Slipstream - March 2003

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Ladies Autocross School by Alicia Reich Have you ever washed your car at 5:30 AM? I did, in preparation for my first Autocross School, held on Feb 15 at Pennington Field in Bedford. I am not an early bird by definition, so this took significant commitment on my part to finally fall out of bed. My Dad told me that the car had to sparkle like a gem or it would not pass Tech Inspection. Of course, I didn’t really believe that bluff, but I’m a wee bit of a neat freak and I just had the urge to make my car shine. With one exception, everyone else at the autocross school had also washed their car at 5:30 AM, because they were all clean despite significant recent rain! And what beauuutifuuuul cars they were! The Boxsters are neat, and the 911’s are cool, but my heart was won over by the new Mini. What a cute car! My snazzy ride is a 1990 BMW 525i (Dad calls it “my daily driver”), which clocks at just under 100,000 miles. Dad bought it for Mom when it was three years old, and we’ve taken good care of it since, and it is now most definitely “mine”. ...My dad told me that the car had to sparkle like a gem or it would not pass tech inspection... I am a junior at Ursuline Academy and started driving to school a year ago, six months after I earned my license. It took a while for Dad to acknowledge that I was a safe driver and grant me the freedom of the road in my own car. Although I have driven a go-cart on a number of occasions and definitely enjoyed it, I had never participated in a driving competition before. Like everyone, I went onto the track as a passenger in itially as my instructor zipped round the skid pad. While she was cranking the gas, little old me was mashed against the passenger door, heavy helmet jammed up against the glass. Photo by Matt Platts After the first ride, I gulped and feebly told my instructor that I have had “minor” encounters with motion sickness throughout my life. Amazingly, when I took the drivers seat and slowly passed the first few cones, I found that I had left the motion sickness behind in the passenger seat! My instructor, Lisa, specified that the counterclockwise rotation should feel easier than running clockwise, but I found my best results when circling clockwise. After my third run clockwise, the facilitator at my station told me I was driving with only three wheels on the ground! I was shocked and started apologizing, but he laughed at my reaction and said a “three-wheeley” was a good thing. And it sure felt awesome, too! Alicia Reich tests the cornering limits of her 525i After lunch, our group rotated to the slalom and braking exercises. Out of all the simulations, I found the braking to be exceptionally helpful. Lisa instructed me to calculate the braking distance of my car, and then apply that information to determine a braking point for each corner. This was excellent information and I find myself applying it constantly to my driving habit on the road only a week later. Photo by Matt Platts A wide variety of cars turned out Photo Matt Platts The driver’s meeting was quite brisk! Photo by Matt Platts Photo Matt Platts Bob Benson sends the next student on-course Photo Matt Platts Photo Matt Platts 14
Twice during the day I encountered the members of a girl’s soccer team in the restroom. The first time, one of the girls asked if I was a professional race car driver. I immediately giggled and said, “No, just having some fun.” But when I encountered more of the same team later in the day, I surprisingly responded with a proud “yup” before I even realized I opened my mouth. Could this be a subconscious recognition of my goal in life? The girls responded, “that’s so cool,” and as I walked out of the restroom waving bye to my new friends, I sighed giddily after my first encounter with fan adulation. I sure am glad the PCA and Maverick Region decided to let the younger crowd learn a bit about car control in an autocross setting. It was pure fun packed with good information (thanks, Lisa and School Crew!). I am planning to run the entire autocross series, so hope to see you there! Does anybody Photo by Matt Platts have a g-Analyst or Geez Cube that I can borrow or buy? I plan to write a report for my Physics Class using it once I find one (no kidding!). Photo by Matt Platts Photo Matt Platts Photo Matt Platts Photo by Kevin Hardison Photo Kevin Hardison Photo Kevin Hardison Photo by Kevin Hardison Photo Kevin Hardison Photo Kevin Hardison Photo by Matt Platts Photo Matt Platts Photo Matt Platts 15
Page 1 and 2: www.pca.org/mav Rally School Autocr
Page 3 and 4: www.pca.org/mav Volume 43, March 20
Page 5 and 6: 3
Page 7 and 8: Road Ramblings by Keith Olcha, Mave
Page 9 and 10: Email: mayos@imagin.net or FAX at (
Page 11 and 12: Photo by Dennis Chamberlain Happy H
Page 13 and 14: • Increased Horsepower • Lower
Page 15: Carrera GT Unveiled in Geneva by PC
Page 19 and 20: Christmas at Hope Shelter By Lanean
Page 21 and 22: The next two exercises were on the
Page 23 and 24: 21
Page 25 and 26: Photo by Wendy Shoffit Time Trial 1
Page 27 and 28: to compete in a Rally. We learned t
Page 29 and 30: New Wheels If you have any changes
Page 31 and 32: Slipstream Advertiser for 25 years!

Slipstream - March 2003

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