Auto-x around me is usually held monthly, and it's 30-40 bucks to participate. They have loaner helmets, and yes, you can have a passenger.

Here's where you start -

http://www.wdcr-scca.org/SoloAutocro...6/Default.aspx

 

You would have to ifnd local car clubs. I have no idea where you would go in Maryland.

Passengers are usually allowed depending on the track and the rules of the event.

Costs depend on location to location and who is hosting the event etc. They can be as low as $30 for autocross for the day to as high as $500 for some proper road courses with instuction (which is absolutely necessary for a first timer)

This weekend I drove my car 40 miles to the track 40 miles home and then to work on monday morning. As long as you are careful (ie dont go off track), there should be no reason why it cant serve as a daily driver and a track car. This Cobalt seems to do both very well.

 

They have a ton of events at Fed Ex field in Maryland(SCCA SOLO II) and also at the Cal Ripken field(not sure of the towns name). Just Google SCCA Solo 2 events in MD and you will see them.

 

Around here we have Solosprint...

SoloSprint is an entry level, low cost, grassroots motorsport organization in Ontario.

SoloSprint offers a car enthusiast the chance to take his/her car and driving skills to the limit in a safe and controlled environment among experienced racers and organizers.

The competition style is that of a single car time attack where it is only you against the clock, and the times of your competitors. You do not have to worry about other cars trying to pass you, or cut you in corners, it is a great way to safely get into motorsports.

A typical SoloSprint season will take you through Ontario's and Quebec's most popular racetracks, such as Shannonville Race Track, Mosport Grand Prix, Autodrome St.Eustache and many more!

The best part about SoloSprint is that its design allows for a person of any skill level and vehicle to participate, anything from a Hyundai Accent to a Dodge Viper, our multi-class system ensures that you have proper competition regardless of what you drive.

SoloSprint, take it to the track.

Please take the time to read "open track tips 101" http://www.norcal-saac.org/ot/primer.pdf

And I love you....

235's on stock wheels.

 

Lol. Exactly the size I am looking at too. I want 245's, since they are only $20 more, but I am afraid they will rub with my sportlines.

 

You are welcome

Aug23 we are back on Mosport again for MY last event for the season. I only need 6 for points

See you there...

Oh I've see those guys with the $1000 race suit & gloves and the "I am Better Than You" attitude too many times...lol

I love reading these little track stories!

Please keep them comming.

Glad to hear that man and thank you.

You know it buddy

 

I'm in Waterloo now, finishing up my last semester. We go to school in the summer because of our co-op option here in the Business Admin program at Laurier. TMP is Cayuga, right? If you let me know when you're going out I may come by. I'm debating going out to one of the Wednesday evening events later in the summer, but we'll see. Money is a little tight right now until I start working.

I'll be living in Toronto permanently come September, so I'll be able to make it out to more of these events.

 

I actually took a few courses through my local motor club. I only hit a few events last year, this year I am getting into it more.... I am finally starting to get my apexing proper and brake in time for the corner and not brake through it! I thought I was a real decent driver "driver mod yo!" until I took a couple performance driving courses, and sat in with some pro drivers. I also went to Jim Russell years ago and raced the formula 2000's.

On my last course, the instructor was blown away at the control of tc throught the switch backs, and how the back end can get tossed out a bit like a rwd. Very versitle car. I bought this to be my weekend track car and feel like I couldnt have got a better bang for my buck. I mean I really dont have to do anything with it other than tune up the brakes and buy more rubber. Im passing cars I never thought I would pass. What a rush it is to over take a much more track prepped car in my little chevy. My daily drivers are an 05 Mazda 3, and a 98 Grand AM (winter beater).

I may trade my mazda 3 in for a slightly used truck and buy a trailer now :P

 

Hey thanx guys! I'll look into the ripken Stadium, I know exactly where that is. I pass it on my way to work all the time. Its in the city of Aberdeen by the way.

 

Yeha I went through a similar thing when I was in school not so long ago... I know how it feels haha.

Friday nights at TMP is $80 for four hours, so if you can save up that + a tank of gas you are good to go.

 

venom09, One of the locals here I do solo sports with was at this event while on vacation in Ontario. He posted a link to some pics and I saw your car.

Here it is, if you havent already seen them

http://www.rescues313.com/gallery/88...83433367_NmWcd

Here too

http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gall...nt5/?g2_page=9

 

Thanks for the links, there were a few shots of Sonia Tanney that I haven't seen yet.

Who was your buddy and how did he do?

Official results.

My car: #333 Grand Touring 3 (GT3)
http://www.soloontario.com/events/2009/2009_5.html

 

Tim Dine, there was another local there too not sure who it was though. He loved the track. It was his first time too. I guess it is pretty intimidating there haha.

 

Thats putting it mildly.

 

The car may be living up to the scribes' reviews, but you're also a very good driver. Would appear that you have good feel for the car and the track(s) you're on. Nice to see those high power cars get so far ahead on the straight and by the end of the twisty bits, you're looking for a way around them. I've had some good luck with the Neon (I always lose to a particular E46 M3, too) but by the time I was competitive, I was one of the big power cars, so it wasn't handling performance and certainly not driver ability like you've displayed. (youtube subscribed!) Good stuff bro.

And you are still stock w/ no tune?

oh yeah, lol @ "We'd like to look at your car for 'classification purposes.'" Thanks for setting the curve that we'll all be graded against...

 

Thanks for the compliment.
Just for the record, I have also instructed numerous Solosprint students in advance driving plus I am an instructer for Durham BMW's Advance Driving Schools.

This little Cobalt is an instructors dream IMHO. I took a student out (owner of a M90 M3) in the Cobalt to show him the racing line and he was blown away by the cornerspeeds of this car.
My Cobalt is still untuned.

Here is a pic of the cars I played with on the track yesterday (July 17)
Quess how the little Cobalt did.

 

I'm going to guess you showed that IS taillights all day long and hung reasonably well with the 'Vette.

 

Were you oval racing? Cos that might change my answer, lol. Not knowing the drivers' skills or their familiarity w/ track and capability, I'd probably say the same as Force. Of course, if that Z06 is as skittish as I've heard and you ran a lot of decreasing radius turns, I'm betting on you.

Man, that white four door looks so good but I just wish the back end had a bit of differentiation like the coupe. When/If I get the SS, I'm going to have to get a coupe for this reason plus the reconfig display. I tested a white sedan and the two mods that struck me were 1) pricing out coupe taillights, trunk, and rear fascia to do a swap onto the sedan (certainly looks like a direct fit) and 2) installing the coupe's display and wiring. Man I would loveto not be the first one to do these.......... who volunteers to be the pioneer?

Last q is: have you noticed any loss of torsional rigidity vs. the coupe? I've seen a cpl of guys post they feel chassis flex in the sedan. Thoughts? Sorry for thread jack.

 

Crap I was just watched the video of Venom vs viper. Whoever is driving the viper sucks as a driver I hardly ever seen him hit the apex of the corner. Dont get me wrong venom is a good driver but you could see all the mistakes the viper was making. Cool video dude.

 

A fellow 4Door SS kicking ass at the track!

 

Good quess! That IS was just not fast enough hehe.

No, this was on the DDT (Mosport Driver Development Track)
And I do not think I have enough experience to comment on the tosional rigidity of these cars, sorry. All I can say is that the Sedan feels pretty darn solid.

That Viper sure is a handfull on the track and hitting all the apexes is VERY hard, trust me I know. He is my best friend.

The two cars(the red M3 and the Z06) in my next vid enjoy.




And the highlight of the year for me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKC9FNn01Kg

 

I think he pushed a little too hard there haha (red carJ)

 

Yep, two cars went of trying to outrun the little Cobalt on this day. Unfortunately I do not have the other one on video hehe. It was a 03 Z06 BTW.

 

Solosprint Event#6 Mosport GP

1st in class and new laprecord for GT3 in the little cobalt.

Warm up vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyrtra6D0I4

 

Been waiting for that update all day!!

Congrats Riaan, that makes you the GT3 Champ doesnt it?

Also what was the time??? 1:38?