52nd Porsche Parade Autocross by Jim Cambron - Heart O' Dixie

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52 nd Porsche Parade Autocross San Diego, California, July 4, 2007 By Jim Cambron Background. I purchased my first Porsche, an ’02 RUF Boxster S, in November ’02, and the following summer attended my first Porsche Parade near Tampa, Florida. I thought the Concours was interesting, the Rally was fun, and the Tech Quiz was difficult; but the Autocross was the event that really got my attention. The Autocross was a competitive racing event and that’s what Porsches are famous for; running and winning races. While working at the Parade Autocross event I purposed to maximize the potential of my Boxster and myself in order to participate in the Ft. Worth Parade Autocross the summer of 2004. Soon after returning from Tampa, I asked my car buddies who was the best driver in the Tennessee Valley and everyone pointed to Alan McCrispin; a six-time SCCA National Champion (and now a Heart O’ Dixie Porsche Club member). After explaining my objectives to Alan, he started teaching me in weekly two hour classes. I used both my Miata and the Boxster since the lessons applied equally well to both vehicles and use of the Miata spared the Boxster the rock chips resulting from the worn-out asphalt at the Hunt Park autocross track. Then, prior to the Parade, I trained in the Boxster to learn its specific handling characteristics. These lessons proved their value at the Ft. Worth Parade where I finished 5 th in the Boxster S Production Class Autocross. However, I actually performed a little better than this 5 th place in class indicates since the first four finishers used autocross racing tires and I had street tires. I continued taking classes from Alan throughout 2004-2005 in preparation for the ’05 Hershey Parade and upgraded my wheels and tires to match the competition. I mounted a set of 245mm width Hoosiers on my Boxster 9X17” wheels on the front and a set of 275mm Hoosiers on 10X17” Porsche Turbo wheels on the rear. I also built a tire trailer to transport the autocross wheels and tires to the Parade. ’02 RUF Boxster S 2
At the ’05 Hershey Parade Autocross I finished 2 nd in the Boxster S Production Class and was acknowledged as the 8 th fastest Production Porsche in America. Leeds Gulich, a three time SCCA champion from Seattle, took first place, beating my time by 2.8 seconds (in a sport measured in thousands of a second). In December ’05, I wrecked the ’02 RUF Boxster and spent the next 18 months physically recuperating and planning for a replacement Porsche. ’05 Hershey Autocross The New Boxster My GT3 RS is a great track car, but not a comfortable trip car; with its racing suspension and no AC or cruise control. I don’t want to trailer it to the Parade each year; I enjoy driving a Porsche through the different regions of the country. I needed a Porsche more suitable for local and regional PCA trips, for car shows, and for the Parade commute. I wanted another convertible and preferred the Boxster to the 911 Cabriolet due to its potentially better power-toweight ratio, better looks, better balance, and better price. I based the planning of the purchase and modification of the new Boxster around the Parade autocross competition and identified five requirements to win that event: 1) tune the engine to produce its maximum bolt-on power, 2) reduce the vehicle and components to the minimum possible weight, 3) mount the widest and stickiest tires on the lightest wheels, 4) adjust the suspension and tire pressures for neutral handling, 5) secure driver training from a professional and practice. Of course all mods must be in accordance with the Parade Competition Rules (PCRs). I got the new Boxster in April ’07 and its autocross features include: PCCB compositeceramic brakes with 19” Carrera Sport wheels, a Power-Flow intake, Fabspeed headers and performance catalysts; PASM suspension with compatible H&R performance springs; front strut upper-tie bar, Sport-Chrono system; Porsche Euro 996 GT3 Club Sport racing shell seats; Simpson shoulder harnesses, and a Brey Krause fire extinguisher. The PCCB brakes have a much higher coefficient of friction than steel rotors and provide vastly superior braking power with a linear pedal feel. The 19” wheels are the widest offered on the Boxster and the PCRs allow an increase of 1” over OEM wheels, tires, and vehicle track. 3
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Page 6 and 7: exit. At this balance point, as lit
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52nd Porsche Parade Autocross by Jim Cambron - Heart O' Dixie

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