With school out of the way and my car just about ironed out, I hope to finally start AutoX this year. The only thing in my area that I know of is the Glen Region SCCA club. Down side is IIRC some have deamed the SCCA a PITA and not the best option for beginers. What other clubs are in my area, Ithaca, Binghamton, NY and Northern PA in the same area?
SCCA is really based on a region basis. I would definately try to make it to a few of thier events before you pass judgement on them. My region is excellent, but i wouldn't know that if I hadn't given them a shot.
The SCCA is generally ok at the regional level, it's the national heirarchy that can be a PITA. Some regions may suffer from political dischord or a few prima donnas in charge, but the mebership is almost always very helpful to the noob. Check out your region and go from there. You may not even have to join SCCA to autocross, though with the new weekend membership idiocy they came out with a year or so ago it sometimes is simply cheaper to buy in.
AMEC
http://www.icerace.com/
Check out your local Porsche Club chapter. The one up here is awesome and loves beginners and non-Porsches to play with.
I've been autocrossing with the Glen region SCCA for two years now and I could not imagine a more laid back club. It has some of the nicest, friendliest people of all ages, and its totally focused on fun and lots of runs. There is typically a regional solo school at the Seneca Army Depot Airstrip at the start of the solo season to help you get started.
The Glen Region is looking like hosting a 4-5 race rallyX season at Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, just north of Watkins Glen.
Southern NY region SCCA does events just in Binghamton (BU or BCC). they had a hard time last year getting enough people to even hold events, so we'll see this year how they're doing, but you could contact them to see what they're doing this year.
If this weather keeps up, the Central NY ice race association could be hosting their first on-ice race in a few years. Might not be ideal for a beginner (wheel-to-wheel racing on ice in stock cars), but my dad just did an on-land "ice" race at Blackrock Speedway with the group and said it was very laid back. There's 3-4 possible venues within 1-1.5 hours of ithaca.
Anyway, there's a bunch of options, let me know if you want to know anything else, I'd be happy to help out and get you involved in anything in the area.
Thanks for the ideas, that solo school sounds good, now time to look into the P-car club
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