I was reading this article from AutoWeek about damage at SCCA events (and all forms of racing) not being covered by the manufacturers warranty:
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content...._code=02612566

It's a very interesting article. Everyone thinking of autocrossing, or who has, should definitely read it.

 

WMicheals... any comments? Are the speeds and stress of autocrossing enough to cause serious damage that the dealer "could" recognize as being race related? Just curious as you're our Auto Cross expert.

 

I knew that going in. I mean... Come on... Does anyone think that if they are driving in a competitive event and you have an accident that your insurrance should pay??? You can get insurrance that will... But be prepared to spend major bucks!!! It's my choice and my money that's taking the risk. To me... For the enjoyment I get.... It's well worth the financial risk.....

Here's some advice my Dad gave me (God rest his beautiful soul)... Don't ever play harder than you can afford to pay! That has served me very well for many years and will for, I hope..... Many more to come.

 

AZ.... I don't think there is anything that I'm doing that could void my warranty on anything other than tires and I'm not the least bit concerned about that.

The risk is so minimal that I am willing to take the chance. You only live once..... Why spend it worrying??? :lol: Go have fun!!!

 

WMicheals... thanks, I didn't think autocrossing would be that hard on the car to cause such damage the dealer could use to void a warranty. Your dad's advice hit the nail right on the head. Have fun. :wink:

 

Despite the recent trend in the automotive industry for more power, and the relatively large number of 2-seat sports and sporty cars available on the market, things are getting tougher for automobile enthusiasts who want to safely exercise their cars. As the Autoweek article indicates, manufacturers are not going to fix under warranty damage from autosports. And the insurance industry is wising up on covering track event damage. It used to be that you could attend a performance driving school (as an opportunity to take your car on-track), confident that in the somewhat unlikely event you had an accident, you would at least be covered. This is not always true now. Most insurance policies deny coverage in an off-road, timed, competitive event, but are less clear concerning driving schools. So forget about coverage on the drag strip or autocross course. If that 900 hp monster in the other lane at the drag strip all of a sudden makes a 90-degree turn and takes you out, you are screwed. Drag racing is a timed, competitive event. Autocross remains a relatively safe event -- you've got to do something really stupid to hurt your car.

 

DAaahh, Insurance Co.s can refuse to pay a lot of claims , they call that insurance FRAUD !!It's against the law in all states!! Read your policy!!

 

Don't forget, the article is about the manufacturer's warranty, not what your insurance company will pay in the event of an accident. The two are very different.

 

REad your factory warrenty too!!Iwas referring to the coments on your auto insurance policies coverage above!Blow your engine or driveline racing and see if they cover it!!Of course i don't think you would tell them any lies would you?It's only $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

I don't have any intention of doing any kind of racing with my Xfire (although I find Wes's autocross video clips exciting) but the idea of adding a supercharged SRT to the XFire line with a 200mph speedometer and +$10K to the price tag seems crazy if all you are allowed to do with it is drive on interstates at the 65mph max highway speeds. The base model or limited will do that just as well.

 

Yeah and so will a Honda Insight !

 

It is a well known practice that many people who run in Stock categories lease their cars...

"racing", no matter how defined, costs money...can't (don't) play if you can't afford it...