The May 5th autocross was almost ideal. We actually had decent weather. Not too hot or too wet. Kevin Carlson came out to run. But he didn’t get registered early enough so he ended up on the wait list. Because the first autocross was canceled due to snow. May 5th became the first autocross of the season. Registration filled up quickly. The Miata club had 91 register for 75 spots. The wait list is where they put everyone that registers after they reach 75 drivers. There was only one no-show so only one driver from the wait list got to run. Kevin did get to ride with me on my first couple of runs. Dino and Lisa also came out to watch for a bit. I was the first car of the day and for a few milliseconds I had the fastest time of the day. Then I got lost going into the final gate and DNF’d.
The fastest time of the day was 50.05 seconds put down by modified 2008 Miata. Of the MG’s it was only Dean Hickenlooper and I that got to run. Dean had his V8 MGB on the course.

It definitely turned a few heads. But with his low profile tires he kept bottoming out when he pushed it. So he beat me by 2.5 seconds with his 61.14 second time. My best was 63.67 seconds. While I was the slowest car to run I did get a lot of comments along the lines that I may be near the limit of my tires, suspension and horsepower. So maybe that loose nut between the steering wheel and the seat may be tighter than I think.

Mark your calendar. Our next outing is July 27th. Remember to register early for these events on MotorsportReg.com. Go to the Windy City Miata Autocross schedule and double click on the date of the Autocross. This will take you to the MotorsportReg.com website where you will register as a NON-Member, Non-Miata. Cost has gone up slightly to $40. Please drop me an email @ wb9rro@foxvalley.net after you register so I have some clue who to expect. I usually get there about 8am. After you check in you will be given a map of the course and the opportunity to walk the course. I strongly suggest you do walk it and also follow along on the Novice walk. The novice walk will give you a lot of good pointers about how to drive the course. Drivers meeting is usually about 9am. YOU MUST attend the drivers meeting if you are going to drive. Don’t worry if you get a “DNF”.

Don’t be afraid to ask Pat or Tim to ride with you and help you get around the course.

If you don’t want to drive you can still join us and cheer for those who are running. Also I would really like someone to take pictures of the MGs while they are on the course. It makes the articles more interesting for the Driveline and those of us that are participating can only take pictures during our “Rest” period. So we miss those that are driving while we are working the course.

I NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER! PLEASE!

Til Next month.

~~Jim Compton