Autocross #4 Course

Pictures & Video:   Shot by Harry Newman  |   Laurie's Fantastic Finish (Video by Bill Hopper)  |   Sarah Lewis (Video by Bill Hopper)

A good crowd, a challenging (Mike Wirt designed) course, and a clear day – a perfect combination for the fourth autocross of the 2009 season. Lots of regulars, and a few new faces made for a good event.

Debbie Hirtes and her 1967 230SL were back as was Hans O'Malley in his 1972 300SEL 4.5 to represent the Mercedes-Benz veterans. Sadly, both ran unopposed in their classes. It sure would be nice if a few other owners of older Mercedes-Benz models would come out and give Debbie & Hans a little competition.

Since the Vandenbergs' car was laid up with a bad water pump, the 16 valve group consisted of Denise Dersin, Ted Joseph, and Bill Stewart. As usual, Denise took first with an excellent run of 52.064 seconds – that was also good for Ladies Fastest Time of the Day. Bill Stewart ran a 52.600 to edge Ted Joseph by twelve hundredths of a second. In the six-cylinder class, Ben Weber's 1988 300E five-speed was more than a match for last year's champ, Jim Smith in his 1992 190E 2.6. GWS President Bill Hopper rounded out the six-cylinder group. In the V8 class, GWS VP John Heflin showed that his 1983 500SEC is as fast as it is loud as he racked up another win; Henry Harrell finished second and Laurie Harrell third, but with an entertaining entry into the stop garage that only cost her one cone. Chris Mazzola and Steve Spector battled it out again in the SLK class, with Chris taking the win. Richie Crim was back with his 2006 C55 AMG, and showed that he was serious with a run of 49.778 seconds – good for Mercedes-Benz Fastest Time of the Day, and third fastest overall. Richie's better half, Rachelle, scored a second place finish with another respectable run.

In the "Other Marques" group, Patti Cornell drove her 2002 Mustang GT to a strong 54" run to take Other Marque Ladies Fastest Time of the Day and first place in the ladies group. Sarah Lewis, who is doing quite well in her new Mini Cooper S, finished second. Once again Marty Gallagher took first place with an index time of 41.927 – not that he needed much help, but that F-Stock index doesn't hurt. Mike Wirt took second with an index time of 41.954. Brad Blase took third, and Pete Gochman, back after an absence, took Fastest Time of the Day with a blistering 49.513, but it wasn't enough to get him into the top three. Barrie Gochman, still gamely competing against the guys, had a respectable 53" run, but finished well down in the points for the first time this year. Howard Leikin was back and drove his 2005 Corvette to a solid fifth place. Newomer Todd Draper drove his 2006 Honda S2000 to a sixth place finish, Matt Yip out for the first time in – too long – finished seventh in his 1989 VW GTi 16V.