[gosutag]

Can I race with an automatic transmission in official SCCA competition? Should I try to wait 6-8 weeks for a manual?
The problem here is that I am finally getting the 2017 Camaro tomorrow, technically signed all the documents but they can be reneged. It's a car in the lot that has everything I want. I on Long Island often from NYC and thought the AT was a good idea.

I just realized that most of the competition associations require manual and don't allow automatic. How screwed am I?
I also don't think I'll be going to the track until next Spring anyway. Do I have other options?
I've been through a lot with this dealer, I've gone there so many days and we've gone through so many obstacles (getting my trade-in appraised, finances etc.) that I'd feel annoyed if it was all for nothing.

[SpookShow'84]

If it's once in a while it'll probably work, if it's a regular event several times a year I'd wait and get a 6M.

[gosutag]

Thanks, Spookshow

Once in awhile for me would be a couple times a year. I can get the 8A and trade it in late next year for a 6M. I would definitely lose value of my current Camaro.

Does that sound worth it? I'm not planning on being a serious competition driver for at least one year from now anyway (I don't even have my SCCA competition license yet).

Edit: I also figure I could just install a 6M if I really need it. But I only saw the price for a, possibly random, car on the Chevy website. It said ~$3,700. If that's true then it's not a big deal to switch the transmissions later when I deem it necessary and important. If it's much more then I might not be able to.
Trying to weigh all my options. Thanks again.

[SpookShow'84]

Sounds like you plan on making it to more events latter on in your ownership. Seems like most of the SCCA stuff I see there isn't a lot of shifting. From the videos it looks like most of the time is spent in 2nd gear. You may do some more looking through the sub-forums and see what the guys that actually own one are saying. I'm here in a research membership until the '18 hits the market.

From what I have read from you, you should wait and get the M6. You'll lose your a$$ on the trade in if you go A8 and switch cars in a year and swapping transmissions is pretty hardcore gearhead stuff unless you farm out the work and it won't be cheap!

[mbar]

Are you planing on racing or having a fun track day?
For racing I would stay away from automatic. Autocross racing should not be a problem.

[Norm Peterson]

There is no requirement for a MT in SCCA's Solo (autocross) that I know of.

Nor is there any competition licensing requirement to run autocross. That's for the wheel to wheel stuff out on regular road courses. At the lower HPDE/track day level where a license still isn't needed (but you'd need to be signed off to run solo), automatics can be used and are used at least by a few. The main issue is probably going to be keeping things cool given the added heat that the transmission rejects into the coolant. Dealing with transmission heat would not be a 60-seconds-and-done autocross consideration.

I'm about 99% sure that ESP was won at the SCCA Nationals one year by a Camaro with an automatic transmission. Dennis Riehl in the mid-1990's, I think. I saw his car some years later at a Philly Region autocross.

The point that shifting being a rare thing at autocross is well taken. Most courses can be driven in 2nd gear, needing 3rd is rare unless the car has transmission and axle gearing where 2nd runs out of revs too soon, or when the course was set up for Miatas and smaller cars where even 2nd bogs.


Norm

[gosutag]

UPDATE: I've purchased the automatic transmission, but this thread may still help others. I've decided on 8A mainly because I do get stuck in traffic going from NYC down LI, LI has better traffic in comparison but it's still not the best. That wasn't a good enough reason though for me. What added to the fact why I should get an 8A is because I can practice tracks for now in 8A on the occasional day and then when I get a manual I'll have improved my driving skills prior to throwing manual into the mix. Another reason is because my car was pushing 50K miles and I figured it's time to get what I can for it before something happens -- I got a lot for it even respective to the KBB value which surprised the hell out of me. Also, the car I want is in my hands minus the transmission. I've been half-and-half with which transmission I wanted for my entire researching process so whichever transmission wasn't a big deal until I realized, of course two days prior to finishing the paperwork, that automatic wasn't supported by many of the racing organizations.

Originally Posted by mbar

Are you planing on racing or having a fun track day?
For racing I would stay away from automatic. Autocross racing should not be a problem.

I am going to be starting by having the ocassional fun track day next Spring then eventually I would like to race officially.

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

There is no requirement for a MT in SCCA's Solo (autocross) that I know of.

Nor is there any competition licensing requirement to run autocross. That's for the wheel to wheel stuff out on regular road courses. At the lower HPDE/track day level where a license still isn't needed (but you'd need to be signed off to run solo), automatics can be used and are used at least by a few. The main issue is probably going to be keeping things cool given the added heat that the transmission rejects into the coolant. Dealing with transmission heat would not be a 60-seconds-and-done autocross consideration.

I'm about 99% sure that ESP was won at the SCCA Nationals one year by a Camaro with an automatic transmission. Dennis Riehl in the mid-1990's, I think. I saw his car some years later at a Philly Region autocross.

The point that shifting being a rare thing at autocross is well taken. Most courses can be driven in 2nd gear, needing 3rd is rare unless the car has transmission and axle gearing where 2nd runs out of revs too soon, or when the course was set up for Miatas and smaller cars where even 2nd bogs.


Norm

Where, in this forum and elsewhere, can I learn about what I need to know about maintaining my car for track days. I'm completely new to tracks, racing, and overall maintenance of a nice car. I want to learn and I appreciate all advice. Thanks, guys.

[Richard0nee]

Originally Posted by mbar

Are you planing on racing or having a fun track day?
For racing I would stay away from automatic. Autocross racing should not be a problem.

I thought the A8 will run hotter on the track, road course? That's autocross but solo against a time..

If the focus is on drag racing, get the A8.. The roadcourse get the manual.

GM needs to figure out why it's running hot.. I mean there is a transmission cooler if I'm not mistaken.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by gosutag

Where, in this forum and elsewhere, can I learn about what I need to know about maintaining my car for track days. I'm completely new to tracks, racing, and overall maintenance of a nice car. I want to learn and I appreciate all advice. Thanks, guys.

Besides here . . .

On Camaro5.com . . . http://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=219

You'll also want to spend time in the "Suspension / Brakes / Chassis" and "Wheels & Tires" sections on both of these sites, and there might be some useful information in the sections specifically dedicated to the 1LE and ZL1 since they're pretty competent at turning corners in stock form.

A lot of general knowledge is, well, general. IOW, not nameplate-specific beyond part numbers, and quite a few suppliers and parts houses support more than just one make of car. Ideas can sometimes be "borrowed" to good effect . . .


If you're set on ultimately competing at the wheel to wheel level where the transmission type might actually matter, I strongly suggest progressing through HPDE and time trialing first. Better still would be to get at least a little autocross experience under your belt before pushing too hard to move up to the next run group too quickly at HPDE (HPDE has a number of levels, typically identifying at least novice, intermediate, and advanced, with the novice group featuring required in-car instruction). Patience is definitely a virtue here.


Norm

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by gosutag

I want to learn and I appreciate all advice. Thanks, guys.

Basic advice here is that your improvement will come in a "seat time, tires (and wheels), everything else" order of benefit.

Street driving seat time doesn't count for much here if it even counts for anything at all; it's seat time at autocross and/or road course driving with at least some of that being instructed runs/laps/sessions that matters.

The "everything else" is where the usual suspension mods fall . . . things that you should be doing first and foremost to keep the tires happy, and after that you.


Norm

[gosutag]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

Besides here . . .

On Camaro5.com . . . http://www.camaro5.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=219

You'll also want to spend time in the "Suspension / Brakes / Chassis" and "Wheels & Tires" sections on both of these sites, and there might be some useful information in the sections specifically dedicated to the 1LE and ZL1 since they're pretty competent at turning corners in stock form.

If you're set on ultimately competing at the wheel to wheel level where the transmission type might actually matter, I strongly suggest progressing through HPDE and time trialing first. Better still would be to get at least a little autocross experience under your belt before pushing too hard to move up to the next run group too quickly at HPDE (HPDE has a number of levels, typically identifying at least novice, intermediate, and advanced, with the novice group featuring required in-car instruction). Patience is definitely a virtue here.


Norm

Thank you Norm!

[Fraxum]

OP if you are really serious about getting serious with tracking I would cancel that deal and wait for the 1LE. It is serious.

To me the auto is a more boring driver. I would go M6 either way. And as Norm said seat time is the key. If you intend to track don't forget insurance. If you track often regular fluid changes are a must and set aside money for brakes and tires.

Edit: Oops! You bought the auto.

[gosutag]

Originally Posted by Fraxum

OP if you are really serious about getting serious with tracking I would cancel that deal and wait for the 1LE. It is serious.

To me the auto is a more boring driver. I would go M6 either way. And as Norm said seat time is the key. If you intend to track don't forget insurance. If you track often regular fluid changes are a must and set aside money for brakes and tires.

Edit: Oops! You bought the auto.

I honestly thought I would regret the auto after buying it, Fraxum. But, I'm not and I'm happy that's the case. Sure, there is some what-if and down the line when I start getting more serious, and more financially capable, of getting a lot of track time consistently then I'm gonna need a manual. However, for now I think I'll be good with the automatic. I love manual and when the time comes I'll have to figure something out.

I may lose 10K off the purchase price when I trade, sell, etc but I've been having a lot of fun with my auto.

Hopefully after racing some autocross and getting more experience actually driving I'll be able to get either a manual into my current car (I don't believe this is that expensive ~$4K) it's more time without a car that's worrying me if I decide to go that route or trade in for a manual.

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by gosutag

I honestly thought I would regret the auto after buying it, Fraxum. But, I'm not and I'm happy that's the case.

That's really all you can hope for. Even when you buy a car equipped with your first choice in transmission type. I'm glad it's turning out well.

Do take in a few autocross events before doing anything more to your car than tinker with tire pressures and possibly alignment. Learn what the car can already give you and get yourself up to speed with that before getting into spring/bar/shock/etc. swaps. Even upgraded wheel widths and tire sizes should wait until you've gotten past at least a couple of introductory events.


Norm