July 13 was a good day for autocrossing. With 35 racers running 6 timed runs, 30 seconds between first and “slowest place”, the top time was just a shade under a minute, and the difference between first and second place was 0.065 seconds. We had some straights, some technical parts, and something different yet again to challenge the masses. We did the cross, the “P” turn, (named for its shape), the big straightaway, the heavy brake zone, and the high-speed lane change in the middle of that straight. We also used every cone that the Region owns, so it was visually busy. All course setup tricks and elements to cause thought and driver control. It was a challenging course.

We had some high performers again at the top, but I want to mention notable drivers and what they did. The theme of the day was close racing, and if you thougth 1st and 2nd place were close, 4th through 9th place were separated by 0.3 seconds. Porsches had two of the top four positions, and little cars and big HP cars dotted the top spots, making this a fair and balanced course. (Little joke for my political friends).

I want to start off by mentioning a gentleman who is a friend of the club and has been running with us for the past two seasons. Dale Shoop first tried this last year and has been steadily improving. He drives a 2009 Mustang, but embraces what we want to do with this program. He comes early, learns and listens, and continues to improve. I believe he is having a great time, and I am glad to see his fun rise and his times fall. We are glad to have you with us and hope you continue to enjoy your learning and legal fun. Eric Huggins also had a breakout run, by winning his class by 0.6 seconds with a great run. Geoff Kilmer dusted off the cobwebs and brought out his very nice 1991 C2 to turn a few hot laps. Glad to have you back Geoff. Jim Condon and Jeffrey Elmore ran great times for the day, and Jeffrey just missed the top time, but Brandon Brickner in his 2011 WRX slipped by with the overall win. Brandon is a great driver with a heavily modified Subaru, but not if you ask him on either count. He is tough to beat. Jonathan Newhall drove well to a third place finish with the oldest car in the field, a ’61 Bugeye Sprite, with a slightly different motor than stock. It is good to have all different makes, models, and customs come and challenge us. It keeps us sharp and makes us all better drivers, plus it is good fellowship with those who are not as fortunate as we are to own a Porsche. We have converted a few as well, so win/win.

This Sunday, August 10th is autocross #4 for the five-race season. I have no idea what I will be doing for the course design, but expect a change to challenge participants. We have been growing the event, so come early and walk the course to get a feel for the ever-changing track we have in store for you. A couple of teasers, our Fall Foliage driving tour is starting to come together and we may be using three of my top five favorite roads in the area this year. This will not be straight, flat grid or highway driving, but some of the “busiest” roads (driver input) you may ever encounter in this part of the country. I remember on a Fall Foliage tour a few years ago they made special notice of a section of the day’s driving that had “great turns” and would require you to really pay attention for that stretch of a mile or two. Imagine that for 80% of the tour… I am sure more details will be soon to come, but this is one tour I would not want to miss if you like to drive and enjoy your auto.