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Solo

2012 Schedule		What is Solo
Site Maps		Novice Tips
Supplementals		No Shows
Contact Solo Chair		National Rules

Important Minor (under 18) Waiver information

Letter From The Chairman - 02/08/2012

The Solo season is almost upon us! Our first scheduled event is March 25th, so I hope everyone has been taking advantage of the unusually warm winter to get their cars and minds ready for the upcoming season. There are a few things I want to open discussion about regarding this year, so grab a beer and here we go...

First of all, I have asked Eric Brown to be my assistant this year. Since I moved out of Wichita last year, it has been difficult to make it to some of the meetings for the club. Eric will be the face of our Solo program at many of those meetings this year, and he has the drive and enthusiasm that our program needs to stay successful in 2012. If you need to contact someone about the Solo program, Eric or I will be available to take care of things.

Just like last year, we are only counting a person's top 10 finishes toward season points. There are 14 scheduled events, so you don't have to feel obligated to go to all of them, but you can pick the ones that work the best for your personal schedule. We are also trying to work out a series with the Salina Region in which we would hold an event here and invite their members to come down to join us, and they would hold an event that does the same. Participants would get points for driving, with additional points granted for finishing position; the region with the most points wins. It's just a fun way to gain a little exposure for both of our regions. Expect those events sometime in the middle of the season.

You may recall that last year there were two separate PAX index listings on the results, one for actual PAX based on class and another for those who were running street tires in a class that normally uses some sort of race compound tire. This street tire PAX proved to be very popular, even at the divisional level and across the country. For 2012, I will be introducing a new local class called Street Tire Pax, in which competitors can run a stock class vehicle to the full extent of the class rules except that they must be on true street tires with a treadwear rating of 140 or above. To calculate times, we will take the actual time multiplied by the regular PAX index factor and the street tire index factor of 0.975. By doing this, we can compare cars from any class to each other. This class will allow those who want to run in stock class without the expense of R-compound tires to do so.

One of the biggest bottlenecks to our events was the process of getting registered, both online pre-registration and final registration the morning of the event. We are working on a way to streamline this process so that a person can pre-register online with confidence and have a very short process at the event. This will save us time and allow us to start on time.

The entry cost for events is going up slightly for 2012 to $25 for members. However, as an incentive to help our process by pre-registering, I will honor the old $20 entry fee for those who do.

I also want to ease the process of tech inspections. We often had an issue finding someone to do the tech responsibility at some of the events last year, and I want to change that. I would like to have at least one tech inspector volunteer ahead of time, just like we have event chairs and safety stewards. This person will need to be on site early enough to start tech of cars right after on-site registration starts. We may need to have a tech inspection class to get more people certified to fill this role, and we can do this fairly quickly, even on the same date as one of our events. The more we have, the more likely the role will be filled and we can start on time.

I've mentioned "starting on time" a few times, and that is one of the bigger changes I am making for 2012. For the past few years, we have been starting the events at 11:00, which means most of us have to dedicate almost a whole day to the events. People also don't generally like being on the hot pavement during the hottest part of the day, so for this year, I am proposing that we make our start time one hour earlier: 10:00. That would mean on-site registration closes at 9:30, drivers meeting is at 9:45, and first car out is at 10:00. It seems that most people were on site last year in plenty of time for this, and we started at this time with no issues for years until recently.

Several people have expressed interest in getting kids involved with the junior kart program, but many of them have noted that it is somewhat cost-prohibitive to register themselves and a child or two for any event; as a parent with two kids involved, I know exactly what they mean. I don't want this is to be the reason that kids are staying away from the program, so for 2012 I am giving a discount to kids who are entering the events. They must have memberships, but I am making their entry fee just $10, which only covers the club expenses per driver. I hope this will encourage those who are thinking about it to continue looking into getting more kids involved.

Lastly, I am making an official call to request volunteers for the events in the positions of event chairs, safety stewards, and tech inspectors. Take a look at the schedule that is posted on the website (www.wichitascca.org) and find a date that enables you to help out. Just as in the past, if we don't have positions filled, we don't have an event.

As always, I am open for discussion on any of this, and I welcome any comments that you may have about anything. If you know of someone in the club or elsewhere who is not on this mailing list and should know about the information in this message, please forward it to them so we can get the word out. This is not my program; it is your program that I am helping to guide. If you would like to see something that is not here or have an idea to make our club better, please let me know either privately or as a reply to all on this list.

Thanks,
Mike Herrick
Wichita Region SCCA
Solo Chairman
Solo Youth Steward

Sites are subject to change depending on availability.

2012 Schedule (14 possible events)

Dates are subject to change depending on AVRG races and MidDiv Divisional Solos.

Sites are subject to change depending on availability.

Month	Day	Event	Location	Chairs	Safety	Tech
Mar	25	Solo	Yoder
Apr	15	Solo	Yoder
	29	Solo	Yoder
May	13	Solo	Yoder
	27	Solo	Yoder
Jun	24	Solo	Yoder
Jul	8	Solo	Yoder
	29	Solo	Yoder
Aug	12	Solo	Yoder
Sep	9	Solo	Yoder
	23	Solo	Yoder
Oct	7	Solo	Yoder
	21	Solo	Yoder
Nov	4	Solo	Yoder

What Is Solo?

For a GREAT graphical explanation, please follow the link to viewRandy Hickman's presentation on the Rocky Mountain Region's website.  Then come back and read our boring words for more information.

Solo, (formerly known as Solo II), also called autocrossing, slalom or gymkhana, is rapidly becoming one of the hottest and most popular amateur motorsports in the country. The courses, usually set up on large parking lots or unused runways, are a diabolical collection of turns and straights marked by orange rubber traffic pylons. Under Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) rules, you compete by yourself against the clock at speeds that normally do not exceed typical highway driving speeds. Since it is very safe, you should feel comfortable driving a Solo, but you've probably never had a rush like the courses produce.

With very few exceptions, almost any type of car or pickup can enter a Solo. You don't need to worry about competing against that Porsche 911 in your family station wagon because cars are divided into classes with similar abilities as yours. For example, a stock Camaro will be grouped with stock Firebirds and Mustangs. Your Civic is in the same class as a Sentra. You don't have to have a racing car. SCCA has classes that cover everything from Formula racing cars to, if you can find one running, a Yugo. The registration folks can find someone to help you determine which class you should be in.

Solo Pre-Registration:

If you plan to compete in the next Solo event, please take a moment to pre-register. Pre-registration for each event is usually open two weeks prior to the event date, and closes the Friday evening before the event.

Things you will need for a Solo:

• A car. While they don't have to be street-legal, every car must pass a safety tech inspection before being allowed to compete. The inspection covers things like making sure your battery is tied down securely, your brakes and steering work, everything that can fly around inside the interior or trunk is removed, etc.
• A Snell approved helmet. If you don't have one, we have loaner helmets available.
• A willingness to use up your tires.
• All persons in attendance must sign an SCCA Waiver

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Tips for the Novice Solo Driver

Tire Rack Solo II Novice Handbook

"OK, Now What?" You've heard everybody talk about Solo and decided to try it. Like everyone else driving for the first time, you probably feel a little lost. "What am I supposed to do now?" Below are some tips to help you get started. But be forewarned; if you do it once, you'll be hooked! If you're still totally confused, just look around at any event and try to find someone who looks like they might know what they're doing. They will be more than happy to help, even if they're lost too!

One of the first things to be addressed is safety. SCCA and the Wichita Region are very proud of their safety record. That's probably because people are thinking about it all the time. The course has been designed following stringent safety rules directed by SCCA to protect both people and property. Please follow all these rules. One thing of special note is to always keep vehicle speeds below 5 MPH when you are not actually on the course.

"I'm here at the right place and the right time. Now what?" Hopefully, you got to the event site before the first car went out around 10:00. This gives you a chance to go out and walk the course to figure out where it goes, pick your driving lines, etc. And yes, after your first time around the course, you'll know what I'm talking about. You'll be saying, "If I take that curve about four feet to the left of that cone I can take a half-a-second off my time."

The first thing is to get registered. See all the people congregated around the white trailer? That's where you need to go. The registration process is fairly simple, and is open from 8:30am to 10:00am.

Sign the waivers. The Sports Car Club of America has a form to be signed, and if the event is at Boeing, they also have a separate form. Everyone must sign the waivers, including guests that have come to watch you have all this fun. You'll each get a wristband to let the event officials know you have signed the waivers.

Fill out a "TECH INSPECTION" sheet. Please fill out the top portion LEGIBLY and completely. If you don't know the class of your vehicle, have the Tech Chief find someone that can get you classed properly. More on the tech sheet later.

Pay your entry fee. 2008 fees are $20.00 SCCA members / $35.00 non-members.  Special events may be slightly higher.

"What do you mean work?" While you are handing over your hard-earned dollars, the registrar will want to know which heat you want to run and which heat you want to work. Yep, that's part of the bargain. Since we are an all-volunteer organization, we need lots of help. Work usually consists of going out on the course and picking up cones that everybody else knocks down. Just come to the trailer right before your assigned heat and someone that looks official will let you know where you're supposed to be. Not working results in disqualification, but working more than one heat is greatly appreciated and gets you out where the action is going on!

If you're not into chasing cones, or just want to do more to help out, ask about helping with Registration, Timing & Scoring, Announcing, Tech Inspection or Safety. We can always use more help in these areas, and you'll get to know a lot of great people. But, be aware that working any of these special jobs instead of working the course means that you'll be working at least two heats, usually more… but it's some of the most fun "work" you'll ever do. Some of these jobs also require a bit of training, skill and/or talent. We have people who are willing and able to teach.

"What am I supposed to do with this tech sheet?" After you register, they'll give you your tech sheet. Open your hood and put the sheet under your windshield wiper. Someone else official looking (or not) will come along and "tech" your car. Here is what we look for:

• Battery: make sure your battery is tied down securely.
• Brakes: brakes work well and don't lose pressure when held down.
• Exhaust (noise): must not be excessively loud.
• Helmet: helmets must be certified Snell M90 or SA90 or newer and must fit properly. If you don't have one, don't worry - we have lots of loaner helmets.
• Seat Belts: must work properly.
• Steering: must work (obviously!) and not have excessive play.
• Tires: must not have any cord showing.
• Trunk: must have anything not firmly attached removed. Spare tires and/or jacks can remain if they are secure.
• Wheels: must have 4 (duh). Actually he'll be checking that all lug nuts are on and secure, wheels are not cracked, missing studs etc.
• Other things: General condition of the car (no major oil leaks, stuff like that). The interior of the car must be completely empty - including floor mats. This is to make sure that there is no chance of anything getting stuck below the brake or accelerator pedals.

When the technical inspection of your car is complete, take the card back to the registrar and pay your entry fee. You're ready to go!!

How the day goes: Setup starts between 6:00 and 7:00 (Yes, you're invited to help if you want, and you can learn a lot by doing so!). The driver's meeting is usually around 9:30. Depending on the number of entries and how smoothly things go, we'll run until anywhere between 2:00 and 6:00.

The actual driving part: Each heat consists of a maximum of 20 cars. Shortly before your driving heat, the announcer may (or may not!) call to have the next drivers line up in the pre-stage area. Go ahead and line up in numerical order (be sure your car number is clearly marked on your car) just before the last car has run in the previous heat. You'll start out with one very low speed "parade lap" for course familiarization and come back to the staging area. Now the real fun begins! Make sure you follow the starters directions on when to enter the course and drive like you never have before (at least not legally). But stay away from those cones! Each cone you knock down is a 2-second penalty. Since we have had classes won by as little time as 1/1000 of a second, two seconds is forever! Also keep an eye out for course workers waving red flags. If you see a red flag, don't think, just STOP! (assuming you aren't being red-flagged due to a problem with your car, you will get to start the run over again) You will normally have a minimum of 3 timed runs (the number of runs will be announced at the driver's meeting). When you complete your last run, slowly exit the course and return to the paddock area.

If you're wondering how you're doing against the competition (or who you have to beat), there are sheets posted (usually near the trailer) that have everyone's times posted on them. After the last car has run, course teardown begins. Most people like to help with the teardown because it helps us get to the trophies quicker! Yes, trophies (and door prizes). Trophies are given to the top finishers in each class. And don't assume that because your time may have been slower that a lot of cars, you won't get one. You don't have to beat everyone, just the others in your class! And make sure you check with the registrar to get the "yellow" copy of your tech sheet. This will have your times on it, so you'll want to have it framed!

Entering a Wichita Region Solo event will also get you on the mailing list to receive the next copy of our monthly newsletter, "The Wail". This will have the complete event results in it, plus a lot more. But remember, if you're not a Wichita Region member, and we can't read the name and address on your tech sheet… we can't send you the newsletter.

Car setup tips: Other than the above safety items, there isn't really a whole lot to it. Tire pressure is probably the most important thing you can do. DO NOT run your tires at a lower than normal pressure! This is extremely dangerous. With the way these courses are set up, you get better traction running somewhat higher pressures. Here are the pressures that some of our "old timers" run in their tires, but make sure you don't exceed the maximum rated pressure listed on the side of your tires: 3300 lb. RWD - 42 front / 40 rear 3600 lb. FWD - 42 front / 36 rear 2170 lb. RWD - 42 front / 35 rear 2100 lb. FWD - 42 front / 35 rear. One of the best setup tips is to find someone that has a car similar to yours. They will probably give you more tips than you ever wanted to know! We're a great bunch of people and everybody there will help you in any way they can.

We're glad that you're going to join in the fun. With over 100 Regions and 50,000 SCCA members nationwide, you will be driving in some of the best motorsports available. And don't forget that the Wichita Region SCCA is not just Solo: we also have active road racing and rally programs. Just ask anybody about it. We'll be glad to help.

Solo Classes: Wichita Region offers the full range of "standard" Solo classes as defined in the SCCA Solo Rule Book. These classes include:

All of the above classes also have a complete set of parallel ladies' classes. In addition to those, we hope to allow a few people to have a little more fun by offering the following additional classes (details can be found in the Supplemental Rules):

Event Site Locations:

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Wichita Region Supplemental Solo Rules

Passengers - Minors:

• Minor passengers are allowed, provided they meet the age requirements in the Solo rule book.
• Minor passengers must have a "minor participant waiver" as well as the annual "minor guest waiver" signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• A safety official must ensure that the child has a properly fitting helmet and seat belt.
• 
  

Passengers - General:

• All competitors are permitted to ride with other competitors at any time. First heat drivers are given a warm-up run to compensate for not having the opportunity to ride prior to driving.
• Only one passenger per car.
  

Protests:

• Competitors are urged to discuss any issues they may have in a gentlemanly manner and avoid the protest process altogether, most drivers will voluntarily resign from competition if they learn that their car is not legal for the class. Any protests brought to an event official will be ruled upon by a panel consisting of the event chairman, the Solo chairman, a safety official and a tech inspector. All rulings are final until we change our minds.

Regional Classes: Classing will be according to National Solo rules except for:

Street Open (SO) - Any street legal and street-driven vehicle on street tires (treadwear 140 or greater).

Street Classic (SC) - Any street legal and street-driven two-seat production vehicle built before 1981 on street tires (treadwear 140 or greater) with maximum wheel width of 6". Must have a piston engine with no more than 6 cylinders.

Purpose: To allow drivers of classic sportscars that cannot be competitive in any of the current stock category classes a place to compete amongst themselves.

Formula Junior (FJR) - 5hp restricted Briggs karts, 8-11 year-old drivers.

Formula Junior 4-Stroke (FJ4) - 5hp unrestricted Briggs, 12-15 year-old drivers.

Formula Junior 2-Stroke (FJ2) - 100cc Yamaha karts, 12-15 year-old drivers.

Formula 125 (F125) - Any legal kart, drivers 16 and older.

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For more information contact: Solo Chair