Solo Performance Specialties will be hosting an open house and Solo tech day on March 1st, beginning at 10AM. The day will provide an opportunity to visit their new retail showroom and see what new great product lines are now available. Solo tech personnel will be on-site to perform annual tech certification for eligible cars…

Annual Membership Meeting

November 11, 2024

The Sports Car Club of St. Louis is hosting an annual membership meeting on 11/18 @ 7pm. Please make plans to attend. This meeting will not have a formal agenda but will begin at 7 PM with a “state of the region” presentation followed by the election and results. Feel free to coordinate with others…

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About Autocross

Autocross (AKA Solo) is a test of driving skill and the car’s agility in which one car at a time is driven over a clearly defined course, the elapsed time and penalties for course deviations being the determining factor for awards. Most Solo events take place in large parking lots, with the course defined by orange pylons. Speeds are limited and the hazards to spectators and participants do not usually exceed those encountered in normal, legal highway driving. Competitors range from the casual participant who may use the same daily driver that they car-pool with to the hard-core driver who has a dedicated car and special tires to squeak out every last fraction of a second. In between the extremes, there are levels and classes for different degrees of car modification. Whatever your driving level or car – there is a place for you in SCCA Solo! Contact us or come to our next event to get started!

Getting Started

Getting Started First Step

Car Classing

That’s a great question. As much as we’d like to give you a “magic formula” for this, it’s just not that simple. A great place to start is SCCA Classification Assistant. This site will provide a range of available classes based on your vehicle manufacturer, model and year. Then reference the SCCA website on classing: https://www.scca.com/pages/cars-and-rules

You’ll need to know all of the modifications made to your vehicle including simple things like tire and wheel sizes, brakes and shocks. It is your responsibility choose the class but we can help.

If you have any trouble, just shoot us an email teamsolo@stlscca.org.

Choosing A Car Number

Event Registration & Fees

Event Online Registration

at motorsportreg.com

Read below for information on entering our events. St. Louis Region Solo uses Motorsportsreg.com for its online registration.

For your convenience, we highly recommend pre-registering online. This will save you time and make the events easier to manage.

Event entry fee(s) is as follows:
A discounted price of $50 for SCCA members if pre-registered by 11:59PM on Friday of the event (for Sunday events)
$70 for SCCA members if registered after Friday 11:59PM and before Saturday 8PM
No walkup registration day of event allowed. Registration is closed at 8PM the night before an event.
All entrants are required to be SCCA members to run.
- If you are not a SCCA Member you can purchase a weekend membership for $25 at registration.
  - You can use up to 2 weekend memberships as credits (@$7.50 each=$15 max credit) towards a yearly membership.
Please read our refund policy (on the right) before entering online.
Please arrive plenty early to ensure you have enough time to enter, get teched and walk the course!
To join SCCA you can visit www.scca.com to sign up.

What to Expect

You’ll remember your first event for a long time. The adrenaline that makes you shake at the start-line before your first run, and the even bigger surge of adrenaline you feel when you finish. That excitement is part of the sport, and it’s why we all do this.

Don’t let being a novice overwhelm you! Every driver, including the National Champions, had a first day and a novice season. Autocrossing is a skill that requires instruction and practice to see improvements. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be so competitive, or so fun. In fact, when experienced road racers come to Solo for the first time, we often put them in Novice Class. It’s not like falling off a log for them, either. The great thing about this sport, though, is that even when you’re going slowly, it’s still fun driving.

The course may seem busy at first, because it’s tighter than what you see on the street, and you’re trying to attack it faster than you could in traffic. You’ll have fun learning the sport and learning to keep the car in control as you get faster and better with more seat-time.

With that said, here are some tips to give you the right novice attitude, so you don’t become discouraged:

Your goal is to have fun! That’s why everyone is here.

Your goal for the first run is to avoid getting lost on course (see course-walking tips)

Your goal for the rest of the day is to improve your time on each run

Your goal for the second event is the same as the first.

Your goal for the rest of the season is to beat somebody (anybody!) and continue to make each run faster than the last.

At this point, you are learning a lot on each run, and you may be 10 seconds behind the class leader. That’s not unusual! You’re still doing OK.

Generally speaking, the veteran drivers like to help the novices. The magic words “I am a novice” will get you extra instruction from other competitors, who can critique your run. Just be careful not to interrupt a driver on a course walk, or while he or she is concentrating on going over the course in his or her head (See the Solo Etiquette Section).

Don’t forget, there is a Novice Chief available to answer your questions and help you get started.

Also, check out this great article at scca.com called “How Do I Autocross”!

Daily Schedule

Check-in & Worker Assignment	7:00 – 8:00 a.m.
Tech Inspection	7:00 – 8:30 a.m.
Course Walk	8:00 – 8:55 a.m.
Novice Course Walks	8:00 – 8:55 a.m.
Driver’s Meeting	9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Heat 1 Workers to Stations	9:15 a.m.
First Car Off	9:30 a.m.

By entering this event, you agree that you will adhere to the SCCA Solo Rules as well as the St. Louis Region Solo Supplemental Regulations. They are available for review at www.scca.com and www.solo.stlscca.org

NOTE: At Family Arena everyone must be off the premises by 4:00pm at most events.

Run/Work Schedule

Safety Info

St. Louis Region SCCA operates under the insurance and guidelines of the Sports Car Club of America. Solo events are considered low risk events, but there are many requirements that we must follow to ensure we are safe, and to comply with our insurance.

Anyone entering ANY St. Louis SCCA Solo event site must sign an insurance release waiver.

Minors (under the age of 18): Print out the document found on the Rules & Regulations page, have it signed by both parents and/or guardians, have it notarized and on the top write “All St. Louis SCCA events” for dates write “All Dates.” Make a second copy for yourself and give us the original. You will be set for the rest of the year!

Actual event safety is governed by a Solo Safety Steward, (SSS) who is assigned for each event. This person is responsible for the safe operation of the event in all aspects. Please consult the SSS if you have any safety related questions at an event.

Autocross Etiquette

Solo is a social sport, and most drivers are happy to give you advice and critique your runs. Ask someone with a similar car if you may follow them through a course walk. Maybe they’ll even think aloud for you (don’t do too much talking yourself, or you will be making them walk again). Ask if you can ride with them on a fun-run. If you’re not sure when to line up, go ahead and ask. Ask someone to look at the chalk on your tires to see whether you need more air. Ask someone to watch your run if they have time, and tell you what needs changing. They’ll be glad to.

There are a few bad times to ask for advice, though. Here’s a quick list:

When they are walking the course. (They’re trying to memorize it.)

When they are staring into space or have their eyes closed, they’re probably going over their run or plan.

When they are in grid. They are only thinking about the course.

Sometimes events will conspire to keep a good driver from competing. It may be a broken car, it may be an injury that prevents them from being able to change tires. This is your chance! Offer that driver a ride (co-drive) in your car – make it free if you can afford to. So they use up $20 worth of tires. Not a bad price for a private instructor all day! I have gone to some of the big events, Tours, Divisionals and ProSolos and sent out an ad for a co-driver. It has been an enormous benefit to have advice from these experts all day, and be able to walk the course with them.

Try to help out. There is more work to be done than the mandatory course-work. This is an all-volunteer organization, so help is always appreciated. Luckily, this also puts you in a position to talk to other drivers, because the veterans are helping out, too. If you share the work, they’ll have more time to talk to you. Likewise, showing up early will help out the registration and tech crew, and give you more time to walk the course. Read the next section on how to help, if you’re looking for ideas to lend a hand.

Everyone stays to help clean up the course and pit areas. Keeping the sites is important to everyone, so leave your pit area cleaner than you found it.

(Edited from the “Solo II Novice Handbook” by Kate Hughes)

The SAC

Learn More About Autocross

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an autocross?

Autocross events are low to medium speed car control events. Most events are held in large parking lots or airports but some events are held on racetracks and go-kart tracks. Courses are created using traffic cones and sometimes outlined in chalk to help with visuals. Drivers take to the course one at a time with results determined by comparing each drivers time to complete the course. Penalties are given for significant contact with a cone or if a competitor misses part of the course.

Who Autocrosses?

Many types of people autocross. Men, women, young and old are all found at events. Some may not own a racecar so they bring out their daily driver and some hard-core members will bring out vehicles set up specifically for autocross. There will be novices wanting that first experience and veteran road racers keeping their skills sharp. Family and friends compete together. Whoever it is that comes to events they all share a love for motorsports and most of all, the desire to have FUN!

Why should I Autocross?

How do I Autocross?

How Much Does It Cost?

Do I need a membership?

Can I watch?

What Should I Bring With Me?

You need to bring your car in good working mechanical order, a valid driver’s license and a helmet (loner helmets are available in most regions). You may also want to bring a tire pressure gauge, multiple layers (coat, sweat shirt, sweat pants) gloves, a cooler (water, pop/soda, sports drink, lunch), comfortable shoes, towels, rain gear, sun block, a hat and anything else that you would want for a day spent outdoors.

When I arrive, what should I do?

First, if this is your first event, let someone know. Many regions have programs for novice drivers, and already have everything you need waiting for you. You should also do a quick once-over on your car. Be sure to check the fluids, check the battery tie down, shake the wheels and remove any lose items. You will need to check in, and have your car inspected at “tech,” both of these should be well marked and easy to find. Finally, make sure you leave enough time to get a few course walks in. There are no practice sessions in autocross, so walking a course is crucial in being ready to do your best lap.

Do I need a special car?

Will I break my car?

Are there any age restrictions?

What class should my car be in?

Where do events happen?

Can I bring people with me?

Where can I file a complaint/concern?

Where can I find the Rules and Regulations?

Where can I download waivers?

Can I share a car with someone else?

What are the top speeds?

Autocross courses are designed not to exceed normal highway speeds. For most cars, that means staying in 2nd gear, and topping out around 55-60mph. That doesn’t mean they are slow. Well designed courses will feel plenty fast as you attempt to maintain that speed through a series of elements. Imagine slaloming every barrel in a 55mph construction zone, and you will start to get the idea.

Do's and Don'ts

Take your work assignment seriously. Part of autocrossing is helping with various tasks that keep the event running. Giving your work assignment 100% of your attention will ensure that you are not having a negative effect on someone else’s event. Be sure that you arrive on time or early for work, as tardy workers often delays event start times.
Arrive Early. Give yourself plenty of time to get yourself together, register, tech and walk the course a few times. It’s always better to have a little spare time to chat with friends than be scrambling.
Look for opportunities to help. Few are able to bring their full garage to an event, as such often people need to borrow a tool. If you have a tool someone needs to borrow, let them borrow it, or better yet, offer them a hand. Autocross is a community, everyone is there to enjoy the day and helping someone else enjoy theirs will certainly come back to you in the long run.
Respect the Site. Autocross sites can be challenging for a region to secure, and require a relationship between the site management and every person who participates in the event. Simple misjudgments, such as disrespectful driving, littering or excessive noise in and around the site can strain this relationship and put the usage of the site in jeopardy. Being mindful of this balance at all times is a essential part of being a member of the autocross community.
Be Honest. Despite the very best efforts of all involved, mistakes do happen in the timing and scoring of runs. Generally, the first person to notice is the person it benefits. If this ever happens to you, whether you were assigned the wrong time, or a penalty was over looked, own up to it. You will appreciate it the next time when someone does it for you.
Allow others to prepare for their runs. Autocrossing is a largely mental sport. Many drivers require a few moments to become prepared for a run. Be aware of this when you are in the grid, and be cautious of when you approach someone with a question. Most autocrossers are always willing to help out, but there is a preferred time and place.
Save the performance driving for the course. Whether it is for the preservation of the site, or safety of those around you, there is a place to play with your car, and there are many places not to. Any unsafe practices puts everyone at risk, and should be avoided at all cost. If you speed on roads leading to or from the event site, it not only puts you at risk of a speeding ticket but also can give the club a bad reputation. This hurts everyone involved.
Remember, we are all in it for fun. You may not get why some of us do what we do, but if you step back and look at the sport we are all in it for fun. We come out here to drive cars, but most of keep coming back to hang out with great people. Stay positive, have a great attitude and you’ll rarely have a bad event.