What kind of car do I need?
You can bring pretty much any car, as long as it is wider than it is tall, and as long as it passes the tech inspection at each event. Seriously, we’ve seen almost every vehicle possible…pick-up trucks, the family sedan, sports cars, muscle cars, full-blown racecars, you name it.
What is involved in the ARSCCA Tech Inspection?
Most drivers are pushing their autocross vehicles harder than they typically ever do, which has a tendency to help the driver find issues with the vehicle…at the wrong time. We want to avoid that where possible. Essentially, we’re checking for unsafe vehicles that could pose a risk to the driver, the workers, or the spectators.
This includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the following:
- No loose items in the car or in the trunk.
- TIP: We suggest removing the floor mats so that they don’t slide around or get stuck under a pedal.
- TIP: Check under the seats! That half-empty water bottle you missed when cleaning out your car could roll under your brake pedal and you could wind up in the grass…or worse, one of our beautiful course workers.
- The battery must be tied down. Basically, the Tech Inspector will yank on your battery and make sure it doesn’t move.
- All lug nuts must be present on each wheel.
- Ensure your lug nuts are tight prior to the event!
- The throttle return spring must be present and functional.
- The brake pedal must be firm.
- Tires: no cords may be showing at the beginning of the event.
- Tires: some tread must be present at beginning of the event.
- Wheel bearings/tie rods/ball joints: No obvious play. Basically, this means someone will plant their foot against the front of your front wheel and make sure it doesn’t move when they shove against it.
- No fluid leaks
- Factory seat belts or harnesses.
- Class and number, large and clearly visible on each side of the vehicle.
- TIP: you can purchase stick-on decals or magnetic digits online if you want to get fancy, but those sometimes fly off on course (especially magnetic). If you want to keep things simple and reliable, some good old-fashioned painter’s tape from the hardware store works well.
TIP: If you need some help with remembering all of the requirements, you can print off the SCCA Tech Inspection Sheet and run through it at home before each event.
How do I register?
You must register online, through MotorSportReg. You can use the individual links from our schedule.
Do I have to be a member to register?
Anyone can sign up for an event. Members save $20 per event ($40 for a weekend). Becoming a member makes good financial sense if you plan to attend more than 4 events (2 weekends).
What class does my car belong in?
If you are new to AutoX, you may want to just ask someone what class your car belongs in. To figure it out yourself, use the SCCA Classification Assistant, or look in Appendix A of the current SCCA Rulebook. Any given car has multiple classes that it can potentially compete in, based on the level of modification.
If your car is completely bone stock running street legal tires on stock wheels, you will most likely be in one of the “street” classes: AS, BS, CS, DS, ES, FS, GS, or HS. If your car has some modifications, the rule book outlines which classes allow which modifications.
What is a Codriver Number?
Beginning in 2021, we adopted the national standard for codriver numbers. That is, if two people are both driving the same car, one of them must have a number between 1 and 99, the other must have a number that is 100 greater than the first driver. For example, you could sign up as 27 and your codriver could sign up as 127. This makes it easier to keep track of cars.
Can I use my motorcycle helmet?
Sure, provided it has a SNELL certification. Use this handy chart to determine if it meets requirement.
