Summer is in full swing with the autocross program. We not only hosted our June event at Salinas, but also returned to our beloved site – Alameda for the annual autocross school (Car Control Clinics). Assuming you see this by July 17th, your still have time to register for our fifth autocross event at Salinas on July 20th. This will be our last event at Salinas this year.
Autocross #4 update
Fourth autocross event of the season was attended by fifty-three drivers on June 9 at Salinas Airport. Weather was seasonably comfortable with the highs in mid-seventies in the afternoon.
Congratulations to Drew Powers (P-04) for TTOD of 45.845 seconds. Monty Pack (P-06) finished in second place not too far with his top time of 46.112 seconds.
Drew Powers (P-04) also garnered the top PAX spot with his PAX time of 43.736 seconds, with Grady Carter in second place with his PAX time of 44.629 seconds.
Beginners Car Control Clinic (autocross school) and Advanced Car Control Clinic (Test and Tune) update
We are thrilled to experience the car control clinic experience back to Alameda after a five-year hiatus. Tanks to tireless efforts of our past President – Ed Hunter, we conducted the car control clinics on June 22nd and June 23rd.
On the first day, we were able to coach seventy-two drivers in improving their driving skills under the leadership of Monty Pack. The day began by participants experiencing the three basic exercises – Slalom, Braking and Skid Pad. It was satisfying to see all participants enjoy these exercises while advancing with their car control skills. Training continued in the afternoon after a half-hour break. Thanks to our chief instructor Monty Pack and Kiyoshi Hamai (from Golden Gate Lotus Club), the three discrete exercises were patched together with to make a challenging autocross course. All drivers enjoyed the four runs allocated to them, while making incremental improvements, so much so that a few of them ended up taking solo runs at the end. Kudos to all participants and our heartfelt gratitude to all volunteer coaches – forty-four of them for dedicating their time and effort in educating the students. Many of them ended up taking FUN RUNS after the event to exhibit their driving skills, which students get to experience firsthand as passengers. Cones did not have the same positive experience, though.
The second day provided thrills to drivers with autocrossing experience at Alameda. Ninety-four of these drivers showed up to show off for this non-timed event. The course was practically a reversed version of the one from day before, with fine touches added by Monty and Kiyoshi. Drivers were rewarded with four runs in the morning and five in the afternoon.
Upcoming events
- Autocross Event #5 at Salinas Airport on July 20: Registration is now open at https://msreg.com/2024ggrax5.
- Autocross Event #6 at Crows Landing on August 11.
2024 Autocross Calendar (May 12, 2024 update)
| Event | Date | Day | Location |
| GGR Autocross | 3/9/2024 | Saturday | Crows Landing |
| GGR Autocross | 4/7/2024 | Sunday | Salinas Airport |
| GGR Autocross | 5/4/2024 | Saturday | Salinas Airport |
| GGR Autocross | 6/9/2024 | Sunday | Salinas Airport |
| GGR School | 6/22/2024 | Saturday | Alameda |
| Test and Tune | 6/23/2024 | Sunday | Alameda |
| GGR Autocross | 6/9/2024 | Sunday | Salinas Airport |
| GGR Autocross | 7/20/2024 | Saturday | Salinas Airport |
| GGR Autocross | 8/11/2024 | Sunday | Crows Landing |
| GGR Autocross | 9/14/2024 | Saturday | Crows Landing |
| GGR Autocross | 10/13/2024 | Sunday | Crows Landing |
| GGR Autocross | 11/9/2024 | Saturday | Crows Landing |
Autocross schedule is also posted on PCA-GGR website. Visit https://www.pca-ggr.org/autocross/autocross-calendar/ for updated information.
Himanshu Patel
GGR Autocross Chair