BUCKEYE MIATA AUTOCROSS INFORMATION
The Buckeye Miata Club (BMC) hosts six to seven autocrosses each year. Our purpose is to allow Miata owners that are in the Buckeye Club to gain a better understanding of the capabilities of their cars. Our events are open to non members, and to all cars. Normally the grid is 75% Miatas with a real mixture of other cars, from cobras to older MG’s. We invite you to come and have fun with us!
We begin to set up the
course at 8:00, with the first car off at 10:00. And generally begin to tear
down the course about 4:00. Please expect to stay until 4:30 to help us load
out trailer.
We recommend that you wear
tennis shoes and comfortable clothes; be prepared for any kind of weather and
bring water to drink. You may want to bring some light gloves (Mechanix,
Jersey, or the like) to protect your hands during setup and teardown. Bring a chair, and lunch if you like. We
normally break about 12:00 for a ½ hour lunch. Please note that alcohol is not
permitted on site for both safety and insurance reasons.
Don’t let the weather bother you. We try to run on
our scheduled day because we pay rent for the lot regardless of the weather.
LOCATION:
We will run at the same place we ran last year.........the Ohio Historical Society along Interstate 71 near 17th Avenue in Columbus. Link to map
REGISTRATION:
Registration starts at
8:00 and ends at 9:30.
We limit the field to a maximum of 40 drivers, with BMC members having first priority. Two driver cars are OK. Our limited field size ensures that we get at least 6 runs per event, usually more.
All drivers must have a valid driver’s license. You will be required to sign a waiver. Spectators are permitted, but are asked to stay behind the safety line. Passengers are permitted, but must be at least 12 years of age.
The entry fee is –
members - $30 per driver; non members - $35 per driver.
Car class should be assigned at registration. Technical Inspection is intended to ensure
your car is safe and is not used to enforce classification.
Stock class is for unmodified and very slightly modified street
vehicles. The rules allow you to use certain aftermarket parts for wearable
items. Replacement shocks (including adjustable shocks), any brand or style of
brake pads, plugs/wires and air filters are 'free'. Any wheel can be used as
long as it's the same diameter and width as available on any stock Miata. You
may replace the front sway bar, add chassis braces that became available on
later Miatas (such as a cockpit brace) and use a cat back exhaust. You may not
use a chip, headers, or cut/replace/lower your suspension, springs or modify
the spring perches.
Unlike SCCA rules,
our stock class:
·
Allows chassis braces and
intake modifications such as a cold air/cone type air filters.
·
Recognize engine size –side
matters. We have separate classes as follows:
1.
B Stock cars are factory
turbo charged cars (the Mazdaspeed) or Miatas modified with an aftermarket
blower (either a turbo or supercharger) that meet all the other stock
requirements.
2.
C Stock cars are cars with
either the 1800 cc or 2000 cc engine.
3.
E Stock cars are cars with
the 1600 cc engine (1990 – 1993)
Street Prepared (CSP)
uses the Stock rules, but allows additional modifications. This class is for street legal, normally
aspirated Miatas from all model years that are modified beyond the stock class. Aftermarket clutches, computer chips,
lowering springs, fender flares, any wheel size, camber plates, torque arms,
headers, and underdrive pulleys are allowed.
You may not use a supercharger or turbo in this class.
Modified (SM 2)
applies to any street legal Miata with an aftermarket blower modified beyond
the stock class.
Over laid the above classes are divisions based on:
·
Tires – Any tire with
a UTQG treadwear rating of under 140 will move you into the Race Tire class.
·
Gender – We have class
divisions for ladies and men.
Spec Miata is a Miata
that is not street legal.
STX are all non
Miatas. It doesn’t matter whether it is a Corvette, a Corvair or a Cord. We are
first and foremost a Miata club. All others are just family cars.
TECHNICAL INSPECTION
We only have a few basic requirements, but they are very important. After
registration, it’s time for tech inspection. While no special equipment
is required (other than helmet), it’s up to you to ensure your car is in good
working order. We try to make sure your car is
autocross worthy. We'll check your seat belts, wheel bearings, brake fluid,
battery tie downs, etc. It's just a basic safety check. We'll also check for
loose items in the car that might interfere with your driving (such as floor
mats, coffee cups, loose change, etc) so clean out your interior and trunk the
night before and make sure these objects are out of your car prior to tech
inspection. Please bring your helmet with you as we'll make sure your helmet
meets the minimum rating. A roll bar is not required.
If Tech declares a car unsafe, it will not be able
to run and the driver's entry fee will be refunded. Tech will put a sticker on
your car and your helmet. It is the driver's responsibility to make sure they
have their car ready. You must have both a helmet and car sticker. If you do
not bring your helmet or you do not have numbers on your car, don’t worry. We
have a few loaner helmets and some shoe polish to write your number on your
windshield.
An acceptable helmet must
met the current or two immediate preceding Snell Foundation standards (SA, K or
M), or SFI standards 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, or 41.2A.
WORK ASSIGNMENT
We need help setting up and
marking the cones. This activity begins at 8:00. During the event, when your
group is not driving, you will be given a worker assignment. There are a
variety of assignments to choose from such as corner working, grid, and timing
and scoring. If you drive in heats 1 and 3, then you work in heat 2 and 4. If
you drive in heats 2 and 4, then you work in heat 1 and 3. At the end of the
day we need help stacking cones and loading the equipment in the trailer.
The course is different from event to event. There
may or may not be a course map available. It is very important that you know
where you are going so you should walk the course several times. This is one of
the most important parts of your day. During this time, you develop your
plan of attack and then adjust it after your first run. Look for the
laydown or pointer cones that mark important points along the course. If you
knock down a standing cone, you get a 2 second penalty. Pointers are free.
While it may look like a miniature road course
most Stock class cars will never go over 35 mph and we rarely use 3rd gear
(some drivers simply put it in 2nd at the start and then leave it there). There
are plenty of experienced drivers who would be more than happy to walk along
the course with you and answer questions - or ride with you during your runs if
you would like.
Pay
attention to the big cone after the finish line. This is a STOP CONE. If you
hit it, or pass it without stopping, you will be DNF’ed. It is also the place
to get your time.
DRIVERS MEETING
The course will be closed for walking at 9:45. We
will then start the drivers meeting. At the drivers meeting, we will discuss
the rules of the day. The standard rules are: no alcohol or illegal drugs;
drivers are responsible for their guests; and no tire warm-ups or brake
tests allowed on or around the premises including any of the city roads or area
parking lots. Lot's big enough for autocrossing are hard to find so please
don't do anything that will get us kicked out. We will get the cars started as
soon as the drivers' meeting is over (hopefully by 10am). If you are working in
the first heat, please come to the drivers meeting ready to go to your work
assignment when it is over. If you are driving in the first group, please have
your car ready for the grid before the drivers meeting starts. Driving order
will be assigned at the meeting and will be posted on the chalk board attached
to the trailer.
AWARDS
We do award trophies at the
end of the season - usually in early November. If you drove in at least three
events in the same class you will get a trophy. However, once you see the
trophies, you will understand that the reason we do this is to have fun!
The Autocross Awards Dinner for the 2009 season will be held on FRIDAY
evening November 20 at City Barbeque in Reynoldsburg. This is the same
location as last year. Come for dinner - order off the menu - and stay for
the awards and prizes. The room is available staring at 6:30, and we will
begin to award the trophies around 7:15. If you ran in at least 3 events in
the same class, you will get a trophy. Here is the link to City
Barbeque.......
Visit the City Barbeque web site.
Questions......... Jerry.Juracek@motoristsgroup.com.
USEFUL AUTOCROSS INFORMATION
|
Solo II Novice Handbook- Excellent read to help
you through your 1st season |
|
|
Miata performance driving tips |
|
|
General Autocross racing information |
|
|
General Autocross products and equipment
(magnets, helmets, etc…) |
http://www.soloperformance.com |
For additional information or questions, please contact Jerry Juracek at
autox@buckeyemiataclub.com.
Points event: May 16 - Results: Page 1 - Page 2
Points event: June 6 - Results: Page 1 - Page 2
Points event: June 27 - Results: Page 1 - Page 2
Midwest Miata Challenge: July 11 - Results: Page 1 - Page 2 - Elimination Round - Driver roster
Points event: July 25
Points event: August 1 (Location: OSU Ackerman Lot)
Points event: August 29
Points event: September 12
Points event: October 3
Link to 2009 Autocross
Info
