Autocross Recap - Friday
Does your ride handle? Put it to the test on the QA1 autocross course! The autocross is a thrilling low-speed competition showcasing your ride's handling, acceleration, and braking abilities.
The course's wide sweepers, tight hairpins, chicanes, and slalom sections keep your adrenaline pumping from start to finish. The autocross package includes two events: one inside Beech Bend's 3/8 mile oval track and another at the NCM Motorsports Park skid pad.
The course inside Beech Bend is very technical, starting with a chicane, followed by a tight entrance and long sweeping corner into a decreasing radius tight turn. However, the NCM Motorsports Park features a longer straightaway and more open corners. Drivers mention the Beech Bend track favors smaller cars, while the NCM Motorsports Park (NCMP) track favors bigger cars.
This layout and the sold-out car count of 225 vehicles means fierce competition.
Jeremy McCauley, in his '90 Miata with an LS3 and T-56 looks smooth on track. Starting at NCMP, he is 7th in the late-model class and 14th overall but jumped to 6th in class and 9th overall after competing at the Beech Bend track.
"Just need to dial in my driving now," said Jeremy. What does he get from autocross? "Precision driving. I do it because it makes you a better driver on the street. You learn car control skills here."
Taking the top spots in Late Model is Justin Peachey (36.633 average lap) with the notorious Danny Popp (37.483 average lap) close on his tail.
The Vintage Class is also heating up, with Christopher Jensen in his wild LS-swapped 1986 Mazda RX7 running a 36.848 average, taking a solid class lead and second overall. Christopher Wheatcraft, in his 1973 Chevrolet Camaro, is taking up the second spot with a 37.530 average.
Dane Howell narrowly takes the lead in his tiny 1975 Chevrolet LUV with an average of 38.381. Brian Finch, a serious autocross who's been helping many other trucks in competition, is a close second in his 1970 Chevy C10, running an average of 38.388.
The AX class consists of those running strictly autocross and not in Grand Champion competition: Travis Patterson, in his 2006 Mazda Mx5, takes the top spot, followed by Steve Coon in his 2013 Chevy Corvette, and Roger Irvine in his 1971 Chevrolet Camaro.
A refresher of the rules, participants must use DOT-approved street tires, defined as any treaded, non-competition tire with a 200-tread wear rating or higher, and must stick with the same set from start to finish. The winner will be determined by the fastest combined time of three laps. The race director and event organizers reserve the right to deny or
Autocross Payouts:
• First Place: $250 cash, OPTIMA Battery, jacket
• Second Place: $150 Holley Parts Purchase Certificate
• Third Place: $75 Holley Parts Purchase Certificate Note: Participants winning multiple events are eligible to win only one jacket.
