Parts or Service, We Deliver Excellence. Over 300,000 parts in stock. Expert service and repair. Parts and Service for: Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Mini, and Smart Car. 817-267-4451 Visit us online at: 1-800-356-2964 www.allzim.com zimips@allzim.com 1804 Reliance Pkwy. Bedford, TX 76021 M-F 8am to 5:30pm Zims Autotechnik is not affiliated with Porsche AG or PCNA Registered Trademark of Dr. Ing h.c.F. Porsche A.G. 16 <strong>February</strong>
Maverick Region <strong>2017</strong> Autocross (AX) Events By Mark Schnoerr, Region Autocross Chair utocross is a very fun and popular nationwide form of motorsports that emphasizes A safe competition and active participation. Participants, ranging from novices, significant others, and the highly experienced, can drive their car (multiple drivers allowed) and manage a support role to assist in running the event. Autocross differs from track-based events in that there is generally only one car on a section of the course at a time, spaced well apart from other cars, and driving against the clock at speeds generally below 60 mph, rather than at high speeds with other cars in close proximity, as in Drivers’ Education, or true wheel-to-wheel competition, as in Club Racing. The Maverick Autocross program is a low risk way to get started in competition driving almost any car. Our region puts on events in collaboration with the very well-run Equipe Rapide Sports Car Club (autocross. com) in <strong>2017</strong> at sites like the Burleson ISD Stadium lot (first event, <strong>February</strong> 26), Mesquite Memorial Stadium, and Mineral Wells Airpark (about 40 miles west of Fort Worth). It is an excellent way to learn car control expertise that will improve your overall driving skill. You will quickly learn about proper seating position, looking ahead, threshold braking, and precise car control, while you try to execute a perfect lap on a pylonmarked course where you will be timed to the thousandth of a second. There is a two-second time penalty for every pylon knocked over, so quick, clean, and neat driving matters. Unless you do something very unusual, the only risk to your car is contact with a rubber cone that can be easily cleaned off. Many participants have used autocross as a steppingstone to DE or Club Racing. Some very fast and wellknown road racers got their start in autocross. Some drivers still autocross after moving up to those other higherrisk activities or move on to National caliber PCA Parade or SCCA competition. Most drivers can navigate the whole course after just one shift to second gear. The next 60 to 80 seconds are such a rush that some drivers barely take time to breathe. You do this six to eight times after just walking the unique course found at each event. The rest of the day you will meet lots of interesting people, take a shift running part of the event from registration, tech, or corner station duty, and enjoy an exciting assortment of interesting cars at speed. These are very social events where ride-along opportunities and in-car instruction will help you enjoy the experience. Although there are many classes at these combined events with Equipe Rapide, Porsche Club entrants can run in the Small Region classes, as specified in the PCA Parade Competition Rules (PCRs), at these events. For <strong>2017</strong> these include three fully showroom stock classes for completely stock 1990 and later Porsches (including your Cayenne, Panamera, or Macan!), four classes for all pre-1990 and lightly modified later model cars, and special classes for the fastest prepared or modified Porsches. Registration is available on line or on site. Arrive about 8 am and bring a lunch or snacks with you, since lunch breaks are not always scheduled. After tech inspection, walk the course or do so with the formal novice walk-through for some additional insights. Cars start running about 10 am and awards are presented about 4 pm. Join us for a safe and fun way to learn the limits of your Porsche! 17