For the August 14 autocross at Verona, course designer Rick Ebinger found a way to fit an even longer route into the same space. Consequently the average run time was about 70 seconds, despite high average speeds, thanks in part to a very long straight that exceeded the RPM limits of second gear in some cars and tested (and occasionally exceeded) the driver’s ability to estimate braking distances. Note Eric Huggins setting up cones defining the Chicago Box. He must be getting paid by the cone, not by the hour.
Thirty-five drivers braved the summer heat to complete their timed runs, and there was an especially strong showing of “other” cars. The pavement started our hot and got even hotter during the afternoon, so traction did not improve and many drivers got their best times early on. This year’s regular FTD winner, Gary Krichbaum, Jr., did it again in his 2001 Corvette with FTD = 63.683 seconds. The Jeffrey Elmore versus Jonathan Newhall “improved” Porsche duel to fill out the podium continued, with Jeffrey in second at 64.390 seconds and Jonathan 305 milliseconds behind. For them, that is actually a big difference. Eric Huggins’ 2006 911S was the fastest “unimproved” Porsche; Eric turned in a 67.086 second time.
