[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by Egon

Michelin is a good surface but the amenities are limited and parking kinda sucks so get there early if you can. Our novice school will be there this year too.

You might also want to look into the SCCA starting line school. They have one on Feb 18th at Darlington. Cost of entry includes SCCA membership which will save you on each entry for our events, as well as a free local SCCA entry, entry into a Match Tour or Championship Tour, and a free entry to a Track Night in America. In the past they have also offered Snell SA approved helmets for an additional $100 and I think they intend to offerer something like that again this year but they haven't announced the prices yet.

Here are all of the dates so far for the Starting Line School.

February 18: Starting Line South Carolina
Darlington Raceway; Darlington, South Carolina

March 18: Starting Line Portland
Portland International Raceway; Portland, Oregon

March 18: Starting Line NorCal
NASA Crows Landing Airport; Crows Landing, California

April 8: Starting Line Boston
Moore Army Airfield; Devens, Massachusetts

Get the Porsche and GT350 guy to go with you!

What is the Starting Line School? Honestly I won't be competing seriously in any of these events just participating for the fun of it.

[Egon]

Originally Posted by SS2017

You guys want a laugh in regards to 6th gens and autocross, go check out oldmans posts in this thread:

http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...480336&page=14

I read that earlier and wanted to respond but I wasn't sure what I read to be honest. For someone that claims to have autocrossed for as long as he claims he sure has some strange ideas, especially the ones about traction control??

Originally Posted by mjk3888

What is the Starting Line School? Honestly I won't be competing seriously in any of these events just participating for the fun of it.

Starting line school is sponsored by the SCCA, and Tire Rack as a great intro to Autocross. You get a full day of instruction with high level instructors who will teach you all of the fundamentals. You get a good amount of seat time to practice all of the stuff they are going to teach you and I think one of the biggest benefits is all of the extras they throw in on top of that. The school would be worth it even without all of the goodies but a free entry to a local SCCA event, a free entry to a Match Tour or Championship Tour, a free Track Night in America, and your SCCA membership is included. Thats over $300 worth of stuff right there not including a full day of professional level instruction. The helmet deals they have had with the school in the past have been fantastic too. More information here https://www.scca.com/pages/starting-line.

If you can't make it to Starting Line school our club Central Carolinas Region SCCA will be having a novice school of our own at the Michelin Proving Grounds as well. (cheaper but not as many goodies) We also have really great novice instructors at our events and you will get paired up with someone to help you on your first few events as a novice. I have been one of the novice instructors for last season and really enjoy helping people new to the sport, and would be happy to help you out at our events if you like. (same goes for anyone here attending our events)

Although I had no intention of competing seriously when I first got started having someone to chase/or being chased by someone each event can really wake up the competitiveness in just about anyone. Its awesome fun, and the guys you are competing with will be more than happy to share all of their knowledge with you even if it makes it harder for them to stay ahead of you next time. Everyone there really wants you to get better even if that means you will one day beat them. And seeing your times improve event after event is a great motivator.

[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by Egon

I read that earlier and wanted to respond but I wasn't sure what I read to be honest. For someone that claims to have autocrossed for as long as he claims he sure has some strange ideas, especially the ones about traction control??



Starting line school is sponsored by the SCCA, and Tire Rack as a great intro to Autocross. You get a full day of instruction with high level instructors who will teach you all of the fundamentals. You get a good amount of seat time to practice all of the stuff they are going to teach you and I think one of the biggest benefits is all of the extras they throw in on top of that. The school would be worth it even without all of the goodies but a free entry to a local SCCA event, a free entry to a Match Tour or Championship Tour, a free Track Night in America, and your SCCA membership is included. Thats over $300 worth of stuff right there not including a full day of professional level instruction. The helmet deals they have had with the school in the past have been fantastic too. More information here https://www.scca.com/pages/starting-line.

If you can't make it to Starting Line school our club Central Carolinas Region SCCA will be having a novice school of our own at the Michelin Proving Grounds as well. (cheaper but not as many goodies) We also have really great novice instructors at our events and you will get paired up with someone to help you on your first few events as a novice. I have been one of the novice instructors for last season and really enjoy helping people new to the sport, and would be happy to help you out at our events if you like. (same goes for anyone here attending our events)

Although I had no intention of competing seriously when I first got started having someone to chase/or being chased by someone each event can really wake up the competitiveness in just about anyone. Its awesome fun, and the guys you are competing with will be more than happy to share all of their knowledge with you even if it makes it harder for them to stay ahead of you next time. Everyone there really wants you to get better even if that means you will one day beat them. And seeing your times improve event after event is a great motivator.

That does sound tempting. I might have to make the trek to Darlington. The GT350 owner is interested in running some events. He asked if there are any prerequisites like a special license or anything?

[Egon]

Originally Posted by mjk3888

That does sound tempting. I might have to make the trek to Darlington. The GT350 owner is interested in running some events. He asked if there are any prerequisites like a special license or anything?

Nope SCCA makes it super easy. All you need is a valid drivers license and a vehicle that passes a safety inspection. We provide the loaner helmets and an instructor to ride with you on your first few events. The biggest thing when starting out in Autocross is just getting seat time, and the starting line school, or novice schools are a great way to get off on the right foot.

Just an aside since we don't focus on classing cars for novices but if your buddy has a GT350 non R the two of you would be in the same class in A-Street assuming no modifications to the cars. No pressure but the honor of the 1LE is in your hands, just saying.

[tx6g1le]

Originally Posted by Egon

No pressure but the honor of the 1LE is in your hands, just saying.

[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by Egon

Nope SCCA makes it super easy. All you need is a valid drivers license and a vehicle that passes a safety inspection. We provide the loaner helmets and an instructor to ride with you on your first few events. The biggest thing when starting out in Autocross is just getting seat time, and the starting line school, or novice schools are a great way to get off on the right foot.

Just an aside since we don't focus on classing cars for novices but if your buddy has a GT350 non R the two of you would be in the same class in A-Street assuming no modifications to the cars. No pressure but the honor of the 1LE is in your hands, just saying.

Awesome! I'll let him know. Right now we both are planning to attend the starting line event.

HAHAHA!!! Don't worry I've sized him up on our run through the mountains. I feel pretty comfortable that I can take him in dry conditions. But I'm pretty confident it will come down to my advantage in tires. Unless one of the two of us is a much better driver than the other.

[FNxR3DNECK]

Originally Posted by Egon

Michelin is a good surface but the amenities are limited and parking kinda sucks so get there early if you can. Our novice school will be there this year too.

You might also want to look into the SCCA starting line school. They have one on Feb 18th at Darlington. Cost of entry includes SCCA membership which will save you on each entry for our events, as well as a free local SCCA entry, entry into a Match Tour or Championship Tour, and a free entry to a Track Night in America. In the past they have also offered Snell SA approved helmets for an additional $100 and I think they intend to offerer something like that again this year but they haven't announced the prices yet.

Here are all of the dates so far for the Starting Line School.

February 18: Starting Line South Carolina
Darlington Raceway; Darlington, South Carolina

March 18: Starting Line Portland
Portland International Raceway; Portland, Oregon

March 18: Starting Line NorCal
NASA Crows Landing Airport; Crows Landing, California

April 8: Starting Line Boston
Moore Army Airfield; Devens, Massachusetts

Get the Porsche and GT350 guy to go with you!

Well this is more dates than last time I looked, unfortunately the Darlington one is still the closest to me at about an 8hr drive :( I really hope the have one up here near D.C. I don't see why they wouldn't considering the area, and there are several tracks close-ish where they do Track Night and AutoX. Still waiting since I doubt I would be able to make it to Darlington...

[Egon]

Originally Posted by mjk3888

Awesome! I'll let him know. Right now we both are planning to attend the starting line event.

HAHAHA!!! Don't worry I've sized him up on our run through the mountains. I feel pretty comfortable that I can take him in dry conditions. But I'm pretty confident it will come down to my advantage in tires. Unless one of the two of us is a much better driver than the other.

If you are both planning on attending the Starting Line school I recommend you sign up soon as they do fill up. If you don't already have a helmet the helmet deals they have are pretty hard to beat too.

If he is in a regular GT350 and still using the stock Michelin Pilot Super Sports then you will definately out-tire him by quite a lot. I know everyone seems to rave about the MPSS but they are trash for Autocross and Tracking and I don't think the MPS4 will be significantly better for those activities either.

Originally Posted by FNxR3DNECK

Well this is more dates than last time I looked, unfortunately the Darlington one is still the closest to me at about an 8hr drive :( I really hope the have one up here near D.C. I don't see why they wouldn't considering the area, and there are several tracks close-ish where they do Track Night and AutoX. Still waiting since I doubt I would be able to make it to Darlington...

Where they have the schools are usually up to the regional club being able to host one. I would recommend you contact the local SCCA regional club near you and ask them to see if they are even thinking about hosting one. The one in Darlington is being hosted by the South Carolina's Region SCCA but a chapter in D.C. or NJ might be willing. I think they had something like 15 or 20 different locations last year and so far only 4 are listed so there is still more to come. Also lots of local chapters will have their own "Novice Schools" so keep an eye out for them, we are having one at Michelin Proving Grounds in SC on May 27th, I know its not any closer but maybe the date will be more convenient?

[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by Egon

If you are both planning on attending the Starting Line school I recommend you sign up soon as they do fill up. If you don't already have a helmet the helmet deals they have are pretty hard to beat too.

If he is in a regular GT350 and still using the stock Michelin Pilot Super Sports then you will definately out-tire him by quite a lot. I know everyone seems to rave about the MPSS but they are trash for Autocross and Tracking and I don't think the MPS4 will be significantly better for those activities either.



Where they have the schools are usually up to the regional club being able to host one. I would recommend you contact the local SCCA regional club near you and ask them to see if they are even thinking about hosting one. The one in Darlington is being hosted by the South Carolina's Region SCCA but a chapter in D.C. or NJ might be willing. I think they had something like 15 or 20 different locations last year and so far only 4 are listed so there is still more to come. Also lots of local chapters will have their own "Novice Schools" so keep an eye out for them, we are having one at Michelin Proving Grounds in SC on May 27th, I know its not any closer but maybe the date will be more convenient?

When will they post the info on the helmet deals. I want a closed face sa2015 so that deal might be what sways me to go or not.

[Egon]

Originally Posted by mjk3888

When will they post the info on the helmet deals. I want a closed face sa2015 so that deal might be what sways me to go or not.

Here is what it says on the Starting Line School page. https://www.scca.com/pages/starting-line

"Students may also add to their package:

Open or Full Face SA2015 Helmet – we are currently sorting out partnership details. If you register for a school, you will be offered a substantial discount on purchase of a helmet once we haven an agreement in place."

It looks like they are still looking for a deal with someone but in the past it was $100, so I would expect something similar this time around.

[mjk3888]

Originally Posted by Egon

Here is what it says on the Starting Line School page. https://www.scca.com/pages/starting-line

"Students may also add to their package:

Open or Full Face SA2015 Helmet – we are currently sorting out partnership details. If you register for a school, you will be offered a substantial discount on purchase of a helmet once we haven an agreement in place."

It looks like they are still looking for a deal with someone but in the past it was $100, so I would expect something similar this time around.

I'm sure it may be different this year but do you recall what brand helmet they had last year?

[Egon]

Originally Posted by mjk3888

I'm sure it may be different this year but do you recall what brand helmet they had last year?

I don't know. But if it is Snell SA2015 rated it's a good helmet. Since I have never attended a Starting Line school (I still want to but time/money issues) I went and bought a Simpson Bandit back when I got started Autocrossing. You don't have to spend a lot on a good helmet though and the deal from Starting Line is probably impossible to beat.

[mjk3888]

I'll probably register for it this week.