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

first impression was that the course was very long, more than a mile in length, maybe a mile and
a half, with two long straights rumored to require 3 rd gear (the Boxster shift point from 2 nd to 3 rd
gear is at 74mph). The course also runs through several elevation changes of approximately 30’
and four of the curves (#3, 4, 7, and 11) were laid out with their outside on the downhill slope
which would promote spinning-out during the turn.
Most autocross courses allow room for a run-up of about 30’ before you trip the timing
lights, so you don’t have to spin your tires getting up to speed as you break the timing beam—
but this course was different. About 20’ directly in front of the starting line was a line of cones
forcing you hard left and through a small gate. Directly in front of that gate was another line of
cones at a distance of about 20’ forcing you hard right to a 2 nd gate. The timing lights were then
located about 10’ in front of that second gate eliminating any running start toward the lights.
Turns #1 & #2 were little more than a kink in the road. Turns #3 and #4 were about 180 degrees,
left and right, generating the highest g-forces on the course. Turns #5 & #6, like turns #1 & #2
and #12 & #13 were just slight kinks and could be taken as three cone slaloms. Turn #7 was a
high speed left-hand sweeper at the end of the fastest straight. #8 and #11 were right-hand ninety
degrees turns. Lastly, there was plenty of braking room after your crossed the finish line—which
is not always, or, even normally the case
There were no conventional multi-cone slaloms, Chicago Boxes, inside or outside eggs,
or other common autocross obstacles. The course was clearly marked with continuous chalk
lines along both sides plus hundreds of marker cones. After the finish line, you passed by the
timing trailer to get the time slips, then either back into the staging area, or, if you had completed
your three runs, to an impound area for ½ hour of protest resolution. All-in-all, the course would
be easy to negotiate and its lack of obstacles would favor faster cars over better drivers.
There’s a big advantage to watching the other classes run the course, especially if you get
to see the Improved and Modified classes which have the Parade’s fastest Porsches and best
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