Friend New To Autocross Needs Assistance

[Tom Dobyns]

I have a friend that just bought a supercharged 2004 Mini Cooper and wants to come race with us. I need some advice as to what class he will be running in, assuming at the beginning he will be running street tires with an unmodified car. Do R-Compound tires make a difference in class if he changes tires?

Also, he wanted to know where to get a helmet. He lives in central Orange County.

Finally, he has boys that want to come out and ride along. How old do you have to be to ride in the car?

Anyone out there who has run a Mini Cooper that might be willing to talk to him?

Thanks for your assistance.

Tom Dobyns
Black Z06

[Tom Phillips]

Have your friend e-mail Chuck & Diana Waer. You will have to use the Solo2 e-mail.
I believe they run GS & GSL with a Cooper.
Mini Cooper
GS Cooper S ('02-'04) GS Cooper S ('05+)
BS Cooper S (John Cooper "Works" Package) ('06+) HS Cooper non-S ('02+)
On street tires, SK2.
However, with the new "Novice Class", he should be running Nov SK2. He can compete for the "Rookie of the Year".

Make sure when he arrives that he finds Leonard for Newbie instructions. Also have him look at the first page on http://www.solo2.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Newbie Guide / Introduction. There is a wealth of info there.

For the time being, have them buy a head sock and borrow one of the loaner helmets. Save the investment until he is sure this is something he wants to pursue.

Per the SCCA Rule Book - 13.2C

C. A passenger is allowed provided he/she: is no younger than
twelve (12) years old; is in a vehicle which has passed tech inspection;
is wearing a properly fitted seat belt and a properly
fitted helmet; he/she (or parent/guardian, as appropriate) has
completed and signed the required participant waiver(s). In general,
a passenger should be either a student riding with an instructor
or an instructor riding with a student during an instructional
run (as in a Solo drivers’ school). However, it should also
be noted that some Regions allow passengers in order to acquaint
newcomers with the sport. As long as the passenger meets all of
the above requirements, he/she would be allowed at Regional
events where a passenger is permitted. Passengers are not
allowed during competition runs in Divisional, National Tour,
and National Solo events.

Like you and thousands of others, he will be addicted before he leaves the lot. Seat time, seat time, seat time.

Tom

[Steve Ekstrand]

Check on Nov as to whether we add the SK index adj. In the past we haven't. So, it would just be GS whether on streets or R's.

[George Schilling]

I too own and occasionally compete the Mini S Tom. I would be happy to help in any way I can.

Georgie

[KJ Christopher]

Per the SCCA Rule Book - 13.2C

C. A passenger is allowed provided he/she: is no younger than
twelve (12) years old; is in a vehicle which has passed tech inspection;
is wearing a properly fitted seat belt and a properly
fitted helmet; he/she (or parent/guardian, as appropriate) has
completed and signed the required participant waiver(s). In general,
a passenger should be either a student riding with an instructor
or an instructor riding with a student during an instructional
run (as in a Solo drivers’ school). However, it should also
be noted that some Regions allow passengers in order to acquaint
newcomers with the sport. As long as the passenger meets all of
the above requirements, he/she would be allowed at Regional
events where a passenger is permitted. Passengers are not
allowed during competition runs in Divisional, National Tour,
and National Solo events.

Note that this region does not allow passengers during competition runs. Okay on time-only runs. As a novice, he is eligible to have an approved instructor drive his car to acquaint him with the course and it won't count against his competition runs. Then, after he is used to the course, he could take his boys along on X-runs.

[Mako Koiwai]

ie ... you can sign up for Time-Only runs on race day, if you want to take a friend. You would just be running out of competition. Typically we do our Competition Runs, and THEN do added X-Runs ... where we can take a passenger. You must take your Competition Runs first, so that you don't gain the advantage of having practiced.

[Leonard Cachola]

Check on Nov as to whether we add the SK index adj. In the past we haven't. So, it would just be GS whether on streets or R's.

Can't run SK2 and Novice, but you CAN run open GS and Novice on either R-comps or street tires.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

Check on Nov as to whether we add the SK index adj. In the past we haven't. So, it would just be GS whether on streets or R's.

Can't run SK2 and Novice, but you CAN run open GS and Novice on either R-comps or street tires.

I'd just run Novice, given that there is a rookie of the year deal for that and people are most likely going to be more inconstant than any index would account for.