Date: Wednesday August 15, 2001
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Compuware
Sports Arena 14900 N Beck Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone#: (734) 453-6400
MAP:Yahoo
Maps
Cost: $20.00
Rules & Class information: Click HERE
The autocross event will be an SCCA-style Solo II autocross, run in SCCA heats format. It will be similar to the autocross at ImpalaLouis 2000 in St. Louis last year, or to most regional SCCA Solo II events around the country. The following is a quick summary of how the event will work.
A course that emphasizes driver skill and vehicle handling will be laid out with pylons (orange traffic cones) in a large parking lot. At the beginning of the day, the course will be opened for walking (where competitors walk the course in order to learn it and come up with a strategy for running it). A guided novice walk will also be offered for those who are not experienced and would like some extra advice.
Each competitor will get at least three attempts at running the course (more runs may be granted if time allows). Competitors go back into the "grid" line after each run, so the runs are not taken immediately after one another. Each run will start from a stopped position and will be timed with electronic timing lights, with a 2 second penalty for each pylon displaced. Going off-course (missing a slalom cone, skipping part of the course, etc.) results in a "DNF" (Did Not Finish) for that run. The winner is the person with the fastest single run through the course (in their class).
There will be four classes. Please click HERE to see the Dreamapalooza Driving Events Rules & Classes. Also in this document are supplemental rules for all Dreamapalooza driving events, so please read it!
All competitors MUST also work the event! There will be three or four heats of cars - while one heat drives, one works, and the other one (or two) is off. This rotates so that everyone will drive one heat, work one heat, and be off one (or two) heat(s). Most workers are "corner workers" positioned in safe places on the course in order to replace displaced pylons, watch cars for DNFs, and keep the event safe. A smaller number of workers will be needed to help with lining up cars, etc. There will be a short worker training at the morning driver's meeting, which everyone must attend.
Helmets and seatbelts must be worn while driving. Please have your own helmet, as loaners will not be available. Please see the Dreamapalooza Driving Events Rules & Classes document for specific helmet standard requirements (Snell M, SA, or K; 1990 or later).
The run/work order (who runs when, who works when, and who is off when) will be announced at the morning driver's meeting. This is a mandatory meeting, and will cover all necessary topics for the day. It will take place between 9:00am and 10:00am, and you should be at the event site well before this (8:00am is recommended) in order to prepare your car and walk the course.
The course will be laid out in order to keep the event safe, fun, and provide good competition. It will be easy to remain on course, and there will be no intentional tricks, gimmicks, or misleading markings to draw people off course. If possible, the course will be lined to make it even easier to follow. However, it will be challenging to get the best times and experienced autocrossers should enjoy the competition.
This event will run for a full day. Expect to get to the autocross location around 8am and finish around 5pm. Be prepared for a full day outside. Since the event will be run rain or shine, you might want to bring rain gear (and keep your fingers crossed for good weather). Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water if it's going to be hot (this is in August, you know). A lawn chair is nice to watch the other drivers during your off shift.
There are some things to do to prepare your car (probably the night before the event). When you're making your runs, all loose items will have to be removed from the car, so be ready for that. Your car should have enough gas so that you don't run out while under hard cornering. Also, the tire pressures should be increased (especially in the front) from your normal street pressures. Front tires without enough pressure will "roll" under hard cornering, significantly reducing their grip on the ground. (My experience with my stock BFGs is to run them at their maximum rated pressure, 44psi.)
For more information about SCCA-style Solo II autocrossing, you can check out your local SCCA region's web site (the Detroit Region is http://www.detroit-scca.org) or the national SCCA site at http://www.scca.org. Get an advantage over the competition by attending some of your local SCCA region's autocrosses - there is no substitute for practice. Or, just show up at Dreamapalooza and have a good time.
If you have any questions regarding the Autocross event for Dreamapalooza
2001, please contact James Foster at autocross@dreamapalooza.com
or by phone at 810 465 4246. E-mail is preferred, but the phone number
is there for those that don't have e-mail access. See you in August!
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