What to Do and What Not To do

[Otto Man]

This is an interesting question that has been bugging me. Perhaps some of you can help.
I have never driven my SVO on a drag strip or an AutoX and I'm a little worried about wear and tear on a hardly driven SVO. I really have no desire to take it down a 1/4 mile strip, and I'm not sure it's much better than a stock handler on an AutoX. It's STOCK so why punish the car? Or am I missing the point of the car?
Question: Is the "fun" worth it?
I am game for fun, but I don't want to "hurt" the ride (if you get my point)?
Any thoughts?
Chris

[SVO4PWR2]

Question: Is the "fun" worth it?
YES!

Any thoughts?
Chris its all up to you how hard ya drive the car...ENJOY the car you dont have to prove anything to no one...just ENJOY the car
if anything go there and ENJOY THE CAR!

-RICH-

**Edited by SVOEric -- to make the YES BIGGER!!!**

[svobud]

DRIVE IT!! otherwise, you just own some really cool furniture for your garage ....

[svorich]

It's STOCK

In auto-x thats where these cars do their best.

In the early 90's some of the top drivers in the country were driving SVOs in the SCCA Solo II & Pro solo G stock classes and winning big time, when drivers of other cars complained that the SVO was too fast for the class and the SCCA moved the car to B Stock for 1993 where it was not competitive at all. After several years of moving the SVO from B Stock to F Stock it finally moved it back to G Stock where I believe it belongs.

If you want to be competitive at a Divisional or National level in SCCA keep it stock.

Question: Is the "fun" worth it?
More addicting than drugs to me, I'm an auto-x junkie.

Rich

[SVOeric]

I VERY seriously doubt you will hurt the car, it was built for auto-x/road course

I have been beating the crap out of mine lately, and it has 140k on it (well ok.. the rear-end and trans have 140 on them) the rest of the car has been mostly rebuilt.

it's more fun than you can explain with words -- I'm aut-xing again Sept 5th

and I'll be ready for the reunion, if I don't run before then again.

[Gator]

Re: It's STOCK

Originally posted by svorich
the SCCA moved the car to B Stock for 1993 where it was not competitive at all.

...i refer to those B-stock years as my drinkin' years.

Just when that damned 2nd Gen MR2 came out and cleaned clocks....

Hey Chris.....no worries man. The course is generally set-up for beginers in mind, and we take a while in the AM to make sure that people walk the course and take a dry-run.

I would have to suggest looking at it from the perspective of "Just go and have some fun."

If you dont wanna shred anything, have a ride along with someone around the course once or twice...but when its all said and done, im sure you will be back next year for it !!

[coupe]

I understand your dilemna. I have a sorta-low mile '84 (not very low compared to many others here) and would be scared to damage it on any course. But as long as you're careful; it couldn't hurt the mechanical components...they're strong cars.

[SVOeric]

the auto-x is setup in a way that running into something other than a cone would be dificult.

You would have to be pretty far out of shape, and off course to hit something.

Don't worry, I'm sure you won't be the only first-timer there...

Here is a pic of the worst auto-x damage I have on my SVO.

[kiwi]

Eric......

Eric came close to damging the 3" downpipe he got for his Bday from that cone........

[Otto Man]

OK...You guys convinced me to give it a go.
You're right Bud, it was meant to be played with, not just to keep the TT company at night in the garage.
What about a helmet? My old Bell Star is kind of dry rotted on the inside.
Thanks again
Chris

[SVOeric]

you just need Snell 95 approval or better for a helmet.

If you don't have one, the local SCCA brings a few.


You might want to check this out on their site (Central Kentucky SCCA website)

http://www.ckrscca.org/Sologeneral.htm

their main site is @ www.ckrscca.org

they will run the auto-x for us,, and we go by their rules.

[Otto Man]

Eric,
I assume THIS is why you had those headaches coordinating the re-union with SCCA?
I had been curious about that.
Chris

[SVOeric]

not really headaches -- just cooridnating --

gotta have a weekend that scca is open, Parking lot is open, show site is open, and nothing major going on at the dragstrip ...

sounds easy -- right

[svorich]

Here is a pic of the worst auto-x damage I have on my SVO

I would show you a picture of my auto-x damage except the marks from the pylons I hit buffed out the next time I waxed it.

My SVO was my daily driver and weekend autocrosser for 12 years. I drove it just as hard on the street right out of the dealer's parking lot.

Autocrossing is one of the safest forms of grassroots motor sports you can find.

Rich

[140cilx]

Chris,

Def do the autox. That's the most fun you can have in a car. You can wear a part out by using it, or it's gonna wear out from age. May as well enjoy it.

Dragracing is fun too, you race yourself on reaction time, 60', and then just sit there and enjoy the ride. It's fun, doesn't touch autox though.