Rhode Island Auto X

[frapjap]

Disclaimer: I posted this in Gen Chat because the Northeast section has been dead for about 6 months...

For those of you who live in the coastal New England area, the closest auto x to the coast is in Devens in Ayer, MA.
Quite a long drive if you're going to take your car out there, drive it hard, and then drive it home. Should something go wrong, thats a helluva expensive tow.

I just came across a more local event that takes place about once a month. http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=419148
Its in Quonset Point in Rhode Island on an old air strip. Close for Rhode Islanders, coastal CT, and Southcoast MA. Five hours with instruction (should you want it) with pretty much umlimited track time is $125. Pretty fair IMO. Its a loose, casual atmosphere; no real structure or race classes, just have fun being timed as you run around the track- much like our Carlisle event. I'm going to make a point of going to these during the summer months and thought that members in this area could benefit as well.

Hope to see some of you there sometime!

[jdrop]

Disclaimer, Devens is my home course.

I think it depends on what you're looking for from your seat time. At Devens, it's no more than $50, you're allowed to leave the site if needs be, and you compete with some of the fastest drivers in the country. Spectators are technically not allowed, but as long as they are "part of your crew" we have had parents, girlfriends, boyfriends, dogs, and grandparents show up to watch. We also average 130 competitors and 6+ runs per event and allow passengers as long as they are registered.

Also, we've had many things go wrong. Many, many times. People are always willing to lend a hand, a tool, or a trailer.

There are local clubs that are about the same distance, or shorter: Fairfield County Sports Car Club, CT Autocross and Rally Team that do that sort of thing, but they're not affiliated with SCCA.

From what I remember, these RI "autocross/T&T" events are technically schools. There is a timer, but when NER tried to get into Quonsett, we were told that competition is banned, thus the "no podium finish." Working, though it can suck in poor weather, is an important aspect of autox--these are all volunteer organizations. Part of what makes the sport so great is the social aspect.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

but when NER tried to get into Quonsett, we were told that competition is banned,

That sounds familiar. I recall everyone trying to get a drag strip put in there for the longest time.

Ray- Maybe if/when I take my Miata to New England during shutdown, I'll run it up there (Now THAT would be an expensive tow!!!). I might do Seekonk Speedway too.

[jdrop]

Ray- Maybe if/when I take my Miata to New England during shutdown, I'll run it up there (Now THAT would be an expensive tow!!!). I might do Seekonk Speedway too.

Aw...James, I'm hurt you don't want to come play in MA with me

I still owe you a birthday beer.

[IBCoupe]

Sweet! That's about 45 mins from me!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Aw...James, I'm hurt you don't want to come play in MA with me

I still owe you a birthday beer.

I'll come play wherever... especially if there's birthday beer involved