Autocross Update

An Autocross at a Club Race?! That’s what occurred on February 6, 2021. Many of you have heard about the 48 hours at Sebring Club Race, but how many of you know that the Gold Coast Region AutoX team has been the hosting an AutoX as part of the Suncoast/ Gold Coast activities every year since 2008? I believe we were the first such organization to introduce Autocross as a feature activity to Club Race and have billed this as a Zone Challenge competitive event since the beginning. This AutoX has drawn hot shoes from all over to see who could claim the title of Class Top Gun or FTD (fastest time of the day).

This year’s Club Race and the AutoX had some extra challenges in the form of COVID-19 precautions, fewer participants and volunteers, questionable weather, and something we did not count on—timing system problems. Our team had prepared for the COVID protocols and everything in that regard was well-rehearsed and went smoothly. Dottie did an excellent job of grouping who would run and who would work and the event ran ahead of schedule. The weather cooperated and while rain loomed on the horizon, everyone got dry competition runs and fun runs later in the day. The biggest headache occurred when our timing console decided to stop working during the first run. The event continued by going old school, utilizing a series of stop watches by a team of dedicated timers. A huge thanks to Julie, Claudia, Georgia and Marty who came out to volunteer (they did not run) and kept timing going consistently and accurately with stop watches, making manual entries in the computer.

The course was said to be the best ever: challenging, safe, and without overly tight or fast spots. The plan was to end the AutoX around 1:00 PM so that Autocrossers could partake in the track tour and still have time to grab lunch and watch the sprint races in the afternoon. Also, while there was a break in the action, course designer Steve reworked the course so it could be run in the opposite direction. No small undertaking, that, but in the end a small group did come out and try the new design with fun runs. After the fun runs the Boy Scout troop came over and helped us pick up cones and pack the trailer. Again, a huge thanks to the Scouts and everyone else who pitched in when and where needed.

While there were issues that forced us to adjust and adapt, the number of compliments and thank-you’s made it all worthwhile. I forgot to mention that times will be posted on the Gold Coast and Suncoast websites as well as the 48 Hours at Sebring website. I will tell you that the Fastest Time of the Day AGAIN went to Cory Corona, driving his well-prepared Cayman S. Most times were in the low 40’s to low 50’s and the competition and sportsmanship was great. If you missed this year’s Club Race AX be sure to plan on participating next year.

I need to repeat an important message. To continue offering a world class AX program we need a new site. This could be a BIG parking lot, air strip or similar piece of pavement in the Tri-County area to hold our AutoX events. In the past we have used shopping center lots, sporting and gaming venues, and school/government parking facilities. We most recently used the BBT Center parking lot, which was great: large, centrally located and reasonably priced. A repaving project put an end to that lot; we hope the interruption is temporary, but it very well could be permanent. What we need is an “in”: someone who has a connection to a suitable property and can help us get our foot in the door. Do you know of a site? Are you the person with the “in”? Please call me at 954- 292-3915 if you can help finding a new AX site.

Tentative AX schedule for the remainder of 2021 Event #3 5/22/2021 @ Sebring: Very similar to event #1 or a surprise location... Event #4 Tentative; possible “piggy back” on the Zonefest AX or another region’s AX, like Buckingham Airfield Summer Break Event #5 9/11/2021 @ Sebring or ??? Event #6 10/09/2021 @ Sebring or ??? Event #7 Tentative Mid-November. Location TBA possibly FAU or ??? Most of the above dates & sites are subject to change due to weather, availability and factors beyond our control. News, reminders and 2021 updates: • Everyone is now required to pre-register for any AutoX on Clubregistration.net. Please consult the GCR website and Kassette for all Autocross photos & results. • Porsche classes are loosely based on the PCR’s for medium-size regions, with minor regional adjustments. The major difference will be the addition of SN (stock car/novice driver) for men and women. These classes are strictly for newcomers only. Please see Steve for any car class questions or if you wish to run as a novice. We reserve the right to make additional class/rule changes as needed. • Our 2021 series is planned to include 5 to 7 events, depending on site eligibility. To be eligible for an end of the year award, competitors must run in over half the events in the same class. Each competitor’s top finishes will be calculated and an end of the year class champion and possibly runner-up (depending on class size) will be chosen. In case of a tie, additional events will be added until the tie is broken. Year-end class champion awards may be presented. • No passengers except for an approved AX instructor driving or in the car instructing. • For 2021 please remember to be COVID-19 conscious. This means COVID waivers, social distancing, masks and other appropriate safety protocols will be enforced. • Questions? Call Steve or Dottie Kidd at 954-946-3196. which was great: large, centrally located and reasonably priced. A repaving project put an end to that lot; we hope the interruption is temporary, but it very well could be permanent. What we need is an “in”: someone who has a connection to a suitable property and can help us get our foot in the door. Do you know of a site? Are you the person with the “in”? Please call me at 954- 292-3915 if you can help finding a new AX site.