Alfa Romeo CLub AUTOCROSS EVENT at Thompson (CT) July 17

[StephanAlfa]

Any COM member intersted I am one of the hosts for this event. Price is very reasonable and Thompson Speedway is not far from Boston, Southen NH, etc.
Here is the message posted on www.velocissima.com (events):

Okay, gang, AONE is back autocrossing! If you took part in one or more of our autocross events in the past, you’re already pumping up your tires! This year’s outing will be at the legendary Thompson Speedway, located in Thompson, CT right next to the MA border (near Webster, MA).

Autocrossing is a great way to do some light competition in your Alfa (or Lesser Car, if you insist) with very low risk. Basically, we use a bunch of cones and chalk to define a course in an open parking lot, making sure to avoid potential contact with curbs, sheds, or other obstacles, and keeping the speeds limited to something that, while fun, are also safe. Then, cars run the course, one at a time (i.e. no collisions!), competing for the lowest elapsed time in their class. If you hit a cone, or go off course, then you are penalized (two seconds for each cone hit, and twenty seconds for an off-course).

The class your car will run in is determined by the AROC Competition Code. It’s a formula that takes several factors into account, such as what your Alfa started life as (e.g. a 1.3L Giulietta or a 3.0L Verde) and then what modifications have been made to it (e.g. engine and suspension upgrades). So your souped-up Spider might end up running in the same class as a stock Verde, for example. The Alfa classes run from H (smallest displacement, least modified) through A (largest displacement, most modified), plus an L class for Lesser Cars. Up to three certificates will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each class (depending on how many class entrants there are), plus Fastest Time of Day (Alfa only). There is usually time for at least a half dozen runs for each participant!

Since these are lower-speed, controlled events, safety equipment is minimal. No roll cages or roll bars are required, even in open-top cars. For clothing, helmets are required, as are closed shoes and non-synthetic materials. We’ve got plenty of helmets you can borrow!

Your club has procured all the equipment we need—cones, chalk, brooms, helmets, and even some real high-tech timing equipment! We’re serious about this!

Here's the schedule for the day:

08:00 - 09:10 Tech inspection
09:15 - 09:30 Mandatory Drivers Meeting
09:30 - 12:00 Runs
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch (course shuts down)
12:30 - 03:30 Runs
03:45 - 04:00 Awards

The things you should do and bring are:

1) Add about six pounds of pressure to your tires

2) Bring a little cash for lunch! There's a restaurant on the premises.

3) Bring friends and family! This is a great way for new and old drivers alike to learn car control and improve their driving skills.

We need volunteers! If you’d like to help with this fun and exciting club project, you can contact the event co-organizers Stephan de Penasse (stephan.depenasse@gmail.com or 603-423-9042) or Kevin Redden (kredden@alfamilano.com or 978-387-8416). We’d like to get as many members involved as possible! Any prior experience in setting up an autocross, or an interest in learning about it, will be gratefully accepted. The organizers all plan on running their cars as well, so don’t think you won’t get your full share of runs if you help out!

The cost for AROC/AONE members and family is $25 per driver if you pre-register using the Credit Card/PayPal Add-To-Cart button below, or $30 per driver at the gate. The cost for non-members is $30 if you pre-register or $35 at the gate. Note that the costs are per-driver, not per-car — the same car may be used by multiple drivers. If you are registering more than one driver, change the "Quantity" setting.

AROC/AONE members and family — $25 per driver

Non-members — $30 per driver


Autocrossing is a great way to hone your driving skills and improve your driving reflexes. Not only that, it’s really a blast! Even if you’ve never autocrossed or done anything like it, don’t be shy! We’re also encouraging younger drivers to join us — what better way for a new driver to learn car control than in a controlled, safe environment. We’ll have some "classroom" instruction available for newer drivers (or anybody who would like it), and will also have some experienced drivers available for in-car instruction.

So come out and join us on Sunday, July 17th for the 2011 AONE autocross — you won’t be sorry! Be sure to check back here regularly for announcements and late-breaking news.

[TroyV]

Is this a parking lot course or are you using some of the track?

[StephanAlfa]

Is this a parking lot course or are you using some of the track?

Parking Lot. If any portion of the track is allowed it will be minimum.

[6PAK72]

Troy - we should bring the Miata brigade!

[StephanAlfa]

Troy - we should bring the Miata brigade!

Perfect BLEND of original and fake Alfas . BOTH suitable for tight tracks... I would venture say you'd have raving reviews if you bring your TR-6 ...even just to park and show

[chaos4NH]

If I get this right, Lesser Cars are grouped into one class?

[StephanAlfa]

If I get this right, Lesser Cars are grouped into one class?

They are classified into TWO Classes: Non-Alfa (stock) and Non-Alfa modified.

[6PAK72]

If I brought the TR6, all the Alpha owners would lose their trophy opportunities

Seriously, it's a great autoX car, even with street tires. Perhaps we will - another 39 year old car on the track!

[StephanAlfa]

If I brought the TR6, all the Alpha owners would lose their trophy opportunities

Seriously, it's a great autoX car, even with street tires. Perhaps we will - another 39 year old car on the track!

Phew, saved! you would not be competing with Alfas ... but probably with Non-Alfa modified if you did "stuff" to it.

[StephanAlfa]

Just a quick update for you all.
I visited the track today and the site is simply AWESOME!
Here is a birds eye view of the layout.

Event information:
Link:
http://www.velocissima.com/ click on "EVENTS" and click on the July 17 Autocross by AONE
The cost for AROC/AONE members and family is $25 per driver if you pre-register using the Credit Card/PayPal Add-To-Cart button below, or $30 per driver at the gate. The cost for non-members is $30 if you pre-register or $35 at the gate. Note that the costs are per-driver, not per-car — the same car may be used by multiple drivers.Here's the schedule for the day:

08:00 - 09:10 Tech inspection
09:15 - 09:30 Mandatory Drivers Meeting
09:30 - 12:00 Runs
12:00 - 12:30 Lunch (course shuts down)
12:30 - 03:30 Runs
03:45 - 04:00 Awards

The things you should do and bring are:
1) Add about six pounds of pressure to your tires
2) Bring a little cash for lunch! There's a restaurant on the premises.
3) Bring friends and family! This is a great way for new and old drivers alike to learn car control and improve their driving skills.

Alfa classes run from H (smallest displacement, least modified) through A (largest displacement, most modified), plus an L class for Lesser Cars. Up to three certificates will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each class (depending on how many class entrants there are), plus Fastest Time of Day (Alfa only). There is usually time for at least a half dozen runs for each participant!

Since these are lower-speed, controlled events, safety equipment is minimal. No roll cages or roll bars are required, even in open-top cars. For clothing, helmets are required, as are closed shoes and non-synthetic materials. We’ve got plenty of helmets you can borrow!

Your club has procured all the equipment we need—cones, chalk, brooms, helmets, and even some real high-tech timing equipment! We’re serious about this!

[nateh]

Seeing the old road course from the air brings back some memories!

[StephanAlfa]

Seeing the old road course from the air brings back some memories!

Nate: I actually drove part of the old course today., The Son of the owner is trying to revive this old track. Ideally it will be a 1.7 mile road course with 11 turns. In the short run, 1.25 miles with 9 turns, I look forward to have this track done as an option for our future COM events

[nateh]

Absolutely!

[StephanAlfa]

EVENT IS TOMORROW!!!

More details here:
http://velocissima.com/events/2011/AutoX/frame.htm

[chaos4NH]

Any followup on event results?