BlueDonkey said:
Enlighten.
I can go to a dragstrip on street night and run a quarter-mile. How does one begin in autocross? What national or regional organizing bodies are there? What are the requirements? Yadda yadda yadda
Don't just say it's "kickass." Explain and enlighten, please.
Why, of course I will!
The national organizing body of Autocross is the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America):
http://www.scca.org . This is further divided into regional organizational bodies which can be found on their site.
"Solo II is the SCCA brand name for autocross competition. Solo II events are driving skill contests that emphasize the driver's ability and the car's handling characteristics. This is accomplished by driving a course that is designated by traffic cones on a low hazard location, such as a parking lot or inactive airstrip. While speeds are no greater than those normally encountered in legal highway driving, the combination of concentration and car feedback creates an adrenaline pumping experience. It is like being in a movie chase scene, only you are holding onto the steering wheel instead of a box of popcorn!"
Basically there are regional Solo II events all over the country at airports, large parking lots, military bases, etc. You can find all the events scheduled near you by going to
http://www.scca.org/Inside/Index.asp?IdS=01403D-EB63160&Reference=RegionalSites&~= , you can also find contact information and local websites of your regional Solo II coordinators.
If you live in California, or even if you don't because there's a lot of info here, you can check out:
http://www.solo2.com
Basically the event goes something like this: You sign up, go to the event, walk the course over a bunch of times so you don't get confused in the sea of cones. People get assigned to work the cones (meaning to stand them back up after someone inevitably hits them) until its your turn. Then you get in your car and drive as smooth and as quickly as you can through the course until you reach the finish line. It's timed, of course. You will be placed in a class with other cars based on your mods.
Hm. I'm sure I could say more... But it's pretty late. And I have work in a few hours.