<html> We just got back to Indiana from our vacation trip to Florida to <BR>vist Sharon's relatives and attend the St Augustine SECC/CFA autocross <BR>event. It was beautiful weather in Florida, and of course exactly the <BR>same in Indiana--go figure.<BR><BR> This event just cannot be missed regardless of the weather. It is <BR>close to the ocean and a breeze is always there, plus a short rain <BR>shower every day after lunch, but immediately drying off.<BR><BR> The course reminds me of a surburban housing development without <BR>the houses. All of the appropriate green street signs are at the <BR>intersections. All of the connecting grippy asphalt streets have <BR>sweeping turns between the intersections. There is even a culda sac/ <BR>skid pad. The skid pad seems to be made of polished marble. One drop of <BR>rain means instant spin out, which I unfortunately discovered to the <BR>spectators and my passenger's delight. .<BR> This site must be used for police pursuit training.<BR> I brought the SCCA specific EM Corvair roadster primarily for the <BR>easier/cheaper towing, but the great break in the fuel prices made <BR>that moot. Next year at the Convention I intend to bring the Corvair <BR>event specific Stinger; unless of course the fuel is $4.00 again.<BR><BR> Fast Edie Meadows (one of the fast guys who didn't bring a car) <BR>designed 3 great flowing courses. One for the Sat. morn Test and tune, <BR>a tighter one for the Sat. afternoon timed runs (with the slick skid <BR>pad) and a really fast one for Sunday morning that was .9 miles long. <BR>On Sunday, I was able to use third gear all of the way around even <BR>through the alternate choice lane changes and the slaloms on the <BR>straight to slow the straights down. Even so I was able to red line in <BR>3rd gear at the end of both straights (3.27/std. Saginaw).<BR> The only other pylons were to block off unused routes. No one got <BR>lost and only about 6 pylons were hit the entire weekend.<BR> This was in effect a small road course visible by all spectators <BR>ala the Marshall Town small track.<BR> A neat feature was the use of two competeting club cars from rival <BR>Corvair clubs. Each had at least 6 drivers.<BR> the scores were to be averaged and a club winner announced. Each car <BR>was TOTALLY stock---something you never see in SCCA. Stock tires, <BR>shock, carbs, antiroll bars, etc. Plus all of the parts were about 45 <BR>years old-contributing to some strange handling.<BR> I was asked to drive both with one lap practice lap to set some <BR>handicap guide lines. The both handled like early models (see previous <BR> paragraph-last sentence) and the time difference was negligible. It <BR>was great fun and certainly de ja vu for me. You certainly have to <BR>think ahead.<BR> I was able to win because all of the super fast guys that I invited <BR>to run didn't show---you know who you are. Club president, Tim Mahler <BR>drove VERY well and might have won on the PAX if we had one.<BR> I recommend the Sunday course for the Convention, what ever that is <BR>worth. I'm speed addicted.<BR> It was a great vacation in all respects. I really enjoyed the super <BR>friendly Corvair family. We even had free Sub sandwiches for lunch. We <BR>had lots of fun runs with passenger/victims.<BR> Some one elese will have to post the winning cars and times.<BR> It's your loss if you miss this event in 09.<BR> We also had a great tour of Vintage downtown St. Augustine and a <BR>supper at a fine Italian restruant there with friends. .<BR> It's too bad that you can't do it all; I understand that I missed a <BR>great event at Indy also.<BR><BR>Warren<BR><BR></html>
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