2007 SCCA Mather Field Charity Autocross

What a complete blast this was! I've never had so much fun with my car. The event was designed to support the Shriner's Children's Hospitals and all proceeds were given to the Shriner's charity fund. In total there were nearly 300 cars on the tarmac of Mather Air Field in east Sacramento County. At 8am the cones were up and the course was swept spotless--the weather sunny and flirting with a warm 75 degrees and a light breeze from the south.

The first run group (my group) positioned our cars on the starting grid and then proceeded to walk the course to get a feel for our task. After we made our rounds we went back to our cars, strapped on our racing helmets and started our engines. (I was the largest car there by about 1,000 pounds and 4 inches in length). Then the event started. I was in position number 15 on the grid and was able to see how a few drivers did in front of me. I felt anxious to say the least but of my nerves melted away as my heart took over pulling up to the beginning. The course, a 3/4 mile, 8 turn, 2 slalom, 2 chicane road challenge would exercise my bone stock 2001 BMW 740i Sport and its 18" All Season Michelin Pilot Sport Tires.

The transmission was locked in 2nd gear with the stability control turned off, my heart raced at a hundred paces per minute and before I knew it the green flag was waving in front of me. I jammed the pedal to the floor as the 4.4L V8 roared to life and jumped off the line with the authority and refinement only a German engineered V8 saloon can provide. A little wheel spin on the hot concrete to start but otherwise plenty of grip from the 255/45zr18 rubber in the rear. The rest of the 87 second run was a blur as all I remember was the sound of tires screeching and a drifting rear end as I plowed through the corners and powered out of them with a firm press of the "go" pedal. The smell of burnt rubber was intoxicating.

Each driver ran four laps for our $25 dollar donation and fortunately for me my times improved with each round (87, 83, 81 and 79 seconds respectively). After I was done racing it was the next group's turn to go and I spent the rest of the day out at turn 7 safetying the course and watching the other cars squeal around the corner and power onto the straight. At the end of the day I was sun-burnt, I smelled like gasoline and road grime but it was euphoric. Being my first ever car racing event, and driving a 4,400lb 4-door sedan I felt I did exceedingly well compared to the other cars out that day. As it stands I was only 3-4 seconds slower than many of the Subaru STIs, Mitsubishi Lancer EVOs, Corvettes and BMW 3-Series on the track that day. With the proper tires and suspension, given the same car and a few more laps of experience I believe I could have had very competitive times for the day. The quickest time set without penalty was a 62.005 by a race spec C4 Corvette and the 2nd quickest (63.257) by a 500hp Rousch-powered 427 Shelby Cobra; needless to say I am pleased with the results.

What an experience and pleasure it was to run my car and be in the presence of hundreds of other auto enthusiasts from all walks of life testing the limits and showing off their skills. It is even more thrilling that the entire event will benefit the Shriner's Children's Hospitals. Thank you to the SCCA team for all of their hard work to make the event happen and let me participate. I will definitely be back for more... once this damned sun-burn fades away.

- Mitch G