Please excuse my Ignorance,but could someone explain it to me.In this country there is much weekend racing on circuits.Is it the same thing?What sort of speeds are attained,Do Camaro's race against other types and how do they compare?I'm very interested in this type of thing so any help would be gratefully received.

 

Sports car type racing, usually in a big parking lot or something with cones to mark the course, and occasionally at road course race tracks. It's the type of racing around here most similar to what mostly goes on over there.

They do have classes for the cars, divided up by weight, power, mods, etc. Speeds vary widely depending on the details of the course, but generally are relatively low (lap average speed 40-60 mph, top speed less than 90 mph). More a handling / turning / braking type of thing than pure speed.

 

I believe it's called "Solo II" by SCCA.

It's lotsa fun, I just did my first autocross the other weeked.

 

Here is a few sites to check out on the topic.

http://www.autocross.com/
http://www.scca.org/amateur/solo2/index.html
http://mouton.best.vwh.net/sccasolo/index.shtml

 

Yeah, I believe they're also known as 'slalom' events.

Usually a single-car-at-a-time time trial event run over a short course of (60) seconds or so. Most often set in large parking lots, but also on real race tracks, and some times airport taxiways.
Each car gets from 3 to 5 runs, against the clock, for Fastest time, both in-class, and overall. I've seen many stock Mazda Miata's take fastest time out right, over some really heavy machinery.

On the east coast, speeds usually top out around 50-60 mph, unless it's an unusually fast course, which might see some 70's (generallly at dedicated motorsport facilities)

Cars are grouped by power/size/design, ie: F-Stock is Camaros, Firebirds, Mustangs, Turbo Mitsubishi Eclipses and 6-cyl BMW 3series
Most events are scored on what's called the PAX system, where points are awarded, based on your time and your class.
Example, a 50 second run in an E-Prepared Lotus Seven might get the same amout of PAX points as a 55 second run by an H-Stock Honda Civic.

Camaros fare very well, thank you. The F-stock and E-Street Prepared classes where they compete are very fast, and very competitive, especially in the Midwest and the West, where courses tend to be longer and faster than on the East Coast.

 

its the quarter mile track for handling i guess

sounds like fun i might try it one day, their is a track around my way that does that kinda stuff....

 

The turbo DSM cars and I6 3-series BMW's are in a different class in stock. In street prepared, the turbo DSM's are in the same class as F Bodies and Mustangs, though.

Pat, autox nerd

 

My bad I was thinking of ESP, 'cause that's where I run.

 

The few I've been to are about 3/4 mile and last between 40 and 60 seconds