TGO lacks any kind of rules and classifications for anyone interested in either racing what they have or building a car to suit any particular autox class or roadrace venue.
I think it would be a good idea if anyone has current rulebook info on any type of racing (even drag racing) so someone of novice experience has a better idea for competing in appropriate classes.
Example: F-stock allows such and such mods, ESP allows these such and such mods,etc...anything else will bump you to the next according class.I used to race years back and know from experience that when you are involved in any such racing you generally have the basic knowledge, but the beginner will generally not be equipped with knowledge that often the regulars just seem to think everybody knows. Heck, its been years and even I do not entirely remeber whats legal for what.
I think thisd would promote much more generated talk and participation of TGO members in the autox and roadrace venues rather than refering them over to FRRAX like so many have gone. It just seems no existent here on TGO.

 

Buy a rule book

 

And its an answer like that way TGO losses so many prospective racers to FRRAX.

A 'potential beginner is not likely to run out and purchase an SCCA license and buy a rulebook if they were only looking first to have a quick weekend of fun and a better understanding of how their particular car could fall into a category. Alot of people may want to just try their skills at something once in a great while without laying out money on a rulebook and license they may never use. You do not need a license nor do you need a rulebook to at least try your hand at it for fun- but would still like to fall in with other cars with likeness of modifications for fairness even though points are not desired.

I guess TGO moderators miss the point and will continue to loose potential posters on racing subjects.

 

A potential beginner also isn't going to jump right into class racing. If you want to race in a particular class or venue, then you buy a rulebook to tell you what you can or can't do. Doesn't matter what type of racing you want to do. Even the bone stock, street legal cars that go run in street legal bracket races need to know the rules. Too many cars show up at the track with something simple like the battery relocated in the rear only to be refused entry because their car doesn't pass tech.

Chances are you're a long way from needing any sort of competition license. A rulebook is cheap. You spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a car and you won't spend $10 for a rulebook?

 

I’m with HPE here…, especially with autox type stuff where classes may not allow certine modifications so it’s reasonable that a beginner getting involved, and not seriously racing would be helped a lot with this kind of info and not really have a use rule book. Just to keep themselves potentially legal in the future with whatever they do to the car.

I could think of tons of other reasons also. For example, there are plenty of people out there that will build a fast car but have no intension of drag racing it every weekend, but might want know what they’d be required to have if they went to say an IHRA track…

 

I've seen someone not pass tech at an autocross because they had a broken wheel stud (1 of 4).

I think this is part of what HPE is talking about. Believe it or not, there are some very lazy members on these boards whose last thought it to go look for a rule book themselves as cheap as they may be, or even use the search feature.

I know that drag racing (NHRA/IHRA) requirements for running vary from track to track, but the main stuff I imagine stays the same (helmet/cage/antifreeze rules etc)
Basic autocross rules apply everywhere too (Snell helmet, tight battery holddown etc)

As far as the classes go, someone building their car to the extent of the rules definetly needs to buy the rule book. But for someone who wants to see what class their car falls into, HPEs suggestion would be very helpful. Maybe even make it a sticky.

 

I can hear the responses now.... "I must be legal Thrirdgen.org said so". I'd stay away from that for legality reasons.

 

Stephen, I personally know where my car falls into- And yes I am an old autox vetran. Hence why I made the suggestion to try and help TGO promote more talk around here-Its generally the racers that are naive about the newbies needing help and just assume everyone else knows all that stuff.I tried to help.