August 11, 2012 Marina Airport

We went back to Marina Municipal Airport for the last autocross event of the season, put on by Santa Clara Corvettes. On the drive down the fog was low and blanketing the coast from South San Francisco all the way to the tarmac. My friend Chloe from school was staying with us for the weekend so I dragged her along for the ride. Since we had become a familier face with the regulars we got hellos and hugs from everyone that we were driving with. The course set up was gigantic, every square foot of the tarmac was used and all the cones owned by SCCC were out. The road course had a long straight away in the beginning leading into a sweeping left turn. One hairpin turn and loop kept the layout challenging and got a few drivers lost.

Since my father and I had a few disagreements about why I beat him last time, I chose to go first and see if I could disprove the hot tires excuse. We were in run group one and since we were a two driver car we went first in the pack of eight cars. So I was the first one out on the cold track, my first lap was decent for learning the course and heating up the tires. On lap two I got a bit wild, since the straight aways were always starting after sharp turns I would kick out the back end once I got on the throttle. So I tried to do the same but on the sweeper after the fast section. I started to get the car in a power slide but then the front tires were still cold and gave out. I then swerved and hit some cones. Chloe jumped in on the third run and stayed in the car until my fifth and final run. I got my fastest time on the fourth run with a 1:32.8, it wasn't too bad since other cars that were running slicks and were a z06 were getting in the 1:26's. The announcer was impressed with the way the tires were sticking since we still have the stock DOT run flats.

My dad then jumped in with the car hot and I rode shotgun for the first lap giving suggestions on the course. I got out for the rest of his laps to give him a weight advantage. And wouldn't you know it, he beats me on the second lap out. A 1:31.6 the fastest time the car would do all day. As I stood next to the announcer I yelled "Damn It!" right into the microphone. An once everyone heard that they started laughing, we were the only father and son duo that day out on the track so everyone was listening for who would win.

All in all it was a great day and the car performed great! Chloe had a blast riding shotgun with me and we all went home safe. I also got a GoPro cam and mounted it on the car in a few spots, so check out the video!

August 11 Marina Autocross VIDEO!