August Autocross Report

PICKLES? Well, we were driving at the Winston-Salem FAIRGROUNDS, so...

Welcome to our one and only autocross event for August! Why only one event? BECAUSE IT'S TOO DANG HOT OUT THERE!

Lots of Novices on a course walk. No, the cars weren't driving yet! They are getting some driving tips from an experienced driver and learning the course before driving it. 

OK, once again with the Triad Sports Car Club of North Carolina, NMS joined the competition at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds for a fun-filled day of driving. This event was first scheduled for August 16th, but then the date shifted to the 23rd due to some other event being held at the Fairgrounds. Oh well, NMS was driving to defend their 1st place in B Street class, and here's how it went. 

One thing the Triad club does very well, reveal the run groups, and show you how if you're driving in the 1st group, you're working in the 3rd group! EASY!

In a field of 114 total drivers, the NMS #77 finished as the 50th fastest driver, and 50th fastest on PAX adjusted time also. This puts the ruby red car in the top 50% on the day, so not bad for a slow driver! There were 34 different classes at this event, so that groups similar cars with similar performance together. 

Can an Alfa Romeo autocross? HECK YEAH BRO!

NMS #77 set up in luxurious facilities (canopy!)

Taking a photo to track my tire pressures, temperature, time, fuel level, traction control is OFF because I'm crazy that way! I mean, the car does better that way. 

Can electric cars do autocross? HECK YEAH!

In the B Street class of only two cars, NMS once again takes 1st place, and retains 1st in BS class for the year. With only two more Triad events this year, NMS is gunning for that 1st place at the end of the year as well. The other car in BS only managed to complete one run instead of the five allowed, so I'm not sure if there was a mechanical or other issue. Regardless, 1st is 1st, and hopefully all is good with the other driver and car. 

NMS lined up on grid. I ended up driving first in the 2nd run group. 
Did you notice the pickup truck #44? 

Right behind these front cones you see one of the grates all around the fairgrounds, and the club set up the course to avoid them. In the background between the two people walking the course, those TALL cones are surrounding one of these openings that did NOT have a grate covering, so the club did the safe thing and did not have us driving anywhere near there. 

Weather wise it was very nice for summer, about 82 degrees when I was driving around noon, and the track was dry with only moderate goose poop around the site! Sometimes there is a LOT goose remnants around! As a bonus, a Scout troop was at the event selling hotdogs and hamburgers and drinks, so that was nice. The smell  of burgers on the grill most of the day was a nice touch too!

The club trailer, with that website again:
WWW.AUTO-X.COM