Autocrossing the Answer for beginners

I feel like I'm being lazy, because I can't get excited about reading the 380 page SCCA Solo rule book.  But I know someone here can point me in the right direction off the top of their head.

My kids and I have a 1991 Miata.  It's essentially stock, though it has NB struts/springs.  Kid #1 is 16 and has her license.  Kid #2 is soon to be 15 and has his permit.  I want to get them going on autocrossing to get comfortable with driving at the limit.  They both have some karting experience, which is useful, but not quite the same thing.

So, the question is what do we need to do with the Miata to be able to run an SCCA autocross?  I don't care about being competitive, I just want to have whatever safety or other stuff is necessary to participate.  Do we need a roll bar?  If so, what are the requirements?  Belts/harness?  Anything else?

And yes, I'll make the kids read the rule book in order to run an event, because that's the right answer.  

Helmets, good tires, check the wheel bearings for play, and a good battery hold down.....

And go SLOW on your first three runs. Much better to establish good habits early than try to break them later. 

If anyone asks, it's stock.  That is the key.  Tune it up, change the fluids, fresh cam belt and just drive it.

Your class, E Street.  Run a couple of events and if your hooked then...

1. 15x6 rims from a NB Miata with Bridgestone RE-71 205/50-15, set the front pressure at 32 psi, the rear at 30 psi.

You can change the front sway bar, you can change the exhaust after the cat, you can get a four wheel alignment that will help you melt the tires and make the car faster.  The Koni adjustable shocks are on your horizon, embrace them.

But seat time is the most important thing.  Have fun, no roll bar needed. Stock belts are all you need.

When I was shopping for a Miata back in the 90s I rented one and took it to autocross........no prep whatsoever. Give the car a good check and make sure nothing is worn and then go have fun.

Just call it stock for at least the first year. Classing won't matter that much anyway.

Maintenance. Don't mod. Do maintenance. 

Bushings good? Brakes good? Tires less than 3 years old? 

Trans, diff, brake/clutch fluid all in good shape?

Nothing loose? Battery hold down good? 

Day of event, torque your lugnuts. 

That's pretty much what I suggest. Been doing autocross since 2004 and instructing since 2008. Do the above and get your first year in. At events, if they offer instructors take them up on it. Either way, find someone experienced to take you under their wing. It will make it more enjoyable and get you up to speed faster. You can even find someone at the drivers meeting, most good clubs you can call them in simply by saying "hi, I'm new at this".

I am 100% with Apexcarver. I started autocrossing in a stock Miata in 1993, and the car stayed pretty consistent for years which meant that I was working on the driver the entire time.  That's a lot more rewarding than throwing parts at it. Says the guy who makes his living selling Miata parts...

I also never paid any attention to classing. After the first run, I'd know who else was about my speed and that's who I'd chase. Didn't matter what they were driving. It's not how you bring home trophies but it's fun.

Thanks for all the input.  This is about having fun, so it's great to know we don't need to mess with the car.  We already did the maintenance stuff, so the car is in reasonable shape in that regard.  And from a quick search, it even appears that the K rated helmet should be ok.

Off to look at autocross schedules!

Thanks again.

Oh yeah, in regards to older miata maintenance...  If the radiator end tanks have gone brown/green you want to go ahead and replace the radiator soon as a preventative measure. Means the plastic has aged and gone brittle and is very likely to fail soon.

You won't make many friends at an autocross if it blows and dumps coolant all over the course. (I've seen this happen).

In reply to pkingham (Forum Supporter) :

The Detroit Council of Sports Car Clubs events might be a bit less formal and are certainly smaller car counts than SCCA autocross events.

Lots of good advice here.

Look into BMW and Porsche club events too. They usually have less entries than SCCA so you get more laps. 

Walking the course beforehand helps. Try to memorize the course so you don't get lost. What I would do on the runs is, look ahead to the next corner, not the one that's coming up. Drive the first run about 8/10ths to become familiar with the course. 2nd one go fast. 3rd one go 10/10 or more to find the limits. Hitting a cone or two won't hurt because you want to find where to push hard and where not to. On the 4th run put what was learned in the first three runs and click off the quickest run. 

I did my first autocross at 19 and thought I was in heaven. The car control you learn is useful in everyday driving. A racing school might be the only thing better. 

There are a number of good books on autocrossing on Amazon.  They're cheap and not very long.  Read one and have you kids read it too.  Pick one up that covers the basics.  Also check with your local groups, some put on a school for rookies.