7 replies to this topic

[mapracing]

Hi everyone just a quick question,
my 15 year old daughter is looking at doing a bit of autograss are you aloud to us an automatic?
was hopping to get one sorted for near end of season so she could just get out and use to driving with others and then changing over winter to a manual for next season,
Also how many people could use the same car? was thinking about my younger daughter could use it in junior class 1 my 18 year old daughter could use it in the womens class 1 and if i am having to take them and pay for it all i could have a go aswell in the lads class 1.
any thoughts
Paul

[ACDodd]

All these questions need to be directed to the rule book you intend to race by. Contact your local race organisers.

I have never seen an auto grasser, I would not like the idea, the auto boxes are very unreliable when abused if not in as new condition.

AC

[waddle]

i would imagen an auto box would put you at a disadvantage as they dont deal with loose serfaces well and take a while to change gear, with a manyel its quick and you can decide what gear you want to be in for a corner etc before you get there, but if its your only option go for it for a season and then upgrade

[lawrie124]

A 15 year old will cope with a cluch and gearstick. I taught all mine to drive at a track, the youngest was 10 and drove faster and had more control that the 15 year old!

Call your local club; they are VERY helpful.

[waddle]

as above if your woreyed about the driver strugling, i taught myself to drive at 10 and was driving tractors not much after , all the other people who were my age at the time picked it up quick too

[alex71]

Hi everyone just a quick question,
my 15 year old daughter is looking at doing a bit of autograss are you aloud to us an automatic?
was hopping to get one sorted for near end of season so she could just get out and use to driving with others and then changing over winter to a manual for next season,
Also how many people could use the same car? was thinking about my younger daughter could use it in junior class 1 my 18 year old daughter could use it in the womens class 1 and if i am having to take them and pay for it all i could have a go aswell in the lads class 1.
any thoughts
Paul

I used to race in the Junior class and share the car with my dad, but at some meetings there wasn't enough time to cool the engine between races, we used a pump-up sprayer with water to call it quicker, and with 3 people sharing, you may have trouble with overheating on hot days. But it's certainly possible within the rules. Generally the racing order will be Class 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, Junior Saloon, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, Junior Specials, Ladies (classes tend to be combined), but clubs sometimes change the order to accomodate, car sharing.
I doubt if an auto would be at all competitive, I've never seen one raced. You only use 1st and 2nd gear, so gear changes in the race shouldn't be a problem. At my club all the juniors had to do a little profficieny test, to make sure they are safe driving in the pits, so clutch control would be more important. If you contact your local club, someone may let her drive their car for a race, or let her drive round the track the day before the meeting at a track erection day. They tend to be a friendly bunch!

[Noris8322]

We I raced in autograss the NASA class 1 rule book stated that the cars have to manual. With the class 1's and Juniors being such close racing, I don't think an auto would be competitive as you wouldn't be able to get it off the line fast enough. Getting off the line is where most races are won or lost

Like Alex71 says, they are normally a friendly bunch

[mapracing]

Thank you everyone for your input.
pushing for her to use a manual, This weekend she is doing a 1 and a half hour teenage driving at blue water just to get the feel of gears.
The club i am thinking of joining would be invicta kent is there anyone one here who is a member that may no a few things.
To get the car ready her first race will be begining of september can't remember date off hand so i will let you know how she gets on.