ok, i REALLY hope this is ok to post in here. i didn't see a newbie thread so i'll give this a shot. i want to get started in autox'ing. i've been around cars my whole life and my brother was obssessed with porsche's. i pretty much learned everything from watching him and reading his porsche books.

Now i'm in a position that i have extra spending money and i've done (or am doing) most everything i've wanted to, now i'm ready to do this. i've always planned on making it happen when i had the $$. I'm pretty well versed with cars, suspension, engine stuff and I've read all the books about what to look for in buying your first 911. I was also in my HS auto class for 3 years and also a few semesters in college, so i'm definately not clueless! i even know how to weld!

as a general question though, any suggestions when looking for a car you plan to autox? or just look for whats typically recommended when buying a daily driven car? i was leaning towards a 78-80 SC or maybe a rebuilt 74-77 S? i like the idea of the car's being lighter but i'm not sure if i'm ready to handle the early cars...

lastly, this will actually be my second 911. the first is (was) my brothers' who has since left it to me. he planned to build a race/street car on a 76. its half-finished and it's missing an engine and transmission. he was trying to update almost everything to 993. (body, rear suspension etc) should i build one from this car? the cost of installing a 3.6 might be comparable to buying a decent older car. but that is a little intimidating and was thinking i'd start with a completely stock, older car to get comfortable, and when i'm ready, turn that into a daily driver and my brothers 76 into a race car (way way way down the line) but i do eventually want to finish the 76 into what he had always envisioned...(but thats a story for later!)

oh! also..i do feel a little intimidated by trying to get into this in a sport dominated by men. just as a side, are there any organizations that cater specifically to women in this sport? just curious... oh yeah! ONE more thing.. i'd also like the names of any shops in southern california where i wouldn't have to worry about getting the eh...the "women's price"

well..thanks for any advice you guys ca give!

 

Some thoughts FWIW...

FIrst post of the Racing DE thread... more performance driving folks there

Second, you can autocross any Porsche in any state of tune... just buy a car you like. As a novice, however, I think you are better off with a more stock street-tuned car... they are easer to learn on. As you go on, you can make some modest performance upgrades, and that will help you learn what they do and how they impact the car.... also good knowledge.

Also, unless you really really like working on cars, keeping the car stock will greatly reduce maintenance costs and repairs.... 911s are incredibly well engineered and robust... once you start hot-rodding them, then its on you....

Women can drive as well as men... just buy a helmet and dive in... we have lots of women doing DE with us... most of the guys you meet will think you are the hottest thing going, and will be elbowing each other out of the way to help you.... a couple of them will be Assh*les, but isn;t that true everywhere?

Also, ask around and find the guys who are experienced and don;t mind answering questions... most good drivers love giving advice and helping novices... just be aware that some people take themselves WAY, WAY, WAY too seriously, so avoid them.... they can be rude, but they are the exception.

Also most PCA regions with a good A/X program have schools once or twice a year.... so definately look out for that. They may also have a couple folks at each A/X who volunteer to help novices, so ask the Autocross chair for your region...... they'll tell you the scoop... take advantage of these resources.