Autocross is designed to highlight the handling, acceleration, and braking capabilities of your car. This year, Ford Fest is battling leftover storms from Hurricane Helene, but autocross competition runs in rain or shine. The track may be wet, but the competition is fire-hot on the first day of the event.
The course features a thrilling combination of wide sweepers, tight hairpins, chicanes, and slalom sections, ensuring you'll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With three days of track time, drivers have ample opportunity to showcase their skills and see how their vehicle performs under pressure.
Competing in the Autocross event offers the chance to win great prizes, including cash, OPTIMA Batteries, and Holley Parts Purchase Certificates.
The one getting the most wet is Ted Leonard in his Factory Five โ33 Hot Rod Roadster. โWeโre not wrecking, getting around the course. Itโs fun, and thatโs all that really matters," says Ted. When the rain was terrible, the fenderless hot rod kicked up water, blinding him. But he was prepared, โI put Rain-X on my helmet last night.โ
Built in 2011, itโs powered by a Gen-I Coyote from a Mustang GT, backed by a Tremec TKX 5-speed. Steering is an electrically assisted system from a Mitsubishi. Ted came from Cincinnati, Ohio, with his son Cory, who was running his Mustang in the late-model class.
โIf you're not going to take the time to go out and have fun with your car, why have one?โ
Returning Truck-class Grand Champion Lars Ekberg is loaded for bear with a fresh 5.4L 2V engine in his Lightning. With help from Johnny Lightning Performance (JLP) it has a freshly built, billet bottom-end and larger Kenne Bell Supercharger. It made around 600 hp with the โsmall tune,โ they expect this current setup to make well over 700 hp.
Due to the poor weather conditions and big drag racing schedule, the Grand Champion competitors arenโt running drag racing this year, which throws in an interesting dynamic for competition. โThatโs where I scored most of my points,โ says Lars. โYeah, itโs going to be interesting. I'm having to drive today like thereโs an egg under the gas pedal ... weโre sliding around quite a bit.โ
This Fox Body has an exciting backstory. It was built for SCCA competition and has a winning history, but it had been parked at a machine shop since the early 1990s. Friend and fellow Ford Fest competitor Ron Schoch found the car and told Lyle Hartsock about it. They got it running this January.
โI pulled the spark plugs, and everything looked good. I changed all the fluids and poured gas in the carb, and it fired on the first lick,โ said Lyle. โIโve been running the wheels off it ever since.โ
It was set up for 1992 rules, with SVO suspension components under it. The big flares allow for wide 315 tires all around.
The Late-Model class is always a fun and competitive field here at Ford Fest. Returning champion Sam Strano is first with his Ford Duratec 4-cylinder-powered 2005 Mazda RX-8.
In third is Ron Schoch, who often runs in the Top 3 at Ford Fest. Skipping drag racing is an advantage for Ron. The car makes 800 hp, with a Paxton blower putting out 12 lbs of boost. Ron is currently third and only 0.006 from second place.
