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2017 Autocross Program (& Schedule)

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On this page:

  • 2017 Program
  • Schedule of events
  • Car Control Clinic and Autocross School

If you have any questions or suggestions for the 2017 season, send them my way, at autocross@nnjr-pca.com.

Autocross is, hands-down, the cheapest, safest, least time-consuming way for you to learn basic performance driving, push your car, and push your skills. It’s fun, informal and the crowd is welcoming. And if you have family members or friends, who are – horrors – Porsche-less, bring them in (more or less) whatever they have – its all good. Need a helmet? We have loaners. Need coaching? We have instructors. Have a need for speed? We have the cure. Come on out and join us. If you have questions – reach out to any of the team.

2017 Schedule:
–> #1  Sunday April 2nd Autocross – MetLife Stadium, Lot J
–> #2  Saturday May 13th – Car Control Clinic , Lot L
–> #3  Sunday, June 4th – Autocross with SCCA – Lot E
–> #4 August 19th (Saturday) — MetLife
–> #5  Sat-Sun Sept 9-10th – 2-day Autocross with Riesentoter:
–>       Pocono East Course   WOW!  Autocross at Pocono!
–> #6   October 7th (Saturday) Combined Event with SCCA at MetLife, lot E

All registration and payments is via http://nnjr-pca.motorsportreg.com
(tech form and classing info is also linked on Motorsportreg.com)

Joint events – what and why:
Many of you may notice that we are running quite a few events jointly with other regions and with the SCCA, and may wonder, why?  Three reasons:

  1. The availability and cost of large lots to hold our events is getting worse – more money, fewer dates. So we link up with organizations that also run safe, serious, fun events.
  2. Operational logistics – we simply need more volunteers to commit to our events, do the pre-event work (test equipment, set up, haul the trailer …) and “many hands makes light work”.  If you are able, please do consider becoming a committed volunteer.
  3. More venues – as combined events we can run in huge facilities such as Pocono and MetLife lot “E” that we simply cannot afford on our own – giving us a more exciting day of racing and practice.

Car Control Clinic:
This year’s the Car Control Clinic was held on a very rainy May 13th. Despite prodigious rain, all the feedback I received was  positive — and, for those who let rain dissuade them – remember that water makes the car control experience better, and that we normally have to call int he fire department to wet things down.  This time God helped.  Consider us blessed.

Autocross School:
(look for this next year, we probably cannot get a lot and field a volunteer crew to put this on this season)
For those of you who missed the car control clinic or could not get in, look forward to our Autocross School / Test and Tune. This will be part instruction, part opportunity to practice what you learn (or already know!) in a safe environment. Instruction and ride-alongs always available. Sign up on Motorsportreg.com. This event will be limited to roughly 40-50 people so that we can all get LOTS of run time. This is also the place for our recent CCC participants to come and get more practice.We hope to try several new things this year, and re-try several old but good ideas.

Social Activities: (Beer ‘n talk trash)   We will try to arrange an informal social activity after many Autocross events. Information will be event-by-event on the web site e.g.: gather at a local pub, or generous host’s home, near the venue.  Offering your place?  Let me know!

More runs, more practice:
    We’ll also be working to find a way to give many of you, and us, who like to practice car control and other skills more chance for “fun runs” and other less-structured runs, hopefully with a good cadre of volunteer instructors/ coaches. This likely means fewer participants and a slightly higher price, and that some subset of us stays after an autocross or two and continues to use the facility. Important note – for us to stay late and get more runs requires that a critical mass stays late and is willing to not only drive but also work and clean up. Again, let me know what you think of this idea whether you would stay, and whether you might volunteer.

If you would like to be on an autocross email list to receive reminders, event information, cancellations (snow in August?), and maybe even a short poll or three on what you really want, please send your email address to autocross@nnjr-pca.com.

Here’s looking forward to a great year, and let’s take it easy on those poor cones.
Grant