HI-SPEED AUTOCROSS @ GINGERMAN RACEWAY (SW MICH) SEPT 15, 2013

[Mopar Mitch]

Hi everyone.  I'm a member of the Midwest Council of Sports Car Clubs (MCSCC) and they host a season of hi-speed W2W road races and hi-speed competition autocross on the same road courses.  I'm also the occasional PACE CAR for some of their W2W race events.

The wknd of Sept 14-15, 2013, the club is having their 3rd season season series of competition events -- amature W2W road racing at its best!

If you're interested and can come out, I'll be the PACE CAR for Sat Sept 14 (about 6~8 30-minute races), then Sun Sept 15 I'm entering my T/A into their 3rd season race of hi-speed road course autocross.... the event will be more "social fun" for me rather than any serious competition (that will hopefully begin next year or so as I'm a very serious autocrosser, as some of you may know about my car).

Hope to see some of there.. SAT and/or SUN.... best yet, you could enter the SUN autocross with your car... any car.

Contact me if your interested.  I'll be driving up from Chicago area on Friday, Sept 13, setting up my tent for the wknd.  Races are held rain or shine.  I hope to meet some of you!  It'd be great to see more MOPARS at some of these events.  (Driving your car on a race track, even with "lunch touring" is better than sitting at car shows!)

WWW.MCSCC.org

WWW.Gingermanraceway.com

[blown motor]

It's not that far away Brad

[brads70]

It's not that far away Brad

 

[Jamiez]

Are you sure it's an event worthy of the 2013 Chryslers at Carlisle E Body autocross champion?

[brads70]

   Your forgetting I was the only e-body entry!

[4Cruizn]

So it's in South Haven, MI   . . . not to far from me . . . . have to see what my schedule is for that weekend . . .

[Mopar Mitch]

Gingerman Raceway is ~2.1 miles long.. check out the Gingerman website , front page at bottom.. and go for a U-Tube ride in a 2011 Z06 Vette with GPS of the track, RPM, MPH, steering wheel/brake/accelerator inputs, cornering g-force.   Avg lapping speed, say for my T/A, will be ~75mph.

If anyone wants to pre-register for the event -- for the Sunday hi-speed autocross -- go to WWW.MYAUTOEVENTS.COM and look up the Sept 15, 2013 Gingerman Raceway event...  assuming you're not an MCSCC member (as I am), the day's race entry fee is $160.00 (cash or check... sorry, no credit cards)... if you register after Sept 10, or even on the day of the event, there's an additional $20 late fee... regardless, payment is not due until the day of the event.... and if you don't show, no penalty.. they just need an ide of approx how many entries.

A helmet of SA2005 or M2005, or 2010 is required; long pants/long sleeved shirt; no open-toes shoes.... safety always comes first.  Tech inspection (takes about 10 minutes) will help you determine your car classification.. most likely for our cars its B/P or B/M  (I'm in B/M).  Mandatory driver's meeting at 8:00am~8:15am.. then each driver gets "packed" for two 10-15 minute practice sessions in the morning, then "timed/competition runs" begin immediately after lunch, sometime a bit sooner (minimum of 3 timed runs... usually up to 5-6 maximum)... LUNCH TOURING is sometimes allowed form ~30-45 minutes for non-entries/spectators with their own cars, or as passengers in race cars.. on the actual track (medium speeds).

Its safe and a blast to road race... the cars in the autocross are spaced apart by ~45 seconds... you're on your own.. no fender banging in autocross... just you and the clock determines the finishing positions.  Awards typically given out by ~4pm.

Gingerman Raceway is a relatively newer track.. built in mid 1990s.

Come on out to watch either Sat and/or Sun (small gate fee for spectators ~$5-10?) to watch... or better yet, enter your car on Sunday for a BLAST of good social fun! (I'll be glad to offer helpful driving hints and car setups, etc)... That's what I'm there for... FUN!... and you'll always meet new friends!  Oh yeh... you can easily get hooked on this sport!

Pylon autocrossing (such as held at parking lots, etc) is also fun... but requires more precise car setup and driving abilities... most of our big cars have some difficulty manuevering through pylons, avg speeds ~40mph... and its extremely competitive... but again, the big cars will typically struggle.   OPEN Road Course driving is faster (avg ~60-70-80 mph), and you get more track time for your money!.. and... you can really use the power of our cars to open the throttle.. and then.. test your brakes! 

For all "handling" events, the races are won in the corners.... it takes good mental judgment and some practice ... its a blast!

[Mopar Mitch]

For any one who will attend to be a spectator, the club WILL HAVE, EACH DAY (this SAT and SUN), FREE lunch-time track "TOURING" (at moderate speeds, no helmet required).  SATURDAY from about 11:25~11:55 (30 minutes), SUNDAY from about 11-11:45 (45 minutes).

So... I hope to see some of you!  Bring your car (I prefer to see YOUR Mopar!)  either day.. Sat or Sun.

[grimmey71]

Any planned events for 2014?

[Mopar Mitch]

Thanks for asking Grimmey -- I'm aware that the club (MCSCC) is planning their schedule and Gingerman Raceway is a favored location.  Although the Oct 2013 event was a low turnout for Sunday's autocross since it drizzled all day, the W2W road racers all want to return (and they'd likely run again on Saturday.

As soon as I get a confirmed 2014 season schedule, I'll then post for all.  I'd sure like to see some Mopars out there with me.  The hi-speed road course/autocross events are a blast to drive, and also reasonably affordable for a day... its far better and more fun than sitting at a car show and doing nothing all day with you car, and the hi-speed events alows us to use the horsepower we have and truly test our brakes, etc.