Autocrossing at Devens in Ayer, MA

[korinfox]

So I've just started autocrossing this year in my IS300 Sportcross, and I'm determined to get you BRZ/FR-S guys out there too.

I joined Boston BMWCCA http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/ to do their events. I also run with Renegade Miata http://renegademiata.net/. They're both full of nice people and good groups to run with.

Registration for Boston BMWCCA is online, and opens up 2 weeks before the event. You should sign up right when registration opens at midnight, especially for the autocross school that's coming up in August, since their events fill pretty quickly, usually within 10 hours. Renegade Miata has registration via snail mail and you mail in checks.

Both clubs have loaners helmet you can use, but you'll eventually want to get your own helmet if you get hooked. If you have a motorcycle helmet that's Snell certified M2005 or newer, then you can use that. I got an SA2010 helmet from HMS Motorsport http://www.hmsmotorsport.com/ since they're local and I could go and try on helmets. I tried ordering one online, but it didn't fit at all and I had to return it. Definitely go check them out since they sell a bunch of other cool stuff like seats and harnesses.

Here's a calendar of all the autocross events at Devens http://the111shift.blogspot.com/p/au...-calendar.html

If there are any other questions just ask, and I hope to see you out there!

Also, SCCA and NE-SVT/BSCC/Track Club USA all do their event registration on MotorsportReg.

[NRGBalanced]

Maybe I'm just an autocross noob, but I would never have guessed that events with either of those clubs are open to other makes of vehicles. Can you explain a little more how that works?

[korinfox]

Originally Posted by NRGBalanced

Maybe I'm just an autocross noob, but I would never have guessed that events with either of those clubs are open to other makes of vehicles. Can you explain a little more how that works?

Anyone can join the BMWCCA and do their events. If you go do an autocross, they be happy to have you no matter what car you drive. Either it's a sporty car like the BRZ/FR-S and they're happy you're actually driving it like it should be, or it's a grocery getter (my car) and they're happy you're thrashing it out on the course. (This is true of all clubs, really)

For Renegade Miata, members of the NCR Porsche Club, SCCA, and Boston BMWCCA can do their autocross events.

Porsche club is the only one where you need to own a porsche to join (or someone in your family does), but you can autocross whatever car you want to with them.

Anyone can run with Bay State Corvette Club without a membership, NE-SVT and Track Club USA require separate memberships. Track Club USA is notable because they use the whole runway for their events.

The clubs are true to their names. If you're at a BMWCCA event, there will be a lot of BMWs, with a lot of prepared E36 M3s. At Renegade Miata there will be a ton of Miatas.

[Turbowned]

I haven't autocrossed at Devens in almost two years

There's also ADSI in Quonset, Rhode Island and they're very relaxed: http://hpds.1adsi.com/

And SCCNH runs events at NHMS as well, and if you're feeling really adventurous, take your car to a hillclimb! We went a couple years ago in my friend's Impreza 2.5RS and had a blast! All you need is a helmet, pay the entry fee and pass tech inspection. NEHA runs events at Mt. Ascutney, Mt. Okemo, Mt. Philo, and Mt. Burke: http://www.hillclimb.org/
The courses are all tarmac as far as I know. At least Ascutney is.

[davisk6]

Of course, there is always drifting @NHMS. Just sayin'

[korinfox]

Originally Posted by davisk6

Of course, there is always drifting @NHMS. Just sayin'

Almost did their clinic in my daily driver, but decided against it since I can't afford to break things on my car.

Along those lines, the worst thing that should happen at an autocross is some tire wear and some cone marks on your car. You can tape up the bottom bits of your car with painter's tape to avoid cone marks.

Brakes aren't really used too much beyond some hard braking (nothing like in track usage), and for suspension, hitting a pot hole would be worse than a day of autocrossing.

Basically, it's very difficult to do more than cosmetic damage to your car, unless you're trying really hard to do something wrong and not listening to your instructors (and even then, it's hard). Tires are the biggest thing that will wear.

[davisk6]

I'm the President of Drift Spot, the group that runs out of NHMS. It was a bit of dig to my buddy Turbowned.

[korinfox]

Originally Posted by davisk6

I'm the President of Drift Spot, the group that runs out of NHMS. It was a bit of dig to my buddy Turbowned.

I knew you must have been somewhere on here. What kinds of volunteer jobs do you have if we just want to spectate and help out?

[arbnpx]

At the SCCNH event on June 10th:


My FR-S is on the right. My PAX time was 35.7 (CS), and the SW21's PAX time was 35.9 (SSM). I still have a bunch to learn about driving line selection and timing, so I'd say the FR-S is a nice follow-up to the MR2, as well as the AE86.

On the drive home, I saw a Porsche 911 with an SCCA sticker slowly pass me, and its drive smiled and gave a thumbs-up sign. I got lots of positive comments from the drivers of other various cars (Miata, WRX, Mustang, even Elise). It seems the FR-S is getting tons of respect from the autocross crowd.

[Turbowned]

Ahh, I see you met Derek and Nuno! I'd recognize those MR2's anywhere Too bad I couldn't have brought up my MKI to represent all three generations

Aww, c'mon Kevin, I talk up Drift Spot all the time.

[davisk6]

Originally Posted by korinfox

I knew you must have been somewhere on here. What kinds of volunteer jobs do you have if we just want to spectate and help out?

Spectators cost $10, but Volunteers and crew are free.

*Hint: Volunteer *

We typically need help with set up and clean up. Throughout the day we do like to rotate out the starter and the one corner worker we need. Our next drift day is July 7th. All of our events are on Saturdays and start at 7:30 am. All are welcome, especially newbs

[Sony]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Ahh, I see you met Derek and Nuno! I'd recognize those MR2's anywhere Too bad I couldn't have brought up my MKI to represent all three generations

Aww, c'mon Kevin, I talk up Drift Spot all the time.

Haha yep, Nuno bought Frank's MR2, Frank is driving a Mini Cooper now xD.

Derek just got his MR2 to pass Salvage Inspection. Need to meet up with them soon.

[mpicher]

Hey Guys,

Don't forget up in Maine we have Cumberland Motor Club http://www.cumberlandmotorclub.com.

I've been running with CMC for 14 years or so, most recently was running an '04 Mini Cooper S. Been to Devens many times and to SCCNH once or twice. Just got my FRS so I'm looking forward to getting through break in and running at the big 2 day autocross CMC has at the former Loring Air Force Base in the far reaches of Northern Maine in August.