Northeast Divisionals ’08

(image courtesy of Jane Quinn, full photoset available here)

So I went to the NE Divisionals earlier this month (Aug. 9th-10th). This was a two-day autocross at Seneca Army Depot in Romulus, NY. I camped with my parents, and it almost felt like a homecoming being back in the finger lakes region (Romulus is in between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes). The event was hosted by Mohawk-Hudson and also a points event for our regional championships.

The location (an abandoned airstrip) is the best pavement available and allows for long and fast courses, quite a deviation from what I’m used to at smaller local events. The combination of an interesting course, fast competition, and clear weather made for a great event. (It rained both nights, but somehow cleared up during the days for our runs!)

I placed 4th in SM, behind the three nationally competitive drivers, and ahead of “everyone else.” I was curious if my Evo competition would be quicker on the faster wide open course, but I kept ahead of him (barely), mostly because of his worn shoddy tires which have since been replaced.

The best runs of each day were added up to form a total:
1st in SM — 113.254 seconds
2nd — 113.705
3rd — 120.138
4th — 120.782 (moi)
5th — 121.258
6th — 121.719
7th — 123.521
8th — 129.925

I was pretty damn close to third (which would have been a trophy), but not because I was a comparable driver. Third was the wife(?) co-driver of the guy who placed 2nd. Their car began running on limp mode during the second day. She was able to borrow the other SM Honda Civic (who’s driver placed 1st). So her times were slower in the (slightly) unfamiliar car.

It was a fun event and a good introduction to larger, national level events. There are a ton of pics here, even a few of my dirty car. I should mention also in attendance were about half a dozen other MINIs, running in stock and street tire classes. Everyone was friendly, fast, and.. uhm. Furious?

Few events in September, I might be able to catch something in October, and then it’s the cold, dreary winter off-season. I need to find an ice racer!