Solo Competition
Solo, also known as Autocross, has been the grassroots of motorsports activities for more than 30 years. Competitors run one-at-a-time (hence the term "Solo"), against the clock, through a road course lined by traffic cones on a low hazard location, such as a parking lot or inactive airstrip. While speeds are usually no greater than those normally encountered in legal highway driving, the combination of concentration and car feedback creates an adrenaline pumping experience.
Over 1000 Regional and Divisional level Solo events are held across the country at the local shopping center, airport and stadium parking lots or where ever competitors can find a large amount of pavement or concrete to layout their courses. The sport attracts ordinary sports and sports-type cars used for daily transportation as well as heavily modified vehicles used for racing purposes only. A helmet is required for competitors, but loaner helmets are available.
Several National Solo Series offer top level competition from across the country. Starting Line Schools are a partnership between the Sports Car Club of America and Tire Rack to give automotive enthusiasts a professional, all-inclusive entry into the world of performance driving. The ProSolo Series features two cars on a side-by-side drag-strip start, leading to separate mirror-image courses. National Tours, Divisional competition and the National Solo Championships, which attracts 1000+ drivers, round out competition levels for everyone.
THERE IS A LEVEL OF SOLO COMPETITION FOR EVERY PERSON AND EVERY CAR!!!
Whether you are a complete novice and drive a 4-door Ford Escort or a veteran racer in a Dodge Viper, the SCCA Solo rules classify the full range of imported and domestic sports cars, sedans and all-out racing cars. The various classes offer MANY chances for the complete novice and the experienced pro to take home a trophy for this Sunday afternoon sport. This fits in perfectly with the basic "fun" premise of the program.
STREET (STOCK) CATEGORY
- Cars running in Street Category must have been series produced with normal road touring equipment capable of being licensed for normal road use in the United States, and normally sold and delivered through the manufacturer’s retail sales outlets in the United States. A Canadian-market vehicle is eligible for Street category if it is identical to the US-market counterpart except for comfort and convenience modifications as allowed. (Street List)
STREET TOURING CATEGORY
- This category of vehicle modifications is meant to fit between the current Street and Street Prepared categories. This category provides a natural competition outlet for auto enthusiasts using affordable sports cars and sedans equipped with common suspension and engine modifications compatible with street use.* Street Touring is broken down into four classes: STS, STS2, STX, and STU. (Street Touring List)
STREET PREPARED CATEGORY
- Any and all Stock Category vehicles are eligible for Street Prepared. You're also allowed to make specific modifications to the suspension, ignition, intake, and exhaust to further enhance the performance of the vehicle.* No internal engine modifications are allowed, but minor changes to the bodywork to accommodate larger wheels and tires are permitted.(Street Prepared List)
STREET MODIFIED CATEGORY
- A combination of the Street Prepared and the Street Touring rules, plus extensive drivetrain and suspension modifications are allowed.* This class has been referred to as a "Street Prepared on Steroids" class, because it usually contains street legal cars that have been modified beyond Street Prepared rules. (Street Modified List)
PREPARED CATEGORY
- Contains high performance, production based non-street-driven vehicles that usually have gutted interiors and full roll cages. Cars retain their original design, structure, and drive layout unless otherwise specified in the Solo2 Rules. (Prepared List)
MODIFIED CATEGORY
- Heavily modified specifically for the purposes of competition. You'll see excessively altered Prepared Category vehicles as well as formulas, single-seat open wheel Indycar-type specials, dune buggies, and kit cars. (Modified List)
CLASSIC AMERICAN MUSCLE
- Rumbling V8 engines, ground-pounding American muscle – these are the characteristics of Classic American Muscle cars, or as they are known in SCCA Solo – CAM cars.* These muscle cars which are so popular at the fancy auctions have also found a home in SCCA fulfilling their purpose – getting them out of the garage and being pushed to their limits of something other than gathering dust. (Classic American Muscle List)
* Please refer to the SCCA Solo Rulebook for specific details on allowed modifications in each category.
Got more questions about autocrossing? Read the "Frequently Asked Questions" page, or the Solo Novice Handbook.
Course Worker Instructions & The Down/Out Pylon Rule Diagram. (Yes, you have to WORK at an event if you plan to play.)
Need help setting up your car or troubleshooting handling problems? Read our Car Setup and Troubleshooting Guide (Taken from the book "Performance Handling" by Don Alexander)
Here's a few Track Tips that might be useful at the events.
Thinking about getting racing tires for your car? Read our Choosing Tire Sizes article before you make your purchase.
Read Understanding the PAX Factors to learn how all the different cars' times are combined.
To join in on the fun, check out the West Texas Region SCCA Solo Event Schedule
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