New Guy

[Firm]

Hi, I just registered here on refferal from a guy I met(Greg) at work(emission testing) with a blue miata. Anyway I am interested in coming out to the next few autoslalom events...But I am really new to all this so I am here looking for a little guidance. I looked at the schedule of events on this site, I think I'll probably come to the next one as a spectator and then maybe participate in the next one.
Anyway, what I was wondering is since i am most likely not going to have a 'suitable' vehicle on the road would it be ok if I brought my stock(ish) 2000 GMC Sonoma ZQ8(factory lowered, bigger sway bars, close ratio steering box, etc.)??
I am working on a few projects, but given the cost of insurance for a young guy like me it's alot more affordable just to drive the truck. I've also got an 84 Camaro(not that I'd run that), a 78 MGB(pretty stock, 20,000 original miles) and I just got a 69 Lotus Europa(with a 16B rotary, and a bunch of suspension work...all done by the previous owner, I haven't really had a chance to look at it much yet). The MGB or Europa are really what I'd like to run in anything like this, but thats not gunna happen until I can afford to drive them...So do you think the truck would be ok? or will it kill the experience(being kinda big, and automatic, and a truck, lol) and I should just wait to get one of the other cars on the road?

Hope to get some advice from you guys...I realise this forum is more for honda people, but I don't know of many other local autoslalom related groups.

[nrg3k]

welcome to the forum - hope you can make an event soon!

most trucks are too tall to run in a slalom event - there is a chance you won't be able to run it. I'd recommend trailoring or towing one of the other vehicles you mentioned and running that. A number of people have trailored cars to events and those cars aren't registered for street use. Good luck with your projects!

DJM:>

[Firm]

Thanks, I'll definatly be out to an event or two...even if i am gunna just be a specatator....
hmm...I didn't realise that it didn't have to be insured/road registered to be allowed in. I might end up doing that. It would still be more convient if I could run the truck, I guess I could bring it to my first event and see what the officials say....I have heard of people running these trucks...I am not expecting it to be good, I just wanna get the feel for it with the vehicle i am most comfortable driving.....The other option would be using my g/f's 96 Firebird(v6), but it's not running so great right now.

http://photos-777.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v189/185/123/705415777/n705415777_779722_6585.jpg


You might be right about the height thing too though, wat do ya think?

[MilesM]

You might actually be OK with the truck. There's a Tacoma that runs in the WOSCA series that's been competing for a number of years safely. It's more the bigger, taller trucks that tend to be the big issue. The last thing you want to do or we want to see is the thing to roll over - that's why there's a height min. I'm sure someone will look up what the min CASC height is and a quick web search on the spec could tell us if the truck will qualify. U-haul rents tow dollies for really cheap so that might be another option since your truck could easily tow another car.

[engsr]

Hi "Firm":

According to the CASC-OR rulebook, there's no minimum height requirement, from what I can see anyway. Here's what the rulebook states about vehicle eligibility:

5.1. Basic Vehicle Eligibility

To qualify to be eligible to compete in an Autoslalom event in Ontario, each vehicle must comply with the following minimum requirements:

Have a minimum wheelbase (measured between front and rear wheel centers) of 152 cm (60 inches), a minimum front and rear track of 107 cm (42 in.), and a minimum wheel diameter of 25.4 cm (10 in.)
Be propelled by its own means, running on at least four wheels not aligned, which must always be in contact with the ground, when the vehicle is stationary; the steering must be ensured by at least two wheels and the propulsion by at least two of the wheels;
Have a braking system that works on all four wheels simultaneously;
Have a structure and bodywork that surrounds and protects the driver at least to their waist level when seated in his normal driving position;
It must use only hydrocarbon based gasoline, diesel fuel, some gasoline/electric hybrids and some electric vehicles. It must use only fuels approved by Transport Canada for use in production consumer vehicles.
Oxygen or nitrogen bearing additives are not permitted (no Nitrous Oxide).5.2. Unsuitable Vehicles

Vehicles having high centers of gravity and/or relatively narrow track may be excluded from competition. Such vehicles may include sport-utility classed light trucks, off-road vehicles, vans, or any vehicle deemed incapable of safely executing typical AutoSlalom maneuvers at speed. Vehicles specifically excluded are;
Jeep CJ/YJ/TJ Series all years
SUZUKI Sidekick all years
SUZUKI Samurai all years.

We actually had an S10 at our first slalom, and there was no issue there. So it could be a judgement call on our part. The thing is our courses are generally smallish compared to other lots so I can't see any really higher speed turns where a roll-over could occur, but you never know, right?

Anyway, hope to see you at our next event.

[Firm]

Thanks alot guys....Like I said...I'll probably just come out to the next event as a spectator and see what the course is like and what not, then decide what to run in the following event. The only reason I am not sure on the whole towing another vehicle there is because is MGB hasn't been run all that much since I've owned it so I am not sure how it'll hold up to a little abuse. And I've onyl had the Europa a few weeks so it's still got a ton of bugs.
I am hopeing that before the Snow flies I can get a better winter vehicle(I hate driving the truck in the winter, not only does it suck in the snow, but I like it too much to ruin it) So I'll be trying to get something I small I can beat on, and use for stuff like this....maybe a civic, protege, Z24,etc.

[Matt]

Hello and welcome!

My advice: Just do it.

If you don't like it, go home. But you will. If you are a spectator you'll be sitting there all day saying "damn, i should have just paid the entry and tried it".

Autox is not hard on your car if it is stock on street tires. Just start slow so you aren't destroying your tires with understeer or overdriving the capabilities of whatever you bring out. By the end of the day you'll be going quickly and getting the hang of it and you'll be fully addicted and begin planning your stripped gutted trailed race car.

[ELeMental]

Welcome!

I second Matt's advice... why postpone the inevitable enjoyment? Autoslalom is only as smooth/rough on your car as you make it. The first few runs of your first event will be spent finding your way through the cones anyways, so it's probably a good idea to slow things down and build up speed/confidence throughout the day as you see fit.

[Firm]

cool, thanks for the advice guys :)

[Guillermo]

Come out and drive, it's just going to be a fun learning experience anyways so no need to wait. We have free driving coaches at the HADA autoslaloms that help newbies by giving them tips so they learn more quickly and have even more fun :D
Includes lunch!

[LeeW]

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2839/justdoitbysharadhaksarag2.jpg

[pigeon]

where'd you get my childhood pics from :(
lol