One Down, Seven to Go!

Welcome to the magical world of autocrossing, as presented by the Boston Chapter BMW CCA! The 1999 Massachusetts BMW Retailers Autocross Series is now officially under way, with our first event taking place on Sunday, April 18. Check the Boston Chapter web site for the latest results.

Since it's the beginning of our season, we would like to take some time to introduce you to our autocross crew, course design, a strengthened novice program, and a new year-end competition event.

1999 Autocross Course Layout

Fred Beck at the Drivers Meeting.

Six highly dedicated autocross aficionados spent a windy March day at Rockingham Park creating an awesome new course for your driving enjoyment. Fred Beck, Martin Callahan, Fred deNapoli, Justin Hughes, Phil Sansossio, and Ken Weingold cast the cones and came up with a cornucopia of good ideas. Many made it into the final course design, some were shelved for future use, and still others were discarded (including the slalom that was so tight that Justin's 320i couldn't even fit through it - though Fred deNapoli insisted that his Z3 Coupe could fit through anything).

Although an autocross course can look as simple as a bunch of cones randomly flung around a parking lot, a few newcomers to course design quickly learned that it's a lot more difficult than that. Moving a key cone a foot or two can completely change the dynamics of the course. It took all day and a number of test runs in various cars to get a course that flows well, is fun, and should be challenging for all drivers in all classes.

Our vision was to make this year's course even more open and flowing than last year. Having been inspired by a few practice course designs from the 1999 Ice Racing series, the theory we applied is basically "less is more." Instead of using numerous gates and cones to constrain the driver to a particular line, we tried to use fewer (but more intelligently placed) cones to define the course elements. This leaves it more up to the driver to determine a proper line through the turn, and there are numerous lines to choose from. People with different cars and driving techniques can explore different lines, and determine the ones that work best for them with less risk of going off course. We hope this design will reduce the number of DNFs (did not finish), allowing drivers to be more competitive and have more fun. (Thereby increasing your Driving Satisfaction Quotient, or DSQ!)

Tony Velleco in his 74 2002.

The major turns of the course are long and sweeping instead of tight and twisty. The back stretch contains a decreasing radius turn leading into a slalom, which becomes an increasing radius turn when you run the opposite direction on the way back. (A number of course elements are used twice.) There are two pivots, which are three cones bunched together marking the center of a 180 degree turn. And just before the finish there's a 360 degree skidpad where you literally circle all the way around a bridge pillar! This part should give spectators a good show.

Finally, we've moved the tent and parking area further back from last year to gain more pavement for the course. Originally we had wanted a two lap course, but the extra space gave us enough room to make a larger one lap course. With all these improvements, we hope drivers will feel free to explore car control and vehicle dynamics without worrying about picking their way through a sometimes confusing ocean of cones.

There's a First Time for Everything

Improved for 1999 is our novice program. Last year, first time BMW autocrossers competed not only in their regular classes, but also against each other. Whoever improved their time the most during the season won the competition. (Last year's winner was Phil Sansossio, who helped design this year's course.)

Phil Sansossio, 1998's Most Improved Autocross Rookie.

This year the novice program is back, and there are some additions to make novices feel more comfortable quickly, improve their skills, and learn the course. New this year, novices are required to take a veteran driver with them during their initial run. The vet will guide the novice through the course during the run, which we have found really helps people learn the course quickly. (Hint: See if you can snag one of the course designers mentioned above to ride with you, since they designed the thing!)

Once you know where you're going, then you can start working on going there smoother, hence faster. Several experienced drivers are available throughout the day to help novices, or anyone else, for that matter, with any questions they might have.

Friendly Competition

One thing we've found about autocrossers is that even though they're often in fierce competition with each other, they'll also bend over backwards to help each other out, even if that involves helping a competitor. This kind of sportsmanship is unmatched by most other sports, and one of the most enjoyable parts of an autocross. "Competitors" become friends, and are usually more than willing to give advice, lend a torque wrench, or even supply spare parts for emergency trackside repairs.

Fred deNapoli, autocorssing with ski racks on his E36.

Everyone, veterans and novices alike, are made to feel very welcome at these events. Don't worry if you've never done this before - come on out and give it a try. It's far safer to learn your car's limits here than in an emergency on the road, not to mention a lot more fun!

Insert Cone A into Box B

Before we run, we obviously have to build the course. The course remains the same all season, but we still need to place the cones on the painted roundels and build it each morning before we run. We start doing this at 7 am. All are invited to show up early and lend a hand, especially novices.

What better way is there to learn the course than to create it? Getting the course set up early gives everyone more time for other tasks, such as registration, tech inspection, and taking a few more walks around the course before the driver's meeting.

Year-end Autocross Shootout

There are many different goals you can strive for - most improved novice, winning your class in the season standings, fastest time of the day (FTD), fastest time in class for the day, beating a friend, beating your previous personal best time, or just making it around the course once without a DNF (the first goal any novice should have).

As if there weren't enough opportunities for competition, we're planning on a new one for the end of the year - an "Autocross Shootout." The idea comes from the Golden Gate chapter, who have also generously shared their performance-points BMW autocross classification system with us. Season top BMW drivers from each class will be invited to attend the shootout.

John Cappabianca in his E36 M3.

Empirical run data from the 1998 and 1999 season will be used in a handicapping system that will level the playing field for the fastest drivers in each BMW class. The handicap seeks to adjust for any vehicle related advantage, allowing a driver in a 318i to compete directly with an M Coupe pilot.

This should be a true test of the class leaders' pure driving ability, with the champion receiving the "Hotshoe of the Year" award at the end of the season.

Coming Attractions

There are five more confirmed dates for the autocross series: May 16, June 13, July 11, August 22, and September 12. We plan to add two more dates, likely in October, for a total of eight events for the year. This means there is plenty of opportunity for you to come on up to Rockingham Park and give it a try.

All you need is any car in decent condition and a helmet, and people are very willing to lend you a helmet if you don't have one. If you have any questions about the autocross series, or wish to participate in the setup and running of the event, please contact Fred Beck at fbeck@boston-bmwcca.org. See you May 16!

May 1999 BIMMER

Behind the Wheel: Glorious Sun and Convertibles by Mike Webb

Under the Hood: The Track Box by Greg Scott

Crushing The Cones: One Down, Seven to Go! by Fred Beck and Justin Hughes

May 1999 New Members by Barry Tarr

Keys In Hand: Many May Events by Fred Beck

On The Ice: Whiteouts and Traction by Stan Jackson Jr.

On The Ice: Ice Racing Adventure by Rick Shrier

On The Ice: A Big Year for Ice Racing by Stan Jackson Jr.

On The Ice: Ice Race 5 Photo Gallery by Ron Sisco

On The Ice: 1999 Ice Racing Photo Gallery by Alex Shchipkov

Car Audio Tech Session at Rich's CarTunes by Mike Webb

Rich's CarTunes Tech Session Photo Gallery by Dan Mull

1998 Income and Expense Report by Bruce Augenstein

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President's Page: Calling All Members October 2000 Bimmer

President's Page: Bonjour, Chapitre de Boston! September 2000 Bimmer

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