A little update on the Auto-X program that some of us have been trying to get started at the GS Nationals. IT'S OFFICIAL! The GS NATIONALS Inc. organization has OK"D the AUTO-X (Auto Cross) as a venue to be held during the 2014 GS Nationals (Oct 15-18th). It will be a 2 day event, to be held on a Wednesday (Oct 15th, 2014) and a Thursday (Oct 16th, 2014) ,starting in the mornings and ran till completed, it will be held in the circle track at Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green ,KY. AMERICAN STREET CAR SERIES Bill Howell will do the timing and track set up. The A.S.C.S are the folks who gave us the TV show series " R U Faster Than a Redneck?" this past summer. Bill is also the gentleman who has put on many Auto Challenge events, mainly the " Run to the Hills" events, all over the Nation, more than an auto cross event but braking and road course handling. Also there will be (as of now) two major vendors that have never been to the GS Nats, at the event to display their rides and their products and to answer any questions you may have. Vendors ,you who out there that contribute to the Auto-X, Pro-Touring industry, an invitation is being extended to come and set up your show booth and related equipment and parts. What's needed to enter and have fun? Just bring your ride, It doesnt matter if it's an old car or new, a FWD or RWD , if the suspension is stock or set-up, if it's got UHP tires or Bias-Ply Tires ( 200 Tread wear or more, no less), or if it's a 14" rim or a 18" rim.... just bring it out and enjoy the ride. Will need a Helmet, a SNELL SA 2005 rating or newer. We are looking to have as many entrants/cars as we can to make this an annual event, the more the merrier. There will be cars there at the event that will be set up, and you will see and feel the differences in the suspension, maybe get a "ride-along" in one of them. To help with the cost of this venue so you folks could participate, we're asking those who are registered entrants to help out during the event as cone workers, basically to reset cones if one gets knocked over during the Auto-X. Pending on the count there will be 2 or 3 groups that will run, so if your group isn't running the course, we ask that you work the cones. So extend your thanks to all those involved and have given the ok for this to happen, Bennet Jones, Bill Howell, and the GS NATIONALS crew, and let's not forget the BEECH BEND Raceway Park owners. If you have questions feel free to contact the Auto-x Coordinators...... Chris Reed,or a Scot W. @ GNS Performance. Chris can be reached here with a PM (Stg1Regal) or at cr2motorsports@hotmail.com , or Scot W. can be reached here with a PM, or at gnsperformance@gmail.com Check out the WWW.GSNATIONALS.COM from time to time , for any updates , or additional info. Or you can stay tuned here for more info as things get more finalized. Again heads up, The 2014 GS Nationals AutoX is GOING TO HAPPEN!! so get your rides ready....
Is this open to folks other than Buicks? I've got a buddy with a 66 Chevelle he'd like to run on a course to see how it does. We've always had a little Buick vs Chevy rivalry going. He knows I can out run him straight line but he thinks the lighter small block Chevelle will out handle me.
Awesome, I'll let him know. I plan on having my 70 GS out there. Got some tubular control arms, adjusted geometry and 4 wheel disks.
If ya got a Buick 455 , it isn't much more heavier than a Small Block Chevy , maybe 30 # difference from what I understand.
With tubular upper control arms, headers and aluminum intake it might be closer than that. I'm thinking he might be surprised how well the big Buick fares against a light Chevelle. To be fair, the 66 doesn't have the guard rail in the door like my car has.
I will be attending with my Silver 72 GS. I would like to get a head count to see if I need to do any upgrading before the event, so I can be sure I am the fastest Buick there (just kidding ). The GS Club would like to know too. I went to the Nashville GoodGuys autocross in May. There were about 80 cars in Street Machine, and maybe 100 total. It was the most I have ever seen at a GoodGuys, so popularity is growing. In fact, that was really a bit too many. I only got 2 runs in the morning and 2 runs in the afternoon. I would think that the first year of this at the Nats will have moderate turn out, so everyone will get lots of runs, and be able to do some tuning and experimenting with tire pressures, etc. I am hoping that 25 to 50 people will give it a shot. So, who plans on auto crossing???????????
I want to but the SNELL 2005 helmet is slowing me and my buddy down a bit. Anyone have a line on an inexpensive SNELL 2005 or newer helmet... or just the sticker? LOL Just kidding... about the sticker... I think.
I plan on going. I have participated in 2 local ones put on by the TSSCC. My biggest problem is me being thrown around when cornering. I only have lap belts and do not want to put a cage in my car to accommodate shoulder harness'.
Timonator There are some racing harnesses called Schroth Ralley 4's, that are designed to attach or clip into the rear seat belts , that should keep you more secured in the seat on the inexpensive side. I don't recommend them as a permanent solution , but they should work for you , Scot W. at GNS Performance ran those in his GNS Buick T-type Test car at auto-x events. There also is this a crossbar mount (that's removable) that your shoulder harness mounts to , I do know of a gentleman running something similar to this but it's permanently welded in to his "B" pillar area in his 66 Chevelle , works well for him . hope this helps
Another option is Morris Classic Concepts 3 point retractable seat belts. They look stock, and the third "point" bolts right into where the factory non-retractable shoulder harness is. I have these in my 72 GS, which I autocross often. I just tighten them up a little tighter than you do for everyday driving, and they hold me in place pretty well. The Pro Car Rally series bucket seats also help (and look good with the rest of the stock interior).
I just received my GSXtra with the pre registration form for the nats. It looks like there needs to be 20 cars pre registered for the auto cross for both days by Aug. 30 in order for it to happen.
That link was over $130 but this one is $69.99. I can probably afford that without going broke. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Scorpion-EX...W-in-box-/131160967035?_trksid=p2054897.l5666
Motorcycle helmets are different than automotive helmets. No fire retardant! That is the reason for the price difference. A friend once told me... "If you have a $50 head, buy a $50 helmet."
The least expensive one I saw at helmet city is this one; http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/autoopenface/proairflowopenface After that it's $250 and up.