CART Autox 6/7/09 Finally Some Nice Weather

Rowley Springs Manufacturing in Bristol, CT held yet another auto-x for the Connecticut Autocross and Rally Team Sunday June 8th. For the first time this year we good weather predicted for an event which lead to an even 100 cars showing up and taking runs. Ray Covino took his hands at being the event chair and laid out what many consider the best course of the year. The course was flowing with no real tight sections.

The course started in its usual spot on the right side of the lot, mostly straight launch with a slight bend to the right in it. You kept yourself to the right after the bend in order to get set up for the Figure Eight. It started turning to the left, going about 180deg before you swung back to the right and through the bottom of the eight. You crossed through the center and brought the car out to the right to have a more arcing exit through the gate you entered the Figure Eight in. The course swept left and over the top of the lot before speed was scrubbed to turn left again and into a 4 cone slalom. The slalom exited to a 180 deg left hander that brought you up to the middle of the lot. A somewhat tight right hander lead you back down to the final turn, a 90 degree (half a chicago box) right hander into the finish.

The stock classes were lead by Liam Dwyer, bumped from B stock into A stock. Liam had a fight on his hands with his co-driver Bob Pielli and Sti driver John Williamson. Liam was the only to keep his fastest run clean and took the A stock win in his 350z. Charlie Aucoin, again, was atop C stock. Andy Breault was bumped and took 2nd. G stock saw its smallest class of the year but was once again lead by Matt Cummings. Brad Snow, last years G stock champion was 2nd.

Street Prepared's top time belonged to last years BSP champion Jim Velgot. Velgot's win wasn't secured until Claude Matons coned away the run that would have beaten him. CSP was lead by MR2's with the newer bug eyed style driven by Rob Mills out on top. Chris DiFiore was 2nd just two hundredths of second ahead of Chris Mills. FSP saw a first time winner with Matt Skibisky leading the way. Father Joe Skibisky was second almost a second behind.

X prepared was won again by Jim Jaffe and his marine speakers. Dennis Polio was 2nd in his vette. Ray Covino showed the quick way around for the CP guys. Being the course designer does help a bit, but Marc Beorma's 65 is closing the gap. E prepared was lead by Greg Cullen's Saturn.

The fast Fiero of the day (or fastest slow classical car) was Joerg Bode, again beating up on Mr. Multiple Personality. Maybe if the driver of the 41 car put down his binoculars he could keep two hands on the wheel and catch that road runner. Eric Gebhardt's Beast was quickest in A-mod. Sean Colsen's Midget followed up in 2nd. STA was lead by Sam Krauss. For those that finished behind him, don't feel bad, Sam has quite and impressive driving resume. Warren Elliott was second just ahead of Sam's codriver, Frank Drebin. Street Mod All....you know who won, the question is who came in 2nd. Tom Mak borrowed Nicks' z and took that away leaving Phil Mackaronis to finish in third. Nick's class winning time was also FTD.

In the novice classes; XN was lead by a BMW driven by David Schwartz. Hahn Nguyen was fastest in YN and Nick Santore was the Z novice winner. Those that win novice are moved to their proper class.

Ray tried something we haven't done in a while, and thats have a car vs car challenge at the end. Sunday it was Corvette vx Fiero. The way it works is all drivers make a run and the only way you move on is if you run faster than you best run. If you keep beating your (new) best time you keep moving on. The first round saw many of the competitors get booted. It eventually came down to Alec K in his Fiero and John's black vette. The drivers went back and forth for 3 or 4 rounds just barely beating their previous times. Alec came out on top giving the Fiero clan even more to brag about.

CART's next event is June 18th, a half day track event at Limerock. The next auto-x is June 21 again at Bristol.