Sometimes Racing is like Ice Skating Uphill
No matter which way you turn the problem is still the same.

After having a number of events on the track at Perry’s Park, we have developed a number of sections that generate a wall of fine dust behind the rally cars. This happened to be one of those days.

While setting up the course, a large cloud of dust blew into the neighbor's yard and we spent about an hour moving that section of track around trying to correct this. By the end of the drivers meeting, this section had to be cut out and a long, sweeping left turn was moved lower on the hill. This solved most of the problem, and all the drivers got four runs on this course. There was plenty of traction and most of the drivers took advantage of this.

Lunch had to be cut to about 30 minutes due to starting late, but Nick Meyers grilled hotdogs for everyone. Thank you Nick. After lunch the breeze changed direction and we had to shorten the course once again. The long, sweeping left had to be shortened to a hairpin due to the amount of dust generated by the competitors.

With the hairpin about 50 feet past the starting line, this imposed the dilemma of where to up-shift. The hairpin was open enough to shift at the apex of the turn and leave while accelerating. Others tried to remain in first gear and found themselves sliding sideways into the last cone on the outside of the turn. I guess it depended on one's driving style.

We had four more runs after lunch, and with the heat and dust, most were not up for any double laps afterwards.

Our next event is September 22 and a local newspaper is going to stop by to write an article on local auto racing. I hope to see everyone there.

Mark Laitenberger
(RallyCross Chairman)