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I have participated in autocross and some solo events where I am currently located, but I will be moving to the area at the end of the month. I would love to get back into some of these events and in particular get in on a few road course events. Where do I need to be looking and who do I need to contact in order to not miss out on these events? I see the 1st event isn't until mid march, so I will have time to get involved. I am having trouble renewing my SCCA membership, and I need to know what other licenses I will need in order to run on the road courses. PDX events are where I want to be and I'm not sure what licenses and schools I need to attend and when the dates are to get started. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Just an aside: 2007 Corvette

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Chad O'Rourke

start with the region web site stlscca.org

We are starting a monthly social events this year. They are a variation on the traditional monthly business meeting, with out the formality. The first one is Feb 15.

welcome to St. Louis

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Bryan S.
StL. Solo School Chair
91 Miata ES
2010 plans: few events on rock hard street tires to teach the 15 year old how to drive : )
04 Forester XT, 00 Golf, 08 Scott Speedster S30

Yeah I've been there and had a look around, and I see the schedules, but I don't see the schooling schedules or if they are even required for PDX events. I wont be in town till the 22nd so I wont be able to be at the meeting on the 15th. I want to be able to step into some AutoX and PDX events when I get there tho. I see alot of ppl on here talking about hitting some school and they pretty much make it sound mandatory. The schedules and costs of those and pointing me torwards that info is what I am looking for.

 

-Chad

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Chad O'Rourke

Hi Chad, and welcome to St. Louis.  I believe the school you're referring to is the Solo Novice School on March 13th.  This is for autocrossing and is not required, but is a great way to get a jump start on the season.  It is limited to those that have participated in five or fewer events.

If you are interested in PDX, you've come to the right place.  The St. Louis PDX program has been extremely successful and is a model for others around the country.  You do not need a special license or school to participate.

I am the Novice Chief this year for the Solo program and will be helping at the Solo Novice School.  I will be happy to help you get started in any way I can, as would just about anyone else that you ask.  I think you'll find that most everybody here will go out of their way to help.

Look forward to meeting you.

Tom Sotiropoulos

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Tom Sotiropoulos
#20 BS red RX-8
formerly ES '90 Miata "Crusty"

Chad,

You can step into the autocross events as soon as you get here. (Autocross does pre-registartion and walk ins) The PDX events registration opens around 2/15 (both are on www.motorsportsreg.com )

You can get a temp membership to play on the autocross lot or the PDX track until  you get a full SCCA membership.  PDX nor autocross require andy license to come play.

For PDX events the 1st one is April 15 (Thursday afternoon) and the PDX website is www.stlpdx.com - No worry - we will get you on the track

We will have the "socials" each month" in March is it the 15th - so you can come and discuss Club Racing and other stuff then. 

And........................ WELCOME we are glad to have you.  (getting someone with a car addiction to transfer to our region is great!) We have a great step program for addicts, Autocross, PDX, RallyX, Road Rally, Club Racing, Performance Rally, and maybe even Drfiting soon!

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Jan Rick
Make it Easy - Make it Fun!
Don't take life to seriously, no one gets out alive anyway.
www.soloperformance.com

Welcome.  I am an autocrosser and PDX instructor.  As far as PDX, when you come to an event it is your school with both classroom sessions and lots of track time.  Once you've done some PDXs you can move to intermediate level and drive by yourself.  However, I would encourage you to always take an instructor and get different points of view to start your sessions.  At PDX we have some champion road racers and champion-level autocrossers as instructors and they all have things to offer to make you a better driver.  The STL PDX program has been a model for other programs around the nation.  You will not be disappointed.

As far as autocross, I would suggest you do a solo school because it puts you miles ahead of trying to do it yourself.  You can always develop bad habits trying to do it yourself.  Just ask me about that.  But, like Tom mentioned, it is not mandatory.
 

Look forward to seeing you out.  What are you driving? 

 

 

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Dr. Kyle Langley (and his alter ego Champ Winner)
2009 National Tour Eastern States Champion - FS
2009 SPS/R&S Midwest Division Champion - FS
2008/2009 STL Region Champion - FS
2008 STL Region Solo Rookie of the Year

This is the information I was looking for. Autocross wise I dont really care about instructors. I dont compete seriously, as I am just out there for fun. Can't really stretch the vette's legs out in those. A PDX on the other hand I would love to get an instructor in the car with me. Is there a cost associated with this or is it just a get and go sort of thing? I am familiar with the cost of events during a autox (about 30bucks), but what is the cost on the PDX events? I see some of your events are at Gateway. Surely this costs more than 30 bucks...or not? I will look forward to getting in some high speed trial times when I get there.

 And since you asked: Updated a signature with vehicle info

Thanks

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Chad O'Rourke

Autocross is $30 and we are the Gateway drag lot near the Wallace Bothers Grand Stand.

PDXs have two prices (Jan correct me if things have changed).  We do the all day weekend sessions for $250.  And the Wednesday weekday sessions go from about 3 'til dark for $150.  In either case you will drive until you are exhausted or out of gas or both.  I have driven both a C6 Corvette and a Shelby GT in both places and it is a blast!  I slept well those nights because I was exhausted.

As far as your Vette, in both venues we have some great Vette people.  Some of the best around.  They will help you a lot especially at AX events.  Ask them to ride with you and you with them to learn all you can (for free!).  Carla, Chuck, Mike, Jeff, Bruce and others.  Ask for them and introduce yourself.  They were the crew I originally hooked up with when I started AXing two years ago.  Then I switched to Ford and now they won't talk to me! 

Did you check out stlpdx.com?  Go there and check things out to make sure your helmet is current for PDX and for other info.  Have fun!  Looks like you have the car for it!

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Dr. Kyle Langley (and his alter ego Champ Winner)
2009 National Tour Eastern States Champion - FS
2009 SPS/R&S Midwest Division Champion - FS
2008/2009 STL Region Champion - FS
2008 STL Region Solo Rookie of the Year

As I have never done PDX and only autocross, what is the policy for passengers? At autocross I could just scoop up a passenger and take em for a spin. What is the policy for PDX tho? Supposing I have learned what I can with the instructors, can I scoop up a passenger and go a few laps? Is there an age restriction? 17y/o cousin wants to go things like that.

 

I did manage to see the stlpdx site and it had some good info in there but the rest of my questions seem to be getting answered here:p

 

In any case thanks for all the good info and Ill see you at the 1st AutoX available when i get in town!

 

 

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Chad O'Rourke

Welcome Chad,

Just a plug.  Unless you have been at 5 autox events you can still go to the novice school.  You get plenty of seat time and you will have a great time and learn something.  So if you can, you should, as it is a lot of seat time for your $.

Not sure about PDX, but you have to be 12 or older to ride along in Autox (only one passenger at a time).  You have to have a minor waver signed by both parents (if they can't be there to sign it then they have to get it notarized).  Here is the link to the form... http://www.scca.com/documents/insurance/SCCAminorwaiver.pdf  Note that it must be printed in color.  Hope to see you there.

God Bless,

Jeff

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We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience.
We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.

Midwest Christian Motor Sports (Let Faith Drive You!)
http://mcma.1.forumer.com/index.php

Sorry, PDX events do not allow passengers.

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Tom Sotiropoulos
#20 BS red RX-8
formerly ES '90 Miata "Crusty"

PDX only allows passengers with Instructors and they are called "Ride Alongs" and they are purchased.  Putting a 17 year on the track makes the SCCA risk management toss and turn at night.  But SCCA has made it possible for them drive at PDX with some paperwork they have to do with the SCCA National Office,  The can also do Club Racing too. 

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Jan Rick
Make it Easy - Make it Fun!
Don't take life to seriously, no one gets out alive anyway.
www.soloperformance.com