What is Solo (autocross)?

Solo is NOT road racing, it is not about getting in position to pass another competitor or conserving your brakes or tires to finish the race.

Solo is like jumping down an elevator shaft with your hair on fire. It is you against the clock on a course defined with traffic cones.

Our courses are usually six tenths to eight tenths of a mile long with 20 to 30 turns in about 60 seconds. Every course is different and you get four chances to drive your car at the limits of adhesion and defy the laws of physics to the best of your ability.

Of course the other drivers in your class think they are better at this than you.  Come on out and prove them wrong. It is the most fun you can have in a car with your clothes on!

More Information

Have you ever driven your favorite street vehicle at the limits of its performance capability?

Do you know what the handling limits of your streetcar are?  If not, would you like to experience how it feels to drive through a sharp turn at high speed and effortlessly dash through a quick slalom or navigate through a series of corners that would make your average "non-driver" proceed with caution and trepidation?

Would you like to have the ability to read a corner and to stand a better than even chance of hitting the apex as you maneuver through it quickly and smoothly?

If you answered "YES" to any of these questions, then the Washington DC Region SCCA may have the answer for you . . . it is called Solo (aka: Autocrossing).

In essence, Solo is a motorsport competition that is both a sport and a hobby that offers the opportunity for licensed drivers to drive their vehicle of choice at the limits of its potential without exposing either yourself or the vehicle to undue risks. By competing, you will improve your ability to control your car while you learn how it will react to the various throttle, braking and cornering forces that you apply in many different driving situations and road conditions. In short, after you have participated in a few autocrosses you will probably be a better and more confident driver than you were prior to competing.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Solo competition, here is a bit of background. A Solo Event, which is more uniformly known as an autocross, can be loosely defined as a performance driving event where you try to move your car through a course, that is defined by a pylons, faster than the other cars in your class. The course will usually be laid out on a large parking lot where there are limited obstructions (i.e.: light poles, curbs, etc.) The course layout will be absolutely dependant on the size and shape of the lot used, but within these confines each design will more than likely include several right and left hand turns, some short straights, maybe a slalom or two and quite possibly a skidpad. Normally, one car will be on the course at a time and a typical run will range from 40 seconds to a minute depending on the length and complexity of the course layout. The timing of each run is accomplished using electronic timing equipment.

The current classing structure that is in use in the DC area is the Solo groupings that were developed and are administered by the SCCA. This structure combines cars into categories based on their degree of modification from stock and than into classes based on their relative performance capability. The current SCCA structure consists of the following categories:

For those of you who would like to give autocrossing a try, I encourage you to do so. Maybe it is not for you, but you'll never know until you give it a shot. If anyone would like to obtain more detailed information on how to get involved in the sport please E-Mail us at solochair@wdcr-scca.org.

What Is Solo Competition Like?

Every person who autocrosses has to start somewhere. Being a novice is a fact of life. Autocrossing can offer a lot of fun and enjoyment but it can be frustrating at times. There is a lot more to it than just driving through some cones. A one minute run requires large amounts of planning and preparation both mentally and physically. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, the amount of preparation you put in will directly affect your overall results.

All DC Region Solo event registration is done on line at dlbracing.com, you wil be asked to pay via secure credit card at the time of registration. We do not accept walk up registrations.

Registration opens the Sunday night previous to the event at 8:00 pm.

When an event fills, you will be placed on an automated wait list and notified via e-mail if a space opens. You will have 24 hours to respond to the e-mail before the invitation expires and moves on to the next person on the list. (check your e-mail often!)

The DC Region runs by class, all cars in a class run in the same run group. 

There are 6 run groups, 3 in the morning session and 3 in the afternoon session.

There are 2 course walks, one in the morning and one following the completion of the morning session.

Jr Karts run previous to the first heat (4) in the afternoon.

Ladies always run in the 4th heat.

If your class runs in the morning at one event, you will run in the afternoon at the next event.

You must be 18 years of age to compete or have a completed minor waiver form filled out and have a parent or legal gardian on site with you.