AZPCA REGION AUTOCROSS MEMBERS BEING COOL

OnJune 4, 2023, the Arizona Mountain Region (AMR) held their Inaugural Autocross Event at the Findlay Toyota Event Center located in Prescott Valley. AMR asked the AZPCA Region to help with the logistics and the use of the Region’s autocross support equipment. The AZPCA Region obliged by Ken M transporting the cache of cones, timing, and other support related equipment up to Prescott Valley. AMR Member, Bob F., chaired the event with the collaboration of AZPCA Autocross Co-Chair, Kim K.

The early morning temps were in the upper 50s and lower 60s and warmed up to the upper 70s and lower 80s by the afternoon. The day started off mostly sunny which turned to afternoon showers just after the conclusion of the event. Fortunately, there was no rain during the event.

There were thirty-six drivers in attendance, and they enjoyed the cool seasonable Prescott Valley Area weather. The course was a very twisty closed loop course that ran clockwise with a couple of slaloms and several tight turns. The course also had a very short showcase type straight-a-way and the start finish lines were placed in the showcase section.

There were two run groups with eighteen drivers each. Each run group ran in both the morning and afternoon sessions and there was an AMR provided lunch for the drivers.

Several AZPCA Region autocross regulars and Hotshoes (Really Fast Drivers) also attended the inaugural event. Robert and Marc T. (Father and Son) ran Robert’s Group “X” German make car and Kim K., Scott O., Brian M., Ealing J., Jonathan and Mrs. B (Morgan – Jonathan’s wife) drove their Group “P” cars. A great majority of the AMR drivers were first time autocrossers.

There were eighteen “Cone Kills” for this event and a majority of the “Cone Mashers” were by AZPCA Region members. That means the AMR members were very kind to the AZPCA Region cones.

The “Top Cone Killer Guy” was AZPCA Region Scott O in his super zoomy race prepared Porsche GT4 with a total of Four Kills but, the physical evidence (cone marks on his vehicle) indicates that there may have been five cone kills. Scott relates that one of the cone marks appeared on his car from nowhere prior to the start of the event, and the Timing and Scoring Staff believed that the mysterious cone mark may have been from meeting up with a traffic cone from a highway construction zone on the trip up to the event. As the benefit of the doubt goes to the competitor, he was not assessed a fifth cone penalty.

The” Top Time of Day” was 59.490, driven by AZPCA Region Jonathan B., driving his Porsche Carrera followed by AZPCA Region Ealing J. in his Porsche Carrera, with a 60.108 second run. Both drivers achieved their best run on their last lap in the afternoon session. AZPCA Region Autocross Chairperson, Kim K., driving his Porsche GT4, drove a third best run of 62.581 seconds that he achieved on his last lap in the afternoon session.

AMR President, Lorraine F., was the fastest “Lady Autocross Driver” for the event with her best being 68.736 seconds unfortunately, she mashed a cone, so she will have to settle for a 69.955 second clean run. Her best clean run was the fifth best of all the AMR drivers.

The fastest AZPCA Region Lady Driver was Mrs. B. (Morgan), driving the family Carrera and her best laptime was 75.573 seconds that she drove on her last lap in the afternoon session.

The consensus among the AMR drivers is they had more fun than anyone could have ever imagined. The AMR members are hoping that there will be future AMR autocross events.

Also, you can read more about the event on the AMR website at https://azm.pca.org/newsletter/

The 2023-2024 AZPCA Region Autocross Season will begin on Saturday, October 7, 2023. As in the past, every event has been a sell-out. The event information will be posted on MSR. Do not hesitate or you may end up on the waitlist.

So, as you should, be cool until the start of the 2023-2024 AZPCA Region Autocross Season.

FOLLOW-UP STORY BY Geneva Sorum

The Arizona Mountain Region of the Porsche Club of America (PCA) recently held its first-ever Autocross event. Established in 2018, the Arizona Mountain Region of PCA has long intended to create an autocross event that would showcase the performance and precision of Porsche vehicles with a challenging closed course to enhance driving skills.

The Arizona Region of the PCA provided valuable support, resulting in a highly successful gathering. Both clubs contributed volunteers, equipment, and resources, ensuring the smooth execution of various aspects such as registration, course setup, timing, and safety supervision. With the assistance of experienced instructors from both clubs, the many volunteers ensured a safe, informative, and competitive environment for all participants. Everyone is grateful to Phil Mullen and Lorraine Friedman from the Arizona Mountain Region, and Kim Kemper and Ken Mitchell from the Arizona Region for making this event happen.

Everyone had a great day of driving. As we parked and waited to get going, there were a few conversations about taking it easy. The carefully designed Autocross course proved to be mentally challenging. As a novice participant, I was a bit baffled during the walkthrough and a little apprehensive at first. However, only the first run was slow and careful. Any paddock talk among novices about taking it easy was quickly forgotten after that. I blame my 911. It is supremely responsive and fun to drive!

Beyond the on-course action, this Autocross event also served as a platform for building connections among members of the PCA clubs and sharing their passion for Porsche.

Looking ahead as the Arizona Mountain Region of the Porsche Club of America continues to organize future events, the inaugural Autocross event marks an exciting chapter for Porsche club members in Northern Arizona. The success of this inaugural Autocross event will also serve as a solid foundation for further thrilling Porsche experiences.