Cal Club Autocross Forums

Is there a requirement to run with our windows down when we autocross? I believe most, if not all of us ran with our windows up at the practice on Saturday. I've run at the San Diego Tour with my windows up in the rain. Yet at the champ event on Sunday, the starter of the first run group demanded that I roll my windows down all the way (only said something on my second run - didn't say this to all cars - inconsistency, whatever). I'm wondering two things: 1) is this a rule? 2) what should I do if I feel that someone without authority might be making calls that they shouldn't be making, when I'm already staged at the start line?

No windows down requirement in Solo2 that I'm aware of. I've been told that in the past and shook my head "No." The starter shrugged his shoulders and waived the green flag.

Nope, no idea why someone would make you roll down your window.. other than that the starter may have been bored and just wanted to chat.

IMHO... driving with the windows down makes it easier to hear whats going on with the car, IE; engine noise, tire noise etc.
but I know of no rules regarding that.

Regards safety...SCCA RallyCross, a similar sport with a slightly higher chance of rollover, mandates windows up, or no more than 1" open. This to minimize chances of an arm getting caught under the car in a rollover.

At BMWCCA events they yell and berate you if you have your windows up.

Richard Jung wrote:At BMWCCA events they yell and berate you if you have your windows up.

True.

Greg Peng wrote: 2) what should I do if I feel that someone without authority might be making calls that they shouldn't be making, when I'm already staged at the start line?

I'd do whatever it takes to get off the line with the least amount of drama. (in this situation, roll down).

The windows not required to be up thing is based on the assumption that at Solo speeds we're not going to be flipping and rolling. That's why in most motorsports they require window up. I'm with Tom though. I prefer them down to hear the car. I even keep them down in most rain, and cracked in down pours. I crack them in RallyXes too.

Jay W

Thanks for the responses. I also prefer to drive with the front windows down, but with all of the porta-potty flavored water still on the ground, I didn't want that splashing into the cockpit or onto my face. :barf: For the event two weeks ago, I think it would've been better for me to drive with the windows up. Near the end of the first turn-around sweeper, I got a facefull of eye-drying, head-pushing strong wind as I was looking towards the slalom.

As long as the doors are unlocked, your set.


2009 SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

3 — ENTRY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL SOLO
RULES

3.5.3 INTERIOR ACCESS: The interior of a closed car must be easily accessible from
the outside (doors unlocked and/or windows open).

Michael Smith wrote:As long as the doors are unlocked, your set.


2009 SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

3 — ENTRY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL SOLO
RULES

3.5.3 INTERIOR ACCESS: The interior of a closed car must be easily accessible from
the outside (doors unlocked and/or windows open).

Many cars including Curt's Civic auto-lock above a certain speed. I guess that means mandatory windows open.

Curt and Will just need to be back in an old school civie.

Will Kalman wrote:

Michael Smith wrote:As long as the doors are unlocked, your set.


2009 SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

3 — ENTRY AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL SOLO
RULES

3.5.3 INTERIOR ACCESS: The interior of a closed car must be easily accessible from
the outside (doors unlocked and/or windows open).

Many cars including Curt's Civic auto-lock above a certain speed. I guess that means mandatory windows open.

Or we issue one of those window breaking tools to each radio person.

Patty's R32 seems to automatically roll the windows down when it thinks it's in imminent danger.

Michael Palero wrote:Patty's R32 seems to automatically roll the windows down when it thinks it's in imminent danger.

And you know this how?

Kurt Rahn wrote:

Michael Palero wrote:Patty's R32 seems to automatically roll the windows down when it thinks it's in imminent danger.

And you know this how?

The windows go down when he approaches the car!

Will Kalman wrote:

Michael Palero wrote:Patty's R32 seems to automatically roll the windows down when it thinks it's in imminent danger.

The windows go down when he approaches the car!

That was low hanging fruit.

Jay W

Will Kalman wrote:The windows go down when he approaches the car!

LMAO

Kurt Rahn wrote:And you know this how?

I think I got Patty mad before a practice run. Then I rode with her.