I just moved to NJ and was looking to start autoxing. There seems to be at least groups running autox in the area (SCCA Motorsports NE) and I was wondering what experience people have with the 2 - strengths, weaknesses, etc. I'll be running SM and am more looking for a good experience than worried about becoming highly competitive (this year).

 

What is the question?

 

There are three SCCA regions that run near you. Northern New Jersey Region runs almost all their events on Saturday in the parking lot at Englishtown Raceway. I like their events because they run a 4-heat format, but you work once and run twice, and take one heat off. The lot is ok, but not quite big enough to set up a national-level course. Their website is http://www.autox4u.com/nnjr.htm

South Jersey Region runs on Sundays at Camden Community College in Blackwood. Also a 4-heat format, run twice, work twice, so lots of runs. They generally get lower attendance than the other regions around here and their lot is tiny. They're a great bunch of guys and its very laid back, but you wont get a whole lot better driving there. http://www.sjr-scca.org/

Philadelphia Region is also within an easy drive from most of NJ. They run a split-day format: 4 heats, but you're only there for two; work once run once. You generally get 4 runs there, and the level of competition is pretty stiff. They run at two sites: the parking lot at Boeing's helicopter plant in Ridley Park (small and bumpy) and at Warminster Community Park, which is 1/4 mile of 150' wide abandoned runway and one of the best autocross sites in the northeast. I highly recommend you make time to show up for Warminster events. http://www.phillyscca.com

 

Thanks. That would be exactly the type of insight I was looking for. What about the Motorsport North East guys - any experience with them?

 

Nope. I've only run with the SCCA regions around here.

 

They have decent competition level and the events are usually run pretty well. Downsides are very abrasive lot (Giants Stadium) and course design. They tend to run more of a "road course" autox which is less technical and can be a little fast for a parking lot (IMO, of course).

Perry's (SCCA) courses at E-town are usually more technical and the competition is a little deeper.

NNJR-PCA also runs at Giant Stadium too. Similar events to MSNE but usually more laidback.

John