Gearing Up for an All-New Season of Corner-Carving Action with the Goodguys CPP AutoCross Series
Racers, strap in and prepare to fire up those engines! The 2023 Goodguys CPP AutoCross season is about ready to launch and we’re getting revved up to host another year of tire-punishing, cone-dodging, tight-corner thrills at tracks across the country!
Goodguys is excited to be celebrating its 40th anniversary season this year and we’re happy to continue offering fun, competitive, and exciting AutoCross competition with the help of our friends and title sponsors, Classic Performance Products. As we do every spring, we’re outlining rule and policy changes so that everyone is on the same page when they get to the starting line at the first event. The good news is that there are very few class rule changes for 2023, so if you competed with us last year there won’t be many surprises. Still, it’s always a good idea to review the rulebook before showing up at an event. For details beyond the basics outlined here, go to GoodguysAX.com.
For now, though, let’s take a quick look at key updates for this season, followed by a basic outline of each class. We think you’ll find that the 2023 updates are consistent with the Goodguys goal of keeping CPP AutoCross Series competition fun, competitive, and as fair as possible.
MEMBERSHIP AND REGISTRATION
Beginning this season, all Goodguys CPP AutoCross racers must be active Goodguys members at the time of competition. Becoming a member is easy and affordable and can be done online at GoodguysMarketplace.com.
Participating in Goodguys Autocross is exclusive to Goodguys events, and being a member allows you to follow CPP AutoCross Series updates, sponsor and rule changes, and to get regular communication sent out to AutoCross participants. You’ll also get the award-winning Goodguys Gazette mailed to your home with AutoCross coverage from every event, plus other perks of Goodguys membership.
Another new procedure this year is that AutoCross participants must register specifically for an AutoCross Registration via the Goodguys Marketplace website. A general Show & Shine registration will no longer allow you to compete in AutoCross. The expense to produce the CPP AutoCross Series continues to rise, so the cost to compete will be higher than general show participation. However, Goodguys is also implementing a cap on AutoCross participants at each event, which will lead to more runs per racer, a move we feel will result in a better overall racing experience. The limited number of entries means it’s recommended that you preregister for an event, rather than waiting to register when you arrive.
Along with your opportunity to compete, your AutoCross Registration will include one parking spot in the pits on all event days, two Weekend Passes for the event, plus all other associated benefits of being a member and a registered Goodguys event participant.
TIRES AND RIDERS
A couple other noteworthy changes for 2023 relate to tires and riders. First, Kumho ACR 200 TW tires will no longer be allowed for competition in any class except for the Fun Run Class. Additionally, 315 series tires will now be allowed for competition in the All American Sunday Class. And lastly, Goodguys will no longer be allowing passenger ride-alongs on the CPP AutoCross course.
YEAREND SHOOTOUTS
Similar to 2022, Goodguys will host the Duel in the Desert Shootout at the Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals in Scottsdale, Arizona, in November. The Duel in the Desert will be comprised of five different eight-car elimination shootouts, one for each eligible class – ProX, PRO, Street Machine, Sports Car, and Truck. In total there will be 40 vehicles and 40 drivers.
Entries in the Duel in the Desert shootout will be comprised of those who earn an invitation ahead of the Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals, with remaining spots earned through race-in qualifying. Invitations are extended to the top five points earners in each eligible class following the Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals. The three remaining spots for each Duel in the Desert class shootout will be earned by racing in at Scottsdale. A maximum of seven cars in each class can compete for the three race-in spots.
KING OF THE DESERT
The Goodguys CPP AutoCross season will culminate with the thrilling King of the Desert Shootout immediately following the Duel in the Desert at the Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals. The King of the Desert Shootout is a 16-car competition comprised of the fastest vehicles from all the Duel in the Desert shootouts. Those 16 vehicles will compete for the prestigious King of the Desert title through a randomized hat-draw pairing format for each elimination round.
The King of the Desert Shootout will be a multi-lap elimination format with the fastest time advancing to the next round. In the end, one car and driver will be crowned CPP King of the Desert, which will now be part of the prestigious Goodguys Top 12 awards. The winning car will go from the King of the Desert shootout to the Goodguys Top 12 Of The Year display. The CPP King of the Desert winner will also be eligible for the Of The Year award winners prize package.
CLASS BASICS
Speedtech Performance PRO-X Class
Goodguys is happy to welcome back performance chassis and suspension manufacturer Speedtech Performance as the sponsor for our most aggressive AutoCross class, PRO-X. The Speedtech Performance PRO-X class is almost always the fastest class on the track and intended for purpose-built cars and trucks competing at the highest level.
2023 Speedtech Performance PRO-X Class Basics
- PRO-X class consists of vehicles weighing less than 3000 pounds (less driver)
- PRO-X will expand eligible year models through 1998
- Any commercially available 200 UTQG treadwear tire is legal except for Kumho ACR 200 TW
- No front tire size restriction
- Full tube chassis race cars run in PRO-X
Summit Racing Equipment PRO Class
Longtime performance retailer Summit Racing Equipment returns as the sponsor for the PRO class. This class is for serious performance vehicles and drivers, with weight and tire size being the primary differences separating it from PRO-X.
2023 Summit Racing Equipment PRO Class Basics
- PRO class will have 1998-and-earlier model year eligibility
- Weight minimums have been revised as follows:
- PRO car with 8-cylinder engine: 3,200 lbs.
- PRO car with 6-cylinder engine: 3,000 lbs.
- PRO car with 4-cylinder engine: 2,500 lbs.
- Maximum front tire width is 315mm, 200 treadwear minimum, commercially available in a minimum of four sizes; no Kumho ACR 200 TW
Forgeline Street Machine Class
The Forgeline Street Machine class is one of the most popular classes and typically attracts the most competitors. As the name implies, most of the competing cars are still very street-worthy, which makes them very relatable for most enthusiasts. The larger size tends to make Forgeline Street Machine one of the most competitive classes.
2023 Forgeline Street Machine Basics
- Street Machine will have 1998-and-earlier model year eligibility
- Weight minimums have been revised as follows:
- Pro car with 8-cylinder engine: 3,200 lbs.
- Pro car with 6-cylinder engine: 3,000 lbs.
- Pro car with 4-cylinder engine: 2,500 lbs.
- Maximum front tire width is 285mm, 200 treadwear minimum, commercially available in a minimum of four sizes; no Kumho ACR 200 TW
Truck Class
Trucks can do much more than just haul cargo! They can also haul your rearend around a racetrack and they make fun and exciting AutoCross machines. The big change in the Truck class for 2023 is that El Caminos and Rancheros will no longer compete in this class (they will race in Street Machine, PRO or PRO-X).
2023 Truck Class Basics
- Truck Class will expand to 1998 model year eligibility
- Weight minimum remains at 3,500 lbs.
- Tire rule updated to allow up to 315mm 200 UTQG treadwear tires commercially available in a minimum of four sizes; no Kumho ACR 200 TW
Sports Car Class
The Sports Car class gained steam in its first season last year and carries that momentum into 2023. This class is home for 1988-98 model year vehicles supports a variety of vehicles with different minimum weights based on engine.
2023 Sports Car Class Basics
- Weight minimums are as follows:
- Production car with 8-cylinder engine: 3,200 lbs.
- Production car with 6-cylinder engine: 3,000 lbs.
- Production car with 4-cylinder engine: 2,500 lbs.
- Maximum front tire width is 305mm, 200 treadwear minimum; commercially available in a minimum of four sizes; no Kumho ACR 200 TW
FiTech Challenger Class
AutoCrossers who are still developing track skills and looking to have fun while racing in a competitive environment will feel right at home in the FiTech Challenger Class, which is sponsored by FiTech Fuel Injection. We love that this class attracts a lot of street machines and muscle cars that serve a dual purpose as road cruisers and weekend track bruisers.
2022 FiTech Challenger Class Basics
- FiTech Challenger class will expand to 1998 model year eligibility
- The “breakout rule” will remain in place to ensure Challenger class is a competitive AutoCross entry point; this rule states that if any of the top 10 competitors in Challenger class run 2-seconds or more on average quicker than the average of the top 10 in the class after the first three runs, they will be moved up in class
- Maximum front tire width is 285mm, 200 treadwear minimum; commercially available in a minimum of four sizes; no Kumho ACR 200 TW
- FiTech Challenger class does not compete in shootouts
All-American Sunday Class
We continue to welcome later-model vehicles to compete on Sundays at National with the All-American class. Come out and go head-to-head with late-model Corvettes, Camaros, Challengers, Ford Focuses, Teslas, and other 1999-and-newer cars.
2023 All-American Sunday Class Basics
- The All-American class welcomes 1999-and-newer vehicles for Sunday competition
- 315mm maximum tire size, 200 treadwear minimum unless the vehicle came equipped with a larger production tire from the factory for that model vehicle; no Kumho ACR 200 TW
Start Your Engines!
More detailed class rules, requirements, and other details can be found online at GoodguysAX.com. All of us at Goodguys are geared up and excited to get the season started, and we hope you’re busy getting your cars and trucks tuned up and ready to compete. The starting flag will be dropping soon and we look forward to seeing you on the track!
