Eau Claire, WI Auto-x; June 22nd

[Rex Jr]

Just a reminder to everyone that the CHippewa Valley Sports Car Club and LaCrosse SCCA are holding an autox in Eau Claire in a month. I plan to be there (of course), it'd be nice to see some familiar faces there too.

[914 Dave]

Did anyone catch this one last year? Its right in my back yard, well sort of, and I had to miss it last season. Where is the event held, any thoughts on how it went last year? Talk this up, lets get it going!!!

[Dave Kral]

I'm definitely planning on going. I was at LaCrosse last weekend and met a couple of guys from the Chippewa Valley club who had come down just to help work the event. Great people (and one was a fellow NSX'er :) ). I also spoke with a guy who had run the Eau Claire event last year who said the surface of the lot there wasn't in the best condition, but he's planning on running it again this year, so it must not have been too bad.

Looking forward to seeing your P-car again, Dave.

Dave (not fast, but at least lookin' good) Kral

[914 Dave]

I almost hate to ask this, but in your signature line, are you talking about you or your car...

[SaturnRaycer]

I ran it last year. The surface of the lot wasn't great, but I understand it has been resurfaced. I'll ask my son to cruise over and put eyes on it.

Last year the SCCA guys had only 3 runs, but had plenty of extra time. This year, we should prevail upon them to increase the number of runs if time permits. They were concerned that some of their members would be upset if they had a different number of runs that what they committed to!

I got there about 0900 after driving down from Duluth and their registration was just getting started. Seems the first runs didn't go until nearly noon.

I'm going again this year, because 3 runs is better than none, and seat time counts. Someone might want to contact the LaCrosse SCCA and encourage them to commit to more runs - even if it means starting earlier.

[914 Dave]

Where exactually is the site? I'll be in E.C. tomarrow and would like to check it out.

[SaturnRaycer]

It's the Menard's Headquarters on US 12 about 1 mile from I94. If you come down from RL on US 53, take the WI 124 exit in EauClaire then follow the signs to I 94W. That will take you past Claremont and you'll see the Menards Village on the right.

[ITSrotary]

My $.02,

I was at this event last year and plan on attending this year. Last years event was the first AX run by the organizers in quite a few years and there were a few glitches but all things considered I think they did a great job. Yeah the lots a little slippery so deal with it. It's another event in the area and that's a good thing. As far as the limited number of runs (?) we got 5 and the only thing limiting more had to do with the course which only allowed one car on course at a time and limitations placed on the use of the lot by the owner than any SCCA member concerns. I know one of the conditions required them to be done running by 4:00 pm and IIRC we finished around 3:30. The lot has not been repaved, but is scheduled to be redone following this years event.

the physical address is: 4777 Menard Drive Eau Claire, WI. 54730

If you have acrobat more detailed event info and directions can be found here:
http://www.scca-lol.org/solo/03/June2003.pdf

Looking forward to an even better event this year.

Steve

[Dave Kral]

I almost hate to ask this, but in your signature line, are you talking about you or your car...

The slow part refers to me, the looking good part refers to the car :D


The organization at the LaCrosse event last weekend was definitely more "relaxed" than a typical MAC event. A lot of that probably has to do with the smaller group present. There were only 27 cars running. There was only one run group. The runs started at noon with everyone taking five runs. The runs were complete and trophies awarded before 3:00. Drivers were supposed to run in order of car number. That worked for the first run and after that it was whenever you decided to get back in line. I agree with Rex that it would be nice to get started before noon if there are more cars running at Eau Claire.

[washburn]

Getting additional runs has more to do with the EM's reluctance to allow them more than anything else. I've heard him explain why he will not allow "fun" runs. Whatever, he is the one stepping up and staging the events...if someone wants fun runs, they will need to step up and run an event.

[Rex Jr]

Just to update everyone on the status of this site, I drove through it a few times tonight to get an idea of it's condition. The surface has NOT been repaved, resealed, or otherwise repaired. The good news is that it's really no worse than it was last year. With the right layout, a good course can be made that avoids the rougher patches. Site-prep will be a laborious (relatively speaking) job as there are a couple of bike racks and a couple dozen "reserved parking" signs that will need to be removed. The bike racks are not bolted down and the signs have a round weighted base and can just be rolled off onto the adjacent sidewalks. The surface itself is abrasive and could provide better-than-your-average-seal-coat grip. Sand and gravel didn't really seem to be a big factor, but the uneven patches where repairs have been made in the past will be something to keep an eye out for. If you've got coil-overs on your car, you might want to give yourself just a little more clearance than normal. There is a kart track right next door that uses the edge of this lot for access to their lot. It's highly likely that a Kart race may be going on as well, we'll want to be aware of increased vehicle traffic in the paddock area. Increased foot traffic is highly unlikely due to the karts though, they're weekend schedules leave next to no room for leisure time.

As far as using this site for MAC events goes, I would only endorse it as a once-a-year thing or as a last resort back up plan. It's fine for the occasional "fun" event, but it does not meet the standards (IMHO) of what MAC needs to for a repetetive-use site. It pains me to say this as I'd love for more events to take place here, but I gotta tell it like it is.

With that said, I hope I haven't discouraged anyone from attending the CVSCC event on 6/22. I'll be there and hope to see a healthy MAC contingent as well. Let me know if you need directions.

[Rex Jr]

Just got off the phone with Rick Albrechtson of the SCCA, he will be EM'ing this event. He's looking at an entry fee of $20-$25 (he didn't have everything in front of him when I called, so he couldn't be sure) and a guarantee of no more than 5 runs. He indicated though that the course this time around will be designed to allow for more seat time per run.

As far as the concerns about not getting enough runs go, he stands by his policy of limiting the number to 5 in the interest of getting people on their way home at a decent time. In addition to the MN contingent, there will be others coming to this event with 100+ mile drive each way.

Personally I would prefer more runs. On the other hand though, I'm just happy to have an event going on right in my own backyard.

[Rex Jr]

Looks like Rick was a bit off with the entry fee he quoted me. According the SCCA-LOL website, the fee is $25 for SCCA members and $30 for non-members. Here's the published info on the event if anyone's interested. Travel directions are on here as well.

http://www.scca-lol.org/solo/03/June2003.pdf

[914 Dave]

This event is fast approaching. If you are thinking of coming, don't think about it, JUST DO IT ! C'mon, I drive at least this far (for you MN guys) to every MOWOG, you can do it. You can take hwy 94, select warp speed, and be there in no time. It may not be the best site, but more runs are more runs. And, about 5 miles from the site is a ChiChi's for a little bench racing after the tire smoke clears.

[Dave Kral]

Originally posted by 914 Dave
...You can take hwy 94, select warp speed, and be there in no time.

I like the part about the warp speed run!! :p

I'll be there. I'm hoping that Dan Perkins, one of the Eau Claire guys who was at LaCrosse last month, brings his NSX as well.

Dave

[weidnerpaul]

Last year several of us met on the west side of St Paul (White Bear Ave and 94) and drove together to Eau Claire --- any takers this year?
We met at the Burger King on the south frontage road between White Bear Ave and Ruth St.

[phile]

Originally posted by weidnerpaul


Last year several of us met on the west side of St Paul (White Bear Ave and 94) and drove together to Eau Claire --- any takers this year?
We met at the Burger King on the south frontage road between White Bear Ave and Ruth St.


That would be on the east side of Saint Paul. The "frontage road" is Suburban Avenue.

Phil Ethier