If you came in here because you don't know what a benchracer is:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/defin...rm=bench+racer


Now that we have got that out of the way, I'm here to promote some local interest in the NASA autocross program that has been putting on events at Langley Speedway.

We have been holding events at Langley since April, and this will be our fourth visit there. While we have had some great events, it seems that most of our participants have been experienced autocrossers.

One of the biggest hopes of bringing this program to Langley Speedway was to promote motorsports to the huge number of car enthusiasts in the Tidewater area!

Unfortunately I, and most of the NASA staff lived in Richmond and as such, haven't met but a few of the enthusiasts in the area. Well guys, I want you to come out to our events, see what's going on, meet and talk cars, and compete!

Every time I am in the area, I see tons of cool (and of course, some not cool) Honda's, VW's, Bimmers, STiVo's (yes, that was intentional) and more on the streets. I want to see you guys come out, and use these the cars like the dirty girls that they are!

About me - I try to wear about 20 different hats (jobs) at these events, but two are imporant. Keeping Timing and Scoring running properly (so that it's a real competition, and not just goofing off in a parking lot) and Novice Coordinator. Every person who is driving for the first time, I offer (but not required) to ride along with. Make sure you find the course the first time, then start offering pointers. For me, the best part of an event is showing someone how to do something, then watching them knock off a few seconds and come off the track smiling like a

Anyway, enough rambling. Next event is next weekend, November 4th.
http://www.nasaproracing.com/nasa_ev.../?event_id=501


If you have any questions about classing/registering/competing/or whatever about participating, feel free to reply here or drop me a line on AIM - same name as the s/n here.

Hope to see some of you guys next weekend!
-Jayson







And lastly

 

What Jayson said. Please come play, it's really fun I promise!

Further details, links to results, more pictures, and in-car video from a recent Langley autocross are here:

http://www.get-fast.net/nasacross/langley


Can't wait for Nov 4th,

Jon

 

Well say someone like me who has never auto x. What is needed to get started? I wouldnt mind bringing the turbo SE-r out there but dont really know how it works. Is it to see who can get the fastest lap time? And are the categories broken up by car class or is it a free for all?

 

All you need to get started is a drivers license, a car that will pass tech, and the entry fee. Also a helmet if you have access to one that meets our standards (M95/SA95 rated or newer), but we do have a few loaners.

The course is set up using the oval and the infield. Here's a sample of one of the configurations, although it is different every time and we alternate directions at each event of course: http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=1137755206

The day is broken up into heats that are about 2 hours each. In the case of Nov 4th, the schedule is:

7:00am gates open
11:00am reg & tech open
12:00pm course walk
12:30pm drivers meeting
1:00pm Heat 1
est 3:00pm Heat 2
6:00pm gates close

So you would show up, unload your car, go through tech, go through registration, walk the course, and attend the drivers meeting. Then you would drive in heat 1 and work (chasing cones, writing down times, etc) in heat 2... or vice versa.

Each heat is usually 20-30 cars. You line up and start at ~30sec intervals. You're never near another car when you're on the course, all you are trying to do is beat the clock. Usually you get somewhere between 6 and 10 runs in your heat. Results are handed to you on post-it notes so you can see your improvements, then afterward we publish everybody's results like this:

http://www.get-fast.net/nasacross/9907res.htm

As a nonmember who hasn't done it before, you would register as a Novice. Car classing is done two ways at Langley... either by NASA autoX classing for NASA members, or by SCCA solo classing for everyone (but if you're a Novice, that's your class... you'll only compete against other Novices in the final results, but your overall ranking will be listed too.)

NASA car classing is essentially like... each car starts in one of ten base classes. Points are added for modifications and when you get 20 points you bump to the next faster class. Pretty much any car with a non-factory turbo setup will bump at least 1 or possibly 2 classes up, depending upon what all has been done. Usually you are only technically competing against other people in your class... but you'd need to be a NASA member to worry about that. SCCA classing is its own thing with its own huge rulebook. Stick with "Novice" for now and you won't have to read it.

Pre-registration for these events is recommended to make sure you get a spot, although some people do just show up that morning:

http://www.nasaproracing.com/nasa_ev.../?event_id=501

Many further details are on that page as well (including the link to the tech inspection requirements.)

Thanks for asking,

Jon

 

As another guy who has never done auto x before, would i be laughed at for bringing out my pretty much stock 00 Integra? This looks like a lot of fun.

 

Hi there,

Getting started - there are a few thing's to consider:

Sign-Up
You create an account online, and register for the event. Reading the sign-up page will help with most of the imporant stuff. One thing you will need to figure out is your car class.

The way car classing works is that each car has a base class. Every mod you do to the car adds points. After you reach a certain number of points, you get bumped into the next class. We can talk offline about all the mods done to your car, and figure out exactly what you want to drive, and where it would class.

At the end of the event, all the times are are sorted by each class, and the winner is determined.

Car
You need to make sure the car is safe. All of the tech information is again on the webpage, but the important stuff:
-Take all your junk out before you show up - it all has to come out before you can compete anyway.
-BATTERY TIE-DOWN. This is literally the most-often violation.
-Don't be leaking anything.
-Tires aren't corded. Wheel bearings don't have any play to them. Don't want anything falling apart on track.

You
You will need a helmet to drive, as well for any passenger you might give a ride too. We do have a *few* loaners but honestly, they stink! Borrow one from a biker buddy!


Feel free to drop me a PM with any questions

-Jayson

 

Not at all!

Let me tell you about my very first autocross. 1983 Honda Civic. 50hp stock! 418k miles on the odometer. Pouring ass rain! I'm gonna see if I can find a picture of that car somewhere.

Every run was off the track, I could barely see where I was going. The car - it was a turd. Yet I had an absolute blast!

Not only are all-stock cars fun to autocross, but it is some of the most competitive groups.

Even if you aren't too sure on running, come out and sit in the stands, check it out and see how much fun you are missing out on!!

 

Sounds awesome. I'll be there for sure.

 

I might show up.

I agree that autocrossing is one of the most fun things you can do with ANY car. Higher HP will not help you out if you're a novice on most courses. Hell my Foxbody with maybe 190whp at 3200lbs that is basically stock is overpowered for the chassis and suspension.

 

Yea deff sounds fun. I will deff get my own helmet you prob dont have one to fit my big ass head anyway.lol. I amgoing to read up on all this info and see if my car will even pass tech first. I know I am violating the batt tie down already.lol.. Thanks for all the great info and I wouldnt mind asking you a few questions about where my car would class at if thats alright with you