June 26, 2006
Finding Solace on New Hampshire International Speedway
Posted by Jess in
Mini Cooper S
Literally!
Since I've had my MINI, I've been told over and over again how much fun autocrossing is, so I just had to try it. I'm hooked! I've since joined the New England Region of the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America), which does Autocross/Solo2 on a regular basis during the summer. (It's also called 'solo' because you are timed on the course by yourself, each car goes seperately.)
My first event was at New Hampshire International Speedway, in Loudon NH (of Winston Cup fame). After the event was done, we were given a special treat - the chance to do "touring" laps on the speedway. Touring laps means no passing, you can only go as fast as the person in front of you. Granted, we reached high speeds at some points... though it feels like you are going a lot faster in lower gears when the engine can really rev for a little bit! The MINI doesn't truly shine until 4-5,000 RPMs. I'd heard that, but now I know...
The following paragraphs are copied directly from the SCCA's website (they say it far better than I could)
"
An autocross is a skill driving event in which one car at a time negotiates a prescribed course, using traffic cones to define a variety of turns. The sites are usually laid out on huge, open parking lots, or on sections of airport runways. The course is set up so that you are operating in lower gears, with a top speed of no more than 60 mph or so, depending on the car. The average time of a run on the course is approximately one minute, plus a penalty of two seconds for each rubber cone (pylon) hit. During each run you operate your car at it's limit of acceleration, turning, and braking...and yours. You maintain complete control of your car while maneuvering through the course in the lowest possible time.
While driving on the street, the time span of most emergencies is only a few seconds. Thus the experience of maintaining control becomes a valuable training session. You will develop a sense of timing, judgment, and ability to interpret your vehicle's handling characteristics - at safe speeds and in a safe place. Your experiences at an autocross will enhance your driving ability on the street.
"
It's really fun, and really easy to get started. Cars are placed according to class, not driver, so you always have a competetive chance to take home a trophy. Anyone can do it with their street commuter car, or a suped-up hotrod. Great driving lessons in control, AND you get to really open up your car and see what it can do.
You can see why a MINI would be great fun. My problem when I started was that I never went fast enough... the instructors kept telling me "go faster, dammit! If the pedal is not on the floor through those slaloms, you're not going fast enough!"
Finally one time I took him up on it, sure enough - pedal to the medal while simultaneously moving the wheel side to side through the slalom cones. Sure enough, not only did I NOT lose control, but the car drove better because I WAS in control, and I knocked four seconds off my time. I saw a great quote in the signature file of another driver: Drag racing measures fast cars. Solo2 measures fast drivers.
To see exactly what I am talking about, here is a link to a video of a car having a good run on an autocross course (you'll see what I mean about the slaloms):
Autocross/Solo2
Here's me and my friend Maureen in a MINI in front of me. This wasn't an all-MINI event - we just clicked!
Find your local SCCA branch. It's the single easiest way for anyone to get started having a little fun with their cars - no performance parts needed. If you have them, great, but you'll get put into a different class than an all-stock car.
Entering NHIS "infield" to get onto the Speedway itself:
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Comments
Now I don't think I want to ride in a car you are driving: on a racetrack and taking a picture - in your mirror? 8-O
Actually it sounds like a lot of fun. More fun in a Mini than in my SUV I suspect. :)
Haha, actually, with no flash, I can take piccies quickly. I had no co-driver, so I wanted proof I had done it. When I was going slower, I just started snapping away without aiming. I held the camera backwards hoping that the "Solace" would come through - and it did!
that looks like crazy fun. :-)
