What is a Pro Solo?
Don’t be intimidated by the word “Pro”. There is nothing “professional” about it; it is just a name for a different type of autocross event, with a different competition format. In our opinion, Pro Solo is the most fun version of autocross! Pro Solo combines elements of autocross and drag racing, and uses two courses instead of one.
There are two autocross courses set up side by side. Traditionally, the courses are mirror images of each other as left and right counterparts, but sometimes the layout of the site does not allow the courses to be mirror images, and the 2 courses may be radically different. Competitors line up against each other, one on the left side, one on the right side. Instead of a starter, Pro Solo events use a drag racing light tree to initiate the runs. You alternate running on both sides, and the winner is the driver with the fastest combined time from both sides.
Registration and information from SCCA about Pro Solo events can be found here: https://www.scca.com/pages/prosolo
Why Attend a Pro Solo?
Quite simply, because it is the most fun version of autocross! Pro Solo events, and national events in general, offer autocross courses with higher speeds, more grip, and more seat time per run compared to our regular Spokes events. They also offer a chance to meet and race against autocrossers from all over the country. For most folks, the best part is enjoying the camaraderie of being with like-minded racers for a full weekend. Whether you want fiercer competition, more racing, or just more time spent with other auto enthusiasts, national events are a great opportunity to experience autocross at a higher level.
What to Bring With You?
While this is not an exhaustive list, here are some of the essentials and nice to haves…
Essentials
- Helmet (there are no loaner helmets at national events)
- Magnetic/vinyl numbers and letters (no tape numbers allowed)
- Hat
- Sun screen
- Tire sprayer
- Tire pressure gauge
- Driver’s license
- SCCA membership card
- Tech inspection sheet (see the link below)
- Beer 🙂 (or whatever you like to drink)
Nice to Haves
- Hydraulic jack
- Basic tools (to swap wheels, adjust sway bars, etc)
- Umbrella
How Does a Pro Solo Event Work?
Friday
National events take place over a full weekend, with the site opening on Friday morning. We recommend arriving Friday afternoon or evening in order to have ample time to check in, go through tech, do some practice starts, and walk the courses.
Drivers are allowed to arrive and check-in/tech on Saturday morning if they cannot get there on Friday, but it’s generally better to do this on Friday due to limited time on Saturday.
We recommend booking a hotel near the event site a few weeks in advance to ensure room availability. It is possible to camp on site at some events. Please check the event information to verify if camping on site is allowed.
Tech and Check-In
The Tech procedure for national events is a self-tech process. Drivers are responsible for inspecting their own car and filling out the SCCA tech sheet before arriving at the Tech tent. Please try to print and fill out this form before arriving on site:
SCCA Solo Tech Sheet (PDF)
Please note that taped numbers and letters are not allowed at national events. You will need your own set of magnetic or vinyl numbers and letters. Make sure the numbers and letters are big, easy to read and meet the minimum requirements of the SCCA (at least 8″ tall numbers, and at least 4″ tall letters).
You will also be given several stickers to place on your vehicle during Tech. They will include:
- The Tire Rack windshield banner
- (2) SCCA Tour or ProSolo stickers for the side of your car
- (1) SCCA sticker for the front of your car
If you are running a CAM, Street Modified, Prepared or Mod car, it is your responsibility to know the legal minimum weight for your car. Your car will be weighed later in the event after competition runs.
In general, you will be checked-in for the event at the same time you are going through Tech. Make sure you are given a helmet sticker with a QR code and place it on the left side of your helmet. Loaner helmets are not available at national events.
When you check-in you will be told the run/work order and be given your work assignment. Pay attention to which heat you are running and working in.
Practice Starts
Assuming this will be your first Pro Solo event, we strongly recommend taking some practice starts. Getting a good launch, both in terms of reaction time, and getting the car to GO as quickly as possible are vital to a good performance. There are 2 steps to launching the car: (1) staging, and (2) the launch.
Staging
You must bring your car to the start line and ensure proper staging. Unlike an autocross, there won’t be a starter directing you forward. Instead, you have to pay attention to the light tree. There are two stage lights on the tree to serve as your reference for positioning your car correctly. The two stage lights are named PRE-STAGE and STAGE. Approach the starting line gradually, and keep an eye on the PRE-STAGE lights. As you approach the line, you’ll cross the pre-stage beam, causing the PRE-STAGE lights to activate. Once that happens, proceed very slowly until you break the second stage beam, prompting the illumination of the STAGE lights. It’s crucial to note that the PRE-STAGE and STAGE beams are only 7 inches apart, so advance cautiously and be prepared to stop as soon as the STAGE lights come on. It’s important to not continue to pull forward, as you may cross the START beam, which will require a restart.
Positioned below the tree, there will be a “shot clock” that commences its countdown as soon as the preceding pair of cars receives the green light and initiates their runs. You have 15 seconds during which you must stage your car. While it may seem like a short window, it is ample time if you are familiar with the process and remain attentive. It is imperative to get staged properly before the shot clock hits zero.
Launch
Once the shot clock reaches zero, a distinct, high-pitched buzzer will sound. Approximately 2-5 seconds following the buzzer, the tree will initiate its drop sequence: YELLOW – YELLOW – YELLOW – GREEN. Each light will illuminate precisely 0.500 seconds after the preceding one. Your goal is to launch your car and cross the START beam at or immediately after the GREEN light illuminates. Crossing the START beam before the GREEN light results in the activation of the RED light, classifying your run as a REDLIGHT (RL), equivalent to a Did Not Finish (DNF).
The recommended approach is to refrain from leaving the line until the GREEN light appears. However, considering there is a 17″ roll-out distance, it typically takes around 0.25 to 0.5 seconds for your car to move from its staged position to the start beam. Waiting to launch until the GREEN light illuminates may potentially add unnecessary time to your run. The typical approach is to aim to launch right after the third YELLOW light illuminates. The exact timing will depend on factors such as your car’s characteristics and your reflexes, and will require some practice to dial in correctly, which is why we recommend taking some practice starts.
To assist you in refining your start, your reaction time (RT) is displayed on a board immediately following the start. In a ProSolo, an ideal reaction time is 0.500, indicating that you broke the start beam precisely when the GREEN light activated (0.500 seconds after the third YELLOW light). Any time below this threshold results in a red light, while exceeding it adds additional time to your run. A reasonable and comfortable target range for a reaction time is typically around 0.600-0.800 seconds. Reaction times are also incorporated into the final results.
Friday Course Walk
The courses open for walking on Friday evening around 5-6pm. Remember to walk both sides! We recommend walking both sides several times; some by yourself, some with more experienced drivers to get their input/advice. Even though you will have time to walk the courses Saturday morning, walking the courses the day before gives you time to think about them that evening.
The Biergarten
The “Biergarten” is what we call the Spokes paddock area. This becomes the “home base”, where Spokesters gather to bench race, talk-smack, drink, and just hang out. Feel free to bring a folding chair and hang out with us after the competition runs!
And that’s it for Friday! Walk the courses, have some beer(s), talk with your fellow racers and get ready for the competition on Saturday!
Saturday
Arrive on site early in the morning to walk the courses at least one more time, and of course, go through check-in and tech inspection if you have not already done so.
The day officially starts with a driver’s meeting, followed immediately by the competition! First heat drivers will get lined up in their assigned grid spots, and workers will check-in with the chief of work.
Unlike at local events where you can line up in any grid row, at national events, each driver is assigned a specific grid spot, which is posted online. Make sure to find your spot and park in the correct area when it is time to line up for your competition runs. There are usually 4-6 heats at a Pro Solo event. Be sure to check the information packet you are given when checking-in to look up your assigned heats for working and driving.
Now, let’s go over how the event works…
Heat Format and Scoring
ProSolo competition uses three sessions over the course of the weekend: one on Saturday morning, one on Saturday afternoon, and one on Sunday morning. With 4 runs per session, you’ll have a total of 12 runs for the entire event! Remember that since you are running twice on Saturday, you are also working twice. The afternoon session on Saturday will usually begin after a short lunch following the morning session.
Scoring is based on your best time from each course (combining the best right-side time and best left-side time), from any of the 3 sessions. If your first session is challenging as you learn the tree and course, don’t stress. As long as you improve in later sessions, the outcomes from the first session become inconsequential.
Runs
Cars will be directed from grid to the starting line in organized flights, typically consisting of 5-10 pairs of cars (10-20 cars total). Communicate with the grid workers to understand how they are arranging/splitting the heats, so you can be prepared for when your class is called to the start.
Once your flight is sent to the staging lanes, you will complete all your runs for that session consecutively. Each session includes 2 runs on each course, back to back, totaling 4 runs per session. After each run, you’ll switch sides, so if you start on the Right side of the grid, your runs will alternate right, left, right, left.
After each run, promptly return to the start area and rejoin the line, remembering to switch sides as directed. The staging lines will gradually advance every 15 seconds or so as each pair of cars leave the start. You must stay in your car the entire time! A helper can check/bleed tire pressures as the line progresses, but spraying tires is not permitted in line. After you have completed all 4 of your runs, return to the Impound area.
Impound
Following your final run in each session, you’ll be directed to an impound area. If you drive a Prepared or Modified car, you must drive to the scales after your last run for weighing before heading to impound.
Once in impound, all participants must open their hoods and trunks, providing an opportunity for fellow competitors to inspect their cars for compliance with regulations. Use this time to check out your competitors’ cars, talk to them, etc.
During impound, the heat times are audited, and preliminary results are generated. Once these preliminary results are ready, an impound worker will present them to each class. It is essential to review the results to ensure your times are accurate and any penalties, such as cones or Did Not Finish (DNFs), are correctly documented. Once all members of your class have had the chance to scrutinize and discuss the results, the impound worker will grant permission to leave impound. Only at this point are you free to retrieve your car from impound and return it to your paddock spot.
Sunday
There is no drivers’ meeting on Sunday, so competition usually starts about an hour earlier. Be sure to arrive on site on time to do any final course walks and prepare for your runs. These are the final runs of the event, so make them count! The format for Sunday’s session will be the same as Saturday’s, with drivers running in the same heat and working the same positions as the day before.
Once all Sunday morning competition runs have completed, there will be a trophy presentation.
Following the trophy presentation, there will be several “Challenges” taking place, including the Ladies Challenge, the Bonus Challenge, and the Super Challenge. These are tournament style, single elimination events for a chance to win prize money. Participation in these events is optional, and does not affect the results of the ProSolo.
Hopefully this guide has been helpful and answered all of your questions about attending your first Pro Solo event. Please feel free to ask questions and reach out to other experienced autocrossers for help, as we were all first-timers at some point. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!
