So now that I have a car I feel comfortable abusing a little, I've been really wanting to start Autocross and some track days. Any good clubs in Chicagoland? I know the windy city miata club is pretty popular, and I might stop by at their event on Sunday, though I may not get to run. I'm just looking to find a way into the sport, and I don't have any experience with it (though I think I did pretty well on the Dragon earlier this month).
I still need to get a helmet, and I prefer full face ones for aesthetic and balance reasons; any recommendations would be appreciated. I also need to get some capable summer tires, as my stock all seasons have already worn out quite a bit. This can wait a bit, as I am not aiming to be competitive any time soon. More just looking to get involved with a group so I am not going at this alone, and none of my friends have fun cars; they are all too interested in their jeeps that never leave the garage.
Anyway, I appreciate any advice or pointers!
I know this is short notice, but there's actually an autocross tomorrow at Miller Park.
http://scca-chicago.com/chicago-scca-solo/
The biggest thing about autocross is improving the driver, not bringing a car you can't get the most out of. As long as your car is in good mechanical condition take it and see how you do. Most events have loaner helmets there. And don't be disappointed or embarassed about your times, just have fun and be open to learn from the fast guys there.
Best thing I ever did as a newbie was stick around for "fun runs" afterwards and convince one of the fast drivers to take me through the course as a passenger in my own car. That was eye opening. I thought I was a good driver until I saw a guy who had never driven my car beat my time by at least 10% in a car he had never driven before. Don't worry about the car, or where you finish. In all likelihood you'll be slow. For the first year, I would basically compete against myself. I'd do my first run sort of slow-ish but make sure it was clean and I didn't DNF. Then, I'd try to shave 5 to 10% off the time by the last run of the event. Its sort of like competing against yourself in golf. Pretty soon, you look at the time sheets and realize you're in the mix.
The most important piece of advice anyone can give you is DO IT. Sign up, check all your belts, hoses, fluids and tires and go run it. Go early, be friendly, help out, ask questions and try to bum rides if you can do it without being annoying. In the immortal words of some wise sage on here: "Find the guy with the biggest hat, tell him you're new and ask what to do."
BTW - What kind of car are you planning to run?
In reply to kazoospec:
Yeah that's pretty much my plan. It would just be good to know where the most "noob-friendly" events are. I'm running my 500 Abarth, so it should be pretty fun on an AX course. It is mostly stock, just a torque mount insert and a big rear torsion bar. I'm not too worried about classing yet.
I'm not going to be able to make it to anything this weekend, but thanks for the heads up jstein. If there are any other upcoming events, whether HPDE or AX that GRMer's are going to, let me know! It would probably be a good introduction.
It might be a bit of a hike for you, but I usually run with the Furrin Group in West Michigan. VERY laid back/noob friendly. Last year we even had a few guys running Fiats at some of our events. The best way to track our events in by the club's Facebook page. Back when I was starting out, I ran with Windy City Miata Club a few times. Also a laid back, friendly club, and probably a lot closer. Their classing is very simple and easy to understand. I believe they will also assign you an instructor if you ask.
A big +1 for having one of the fast guys drive your car during time only runs. I was under no illusions about my driving and knew there was more time left in the car but man....the guy went from his STX prepped FR-S to my Lancer and chopped 3 seconds off with me in the car. It was great though seeing how much earlier and more often he as getting on the throttle.
Also, autocross and track days are great for sharpening skills but once you start trying to cut a half or a tenth of a second off your time, the approach is totally different with totally different driving styles.
Chicago SCCA
Tri-State
Milwaukee SCCA
Wisconsin Autocrossers
Autocross is big in Chicagoland. There are more clubs but these are the big ones. There is a huge concentration of National trophy winners between Chicago and Milwaukee.
Turnouts can be huge for local events (140+ drivers). Route 66 Raceway in Joliet was the hot venue for years but they haven't released any dates that clubs could schedule this year. Some events might still happen there so try to hit it if you can, its 10 acres of wide open asphalt with no curbs or light poles. A lot of this years events are going on at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Another great venue with lots of paddock space and the ability to make courses over 60 seconds. Milwaukee SCCA has hosted several Regional Tours there.
I'd say Tri-State is the most noob friendly. I haven't raced with them in a couple years but they had a New Driver Liaison as a worker position so that should tell you how welcoming they are to people who are new to the sport. They also had smaller events (usually capped at 120 drivers) and more runs than SCCA.
Be willing to talk to a lot, if not most of the drivers at the events. It will help you build comraderie and new friendships with other drivers with the organizations if you stick with it. Especially with SCCA autocrosses, there is quite a bit of downtime between arrival and the cars starting off. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how the event is run, especially on your first event. These events are about having fun, so enjoy yourself. I would suggest you to not buy a helmet until you've done at least 1 event and are committed on competing for at least one full season. You can also wait until your tires are completely worn out before you buy summer tires. You can also get Ultra high performance summer tires from the Tire Rack if you're not sure if you want to stick with it, or you need some tires before the season is over. The last thing you want to do is to buy a set of the hottest tires and only race for 1.5 seasons and they're not what you want for the street. If you do end up wanting to compete for multiple seasons, try to go to a motorcycle store or another shop to try on the helmets for a good fit. I read that the brands don't all fit the same (of course). Oh, and don't worry about "abusing" your car; plenty of the fast drivers with deep pockets spend big money on brand new performance cars to race with.
One more club - http://www.inr-scca.org/SOLO2.htm
Their events are at Majestic Star Casino, closer to the actual city than any of the Chicago clubs' events.
Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone, I have a lot of information now! I don't think there is much risk of me buying a helmet and not using it, as I have been waiting to get into this for quite a while. I know I like to drive. *edit: I do have a DOT motorcycle helmet, I think that some of the AX clubs allow that?
Where would the smaller events be? I am up for a drive, I already have 7,500 miles in road trips since december. I feel like a smaller event may be less intimidating, though if I go with some Fiat buddies it won't be a problem.
And as far as HPDE's, just find one and sign up?
Windy City BMW also: http://www.windycitybmw.com/
You don't have to own a BMW to attend.
Also, sometimes they have loaner helmets. You might want to wear a plastic bag between it and your head though.
Your motorcycle helmet should be fine as long as it is SNELL 2005 or newer.
I'll echo the other sentiments here: just do it, expect to be slow, use what you have, have fun, listen and learn.
My first event was very humbling a few years ago I came out and thought I'd really tear it up. Finished DFL. Regrouped and learned what I needed (bought an answer) and am now a top ten finisher.
In reply to KyAllroad:
Awesome, i have a Shoei RF-1000 (I think) that has a SNELL M2005 sticker. Now I guess I have a use for it. I think I got it in partial trade for a bicycle or something, but I've never owned a motorcycle so who knows why I have it. It has never been worn though.
Yeah, I'm fully expecting to be slow. At least now I have a car that is well suited to AX though. I never really felt the desire to take the old Audi out, it would have been an understeery suck-fest.
Best thing you can do is run the crappiest tires possible that you probably already have on the car. When you can improve your driving on greasy all seasons to the point that you're only 2-3 seconds off the "fast" people in your class.. you can expect to bolt on good tires and immediately be in the run. You will overdrive the car initially which is very easy. It will absolutely kill tires quickly if you do so, might as well learn the limits when they're a bit lower and how to respond to them.
Post on a local forum to see if any (good!) drivers want to co-drive your car at the event, offer to buy them lunch or something in exchange for some input and feedback. I did this last year and it was very helpful in improving my driving.
In reply to WizardDog: I say to not worry about the participation size at first, you're there to learn and have fun. You need to get out there as soon as you can, not to mention that the larger organization may be the closest to your house, and the cheapest way to run a full season.
One thing I should mention is that INR has a season long Novice program, with a novice index class at every event and a work position in every heat solely dedicated to helping novice drivers.
Autocross a while first, then worry about HPDE. Learn how to control your car at the limit in a slow speed environment before heading to a actual race track.
HPDE is a whole level different. Be aware that things can and do go awry on a race track and the potential to smash up your car (while generally far less than driving on a public road) is still present. 99% of the time your car will NOT be insured on a race track ("racing surface") so unless you can afford to wad up that Abarth and walk away from it you need to be very aware of the risk.
That said, HPDE will ruin you for autocrossing so hold off as long as you can. 
I attended a couple events with these guys a bunch of years ago:
Salt Creek Sports Car Club
