Registration for SCCA-Chicago Region 2008 Learning Curve (auto-x school) is currently open.

"A fun, inexpensive, safe way of testing your driving ability and car performance. Solo events are a form of automotive competition in which one car at a time negotiates a prescribed course in the shortest possible time. The events are open to anyone who has a sports car, compact or small sedan. The only requirements to compete are a valid state driver's license and a car which will pass a safety technical inspection. Drivers compete in numerous car classes for stock street cars, modified street cars, race prepared cars and modified race cars.

THE LEARNING CURVE
Chicago Region Solo drivers school is an excellent way to learn about and become involved in Solo events. It is a two-part school that consists of a classroom session and a day and a half of on track instruction. Instruction will be provided by experienced, award winning drivers (many with National Championship credentials). Because the entry is limited to only 100 students, there will be a very favorable student/teacher ratio allowing for maximum driving time and personal instruction. The school is for novice drivers with less than one year or no solo experience. Students must attend both days.

When: Saturday April 5 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday April 6 8:00am - 5:00pm

Where: Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL

How: Return the entry form with the $120 registration fee payable to Chicago Region, SCCA, no later than March 26, 2008 to: Laurie Montelo - 1425 Mohawk Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60193 (630) 893-0482. To register on line go to http://register.scca-chicago.com/"

For on-line registration go to http://www.scca-chicago.com/solo/2008/learncurve.html and click the nice, big blue rectangular "Online Registration" button at the bottom of the page.

For old fashion way, for those who really love the feel of paper, print out and mail your form from here --> http://www.scca-chicago.com/solo/200...learncurve.pdf

The school runs April 5-6 at Rt.66 in Joliet. Students must attend both days. Cost is $120.00

Here's a thread from S2000 forum with discussion about last years school:
http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php...ic=467581&st=0

And here is a video of the same course from last years 1st event (same course as the LC). Courtesy of Brent Weibel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5NaeunMNFc

There were two young EVO owners at tonights SCCA meeting in Oak Brook who are planning on signing up. Anyone else?

Almost forgot to mention, season and individual event pre-registration is now also open.
SCCA-Chicago Region: http://www.scca-chicago.com/solo/index.html
Tri-State Sports Car Club: http://tsscc.org/

 

Bump for a good school. It is the best $120 you can spend if you want to get into autocross.

 

Seems a lot of folks are interested in this, but they aren't sure how the whole SCCA membership works. New for this year, everyone's required to be an SCCA member if he/she is running an SCCA sanctioned event (for example a TSSCC event at Rt. 66).

The weekend membership costs $15.00 and is good for the weekend (duh )
The cost of said weekend membership is included in the entry fee for the Learning Curve school, so the $120.00 is all the student has to pay.
The student then can apply the $15.00 credit towards the full membership, as long as it's done within 60 days.

Words from the wise:
"And in case no one has picked up on this, the students can still use that as a $15 credit towards a full membership (as long as it is within 60 days). So if a student goes to the first event, they basically get an annual membership for the cost of the temporary at Event #1 (if they are under 25).

$15 credit for LC
$15 credit for Event #1
$15 credit for referral

First Gear membership is $45"

So it's $30.00 off your full membership if you're planning to run the learning curve and the 1st event of the season, and another $15.00 if you indicate which full/season member referred you. If you're under 25 years old, the full membership is free (assuming you were to run two events within 60 days of each other). If you're over 25, it will cost you a little more

Oh, while we're at it - I'll gladly refer anyone if he/she's looking to become a member - just drop me a PM. 15 bucks less for you and 5 bucks credit to my name is a win-win situation

And I forgot not everyone always knows how to get to Rt.66.
This should help.
Go to http://www.scca-chicago.com/solo/eventsites.html and click the 1st link (Google Maps).

 

Get off the pot and register guys and gals!!!!

******

Snipet from the entry form-

Return the attached entry form with the

$120 registration fee payable to Chicago Region, SCCA

looks like this Wednesday, April 2, is the deadline now

to: Laurie Montelo - 1425 Mohawk Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60193 (630) 893-0482.

Register on line go to http://register.scca-chicago.com/

Don't miss this chance for a great weekend.

I don't know what, or if any provisions can be made for late entries, don't risk it.

 

I did this course a few years back and it was a great experience. My only advice is DO NOT let the instructors drive your car. If they have the experience with an Evo it could be a different story. I let my instructor drive mine, who was a regional champ unsure of which class or when, and he fried my clutch in one round. 26 seconds of roasting my fairly new clutch.

 

I'm sorry to hear your clutch was abused by anyone other than you :P
The instructors are asked not to do that. They are there to show the ropes to newcomers, not to go 10/10 on course, especially in student's car.

17 spots remaining bump

 

It's getting close!!!!

Weather is looking good-

http://www.weather.com/outlook/healt...ayLink_fitness

http://www.accuweather.com/forecast....60431&metric=0

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/myfox/pa...sts?pageId=9.3

Check your oil/brake fluid/coolant levels.

Before tech inspection your car needs to have ALL loose objects removed, including floormats. Floormats are removed because they can move up underneath your pedals possibly producing a safety hazard or at a minimum a distraction you don't need on the course. Loose objects in glove compartments etc. can make noise that can be distracting too, so it's best if the car is cleaned out.

There will be plenty of room at any autocross you attend to take all that junk out and place it out of the way. Most locations are very secure and only attended by other car people so your stuff is generally safe. HOWEVER, use your judgement about very valuable items being left unattended. Many people use plastic storage boxes to hold all the stuff while it is outside the car. They are waterproof, easy to cover, and you can write your name on them.

I believe the event is being held in the south parking lot of the dragstrip. Maybe someone can post this info that knows for certain.

There is no price for admission for spectators. They will have to sign a waiver and wear a wristband proving they have signed. Make sure they bring a camera/video to record some runs.

Anyone doing photo's/video needs to have a helper/spotter who can watch for safety issues while the photog is watching their subjects.

You should drive to any event on appropriate street tire pressures. To do otherwise is asking for problems.

IF you can, you should bring your own battery/car plug-in mini compressor or a fully charged air tank to bring up your tire pressures for the event. There will likely be plenty of people there that will loan you their compressor, but it can take awhile to pump up all the tires which may stress their ability to get ready themselves.

FOR THE EVENT we will be upping tire pressures. I usually start an event at around 35-40 PSI. This will vary for a number of reasons and your instructor will be going over that with you on Saturday.

Bring tape to mark your numbers on your car, unless you want to go ahead an buy magnets. There is a guy there that will have magnets to buy, and he is a big supporter of us too.

Shoe polish (white) or chalk is good to have too, to mark your tires.

Get ready to have a crapload of fun!

 

Learning Curve Results are now posted on the region website -->
http://www.scca-chicago.com/solo/

Will post links to pictures once someone posts some on line.

Hoping for good weather this weekend.
Saturday --> TSSCC http://www.tsscc.org
Sunday --> SCCA Chicago Region http://www.scca-chicago.com/solo