THSCC Forums

Hi guys. I've just mailed my application to join the club today and have tons of question to get ready for my first autocross. I'm going to try and have everything ready to attend the novice school in Feb.

My car is a 1976 911 with a 3.0l engine. How do I find out what class it will be in?

Is there a local shop (I live in Aberdeen, about and hour to Ral) that I can fit/buy a helmet.

Looking forward to having fun and meeting everyone.

Thanks
John Helgesen

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John Helgesen
76 911
http://members.rennlist.com/screamin_yellow/

Hi John,

Welcome to THSCC. The club has a group of folks that are "novice coordinators" and we'd be happy to help. Since I'm one of that group you can either post questions here or pm me directly.
To class your car properly, we need to know what (if any) mods have been made and what tires you plan to run. You'll also run in our special "Novice" class for your first three events (unless you win a trophy before then).
The club website www.thscc.com has tons of good info including a good primer for novices.
I don't know of a helmet shop in the Sanford area, perhaps someone else can jump in with help on that one.

Frank Catena

The engine alone will dump you into SM2 I believe. Depending on other mods (such as a gutted interior), you may have to go to EM. Welcome to the jungle...

More info here: Car Classing

Jim

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I think I have the size of helmet written down at the house, tried a few on last year at a swapmeet last year, took notes.

Let me list what I've done to my car so we can see where it lands.

Started with a 76 911 body
Installed 3.0 engine (99% done with rebuild, should go in by Feb 1)
Upgraded to later porsche front brakes from a 85 carrera
17" 993 rims with Yok es100's 215x45x17, rims spaced out with longer studs and spacers, not adaptors.
Removed dealer installed AC, rest of interior is still there.
Installed two sparco race seats.
Have front strut brace to install.
Factory front swaybar, installing factory optional rear swaybar.
Replacing rear decklid with ducktail type spoiler.
Adding front rubber spoiler under front valance.

When is a roll bar or cage required?

I won't have the car done in time to make the tech inspection tomorrow, I would guess they can be done at anytime, probably for a fee?

Thanks
John H.

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John Helgesen
76 911
http://members.rennlist.com/screamin_yellow/

Hi John,

Welcome to the club. Just to clear a few things up:

- The tech day tomorrow is for Time Trial / Track School tech, not Autocross. Autocross tech is done the morning of the autocross.

- The link that Jim posted above is an unofficial, FYI type of reference. Most of the information is correct, but the rulebook is gospel.

- Without checking the rules, I believe your car may be legal for ASP. If not, then almost definitely SM2. Do you know Patrice Bousquet? He has a 73 911 w/ a 3.0 motor and he runs ASP and/or SM2. Oh, and if you have to compete against him, good luck with that

Of course, as with anyone who jumps into this sport with car modified w/o regard for this sport's peculiar ruleset, your car will not be 100% competitive in its class. But it doesn't matter for your first few years since 99% of your improvements will come from the driver!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

John,

No rollbar or cage is required for SoloII (Autocross). However - If you do install one it needs to be compliant with the GCR (General Competition Rules). You can order the books through the SCCA, we usually have a copy at the autocross for folks to look through.

Frank

John...

Welcome to THSCC!!! If you know what type and size of helmet you are looking for I would suggest going to http://www.moto-race.com/index.asp We ordered two helmets from them this last season and it was cheaper than getting them local!!

Looking forward to seeing you at the next race!!

Malia

I found some decent prices on helmets at racerswholesale and a few other place online. I'm liking the looks of the g-force pro force1, the pyrotect full face, and the bell m2. All are within $50 of each other @250-300, but you can get the g-force $100 less if you get the nylon interior vs cooltec liner. Anyone know the difference or have a preference?

Thanks
John

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John Helgesen
76 911
http://members.rennlist.com/screamin_yellow/

John, i don't think anyone has mentioned this yet...the club has loaner helmets that you can use at autocrosses...i think if you are going to stick with the sport, then definitely get you own...just thought that might help

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05 MCS

In my research, safety is pretty consistent from the low $ to high $ helmets - they seem to offer about the same level of protection. What you get with your higher $ helmets are more features.

I have a SA2000 rated full-face G Force-950 (as do several others), and it's very comfortable. A knock with the lower priced helmets(IMHO) is the weight. For auto-x, you'll never have the helmet on for more than 5 minutes, so that's really a non-issue. For drivers schools, 30 min sessions could get a little tiring, but I haven't had any problem with that yet.

Do you wear glasses when you drive? That can be a real deciding factor with helmets.

Another thing to consider is the field of vision - my GF isn't terribly wide - there are many other helmets with a much wider field of vision. Open face helmets are great for that, but if you have any intentions of going on track (and you should with that car...), I'd strongly suggest a full-face helmet.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

Again, thanks for the tips guys.

I'm leaning toward the Bell m2, since its got a a large opening, and I've tried them on and fit pretty well.

I do plan on taking the 911 on the track, as time and $$ allow. I'm signed up for a DE primer this month with the PCA, no driving, just class room.

I've got plenty to do though, got to unload a few more un-needed parts to gain some racing captital, and get the motor installed and running in the 911. End of Feb will be here before I know it.

Had to get my signature filled out too. Do you see a pattern there?

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John Helgesen
76 911
http://members.rennlist.com/screamin_yellow/