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GVC Autocross Series sponsored by Towne BMW- MINI
For 2010 we have once again scheduled six autocross events beginning in early May and ending mid-September, some on Saturday, some Sunday. The biggest impact to our program this year comes from the Batavia Go-Kart track being closed down for the foreseeable future. This is unfortunate since we have been hosting events at BIMP for many years and always enjoyed the layout and accommodations there. I am hopeful that the situation will work itself out so we can return there in the not-too-distant future but we'll have to wait and see. In the meantime I hope the extra distance doesn't deter our participants from the Buffalo/Niagara region, it's worth a little extra drive.
This year we'll be running events at the Seneca Army Depot (SeAD) and Cherry Valley Motorsports go-kart track. SeAD is an air strip on a decommissioned Army base in Seneca County on the eastern side of Seneca Lake, south of Geneva. Events there are set up by placing pylons in a series of gates and slaloms forming a continuous course. The Cherry Valley go-kart track is in Lafayette, slightly east of Auburn, NY. It's a fixed layout consisting of several turns and elevation changes.
At either site the event is run by starting one car at a time from a standstill with timing sensors at the beginning and the end of the course to record the elapsed time from start to finish. These times are recorded to the nearest 1/1000th of a second, so there's rarely a tie. A typical autocross run takes between 40 and 60 seconds depending on the layout of the course and the experience level of the driver. Becuase the cars are sent off individually there is almost no chance of making contact with another car and courses are designed to ensure that even if a car does spin it will not hit anything harder than a cone. A typical event will give everyone between four and six runs on the course with the times recorded so that a driver's progress can be measured from one run to the next.
Autocross is an ideal way for drivers at any level of ability to learn the fundamentals of car control. It is an opportunity to drive your car more aggressively than is practical on city streets or country roads. That's not to say reckless driving is encouraged; on the contrary, good autocross drivers are in complete control while driving their cars close to their handling limits. The real objective is to come away with a better understanding of the car's capabilities as well as the driver's.
Most people that attend an autocross for the first time have never attempted anything like it. Many come back because it's just so much fun. A few keep doing it year after year because it has become a part of their lives. One of the things that makes it attractive to newcomers is that any car that is in sound mechanical condition can be used. SUVs and vans are not permitted but beyond that, almost any car (BMW or other marque) can participate.
We group cars into different classes to make things interesting. Cars are grouped by manufacturer depending on the numbers represented. We group BMW, MINI, and Porsche into separate classes. Other manufacturers are usually grouped into the 'Other' class but sometimes we'll group Corvettes or Corvairs together when there is good turnout.
When you first arrive you will go through check-in or registration. If you haven't pre-registered on the web you'll be asked to provide basic information about your car (year, model) and be assigned a number. A valid drivers' license is necessary to participate in the event. Registration for BMW Club members is less expensive than for non-members (see our rates a little further below). Every driver is assigned a competition number. We keep a supply of white shoe polish and painters' tape that allows putting the numbers on car windows or doors. More experienced participants usually opt for vinyl numbers that stick on magnetically. Each car is 'teched' to ensure that loose objects have been removed (drivers' floor mat, stuff in the trunk, etc), and that the wheel hubs are tight and the battery is securely attached.
Guests are always welcome to spectate and cheer on their friends. Things to bring to an event include the kinds of things you would bring to a picnic or day at the beach - appropriate clothing, drinks, sunblock, maybe a chair. Food is usually available from a vendor or nearby restaurant, but packing a lunch or snack is a good idea.
This year we will use MotorsportReg.com for our registration. This will allow participants to enter information about their car and number preference and provide information in advance that will speed our registration process the morning of the event. Please take advantage of this feature as it will save time and help us get underway earlier, leaving more time for driving on course. Our autocross entry fees this year will be the same as last year: $25 for BMW or PCA Club members, $30 for non-members.
Our 2010 schedule of events is:
Sun 5/2 SeAD - Romulus, NY (Setup on Saturday)
Sat 6/5 Cherry Valley - Lafayette, NY
Sat 7/3 SeAD - Romulus, NY (Setup on Friday)
Sun 8/8 SeAD (Setup on Saturday)
Sat 9/4 Cherry Valley - Lafayette, NY
Sun 9/19 SeAD - Romulus, NY (Setup on Saturday)
We look forward to seeing a lot of old and new friends at our events this year! Please email Andy Blake for more information on how to participate, instruct, or volunteer at these events. Check our Calendar of Events to get the most current information on these events.
The Genesee Valley Chapter autocross series is brought to you by Towne BMW-MINI in Williamsville, NY. We encourage you to support the sponsors that support our programs.
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