Autocross Rules

2005 Autocross Classes

The Boston Chapter Autocross Series features 10 classes for BMWs, 4 for non-BMWs, and one class for modified and race cars. New for 2005: There have been changes in car classes on the BMW side with new class breaks, most likely no class CR, new base points for many models, and new point values assigned for certain modifications, both higher and lower.

We continue to use the tried and proven performance based points system for BMWs. Most of the classes are split into separate classes for street tires and race tires. You will either run in a class that is all R compounds, or you run in a class that is all street tires.

Each car is assigned base points according to model and year. Additional points are added for each modification from stock that increases the car's capability. Cars are then classed by total performance points accumulated. We adopted this classification system from the Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA Autocross Points System (with permission), which has been continuously refined for more than 10 years.

Non-BMW autocross classes are determined by tire compound (stock or race) and whether your car meets the qualifications for SCCA Stock class or not.

2005 BMW Autocross Classes

Your BMW is classed according to the number of points awarded in the performance based classification system. The MINI is considered a BMW by the Autocross Committee and will run in the BMW classes.

Self Classification for BMW Classes

We are again using self classification for the BMW classes. Here's how the self classification works. The process begins with a base number of points based on the car's year and model. The base points for each model are obtained by careful research by our friends at the Golden Gate Chapter. Each modification to the car which enhances the car's performance adds points to the base points.

The total number of points determines the car's class (A through F). The autocross staff will be glad to assist anyone in classification.

To begin the process, go to the self classification worksheet. When you end the process, your class will be determined and you will have a printable Inspections and Modifications Form (IMF). If you want to compete for a season trophy, you will need to bring the completed IMF to your first event of the season.

Classes BR, CR, DR, and ER have traditionally not had enough interest to form a class, but if enough folks register as such we will start one. 

Continued for 2005: Class AS will have a cap of 150 points. If a competitor has more points they can either enter class AR or be assessed a proportional time penalty adjustment. Not yet finalized, time penalty will likely be in the range of 1-2/1000ths of a second per point overage per minute on course.

Inspection and Modifications Form for BMW Classes

Continued for 2005: All participants in the Boston Chapter CCA Autocross Series who intend to compete for a season trophy in a BMW class will need to complete an Inspection and Modifications Form (IMF). The IMF is turned in during Tech at the first event of the season. The IMF accomplishes a number of objectives. It gives the committee an exact account of all modifications for the record, it allows for future classification data, and it will result in a tech inspection sticker that will be good for the entire 2005 season (in most cases).

If you are a casual autocrosser, first timer, or just trying it out, no IMF is required. You will need to have your car teched before running in each event and you will not be eligible for the season championship.

One way to get an IMF is to simply print the self classification results when you finish that process. Another way is to download, print, and fill out the hardcopy IMF. In the case of any discrepancies, the hardcopy IMF will be the one Tech uses for class verification.

Download the Inspection and Modifications Form in DOC (188k) or PDF (45k) format.

2005 Non-BMW Autocross Classes

Non-BMW autocross classes are determined by tire compound (stock or race) and whether your car meets the qualifications for SCCA Stock class or not.

You may use the following guidelines to determine if your non-BMW car is stock:

• Anything available on the exact model and year of your car as standard or optional equipment, as installed on the factory assembly line.
• Standard OEM identical replacement parts are allowed.
• Accessories, gauges, appearance, comfort, and convenience items that don't help your car's performance. A replacement driver's seat is not stock.
• Added roll bar or roll cage. (Roll bars and cages are not required for autocross.)
• Driver harness is allowed.
• Trailer hitch and/or tow bar mountings are allowed.
• Any wheel of diameter and width identical to a stock or factory optional wheel, offset within +/- 0.25 inch, is considered stock.
• Most street legal tires that will fit the mounted wheels and stock bodywork are considered stock.
• Any strut/shock absorber of the same type and mounting as original. No change to standard spring mountings is allowed. Suspension geometry may not be altered. Gas, hydraulic, and/or adjustable shocks are permitted.
• Any brake pads are considered stock.
• Any front anti-roll bar is considered stock. Change to stock/optional rear anti-roll bar (if present) are not permitted.
• Any replacement air filter element (or removal of air filter element), but no plumbing changes (intake runner changes or cone air filter).
• Engine bored no more than .020 inch. No balancing or porting/polishing of head is allowed.
• Replacement of any part of the exhaust system past the catalytic converter.
• Any oil filter is allowed.

If your car meets these qualifications, you will run in Class G if you're on street tires, or H of you use race tires.

If your car does not meet these standards, you aren't in the stock classes. Don't despair, that's what Class I and L (for street tires) and J (race tires) are for. You are in class J if you run on race tires. You are in class L if you run on street tires and your SCCA class is STS, STX, or ST (the Street Touring classes). Otherwise you are class I if your car isn't stock and you have street tires and your SCCA class is ASP, BSP, CSP, DSP, ESP, FSP, SM, SM2 (the Street Prepared and Street Modified classes).

SCCA Solo II Class and PAX Scoring

The Non-BMW classes feature times that are adjusted according to the SCCA Solo II PAX factor. The PAX factor attempts to equalize the field by assigning a time penalty for each run. The time penalty is based on the car's potential performance.

In order to determine the PAX factor for each car, we must know your car's SCCA Solo II Class. Solo II is the Sports Car Club of America's designation for autocross events. You will be asked for your car's SCCA Class during online event registration so that the timing system can correct your time and post it on race day. If you don't know your car's SCCA Class, please find it using this SCCA Solo II Class Reference.

Modified and Race Class

Class M is a modified/race category for all cars (BMW and others) that are not street legal or are judged to be SCCA Modified or higher.

All cars that compete in Class M will be have their respective SCCA PAX used to find their net times.

Autocross Series Points

The finish order of each class is determined by the average of your fastest two runs of the day. The average of your fastest morning time and fastest afternoon time is used. If conditions allow for two or less runs per entry, the best single time is used to set the finish order.

This average time is used for BMW classes only. For non-BMW classes, the finish order is determined by the PAX Average. PAX is a multiplier assigned to each class of SCCA Solo II competition. It is intended to level the playing field for all cars. Each non-BMW driver's PAX Average is calculated by multiplying the average of their two fastest times by their PAX Factor.

Did Not Run (dnr)

If you didn't start the run, it will be scored as a "did not run". Because you didn't run, you don't get a time. Note that if you do not show up for your work assignment, you will be penalized. The usual reason for a dnr is mechanical problems with your car.

Did Not Finish (dnf)

If a driver fails to stay on course, the run is scored as a "did not finish" or dnf. Runs scored as dnf are not complete runs and do not count for for the morning or afternoon averages.

If you knock over the cones at the end of the stop box you recieve a dnf, because you went off course. The usual reason for a dnf is a missed cone somwhere during your run.

Did Not Place (dnp)

Unless you complete at least one morning run and one afternoon run, you will be scored as dnp or "did not place". If you dnp, the entire event will not count for season point standings. Be sure to get one good run in the morning and afternoon sessions!

Each event usually lets you have four chances to complete a run in the morning and four chances in the afternoon. If you are new to autocrossing or to the course, please remember that experienced autocrossers are available to ride with you and help you stay on course.

Disqualified (dq)

If you are disqualified your event will not count for scoring. If you don't show up for an event, you will be disqualified. The Autocross Committee will disqualify you for dangerous or illegal behaviour, use of alcohol or drugs at the autocross site, for cheating, and other reasons. You will be listed in the results as dq or "disqualified".

Work Assignment Required

If you miss your work assignment, you will be disqualified from the event.

Please try to report to your work assignment on time. Missing work assignments is a serious offense. The event coordinators have to find someone else to work, and nobody can run until the course is fully staffed. Drivers who habitually miss work assignments will be barred from future events.

Event Points Calculation

The event points assignment was changed for the 2002 season. The scoring system is a simple low point system. The winning driver in each class will get 0.5 points. The remaining drivers get the same number of points as their finishing position.

This system eliminates the vast differences in season points awarded based solely on how many cars happen to show up on a given day. First place always wins 0.5 points, whether there are two cars in the class or 20.

Qualified Drivers

In order to qualify for a trophy, you must finish at least four of the seven events in the season. The total of points from your best four events will determine your place in the season standings. The qualified driver with the fewest points at the end of the year wins the class. In the Autocross Season Results, qualified drivers are shown in bold.

BMW drivers who wish to qualify for a trophy must complete an IMF before their Tech Inspection.

Tiebreakers

Tiebreakers are used if two drivers end up with the same number of points at the end of the season. The tiebreakers are enforced in the following order.

1. Most number of 1st place finishes.
2. Most number of 2nd place finishes.
3. Most number of 3rd place finishes.
4. Head to head competition.
5. Head to head time deltas. (The total of the time difference the two drivers for all events that the two met face to face.)

Fastest Time of the Day

The fastest BMW and non-BMW run of the day (the ftd) is shown in the Autocross Results for information only.

Trophies

Autocross trophies will be awarded to the top finishers in each class at the end of the season.

The number of trophies awarded is based on the number of qualified drivers at the end of the season. One trophy will be awarded for every 3 qualified drivers, with the number of drivers rounded up. So if there are 10 qualified drivers, four trophies will be awarded.

Trophies will be awarded at a meeting in late 2005.

Most Improved Novice

The Novice of the Year Trophy is given in recognition of the individual whom, in the opinion of the Autocross Committee, showed the greatest improvement over their rookie season. 

In a change from prior years, this trophy is awarded somewhat subjectively so that novices who are relatively quick their first time out will not be unfairly penalized as they were with a system based solely upon numerical improvement from beginning to end of the season.  One trophy is awarded to a BMW driver and one trophy is awarded to non-BMWs driver.

BMW Driver Of The Year Award

Katherine V. Kvale, a beautiful young Norwegian girl, 26 years old, volunteered to work in the Newton-Wellesley Hospital polio ward during the last Boston epidemic in 1955, due to a crushing need and in spite of an obviously dangerous environment. After several months of rendering aid to dozens of victims, she contracted polio herself and died shortly thereafter.

The Katherine V. Kvale Trophy is a perpetual award given each year to the BMW Driver of the Year, as determined by the Autocross Committee Chair(s), to recognize the class winner whom they believe achieved the club's highest level of performance, consistency, and sportsmanship for the season.

More 2005 Autocross Series Information

• 2005 Boston Chapter Autocross Series: Introduction, general information, other autocross events and resources.
• Eligibility and Registration: Driver eligibility, event registration, no-show policy, cancellations, and refunds.
• Day Of Event Information: Daily autocross schedule, visitor policy, tech inspections, work policy, and course assignment.
• Directions To Site: Directions to the autocross site.
• Car Classification: Determine your car's autocross class.