Autocross: how an SCCA Solo event works.

SCCA calls its autocross programme Solo. A short course is laid out with traffic cones in a parking lot or on an airfield, and the fastest time wins as long as the driver does not hit cones or go off course. SCCA describes overall speeds as low and the barriers to entry as low, and says many new drivers compete in the car they drive every day. Rules here come from SCCA's national pages and from two of its regions, Cal Club and Buccaneer Region; where only a region says something, we say so, because regions run their events differently.

Classes

Cars are grouped so that similar cars compete with each other. SCCA says its classes cover different levels of modification and that there are optional women's classes. Regional events typically put newcomers in a Novice class, according to Cal Club. SCCA lists supplemental classes allowed at all National Solo events, including Formula SAE, Electric Vehicle Experimental (EVX) and Club Spec. The governing rulebook is the SCCA National Solo Rules; the 2026 edition was updated on 27 January 2026.

How the day runs

Registration

Cal Club says registration requires a driver's licence and SCCA membership, and that weekend memberships can be bought on site. On minors, Buccaneer Region says there is no stated minimum age but that drivers under 18 need a legal guardian to sign the minor waiver; that is one region's page, and we could not confirm it against the national Solo Rules.

Tech inspection

Before running, the car goes through tech. Buccaneer Region says this is done on site by experienced autocrossers and lists what it checks:

• Tyres with no cord showing, and all lug nuts present and tight, with hubcaps removed.
• Wheel bearings, shocks, steering and suspension.
• Working seat belts and a firm brake pedal.
• Loose items removed from the car, including floor mats.
• A throttle that returns, no excessive leaks and a secured battery.
• Car numbers and class letters on both sides.

Cal Club says it checks both the car and the helmet, and a car that passes gets a tech sticker on the windshield, one for each driver. SCCA requires car numbers at least 8 inches tall and class letters at least 4 inches tall, on both sides of the car.

Walking the course

There are no practice sessions at an SCCA autocross, Buccaneer Region says; drivers learn the course by walking it on foot beforehand. Cal Club says regional events offer novice course walks.

Runs and penalties

Buccaneer Region describes the penalties: a cone knocked completely out of its chalked box adds 2 seconds, and passing a direction cone on the wrong side is a DNF (some regions call it "off course"). This comes from a regional page, and we could not confirm it in the national Solo Rules. We did not find a current source for how many runs an event gives, so check the event's supplemental regulations.

Instruction

Cal Club says regional events can provide instructors who ride along with novices. SCCA's Tire Rack Starting Line Autocross School is a separate, full-day, hands-on performance driving course, and SCCA says it includes an SCCA membership and entries to future events.

Working

Every driver at an SCCA Solo event takes a work assignment while others run. Cal Club's newcomer page says not working is recorded as DNW and may lead to a ban.

What to wear

SCCA says every driver and passenger at Solo must wear an approved helmet, and Solo rules require shoes that cover the entire foot. Loaner helmets are commonly offered at Solo events, according to Cal Club and Buccaneer Region.

So both Snell SA (automotive) and Snell M (motorcycle) helmets are accepted for Solo, which is not true of every program. SCCA's 2025 helmet article said Road Racing and Time Trials Safety Levels 2 and 3 require 2015-or-newer Snell SA, so a helmet that passes at autocross may not pass elsewhere. SCCA also says Snell, FIA and SFI labels show a manufacture date range and that such helmets "age out" after no more than 15 years, and that it builds a grace period into its rules so the rulebook does not change the moment new-standard helmets reach stores. Snell's own standards page lists SA2025, M2025 and K2025 as its current car, motorcycle and kart standards. More is on helmets.

Tyres

SCCA says many new drivers compete in their daily cars. For those who go further, Grassroots Motorsports ran a single test in 2021 in which R-compound race tyres lapped an autocross course in 27.703 seconds against 28.114 seconds on 200-treadwear tyres. The Maxxis engineer interviewed in that sponsored article recommended R-compounds for dry competition only. Why tyre choice matters is explained on how grip works.

Beyond your first event

SCCA also publishes a separate Lightning Safety Protocol for its events. For the next rung, see track days, and for the bigger picture, getting started.