New to auto-x

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1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

New to auto-x

Post by 1nitroustracer » Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:10 pm

Hello my name is Stephen I live in Springfield I am planning on starting some auto-x soon. The car I will be running is a blue 2nd gen 1994 mercury tracer(fancy escort lol) The modifications done to the car goes as follows. Coilovers,b&m short shifter,polymer bushings all around,performance struts,front and rear strut bars, 50 shot of nitrous.

Any ideas what class this would put me in any suggestions for a new guy about the car?

Some of my other rides:
05 Cadillac deville(wifes dd)
83 mercury capri
95 mustang cobra clone(drag car)
87 v8 ranger
91 ford econoline
85 honda crx
79 ford fairmont (project with a friend)

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:04 am

Anyone?

Bullitt2954
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Post by Bullitt2954 » Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:23 am

The coilovers, shifter, and bushings will put you in a Street-Touring class, or possibly Prepared (unsure of the actual class off the top of my head). I'll thumb the manual in a bit, see if I can fit you in and get back to you.

Nitrous is disallowed completely in SCCA Solo, please disconnect and leave the bottle at home on raceday. You may not be allowed on-site with it in your car. (has nothing to do with an "advantage", BTW - and everything to do with a cryogenic -liquid at high pressure, and the Liability that SCCA is unwilling to cover)
-Scott Creech, #54STF - Hyundai Veloster "The BluMeanie!"

Parfois, on fait pas semblant

"The key to happiness is; If you cannot learn to do something well; learn to enjoy doing it poorly..."

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JimR
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Post by JimR » Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:20 am

The class would be Street Touring C, which means you would put the class letters "STC" on each side of the car.

The Escort/Tracer/Protege of that vintage is a decent autocross platform to come have fun. Our novice guide on the omrscca.org main page has the basics about how the events run.

Come out to our next event (minus nitrous bottle, of course ;)), and we'll get you started. 8)
Jim Rowland - Your friendly OMR volunteer at large
'92 Sentra SE-R / '15 FR-S / '04 Silverado HD

Bullitt2954
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Post by Bullitt2954 » Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:55 am

See? He's Always On the Stick: Jim's gotcher Back!
-Scott Creech, #54STF - Hyundai Veloster "The BluMeanie!"

Parfois, on fait pas semblant

"The key to happiness is; If you cannot learn to do something well; learn to enjoy doing it poorly..."

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:38 pm

Thanks for the info guys, I also have a few more questions Since the escort,tracer,pro,mx-3 are all bg chassis I'm assuming all parts such as brakes,engines,trans,wheels without penalty? I also have a small rear main leak not bad prob 4-5 drops a night that gonna be a issue? One more for now my steering wheel has about 1/4in-1/2in of play it is in the rack is that gonna be a issue?

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JimR
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Post by JimR » Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:24 pm

Before you do anything big, consult the Solo rulebook.

http://www.scca.com/assets/2012_Solo_Rules_May.pdf

Any part that is a direct, identical replacement may be used from another model. For example, it's legal if a swapped transmission is 100% the same as another model, but if the gear ratios or final drive are different, it's not class legal in Street Touring, even if it bolts up. You'd be bumped to a higher class in that scenario. The rules go by specific model and trim in lower classes, and get more liberal in higher-performance classes.

Sometimes an allowance lets you pick and choose. In STC, wheels are unlimited in size up to 7.5" wide and tires up to 225mm width. If you wanted to use stock wheels off a similar car that were 7.5" wide or narrower, that would be fine.

The car needs to be safe, and here's a primer on what we check:
http://www.omrscca.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1039

A few drops of oil would probably be fine, but excessive steering play would not. Minor steering play could be simple bushing/tire squirm, and not be a problem. Major steering play could be worn tie-rods or other components, which would be a dangerous in a performance handling event. Just make sure you bring a vehicle safe for yourself and everyone there.
Jim Rowland - Your friendly OMR volunteer at large
'92 Sentra SE-R / '15 FR-S / '04 Silverado HD

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:02 pm

It has good ball joints,tie rods and new polymer rack bushings. The u-joint in the steering is good as well I'm pretty sure its got some minor slop in the rack. If I had to guess I would say no one wound give me flack over it but I was just checking. Thanks again Jim.
(THE ROTARY ENGINE.......................)
communism worked in theory also

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:28 pm

I will be at the next meeting at big whiskey on republic rd being it's only about 5min from my house. Score! Awesome pick guys. Lol Would anyone experienced be interested in taking a look at my car to see what I may need to do to it? I plan on racing in my first one at the ducks so that would give me a bit of time to do anything to it if need be.
(THE ROTARY ENGINE.......................)
communism worked in theory also

The Huff
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Post by The Huff » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:49 pm

I'll be happy to take a look at your car if you are at the next meeting. If you can, try to stop by the neosho event this weekend. We'll show you around and give you a ride if you want.
Justin Huffman
Asst. R.E.

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:06 pm

The Huff wrote:I'll be happy to take a look at your car if you are at the next meeting. If you can, try to stop by the neosho event this weekend. We'll show you around and give you a ride if you want.
Thanks, I will try but I have to work on the wife's caddy sat and I would love to gofor some rides.
(THE ROTARY ENGINE.......................)
communism worked in theory also

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:10 pm

Found the loose steering issue and fixed it btw. Loose nut behind the wheel almost literally the bolt that holds the steering shaft the the rack was backed half way out and I have been driving it that way for a year. :shock:
(THE ROTARY ENGINE.......................)
communism worked in theory also

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:49 am

How much just to watch the event it would be my wife daughter and I.
(THE ROTARY ENGINE.......................)
communism worked in theory also

The Huff
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Post by The Huff » Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:38 pm

That's good news about your steering. Glad you caught it when you did. It's free to spectate so make a family day out of it!
Justin Huffman
Asst. R.E.

1nitroustracer
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2012 8:46 pm
Location: Springfield mo

Post by 1nitroustracer » Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:44 am

I'm not going to make it today but I will see you all at the meeting.
(THE ROTARY ENGINE.......................)
communism worked in theory also

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