Street Touring (ST)
This is a new category of street cars modified more broadly than allowed by Street Prepared rules. It includes 4-seater sedans with specific displacement limits, aimed at cars modified using common suspension, engine, and appearance parts which are fully legal and compatible with street use anywhere in the country. Street Tires are required (DOT wear rating of 140 or better). back to content...
Street Prepared (SP)
Street Prepared cars are allowed significant modifications over stock, but many are still dual-purpose cars. Some of the permitted modifications are: any legal modification in stock; any springs that fit stock attachements; any sway bars; any wheels & DOT-approved tires; any induction for the engine (except that cars that were originally normally aspirated must remain normally aspirated); and any exhaust including headers. Compression ratio and camshafts in the engine must remain stock.Cars prepared to Road Racing Improved Touring and American Sedan rules are permitted to run in Street Prepared, but as with Showroom Stock, rules "mixing" is strictly prohibited. back to content...
Prepared (P)
Prepared cars are allowed very substantial modifications; Prepared cars are rarely licensed for street use. Interiors may be gutted, cams and pistons are free, and suspensions may be significantly modified.Cars prepared to Road Racing GT and Production rules are permitted to run in Prepared.
Street Modified (SM)
Street Modified is a new category for streetable cars modified beyond Street Prepared allowances. The rules are simple, and almost anything goes. Cars must be legally registered for the street
Novice (N) aka Rookie (R)
Again, most clubs offer a separate class in which newcomers can compete in addition to the overall competition. This is signified by the letter N being added to the classification on the car. For example, FS-N. Most clubs also rank the novices' driving performance using a handicap-like system that tries to account for differences in car performance.back to content...
How should I prepare my car for a race?
Your car should be well maintained at the very least. Keep up with oil/fluid changes, brake inspections, valve adjustments, etc. One particularly important part is the timing belt. Make sure it has been changed within the recommended service period. The high revs your engine will experience in a run are likely more than an old belt can take. Check your fluid levels.Clean out your car. Remove everything that you won't need, and take out everything you brought with you before you race. As part of the tech inspection, officials will make sure there won't be anything flying around your cabin while you're on the course. You also might want to wash your car and the engine compartment if you haven't done so in months. Embarassing!
Just before
you get to the autocross site, stop at a service station and pump up your
tires to 42 psi or so. It sounds high, but you will need extra air in
those tires to prevent them from rolling over onto the sidewalls during
hard cornering. When you get to the site, as a novice you might ask someone
who looks like (s)he knows what (s)he is doing how much air you'll probably
need. Then let out the air until you've achieved that pressure. It's easier
to let air out than to pump it in! (Some events provide air via a compressor
or air tank/bubble.)
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What do I do when I get there?
Most areas have a similar procedure for participating in an event. Ask anyone to help you if you don't have a clue. Try to ask someone that doesn't look extremely busy at the moment, and you'll probably get the most attentive assistance. The most important thing you need to do, though, is ARRIVE. back to content...What is a "Fun Run"?
Fun runs are non-competition runs, generally available at a reduced cost after all competition runs have been completed. Fun run policy varies widely from region to region as to availability, cost, passengers, and eligibility.Cost can be anywhere from free to full entry price (essentially allowing a driver to enter twice), and in some regions, fun run drivers are expected to stay and help break down the course.
Usually both driver and passenger (if any) must be eligible to be regular entrants: valid drivers license, signed waiver, helmet, and seat belts. Cars must also have passed tech.
As far as passengers, the rule book says you only allow passengers in a "school" situation, where a novice is paired with an experienced driver to aid in his learning process. This receives various interpretations. In some regions passengers are only allowed in real solo schools. In some, passengers are approved on a case-by-case basis, always with an experienced driver in one of the seats. In others, experienced drivers are allowed to ride with or drive novice drivers around at their own judgement. Often, media types or potential new members will be given a ride with an experienced driver to acquaint them with the sport. Rarely, if ever, will a region allow two novices in the car during competitive or fun runs.
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