclub.com

[MNbiker]

Madison SCC (part of MCSCC) is holding a lapping day at BHF on May 26 if you want to combine that with Time Attack on the 29th to make a weekend out of it. www.madisonsportscarclub.com (http://www.madisonsportscarclub.com)

Just be forewarned that Midwest Council events use non-SCCA car classing rules. The rules work out OK for totally stock vehicles. However, most SCCA SP/ST/Prepared/SM classes don't map very well to the MCSCC classes - and even R-compound tires will bump you out of Stock.

[jungle]

The corvette club does these at BIR....two versions..."low speed" (below 80mph) turns 2-9...and "high speed" start and stop point is the starting line on the drag strip.

[StevenMosley]

I stated that above. It is a good time. I have done the low speed version the last 3 years. I'm planning on doing it again this year.

[nort0188]

Just be forewarned that Midwest Council events use non-SCCA car classing rules. The rules work out OK for totally stock vehicles. However, most SCCA SP/ST/Prepared/SM classes don't map very well to the MCSCC classes - and even R-compound tires will bump you out of Stock.

I enjoy the MC classing more than SCCA though. If you're building a car to be competetive in a certain class, it seems there would be much more in-depth planning. Instead of building a car to the limits of the rules, you build a car with the rules. I feel like it really forces you to address the weaker points of your car rather than just doing every mod that you can.

[MNbiker]

I enjoy the MC classing more than SCCA though. If you're building a car to be competetive in a certain class, it seems there would be much more in-depth planning. Instead of building a car to the limits of the rules, you build a car with the rules. I feel like it really forces you to address the weaker points of your car rather than just doing every mod that you can.
Personally, I don't see a huge difference - other than the fact that the MCSCC has a far greater number of classes allowing only limited modifications, versus the SCCA rules. At the higher prep levels, MCSCC classes appear to function similar to SCCA classes. In fact, several of the "race" classes mirror classes offered by the SCCA.

You're correct that for those limited-prep classes, there is greater flexibility in what mods are chosen - which is nice for cars with particular weaknesses. Howver, the reality is the fastest cars in ANY race series will eventually be built to the limit of the rules - whatever those rules happen to be.

For local/regional competitors with no interest in National-level competition, the MCSCC's unique rule structure seems to be meeting the needs of quite a few drivers - which is a good thing. My only real critique is that such a large number of limited-prep classes must significantly reduce the opportunities for heated competition. I wouldn't be surprised if a number of classes are empty or filled with only 1 or 2 competitors at many events.

-Steve

[washburn]

When I started autocrossing, much of it was done in Madison with the MC. It all made sense to me, and I never really questioned it. Had a great time and learned a lot with those nice folks.

The first time at Blackhawk Farms, however, illustrated where it all falls down. I disagreed then, and now, about using autocross classing rules and structure on an open track lapping type event. (Time Attack I guess it's called now.) My 914 was the perfect example. I could whomp up on lots of cars in the parking lot, but open track? Are you serious? I brought a magazine on course with me so I would have something to do until the next corner. It was just sad.

I don't know how it's done now, but using AX classing at for that type of event is just wrong.

Oh, and I'm not bashing MC classing....this goes for both MC and SCCA classing.

[phile]

When I started autocrossing, much of it was done in Madison with the MC. It all made sense to me, and I never really questioned it. Had a great time and learned a lot with those nice folks.

The first time at Blackhawk Farms, however, illustrated where it all falls down. I disagreed then, and now, about using autocross classing rules and structure on an open track lapping type event. (Time Attack I guess it's called now.) My 914 was the perfect example. I could whomp up on lots of cars in the parking lot, but open track? Are you serious? I brought a magazine on course with me so I would have something to do until the next corner. It was just sad.

I don't know how it's done now, but using AX classing at for that type of event is just wrong.

Oh, and I'm not bashing MC classing....this goes for both MC and SCCA classing.

Pat, you are right on the money.

[MNbiker]

Oh, and I'm not bashing MC classing....this goes for both MC and SCCA classing.

Good point, Pat. It will be interesting to see if that issue becomes a significant impediment to SCCA's renewed emphasis on Time Trials.

[pinhead]

Good point, Pat. It will be interesting to see if that issue becomes a significant impediment to SCCA's renewed emphasis on Time Trials.


Very true! I'm thinking of how my HS mini can probably spank about anything else in HS in a parking lot, but around BHF or something, the Mini would be losing major time in the straights compared to a 99-00 Civic Si or an Acura TSX - or who knows what.

[StevenMosley]

I agree with u there. Power is not required in autox, but on a track it is a must. My brothers SE-R sucked when running it at BIR, but on an autox it is entertaining. I don't see the problem using SCCA classes for time trials. Certain cars will become the top dog in each class. It would be interesting.