Autocross #6 Course

Pictures & Video:   by Harry Newman  |  John Heflin

What a day! What a crowd! With 63 participants, it's a good thing Mike Wirt laid out a short course.

Sunny, a bit warm, and a breeze that at times threatened to blow the pavilions away, but all in all, a good day for autocross. Some of the extra crowd can be explained by a birthday bash for Barrie Gochman. We suspect the word that there would be a free lunch drew part of the crowd. We won't reveal her age, but she doesn't look a day over 30.

Despite the larger than normal run groups, things went quickly, with most runs in the 40 second range. A newcomer, driving a Factory Five Cobra replica powered by a supercharged 302 blew us away with its ear-splitting sound and a stunning 37.174 second run. Mike Wirt had only the third sub-40 second run – his 39.810 was enough to earn him second place. Aside from the co-driver of the Factory Five Roadster, no one else could break the 40 second barrier.

Debbie Hirtes and her 1967 230SL was back representing the Mercedes-Benz veterans group. Sadly, she ran unopposed (again). It sure would be nice if a few other owners of older Mercedes-Benz models would come out and give Debbie a little competition.

The usual sixteen valve group was out, with Denise Dersin turning in a 41.421 to edge Bill Stewart by a little more than five-tenths of a second. Her time earned Denise overall Ladies' FTD and Bill's time earned him Mercedes-Benz Gentlemens' FTD. Ted Joseph finished third, with Paul T. Vandenberg fourth and Paul D. Vandenberg fifth.

In the six-cylinder class, Ben Weber was back, and back in form as he ran a 43.026 to take first place. Jim Smith ran a close second, and GWS President Bill Hopper took third. In the V8 class, GWS VP John Heflin was once again all alone as the Harrell's 400E was laid up for repairs. The Harrells were present, but driving a non-Benz. The SLK class was bigger than it's been it quite some time with Chris Mazzola, Greg Knoll, Buzz McClain, and Steve Spector vying for points. Buzz, a reporter working on an article about club activities, was a complete autocross novice and was driving a car loaned to him by MBUSA. Steve Spector turned in a strong 43.223 to take first, with Chris close behind followed by Greg and Buzz. Richie Crim and Rachelle Carter-Crim were out to represent the AMG group and finished first and second respectively.

In the “Other Marques” the ladies were back out, with Patti Cornell driving her Mustang GT to a first place finish and Ladies' FTD for other marques. Brenda Curtis finished second, Maurya Brenneman finished third in her Honda Fit. Laurie Harrell, driving a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, finished fourth. Newcomer Wade Chamberlain was out his Factory Five Roadster – a Shelby Cobra kit car powered by a supercharged 302ci engine. The car was both loud and fast, with Wade turning in an impressive 37.174 to take FTD and first place. Mike Wirt drove his Porsche Cayman to a 39.810 to take second place. Marty Gallagher took third, with another newcomer, Don Fitzpatrick driving his BMW M3 to a fourth place finish. GWS regular Brad Blase ran a respectable 40.324 to take fifth place. Andy Thomas was back with his super-quick Hyundai Accent and managed to snag sixth place. Wade's co-driver, Brian Kirwan had the second fastest time with a 38.861, but the index on that Factory Five Roadster pushed him down to seventh place. Pete Gochman, Brett Hack, and Howard Leiken rounded out the top ten. Our report would be incomplete without mention of the bright yellow 2010 Chevrolet Camaro the Harrell's brought for this event. Here's hoping their 1993 400E is ready to go for the next GWS autocross on October 11th.