First ever on-the-track Autocross at Thunderhill

[Kostamojen]

I haven't posted on this forum since I sold my BRZ, but the Autox crew here was fantastic so I figured I would post this here. Plus, there were ZERO BRZ/FRS's at this event which is the first Autox event I've been to in 3 years that hasn't had one of the twins there!!! Kind of surprising too since it was such a unique event.

Anyway, wanted to share my experience last weekend, as it was quite different. The local SCCA Chapter (Sacramento) managed to rent the West course at Thunderhill strictly for autocross. Now this wasn't just a flat pavement area, it was part of the track! Never seen an autox like this or tried one like this. A couple pics during course walking:





Mah SS on grid...



Wound up on Sunday only having a total of 9 people in the afternoon run groups, so they were combined into the second run group! Plus, the course was 2 loops of the course, cause on Saturday it was only a 30 second course... Great course on Sunday, but only 3 runs due to not being able to have any more than 1 car at a time out on the track at once for the loop:



Here is a quick vid I snuck in of a vette on the back side of the course on Saturday coming down the hill. Blind hill as you can see, but you are doing ~70mph+ over it through the course. Fun stuff for an Autox course!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItZVez3lmTY[/ame]

On Sunday, I was able to use an actual Flag station as my work station, MUAHAHAHA! Had a perfect view of the course, plus shade and a chair, best corner assignment ever! Also snuck in a vid of an F-type...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuXWqJpdrJM[/ame]

In case you were wondering, yes this wasn't the safest Autox ever. In fact, there were a total of like 3 new drivers over the weekend. It was mostly people who had lots of experience and wanted to try something different.

BUT that doesn't mean crap happened... Here is one of my local Subaru buddies having a pretty major off coming over the hill!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM-LfQHa6x4[/ame]

As for my personal driving, I had fun with the Chevy SS (not a camaro, just SS, as in Sports Sedan). I'm competing in F-Street and doing pretty well in the region even though I haven't attended all the events and I'm running stock tires while the rest of my competition (Mustangs, G37, etc.) are running RE71R's or better.

I took first on Saturday out of 5 cars in FS by .2 on a 30 second course, but I think my knowledge of the course paid off....

...its also a funny run, because my hazards came on during the last corner and wouldn't go off! Had to shut the car down TWICE to get them to go off! I've also had Onstar come on during an autox before, this car is a bit finicky with driver aids LOL

[ame]http://youtu.be/VqgO7VhdO34[/ame]

On Sunday, I REALLY enjoyed the 2-lap course. It was a lot faster than I first expected, and I managed a good enough time to take 2nd place out of 5 cars.

BUT... I got a phone call on the final corner...

[ame]http://youtu.be/Tbi57k8zCPo[/ame]

Hope you guys enjoy...

[Lynxis]

"Plus one?!" LOL

[renfield90]

Yeah, depending on the track, holding an autocross on it ranges from a very slight increase in risk to "bake it here and you're in the wall." It makes you realize just how much maneuvering you do at an autocross because a poor course design will have you risking an off in places the track designer never even considered.

[algs26]

You braved the 100+ heat. I was wondering how they would use the track.