Tom Fisk
Introduction to Solo II
Solo II (also know as Autocross) is a low to medium speed auto driving event that stresses driver skill in navigating a course laid out on asphalt or concrete pavement. A Solo II participant competes against the clock, rather than wheel to wheel with other participants, making it an extremely safe and highly competitive event. In Solo II, close competition is the rule, rather than the exception, with competitors usually separated by thousandths of a second. In addition, competing in Solo II does not require a "race car" or a racing license; your street car that you drive to work or school every day serves as your "race car" and anybody that is a licensed driver can participate. The only piece of safety equipment that you need is a Snell certified helmet, and if you don’t have one of those, you can borrow one at the event. All in all, Solo II competition gives the most cost effective, safe, and competitive driving for the amateur racer.
So let’s say that you’re interested in taking your work-a-day vehicle out into the competitive world. Does this mean that you will be competing against Ferraris and Porsches? Not at all; you and your car will compete in a class of cars with similar horsepower, weight, and performance characteristics. The SCCA Solo II classes consist of:
Stock (S) - these are the cars that you drive to work every day with very few modifications. Modifications include changing to any DOT-approved tire, any shock that attaches to the stock mount points, exhaust from the catalytic converter back, brake pads, and sway bar. Many stock drivers make very few modifications and race on their street tires and are very competitive.
Street Prepared (SP) - these are cars that have been modified for specific performance and handling, although they are usually street driven also. Modifications include any wheels & DOT-approved tires, sway bars, shocks and engine induction.
Prepared (P) - these cars allow extensive modifications and are rarely street driven. Some of these cars are "real" road race cars.
Modified (M) - modified cars may or may not start out as cars. They may be purpose built Solo II racing vehicles, and they may even be "retired" formula race cars.
Kart - 125cc shifter karts (Formula 125) and 5hp and under karts (Formula Junior) were introduced to Solo II in 1998 as a way to allow competitors from the karting ranks to step up to SCCA competition. Karts are a relatively inexpensive and fun way to get involved in Solo II.
Within each of the classes are categories of cars based on horsepower, weight, and performance characteristics. The Stock class is divided into 9 different categories for all brands and makes of cars. Similar categories apply to the Street Prepared, Prepared, and Modified classes. Finally, there are additional classifications for Novices (those who raced in Solo II 3 or fewer times without winning) and Ladies. No matter what you bring to the race, or your skill level, you are certain to find fair competition at a Solo II event.
Solo II events usually take place on large parking lots, although events have also been held at airports on taxiways, driver training facilities, and real race tracks. The course is laid out using traffic cones (also known as pylons) and usually consists of tight corners, "sweepers" (long, fast corners), straights, and slalom (a straight line of cones you need to weave through). The challenge to the competitor is to navigate this course in the quickest possible time without hitting any cones or going off course. If you hit a cone and tip it over, or move it outside of its original spot, you will be assessed a time penalty of 2 seconds. If you leave the course, your "run" will be declared a "DNF" (Did Not Finish), the worst possible outcome for a Solo II competitor.
A "run" consists of one or two circuits around the course, depending on the length. You will make a minimum of 4 runs and sometimes up to 8 runs at an event. This gives you plenty of opportunity to refine your skills. A run typically lasts between 1 and 2 minutes. You enter the course and start an electronic timer and exit the course to turn it off. Your time, plus any cone penalties, is posted, so you can compare your performance against those of your competitors. Competitors that are successful in Solo II learn car control and smooth driving that will make you a better driver on the road. All of this is done in a safe and friendly environment.
When you are not driving, you will be asked to "work the course". This simply means that you watch other cars navigate through the course, watching to see if they hit cones or drive off course. Working the course gives you the opportunity to see how other drivers navigate the course and the techniques that they use.
The cost of competing in Solo II can be very inexpensive. Entry fees for events are typically $20-$35 and you don’t have to be a member of the SCCA to enter. The level of car preparation is up to what you can afford, but is unnecessary to compete in Solo II in the Stock classification. If you are unsure about competing, you can always come and watch a Solo II event. You will just be asked to sign an insurance waiver. Finally, when you show up at your first Solo II event, you will find the other competitors friendly and always willing to help you "come up to speed."
If you are a member of the SCCA, you will be eligible to compete for year-end trophies through our Solo II Championship Series. In 1998, 18 drivers received year-end awards and we presented Rookie of the Year and Driver of the Year awards. The awards are presented at a banquet for all racing competitors in the Land O’Lakes region, so you can be recognized by not only other Solo II racers, but also road and rally racers.
In 1998, the Land O’Lakes region of the SCCA sponsored 11 Solo II events throughout our region. Events were held in the Twin Cities, LaCrosse, Sioux Falls, Mankato, Fairmont, and Rochester. In addition, a karting school was sponsored as a non-points event. Similar event schedules are planned every year and we are investigating additional events in other locations.
If you are interested in finding out more information, you can call the Land O’Lakes Region Solo II Chair, Tom Fisk at (507) 281-2678 (e-mail tomfisk@home.com) or check out the Solo II section of our website at www.scca-lol.org. More detailed information about Solo II and autocross can be found on the web. For starters, you can go to www.autocross.com which has links to many sites that contain documents for beginners.
