National Autocross @ Devens July 20/21

[batchman]

Hey all,

A rare thing these days but a National Match Tour is happening at Devens this weekend and is probably the best spectator event that comes through there. Not quite as easy to watch as Loudon events but good eye candy and a big field of fast folks.

I am not one of those, haven't gotten near what I hoped done to the car and this will only be my 2nd event of the season so I'll be fighting for 2nd-to-last in class if I'm lucky. Just to keep the excuses flowing I'm on last year's tires (freshness matters) and for that matter last years' suspension too.

For those who know the site this event will be using the (old) Bishop Rd entrance. FWIW that makes GPS easier for those that don't know the site, set up for Bishop Rd in Ayer MA and it's about 3/4mi in.

Admission is free but needs ID and a waiver. Minor waiver is more complex - it needs both parent's signatures witnessed there. Bring water/lunch/whatever as the only amenity on site is porta-pottys.

Cheers,
- Jeff

[batchman]

It was great to meet Wayne at this event, had only hurried chance to explain what the heck was going on though. Hope it was worth the visit, wish I'd put on a better show. Both driver and car need updating it seems...

While the SCCA events, and particularly this National one, are somewhat hoidy toidy there are a bunch of more grassroots clubs running at Devens and that makes for a great day with your car. Great starting point is the Bay State Corvette Club, containable events with enough runs to get comfortable with what you're doing. The National scene is about getting it all done in 3 or 4 runs but that's not really the best place to start, although they do have excellent Novice program the seat time isn't enough.

Cheers,
- Jeff

[batchman]

Well I can't edit the thread title, but it's that time again - an SCCA Solo Match Tour at Devens this weekend.

And I've accomplished nothing more than aging/using my tires since last year, so I'll be even less competitive, and I'm in charge of sound regs so I'll be distracted and busy and angry all weekend. But it's still fun (they say) and it is a cheap spectator event (free!). There are some great drivers on the roster and they'll be putting on a good show. Best I can hope for is to put down a good sound track!

The Sunday portion of this event format runs something like the eliminations in bracket racing, and I think they are doing a dial-in of your Saturday's time too - so the ranking gets complicated but there's an announcer to present it all.

Cheers,
- Jeff

[EVILTWINS]

Couldn't tell from the thread whether this is a 13 or 14 post.??

Live abut an hour from Devens so it might be worth coming to watch or participate (if that's possible)

If I can participate what would I need to bring (other than the car ;)

[batchman]

Hi Pete, yeah I couldn't edit the post title and those dates applied to '13. The '14 event was just after my last post.

If you're within an hour of Devens it's worth the trip to check out for sure. Google satview "Moore Army Airfield" and look for the entrance at the control tower, left up the hill as you're facing it. Most weekends days from April to November are booked up with at least one club date, except for this weekend coming which is a school.

Most clubs will let you in to spectate, if they hesitate drop my name "Jeff with the big beard and the red ZR-1". You'll need to sign the waiver at the gate, and if you bring a kid note that the minor waiver requires both parent signatures and has to be witnessed.

There are a bunch of grassroots type club events, easiest is probably the Bay State Corvette Club. Most of the same folks run with Track Club USA and NESVT. Next up the ladder are the BMW CCA and Renegade Miata, who run more standard events which will have more complicated classing but also more novice support. Probably the best Novice program comes with the SCCA region, see www.ner.org - this is where I run.

Most of these clubs use motorsportreg.com to run their sign-ups, which are pre-register and pre-pay. These events run the whole day, rain or shine, and the only facilities at the site are porta-potties so you need to bring anything else you'd like to have. You will need a Snell rated helmet (not just DOT), most want 2005 or later but the SCCA and Miata allow 2000. Most of the clubs will have some loaner helmets available, SCCA for sure.

Since you're in NH I should also pitch the Sports Car Club of NH, who run fine events in the front parking lot at NHMS. That's actually my favorite site in the ZR-1 - a first gear romp in a fishbowl! It's even the most spectator friendly since you can see the whole course.

Cheers,
- Jeff

[EVILTWINS]

thx for the response. I was actually stationed at Ft Devens my first couple of years in the Army and I think I remember where the Helicopter airfield is/was.

Done the Loudon road course track (once) with "COM" in an 04 Z06. Would really like to get my SCCA comp license so I can run at Lime rock and Watkns Glenn or other places as well

Did the Loring AFB , Mojave CA Monster Mile and Nevada Sliver State events over the last year. My goal next year is to go 200 at the Mojave Space Port. -- to go 200 at Loring is WAY too expensive and NOT worht the aggravation - will run my 800 hp twin turbo 01 z06 vette have done 190 in it with lots more pedal to go :)

But haven't tried any SCCA events

Have a SNELL 2010 rated helmet so i think I;m ok there if I can get on at some time

What are the dates for the upcoming event you mentioned

[batchman]

Hi Pete, with a resume like that you'll find autocross to be a bit different!

After 10 years of autox I ran Lime Rock in the Skippy cars, felt like I should be eating lunch on the main straight. LRP packs 7 corners (if you count Big Bend's double apex as 2) into 1.5 miles, at our old Ford club events we'd run 1.5mi but with more like 70 corners.

The event I re-posted about was weeks ago - the thread title was from last year.

I will tell you my next event is 20-July with the SCCA - good spectator event or good novice instruction if you wanted to try it but I'd suggest checking it out once before you sign up for a whole day thing. I'd offer a ride but that gets complicated with the SCCA insurance stuff - you'd have to be a member or at least weekend member.

Clubs links:
www.ner.org (http://www.ner.org) (SCCA New England Region)
http://renegademiata.net/
http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/
http://www.baystatecorvetteclub.com
http://www.ne-svt.org/
http://www.trackclubusa.com/
http://www.sccnh.org/ (autocross is in NHMS parking lot)

Looks like SCCNH has an autocross school scheduled for August, could be a great thing but I'd actually suggest doing an event (or two!) first to get the most out of a school.

HTH/Cheers,
- Jeff

[batchman]

Actually the school this weekend could make a great starting point for someone, two similar ones possible. I believe the window is still open but better act fast...

For anyone completely new to autocross (do some youtube time search devens autocross or autox for a taste):
http://www.sccastartingline.com/

Or if you've got one notch more of a handle than that, Evolution Phase 1:
http://evoschool.com/

Cheers,
- Jeff

[EVILTWINS]

thx for the info

I'm out on the west coast for a couple of eeks and thought I might get back early and the SCCA event looked interesting

regrettably I won't get back till after the 25th of July

thx

Pete