Sunday, October 27, 2002 - Autocross (AX)

[46 Cobra]

The Madison Sports Car Club has invited our Chapter to join them at Miller Park for a parking lot autocross event. The course will be set up in the huge parking lot, east of Miller Park and the Menomonee River. To get to this lot, exit I-94 and proceed south on Miller Park Way, then exit at the next interchange, immediately south of Miller Park. Proceed east to the Dodgers / Mets Lot.

We will run under their rules (MCSCC). Our chapter will provide supplemental trophies for those Chapter members that have the best time relative to other cars (and trucks) within their class/category. Don’t bring lunch - Before noon, we plan to “pool” some funds for a Food Run.

Entry Fee for this all day event is $30. More details will be posted on our web site…www.wisvtoa.com. The club expects over 100 cars- so be there early (8 to 9 AM). You can pre-register on www.MyAutoEvents.com. Also, please post on our web site that you have done so, or if you are interested in attending and did not pre-register. Or, call Terry Horst at (262) 966-2582.

Guests and spectators are welcome. Even if you choose not to participate, feel free to visit with us and share the camaraderie of fellow members and SVT owners. The Chapter will have their “tent” set up - look for the SVT banners. This event will take place “Rain or Shine”.







Drive Safe and Have Fun !

[DOHC 281]

The event chairman for the MSCC wrote me (Terry) noting that the standard guest entry fee will be $30 (not $50, as previously quoted above). Hope to see you at Miller Park!

Please note that this is a Sunday event. :)

[BlueOvalBolt]

I\'ll be there.

[NeenahCOBRA]

Plan to attend. Trying to keep my chain of success going in autocrosses. Trophies at everyone so far (probly jinxed now - lol);)

[BlueOvalBolt]

Well you couldn\'t be anymore jinxed than you were at the drag event! You had a tough day of it but we were glad you could attend. See you at Miller Park.

[Parja]

I\'ll be there!

Originally posted by NeenahCOBRA
Plan to attend. Trying to keep my chain of success going in autocrosses. Trophies at everyone so far (probly jinxed now - lol);)

Nah, your car is setup for autocross. I\'m sure you\'ll do great again.

[xbnch]

What is autocross? If its what I think its a road racing course. Right?

[Parja]

Originally posted by xbnch
What is autocross? If its what I think its a road racing course. Right?


It\'s where they set up a course with road cones around a parking lot. It\'s sort of like road racing, only with a lot lower speeds. It\'s all about handling, taking the right line, and knowing when to brake into the curves. Lots of fun!

[BlueOvalBolt]

Yeah, it\'s really just a bunch of dragstrips connected by curves. . . or something.

But really, good explaination Parja. There is also high speed/open track autocross also which is conducted on a road course like Blackhawk, Gingerman, Road America, etc. But in either case, parking lot or open track, you compete purely course timed runs.

Cars are also classed into several different catagories with point assessments for modifications that have been done to the car in an effort to make competition more close. Usually there is a general classification of a large number of cars that are similar in hp and handling characteristics from the factory like A class for example. Then depending on the mods that are done and the number of points you have been assessed for them, you go into sub-classes like A Stock, A Prepared, A Modified, and A Race.

xbnch, for example, you would be in the AP (A Prepared) class I believe (working off of memory, always dangerous) for this AX at Miller Park under MCSCC rules. Although you have not done any mods to your car that I know of, the rules gives the 03 Cobras an automatic 3 point assessment because of the supercharger.

If anyone would like to know how their car is classed ahead of time, let me know and I will try to determine that for you since many of you don\'t have an MCSCC rule book at your disposal. Please include the year, make and model of your car and what modifications you have done to the car.

Chris

[Parja]

Originally posted by BlueOvalBoltxbunch, for example, you would be in the AP (A Prepared) class I believe (working off of memory, always dangerous) for this AX at Miller Park under MCSCC rules. Although you have not done any mods to your car that I know of, the rules gives the 03 Cobras an automatic 3 point assessment because of the supercharger.

Well, a 99+ Cobra already gets an SPA of 4. If they use your logic, you would actually add 4 points for the supercharger and another 4 for the intercooler. That would put it solidly into the Modified category. Then, they might take the point modifiers for stiffer suspension and wider wheels and tires of the \'03 over the \'99-\'01 for 3 more points, but it\'s really moot since it would still put you in Modified.

Realistically, though, I\'m thinking the \'03 should be in Class X given the other cars that are in the class.

[BlueOvalBolt]

Originally posted by Parja
Realistically, though, I\'m thinking the \'03 should be in Class X given the other cars that are in the class.

Well, I warned you about the memory thing! LOL You are correct about being in the X class. Now that I think about it, a guy I got to know at the track with an 03 is in X.

Chris

[99vert]

Any idea what class my 99 vert would be in. I have 4.11 gears and sub-frames but nothing else

[BlueOvalBolt]

Your 99 is in A class and all 99 Cobra\'s are assessed an automatic Stock Point Assessment of 4 which immediately bumps you into the A Prepared (AP) classification. I don\'t know what the stock gears ratio is for the 99\'s but if the 4.10 gear is over 20% from stock or factory delivered option, you are assessed 2 points. You are assessed 1 point for the sub-frame connectors as a chassis stiffening system. Your total points are 7 which is good because 1 more would have put you into the Modified classification in which the competition is much tougher.

Your vert and my 93 will be running in the same AP class. :)

[Jeff Blackwell]

I\'ll be there. First event.

[DOHC 281]

I received information from the event chairperson regarding this Saturday\'s event:

1. Regarding questions for installation of 4 point and 5 point restraint systems:

They are NOT required for a parking lot AX.:D

However, you will go faster with one installed. Also, you will get the \"bug\" to run high-speed events after your taste of a parking lot AX. Most likely, a harness will be required at that time. So, it would be wise to invest now. Besides, it provides an extra measure of protection (and comfort).

2. Regarding questions on SVT vehicle classification: :s

SVT Focus and Contour is Class C, Category Stock (CS).
SVT Cobra, 93-98, is AS
SVT Cobra, 99 and 01, is AP
SVT Cobra, 03, is XS
SVT Cobra R - varies
SVT Lightning, CS

If you change gears, chip, pulleys, suspension parts, wheel size, or use soft-compound tires, then you will be assessed additional points. This might bump you from Stock to Prepared, or Prepared to Modified, or Modified to Race.

3. The weather...

The forecast is sunny.:D [Of course, unlike those whoosey drag racers and roundy-rounders, AXers do it in the rain]:o

[BlueOvalBolt]

Small correction, the Gen I Lightnings (93 - 95) are in C class, Gen II Lightnings (99 - present) are in B class.

I\'m glad to hear the harness issue will not come into play. I assume that the helmet of SA90 or better and long pants and long sleeve shirts will still be required?

[DOHC 281]

BlueOvalBolt - You might be right on the classification of Gen II Lightnings. However, Madison Sports Car Club has their parking lot AX rules on their web site (I looked at the .pdf rules) and they have ALL Lightnings in Class C. As Ken can attest, the Lightning is wide in relation to the gates on the course.

Unfortunately, the Lincoln Mark VIII is also in C.

Their helmet requires a SNELL sticker, but a SA 85 or M 85 sticker is sufficient. No mention in rules for long sleeve shits or long pants. But, I would play it safe and wear those. Closed- toe shoes are required (no sandals).

Here is Sunday\'s schedule:
Registration is 8:30 to 9:45 - Please let the registrar know that you are a SVTOA member.
Tech is 8:30 to 10:30
Walk-thru for Rookies is at 9:45
Drivers Meeting is at 10:00
Course Practice is 10:15 to 11:30
Lunch is 11:30 to Noon
Runs begin at Noon. Six Timed Runs are the norm.

Several SVTOA members are also members of GLSCC, a Midwestern Council club. Be sure to show your GLSCC membership card for a $5 dollar entry discount.

The SVTOA trophy order is in. Just remember, my wife is a fan of that Trading Places show on TV. Interesting, and unique, to say the least. :cool:

Terry :s

[BlueOvalBolt]

Thanks, I didn\'t realize the parking lot AX rules and classifications would be that different than the standard Council rules.

[xbnch]

Hope I can be there Sunday but the weather & the wife may have other plans. If we aren\'t there have a great time.:s

[DOHC 281]

Thanks to all of the chapter members that attended and made for another fun event. Fortunately, the weather held out. [Despite the temperartures - Hey, this is Wisconsin!] Madison Sports Car Club hosted a fast and wild course. I think they may have been a little unprepared for the turn-out of 150 drivers! We only received 4 timed runs - and no practice sessions. :(

Chapter members that ran follow:
Mike T. - SVT Focus
Ken K. - SVT Cobra [Won the chapter trophy for fastest Cobra] :cool:
Jason P. - SVT Cobra [Up through the 3rd run, Jason had fastest Cobra] :o
Chris L. - SVT Cobra
Jeff B. - SVT Focus [Won a chapter trophy for fastest SVT Focus] ;)
Terry H. - SVT Hertz Special Sable [First in FS - Won a MSCC trophy for killing a Escot wagon and a 20 year old Celica] :P

Thanks to Marv Z. and Rich F. for providing moral support. [Hey Marv - you are not allowed to use the \"I have to do work around the house\" excuse two times in a row! :D

:s

[BlueOvalBolt]

Moral Support Squad: Don\'t forget new member Bill (don\'t know his last name for initial, user name Bee) who came with a bum arm in his Gen I Lightning. He couldn\'t race with us because of his arm but it was nice to meet him.

[Parja]

Yeah, fun time out there on Sunday. I was glad my feet finally woke back up from the cold for the final run. We had some pretty fierce competition in the Cobra family, and all drivers made their fourth runs their best. Unfortunately for Chris and I, Ken went more all out than we did on the last run and beat his previous best score by about 6 seconds! It\'s too bad we didn\'t get a couple more runs. I could tell by the times that we were all just starting to really get a feel for the course.

[347Cobra]

TTT

[Adam]

Originally posted by DOHC 281
Thanks to all of the chapter members that attended and made for another fun event. Fortunately, the weather held out. [Despite the temperartures - Hey, this is Wisconsin!] Madison Sports Car Club hosted a fast and wild course. I think they may have been a little unprepared for the turn-out of 150 drivers! We only received 4 timed runs - and no practice sessions. :(

Chapter members that ran follow:
Mike T. - SVT Focus
Ken K. - SVT Cobra [Won the chapter trophy for fastest Cobra] :cool:
Jason P. - SVT Cobra [Up through the 3rd run, Jason had fastest Cobra] :o
Chris L. - SVT Cobra
Jeff B. - SVT Focus [Won a chapter trophy for fastest SVT Focus] ;)
Terry H. - SVT Hertz Special Sable [First in FS - Won a MSCC trophy for killing a Escot wagon and a 20 year old Celica] :P

Thanks to Marv Z. and Rich F. for providing moral support. [Hey Marv - you are not allowed to use the \"I have to do work around the house\" excuse two times in a row! :D

:s

So that Sable is just a hertz rented Sable or what?

[DOHC 281]

No, I own it. I purchased it on eBay last February for 8100. It's base, right down to the Vulcan 3.0. I ran it since I had just sold my 99 Cobra. This Spring, I purchased a 01 Cobra from Texas.

I will run the Cobra at Miller Park this coming October (12th).:)