June 7, 2015   Austin Healey Spring Gymkhana
A gym-what?, you ask? A gymkhana is a short, low-speed precision driving event designed to test your ability to negotiate a compact autocross course. Spectators welcome!

Coming up fast, is our first Autocross of this year’s driving season. This is our only one with the Midwest Austin Healey Club. I attended last year and it was great fun. I drove my Volvo because the clutch slave cylinder gave up the night before. The date is Sunday, June 7th at the Regal Cinema Cantera parking lot at 28250 Diehl Rd. in Warrenville. Registration will begin at 8 am and first car off should be about 9 am. Cost is $10 per driver. The plan is to run for a couple of hours. If they keep to last year’s plan we’ll retire afterwards to a restaurant nearby for lunch and awards.

Based on my very limited experience I suggest bringing out some sunscreen, mosquito repellant, cooler with bottled water and folding chairs for you and your co-driver. I’ve also been told that bringing a small tarp and a back pack to put all the loose items from your car on/in is a good idea. You don’t want your tool box sliding around in the boot as you are running the course.

Car preparation:
Secure your battery, make sure ALL your wheel lugs are torqued, tires are filled, no loose items in either the cockpit or the boot, Seat belts for all occupants!! And bring your own helmet if you have one. Both the Healey and Miata clubs will have some loaner helmets. But I can tell you it is distracting when the helmet doesn’t fit correctly.

June 21, 2015   Miata Autocross I
For 2015 we renewed our Autocross program. In association with the Austin Healy Club> and the Windy City Miata Club, we have four Autocross events on the calendar. Pat Marcus, the Miata Autocross chair, spoke about Autocross at the April club meeting and Jim Compton (847)741 4934, will be the MG Clubs of Chicago Autocross coordinator. Several members are planning to participate in the 2015 Autocrosses and it would be great to see these sporty and competitive events flourish again.

Autocross, also known as Solo, is held on a closed course with one car at a time driving against the clock. Solo II's run by the club are far more popular, because all kinds of street cars can enter. Solo II autocross usually involves a large parking lot and rubber cones, and cars rarely leave second gear. Competitors make several runs, with the best run being counted. While Solo II autocross is called a "speed event", it's really about handling, not high speed.

Pre-registration for each event will open two weeks before the event and close the Wednesday before the event at 8:00pm Illinois time. If you don't get pre-registered in time don't worry you can sign up at the event if it is not full. If pre-registration is full (75 drivers), arrive at 8am, visit the timing tent, and put your name on the wait list.

Contact CMGC member Jim Compton for additional details. Email: wb9rr0@foxvalley.net cell: 847.922.9800

Let’s have fun. I’ll see you there…

~~ Jim Compton