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Theres a driving school in RI that has been holding autox type events this year. Some friends of mine are involved, and I attended an event on Oct. 5th. I have to say it was much better than your standard event, the overall course was 1.1 miles and I was breaking 80mph on the front straight. Theres no field working (they have chase cars to pickup cones) and no wait time between runs (there were only 18 cars there)
Now the thing is, the cost...it was $125
But again, no waiting, no field working
Next year they are planning on doing more events, and with more cars they can drop the prices. 20+ cars = $100 and 40+ cars = $50
The events are held on an old airport runway in North Kingston RI (210 Airport St. if you want to map it) and I'd like to find out what kind of interest there is in the New England community...I'm getting involved with the organization and a friend of mine has been involved all this year
email me with your thoughts, reply to the thread with comments/questions..I"m really trying to get this thing out there and all feedback would be appreciated
What driving school? I could be interested. $50 bucks (for 40 cars) is in the ball park for sure, especially if it's all driving time. Please post post some more about the last event.
the last event had 18 cars, I probably got 20 runs in total (lost count) and I could've done more
it was timed and they will be posted at some point (they're working on a new website/forum)
we paid $125 for the day (6 hours)...the goal is to get enough cars that the owner of the school will lower the pricing. We are in close contact with him. Normally this is just a driving school, if you look at the site you can see what they offer. The normal "performance driving" classes are $250 and include 2 hours of classroom work and 5 hours on the track (also, lunch is included). We ditched the class work and set it up like an autox, and he let us run for 1/2 price (there were ADSI workers there, timing and picking up cones for us).
If we can get enough interest and get the name out there, the plan is to run more events (with our involvement as far as timing, keeping track of everyone, ect), new timing equipment (wireless system), also new website/forum to keep track of drivers/stats/ect
My friends and I have been involved with different autox groups and are just tired of driving way out to CT, or western MA all the time and I'm sure people will be interested in coming out to us for a mile + course...my fastest time of the day (which was the overall FTD) was 1:51.1 which is a loong track, most clubs are lucky to get 40 second runs. FCSCC's old lot was one of the biggest around and they were averaging 60-70 second runs, with the new lot they're around the 40 second mark.
Not to mention you usually don't see over 40mph on an autox track...I was stretching 3rd gear in my 350z
I'm in. Thanks for the long update! I have to agree about the long hall to other events. I didn't make any autox events this year (too long a drive and too few runs). I did like CART (club) test and tune events (lots of runs). Keep us posted!!!
A friend of mine who lives in Lil Rhody took his Miata to this event and he said he had a ball. Turnout wasn't that great, but he said it was also 14* when he left his house about an hour from the site!
His old Miata was not prepared for this event running old hard Pirellis and even harder brake pads, plus he was really rusty; but he says he'll be joining you guys next year, with new tires, new pads and perhaps a few more tweaks so he will not be setting STD next year!
He got a ride in someone's MINI and came away very impressed, especially with it's brakes, so thanks to whomever gave him the ride!
That was me. The event was put on by an outfit who do all kinds of defensive driving courses for police and body guards etc. They have a large runway setup (even wider than Ft Devens). It was setup like a test and tune autocross with 1 minute and 50 second runs and after your run you just keep getting back in line till your tired. The high speed slalom was not typical though. I though I was on a set for a Rockford film. Lets just say high 3rd gear! Can't wait for next year.
Hey all...
Just got my 07 Cooper S 2 weeks ago...made some nice mods already, but am dying to see what its limits are...definitely will attend autoX events.
For those on the fence about this, I've done a bunch of SCCA events with my WRX and think these are the best types of events in which to see what your car can really do. And I mean that in a street legal way...how fast can you take that highway exit ramp...can you safely bang that U-turn at 35mph...do you really need to brake before taking that favorite turn of yours...how much room between cars do you really need to pull out.
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