BimmerTimes attended the 2012 SCCA Solo Autocross racing event at the El Toro Airfield, an ex-Marine airbase in Irvine, California. Racing participants race around orange cones on the airstrip against the clock,  in different categories . Categories include fully stock cars, modded cars, and so on. The faster the time the better the result.

Have money for tires and brakes? That’s basically all you need to race in the SCCA Autocross, a Snell M or SA helmet would help. Anyone driving any car can participate in the event.  We even saw a Toyota Echo participate, and a few Porsche Cayenne SUV’s. One thing that caught our attention is the presence of three Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S in the event, shortly after their initial release.


As usual at most racing event, BMW and Porsche’s were abundant. Porsche owners enjoyed a course of their own. There was that occasional WRX or Corvette on the same track.

A stock BMW E46 M3 participated. While a few gutted out E36 non-M coupes participated with a mix of mostly drives cars. There were several BMW 135i’s. One was lowered, with wider and lighter wheels. Another 135i preserved the stock wheels and suspension, on the other hand, the front seats were swapped out for red Recaros. One of the 135i owners racing in the stock category, revealed that his car is a daily driver that he tracks once a month.  Putting the one to work.  There is always that complaint about the Mazda Miata having the weight advantage. Although this time it was coming from the 135i driver.

For more information visit the SCCA Website.

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