Connecticut Autocross and Rally Team Autocross 10/21/07: Revenge of the Sock Puppet by Kevin FitzMaurice

For the last time in 2007, the Connecticut Autocross and Rally Team (C.A.R.T.) held a points paying autocross on October 21. Once again, we broke the century mark for attendance, as one hundred eleven contestants signed up, including eighteen novices.

The weather has been bizarre in New England this fall. Temperatures were 15 to 20 degrees above average, giving the event a spring like atmosphere. Usually, only the hardy or the insane wear shorts and t shirts outside in late October. It was the wardrobe for the day. Perhaps it was the weather god's way of making up for all the rain last year. Whatever it was, we'll take it.

Jim Reinle took one look at the course map he drew of the Bill Evans designed course, and named it "Sock Puppet". That's exactly what it looked like on the map. We started mid lot, running along the lot perimeter, going left to right. A fairly tight right one eighty took you to the interior of the course to a more open left one eighty. The short chute that followed was one of my favorite spots. There is a small lump in the middle of the lot. When the cars hit it, they give a small bound into the air, great for photography, and very neat to watch. When you came off of that chute, you had a wide, sweeping two hundred and seventy degree right, with a few offset pointer cones to keep you honest. The finish could be taken almost straight, as long as you worked the sweeper properly.

The course looked simple. It also looked slower than it actually ran. The turns weren't as tight as they first appeared, there was plenty of grip everywhere, and the times fell quickly. The biggest challenge was the finish. It was announced several times at the driver's meeting, if you did not make a full stop at the finish, or slid into the parking lot, you were called off course. Most of the off course calls came here, as driver attempted to make up time after the finish. To add to the mayhem, despite the fact that the timers were moved back before the event started, the finish reflector was hit four times, a new record. Club treasurer, Sandie Day, was kept busy collecting the collision fines.

In Super Stock, Tom Mak bought his new Corvette out to play, but he was unable to beat Jonathan William's Elise. Joe Solury's Corvette took the honors in AS, beating Pete Day's EVO by .15 seconds. Pete's had some health challenges lately, it was good to see him back. I predicated a Miata would win CS. Since that was all that was entered, I got it right. If only the lottery was that easy! Quinn Kizis won it, beating Dave Williamson by less than one tenth of a second. Todd Kean (Impreza) came from behind in GS, beating Brad Snow (Mini) by .13 seconds. Pat Huxley took HS in a Civic, beating Tom Cavuoto's Jetta by less than a quarter second.

Kevin Kirchoff's RX7 held off a serious challenge in ASP, beating Mike Miller's Uber Porsche GT3 by over seven tenths. BSP was another one car class: STI. Jeffrey Wooten won, beating Steve Merchant. The first five finishers in the class were separated by less than a second. Mike Lodsin moved his Honda into CSP, and is challenging Paul Omichinski's Porsche. A good battle to watch. Yaro Teager just refuses to be polite in ESP, beating car owner Marc Boerma in Marc's Mustang. Yaro, you have to let the owner win, if you want to keep the ride! FSP was another shared ride, with Matt Cummings beating Liam Dwyer in the same Jetta.

Ray Zisa's 20 year old Vette beat Dennis Polio's 43 year old Vette in BP. Bob Peplow's 65 Corvair beat Ray Covino's 85 Merkur in CP, winning the battle of the orphans. While we're on the subject of orphans, FP. or Fiero Prepared was finally won by Bob Doiron. He had to wait for Jay Bode to miss one to win one, but at least he beat another Fiero, driven by Bill Evans.

AM had variety going for it, as Tony Jagodnik in a formula car beat Joe Curioso in a Legend by 35 hundredths. Dean Cusano wheeled a quick cat to a win in DM, winning in a 85 Jan XJS, beating Jeff Sylvester's Escort by over a second. Nick Fandacone climbed back on the top of SM2, winning the class and FTD in his 350Z, beating James Velgot's STI that was bumped up from SM. Timothy Kong took an early lead in STS in his Impreza, and never looked back, beating James Reinle's Civic. STU was a two man show, with RIchard Parazan's Subaru beating Kris Schreimer's Evo. For Novices, Yury Kholondyrev won XN, and Richard Mills won Z Novice.

The FTD battle took place over several classes. In the end, it was Nick Fandacone, just squeaking past Kevin Kirchoff by .012 seconds, with Mike Lodsin close behind by just over two tenths.

Thanks to the over one thousand drivers who came out to play this year. I hope you had as much fun as I did, it was a great year. Thanks to the staff and management of CART for putting on a good show all year long, and a special thanks to the people who found the pavement for us to play on this year. C'mon spring!