No Rain at Autocross 5
by Fred Beck and Justin Hughes
Fred Beck and Justin HughesThe day before Autocross 5 had seen some heavy rain in the area. In fact it was raining in Boston during the event. But our Rockingham Park deflector shield was fully operational which prevented any rain from falling upon us, despite some rather threatening clouds nearby.
The event was sold out to its 75 car maximum, but 23 drivers didn't show up due to the strong chance of rain. The rest of us had faith in our large cosmic umbrella, and we each took 5 timed runs instead of the usual 4. Some people were hoping that it would rain to make the course a bit more interesting, but the shields held throughout the day. Since everyone got an extra timed run than usual, the organizers took a break and did not hold fun runs. This enabled them to actually leave before sundown!
Due to a recent move and other commitments, the official results of Autocross 5 have not yet been calculated. They will be published in the November/December BIMMER, and on the web site once they are available.
The Rest of the Season
Preregistration continues to be a success. Autocross 6 on September 12 sold out three weeks in advance. Only three slots remained open at the beginning of Autocross 5, and they filled up immediately afterward. We expect to see similar interest in Autocross 7 on October 3 and Autocross 8 on October 24.
We're still planning the "Hotshoe Shootout" for November, which will pit the top drivers from each class directly against each other, using a handicapping system to normalize the times. Details will be published on the web site. Participation in the Shootout will be by invitation only, but all are welcome to come watch the best of the best duke it out amongst themselves. Autocross season trophies will be awarded at the Fourth Quarter Meeting at BMW Peabody.
Desperately Seeking a Site
Due to impending construction, it looks like we will no longer be able to hold our autocross events at Rockingham Park. We have been running there for six years, and have managed to create a variety of interesting courses there. But the pavement is getting tired. We had to work this year's course around some of the nastier potholes, and we've even poured concrete ourselves into a new pothole that formed at a critical corner. And now that they plan to build a strip mall in the middle of our slalom, it's time to move on.
Is this the end? Of course not! We are actively seeking a new site at which to hold next year's events. Some people have already suggested the former Fort Devens, which is used by the SCCA and other local clubs for autocross events. This is a possibility we are considering, but the cost is significantly more expensive than we are accustomed to.
We need your help! Have you ever driven by a large parking lot near you and thought to yourself, "Gee, this would be a great place to have an autocross?" If so, tell us! Whether it's at your workplace, in your neighborhood, through friends, local athletic facilities, or wherever else you can think of, if you know of a good place to hold an autocross, preferably within 30-60 minutes of Boston, please contact Justin Hughes.
Ocean State Autocross
Though we weren't able to have an event in Rhode Island this year, we haven't given up on you Rhode Islanders yet! We would like to hold at least one event at Inskip BMW in Warwick next spring, and are looking for local volunteers in Rhode Island to coordinate it. If there is enough interest, both from drivers and from volunteers to back it, we might even be able to have an independent Rhode Island autocross series. But we need the local help to make it happen! Interested? Contact Fred or Justin and let us know!
Crushing Cones 101
The idea factory has been working overtime, it seems! In addition to all this, we are also looking into holding an autocross school sometime during the early portion of next season. This would be instructed by an independent autocross training agency, coordinated by our autocross committee, and held at the site of our choosing. We hear that people who have taken the school have shaved up to 3 seconds off of their lap times. Sounds pretty good to us! Stay tuned for details, and let us know if you think this is a good idea.
The Information Superspeedway
Over the past year or so, an informal e-mail distribution list has been created, based on the registration records from Ice Racing and the Autocross series. We currently have about 200 addresses on record. We have used this list a few times to inform the membership of late-braking driving events, such as the September 15 driving school at Lime Rock Park, and the date change of the New England Grand Prix Challenge. This mode of communication seems to work well for people who have e-mail. Members who wish to be added to the list can send an e-mail to fbeck@boston-bmwcca.org.
If you have any questions or comments on current or future autocross activities, please call or email Fred Beck.
The 1999 Boston Chapter Autocross Series is sponsored by the Massachusetts BMW Retailers.
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- October 1999 BIMMER
- Behind the Wheel: 2001: An Oktoberfest Odyssey?
- Under the Hood: Pushing My Luck
- Crushing The Cones: No Rain at Autocross 5
- October 1999 New Members
- Keys In Hand: Where To Go
- Bimmers Across the Border III: An Enchanted Weekend in Quebec
- Bimmers Across the Border III: Greg's Enchanted Weekend in Quebec Photo Gallery
- Bimmers Across the Border III: Ron's Enchanted Weekend in Quebec Photo Gallery
- Third Quarter General Meeting: Wensberg's Inside Scoop
- Cheap Tricks: Weatherstripping
- Oktoberfest 1999: Indianapolis Oktoberfest
- Oktoberfest 1999: Indianapolis Oktoberfest Photo Gallery
- BMW CCA To Gather Chapter Expertise For Program: A Rallying Cry
- June 1999 Board Meeting Minutes
- More Boston Bimmer articles by Fred Beck
- President's Page: Mr. Beck Goes To Washington November/December 2000 Bimmer
- President's Page: Calling All Members October 2000 Bimmer
- President's Page: Bonjour, Chapitre de Boston! September 2000 Bimmer
- President's Page July/August 2000 Bimmer
- President's Page June 2000 Bimmer
- There are 51 more Boston Bimmer articles by Fred Beck
- More Boston Bimmer articles by Justin Hughes
- 2003 Boston Chapter Ice Racing Screen Saver: Ice Racing In The Summer June 2003 Boston Bimmer
- 2002 Autocross Series: A Wild, Tail-Happy Ride January/February 2003 Boston Bimmer
- The Ultimate Drive for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation: Boston Chapter Tradition August 2002 Boston Bimmer
- 2002 Boston Chapter Ice Racing Screen Saver: Winter All Year Long May 2002 Boston Bimmer
- Autocross 2002 April 2002 Boston Bimmer
- There are 57 more Boston Bimmer articles by Justin Hughes
