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"For 50 seconds or less, I'm free" wouldn't sound quite as cool coming out of Vin Diesel's mouth, but rest assured, there's plenty of excitement to be found on the NCM Motorsports Park skidpad when we litter it with orange cones and direct LS Fest Autocrossers to attack the course with a ferocity rarely seen during peacetime in our nation. Autocross requires a nimble vehicle, precise driving, and consistency. That is, unless, you just really hate orange cones and don't mind a little penalty time.
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.
Autocross is generally not known as a spectator sport, but the LS Fest Autocross Shootout brings out a huge crowd. The top five competitors from the weekend compete in a three-lap shootout for the opportunity to be called the champion!
The shootout rules are different from normal competition. Competitors get three consecutive laps, with the final score being a total of three laps. Drivers must be fast, consistent, and careful—with little room for error.
Unfortunately, Cody Puckett, in pushing the limits of his ’70 Camaro got sideways right before the finish line and took out a piece of timing equipment. This resulted in an automatic DNF.
Last year’s Triple Crown Grand Champion (winning the 2022 LS Fest, MoParty, and Ford Fest), Justin Peachy, completed his runs with the beginning sprinkling of rain, adding a new element of competition. As the rain fell more, Peachy appeared to be more cautious but ended up running faster than the lap before. “Sometimes smooth is fast,” said Justin, “On the last lap, I pushed a little deep into some corners as the grip was going down [due to rainfall]. I was getting a little worried, but I put it together and got it done.”
