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| Beginner Racer (United States) |
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I guess this can double as an introduction as well. My name is Jesse and was born an raised in Berks county, I'm currently a student at Millersville right now. I've always liked car since I was young, I liked to play racing games and have had a fascination for manual transmission as well. I would like to get into some amateur racing, I guess autocross is a good start, the Duryea looks pretty awesome. My current car right now is a 2000 VW Jetta, heavy and fwd, not the best for motorsport. I will probably get an e30 325i over the summer.
I've done some research and it appears the minimum equipment I need is a helmet for starters in autocross. From what I saw, a rollbar/rollcage, multipoint harness, full safety suit, fire extingusher as well as a helmet are required as well as some SCCA licenses.
I don't have much free time while in school but I'll be out of school at the beginning of next month so maybe I could come to a meeting or event. I may have already seen some of you if you have ever gone to the Deutsche Classic, a german car show held in Fleetwood, organized by a Reading local. I know the promoter and help with setup and take photos during the day of the event. |
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| Re: Beginner Racer (United States) |
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Welcome Jesse,
Our next meeting will be Wed., April 15 at the Works at Wyomissing. 6:30 we discuss hillclimb business, 7:30 general club business. 3rd Wed of most months after that. You're welcome to come on out.
We're working on more venues for autocross, stay tuned for more news. Here's a link to our most recent one: http://greaterreadingautoexpo.com/ . Philly region also has an active autocross schedule that some of our folks may be checking out this year.
If you're shopping for a helmet with autosport in mind be aware of the difference in ratings between motorcycle(M) and auto(SA) helmets. You are correct, hillclimbing has a greater demand for safety equipment, both car and driver. There's lots of folks here who can give you advice on that.
Thanks for checking in and hope to see you soon, if you register your address here, we'll get the current newsletter out to you.
---Jim L
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| Re: Beginner Racer (United States) |
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HI Jesse
Welcome Aboard!!Here is a link to the PA HILL CLIMB ASS. Hill Climbing 101
http://www.pahillclimb.org/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=4
If you not ready to race you can always come out and work a corner and have the best seat in the house!!! Looking forward to seeing you on the Hill or the Track. |
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| Re: Beginner Racer (United States) |
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WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE JETTA IS NOT THE BEST FOR MOTOR SPORTS? Beats the jap junk! (just kidding)
There is a former Millersville Professor that races with us, Dr Wise. We all know him as Gordon the Great. He lives in Mt Gretna and races a VW Golf in club racing and a 3rd Gen RX7 in Time Trials. He would be glad to be your mentor.
You just missed a great opurtunity to get started at a PDX track day down at Millville, NJ. We will have other oppurtunities coming up shortly including RALLYCROSS! Stay Tuned, come to the meetings, get involved. there are a lot of us who would be glad to help you get started.
Dave Y |
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| Re: Beginner Racer (United States) |
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@Jim
Unfortunately I cannot attend the meeting this month, wednesday nights I have classes, I guess I will see you guys on the 3rd wednesday in may then. I'll have to check out what the Philly group has to offer. I should be able to make the one in October. I have also done some research on a helmet. As of now I think I will get this one by Simpson. It has the Snell 2005 rating which I believe is the most current.
@John
I am definately interested in possibly working a corner at the hillclimb. I'm sure it will take a couple years until I have a car that will pass a tech inspection for the hillclimb.
@Dave
The Jetta is far from an ideal racing vehicle in my mind. I would bet the Wise's golf is of Mk I-III heritage, as they were still light back then. Another thing is that my Jetta has the 2.0 engine in it, for there is almost no aftermarket for. I couldn't even find an exhaust for it, tons of stuff for the vr6 and 1.8t though. I have found a ton of stuff for the e30.
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| Re: Beginner Racer (United States) |
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That looks like a good helmet, Jesse. One tip some of the folks here shared with me is to try them on before you buy. Not all heads or helmets are shaped the same. Simpson has a store in the Hershey area, I've got a copy here somewhere of their literature that includes helmet fitting tips. Susquehanna Motorsports in Fleetwood sells helmets and is affilliated with the club. There are circle track suppliers in the area too.
Regarding the aftermarket, don't feel your car has to be modified to the hilt to compete. Club racing is about driving skill and the class structure may favor stock with safety mods at the entry level. The best performance mod/dollar is driving skill. After you're involved you'll start to see opportunities to modify that work with the classes. Come on out to the hills and you'll see a wide range of technologies from daily drivers to all out race cars, each owner is having a blast.
Corner workers meet at the top of the hill around 7 or 7:30 for assignments, stay tuned for accurate info. I did my first 2 last year and wasn't sorry. Best seat in the house, lunch, an event tee shirt, a goody bag and a chance to be involved with other car people!
Good luck with school, when you've got the time we'll be here!
---Jim
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| Re: Beginner Racer (United States) |
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Gordan's Golf is a MK II. Right now the MKIII Golf is the Hottest thing in ITB with the 2.0. I don't know where you have been looking but there is a ton of racing stuff for the MKIV. As a matter of fact I have a used set of coilovers if you want to get started. The cams are all over the place but not legal for ITB or FSP. Headers come cheap with the Pacesetter brand but I'd go with the much more expensive Tectonics stuff. Lots of chips available which is perfectly legal.
You name it, I can get it for you or help you find it. I wish I could put you in touch with the PDX students that went with me for a track ride in my bone stock, MKIII Jetta, 2.0 automatic on overinflated 175-75-14 tires with 4 people in the car and tell me it won't perform.
Come on out and we will get you started, watching, working, racing, whatever.
Dave Y |
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| Re: Beginner Racer (United States) |
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Just a helmet update,
I was at the tech seminar at Susquehanna Motorsports saturday, tried on the Zamp helmets while I was there. Nice range of prices from $180 and up, SA rated. Website here - http://www.rallylights.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=329
They're also offering a $50 store credit to anyone purchasing a hans device, might make sense to pick up both at the same time.
---Jim |
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