Autocross Update

Steve Kidd, Autocross Chair

Special Club Race Edition

An AutoX at the 48 Hours at Sebring Club Race?! That’s what occurred on February 5, 2022. Many of you have heard about the 48 Hours at Sebring Club Race, but how many of you know that the Gold Coast Region AutoX team has been hosting an AutoX as part of the Suncoast/Gold Coast activities every year since 2008? I believe we were the first Club Race to introduce Autocross as a feature activity; we have billed this as a Zone Challenge competitive event since the beginning. This AutoX has drawn hot shoes from all over to see who could claim the title of class “Top Gun” or FTD (fastest time of the day).

This year’s Club Race and the AutoX had some continuing challenges in the form of Covid-19 & and rain. However, precautions were taken for Covid and we were well prepared for the rain before it hit. In fact, thanks to Mark Johnson and a few others, the timing console, photo heads and display lights were all wrapped in plastic before the rains came down. Speaking of volunteers, a huge thanks to those that helped us make this event a success. Besides Mark, we had Ed, Ken and Sara on Friday and Ed, Mark Norm and Julie on Saturday. Dottie did an excellent job of grouping who would run and who would work and the event ran ahead of schedule! Steve and Julie kept timing running smoothly, with zero timing errors despite the rain in the morning. The course was a modification of a design we have used in the past. Similar, but with enough difference to make it challenging and safe.

Many of you have asked what was new about this year/s 48 Hours AX. Listed below are the AX enhancements for 2022: • An AutoX school on Friday. This proved to be very popular and hopefully we will add again in 2023. • Not everyone could win a trophy, but everyone got a Cone keepsake ( described as “freakin’ cute”). • A two-event structure that provided for an event in the morning, a two-hour break to do the track tour, get lunch and socialize, then a separate AX event in the afternoon. This new format allows competitors to do morning, afternoon or both events. It eliminates the need to stay at the AX site all day, and participants only need to do one work shift per event and still get six runs. • Really nice FTD Pirelli hats for both the mens and ladies FTD, for both events. The level of competition was spectacular, and the Fastest Time of the Day went to Trent Ksionek—for both the morning and afternoon events. Trent is from Citrus Region and drives a stock Carrera GTS and attends most of the GCR events with his dad, both always ready to help wherever needed. A full listing of results and pictures can be found on both the 48 Hours at Sebring and Gold Coast Region websites [include the websites]. If you missed this year’s Club Race AX, be sure to plan on participating next year.

I need to repeat an important message. To continue offering a world-class AX program, we need a new site. This could be a BIG parking lot, air strip or similar piece of pavement in the TriCounty area to hold our AutoX events. In the past we have used shopping center lots, sporting and gaming venues, and school/ government parking facilities, which have no parking bumpers and are reasonably priced. What we need is an “in”—someone who has a connection to a suitable property and can help us get our foot in the door. Do you know of such a site? Are you the person with the “in”? Please call me at 954- 292-3915 if you can help finding a new AX site.

Tentative AX schedule for the remainder of 2022

Event #5 4/30 /2022 @ Sebring in conjunction with the Suncoast Region DE. Thanks again to our friends at Suncoast for the site. Event #6 9/10/2022 @ Sebring in conjunction with the Suncoast Region DE. Thanks again to our friends at Suncoast for the site. Event #7 October or November. Location TBA; possibly FAU, PBIR or in conjunction with another PCA region. Most of the above dates and sites are subject to change due to weather, availability and factors beyond our control.

Tim Regenold shows how it is done in a Cayenne

Photos by Mark Johnson

Christy Spangler negotiates the first autocross turn

Rain or shine - through the finish line Steve captures everyone’s attention at the Driver Meeting

News, reminders and 2022 updates

• Everyone is now required to pre-register for any AutoX on Clubregistration.net. Please consult the GCR website and

Kassette for all Autocross photos & results. • Porsche classes are currently based on the PCRs for medium-size regions, with minor regional adjustments. While there had been discussion of using the new proposed AX class structure, the new classes are still in draft form and not finalized. Sometime in the future we will be adopting the revised PCA AutoX classes, once approved and made available. The new PCA rules provide for fewer classes; the major difference will be the addition of SN (stock car/ novice driver) for men and ladies. These classes are strictly for newcomers only. Please contact Steve for any car class questions . We reserve the right to make additional class/rule changes as needed. • Our 2022 series is planned to be 5 to 7 events, depending on site eligibility. To be eligible for an end-of-the-year award, competitors must run in over half the events in the same class. Each competitor’s top finishes will be calculated and an end-of-the-year class champion will be announced. In case of a tie, additional events will be added until the tie is broken. Year-end class champion awards may be presented. • No passengers except for an approved AX instructor driving or in the car instructing. • For 2022 please remember to be Covid-19 conscious. This means appropriate safety protocols will be enforced. • Questions? call Steve or Dottie Kidd 954-946-3196