MAC Novice Autocross Track Session

[Drew]

Compliments to Bob Fogt and Pat Washburn on the MAC Novice Class. The weather in April was unfortunate. But today's activity was 100 percent what a novice school should be. MAC is fortunate to have two talented people like you, who enjoy teaching the right way to get started in autocross. Any novice who continues in autocross will have more fun as a result of this class. Thanks also to all the instructors who contributed their time and experience to the class.

Drew Baumbach

[Bob Fogt]

Thank you for the very kind words, Drew. They're much appreciated. But while Pat and I may have been the ones most "on stage" today, you procured the site and handled the insurance and obtained the event permit for us, Dwight was out there at 7:00 AM with the equipment trailer, Mike and Jon managed the timing equipment, Paul has been handling registration and money, a handful of stalwart volunteers came out to instruct, and so on and so forth. Like everything else we somehow manage to do, it's all a club effort.

Personally, autocross is never so much fun for me as when I have a chance to see the grins on the beginners faces. (And so a special thanks to Pat for putting me in his Swift today and reminding me of what that's like. Oh, Mama!)

Bob

[washburn]

Here, here. It's just the "Bob and Pat Dog and Pony Show" without everyone who came out to spend the day. Thanks to all those folks, it was a success.

The quickest and surest way to instantly turn a guy into a happy, excited child is to put him in the Swift and turn him loose! javascript:smilie(':D');
javascript:smilie(':D');

[Bill Owen]

I attended the MAC Novice School in `97 hosted by Bob and Pat and behold, here I was Instructing for them yesterday. Stick with the sport and you can do the same. Its always nice to hear "Thanks, that tip really helped me" I hope all those people can get more involved with the sport and MAC.

[1/2mv^2]

I wanted to thank everybody as well. I had a great time, and I feel that I learned an amazing amount of information and technique! Just by looking at my times, which improved EVERY run (except one...), every instructor ride added new help to the last!

I have to say that I feel lucky that only about 1/3 of the people that were signed up showed - the amount of track time was amazing.

I can hardly wait until Sunday - gotta call and order some tires today!

Thanks everybody!

Ed
'97 Red Supercharged Miata

[Jeremy Kolb]

My sincere thanks to all the instructors. I couldn't digest and apply even half of the advice I got, but I was able to pretty consistently lop off around a half second per try, so some of it must've gotten through. It definitely made me want to get out there and do it again - it was a blast. Even watching was fun.

A Lincoln Town Car at 47.1?!? A pickup truck killing the rest of the field?!?

I've heard it before, but Sunday really pounded home the idea that it's the driver makes all the difference. It was amazing to see Pat hop in any car and put up fast times. Also, it was great to sit in Paul's Marcos and Bill's Jetta and watch them negotiate the track in ways I never imagined. Although, it's possible street tires made for lines even they didn't imagine ;). Thanks again.

I hope to see some of you at Midway next Sunday. I'll be the guy with the cosmic green GTI and a goofy smile. Like this: :D, but redder and peeling from my 3rd degree sunburn.

[Bill Owen]

http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/bob.jpg

[Bill Owen]

Ok, Thats Bob Fogt up above explaining the braking and slalom exercises to the students. Heres the rest of the gang first in the paddocks, then at the driver's meeting, next doing the Instructor lead coursewalk and a couple action shots. Sorry i didnt get more shots of everyone, but I was busy Instructing! btw: the black blur you see is the Hot Rod Lincoln. Too fast for my auto focus!

Hey, did I mention how nice it is to post more than one pic on our new board?! Enjoy!


Teching Rookie cars. Everyone looked ready to go
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/paddock.jpg

Those folks who slept in don't know what theyre missing!
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/paddock2.jpg

Driver's meeting
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/meeting.jpg

Bob F, Dwight M, Paul W, and Pat W. Guess which one was HUNGOVER?
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/daboyz.jpg

Pat gives us the low down on the day's festivities
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/pat.jpg

The very vital "Coursewalk" before we drive
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/coursewalk.jpg

Pat explains why you need to always LOOK AHEAD!
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/coursewalk.pat.jpg

Jon McCollough marks his spot in the practice threshold braking zone...
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/jon.jpg

Saturn Raycer in the slalom
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/rex.jpg

The very forgiving, Ford Focus SVT
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/svt.jpg

The Black blur...Hot Rod Lincoln
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/lincoln.jpg

[Bill Owen]

FYI: This was my first time using FTP, can't ya tell? so that explains the goofed text and photos :sarc

[Bill Owen]

Ok, Bob, Dwight, Paul and Pat...Now you can guess which one was HUNGOVER?
http://prudhoe.codeword.com/mnpctech.com/mnautox/daboyz.jpg

[Erik Nelson]

Well, I am really bummed that I had to miss it. Maybe next time. I know, judging from how I did at Mowog1, that I could have definitely used the practice time.

[Chris Bienert]

Wow! It sounds like a really good time was had by all. I wish I could have made it up to help out. For some reason I'm afraid these new "rookies" might make me look bad come sunday! ;)

[noah horak]

hey, i just want to say thank you to everyone that helped out on sunday and to everyone else for the good conversation. bill and bob, thanks alot for letting me drive your cars, they both were a rockin good time. hopefully i will see you all in 2 weeks in wisconsin.
noah