Auto X in Rhode Island!
 

For those of you who live in the coastal New England area, you already know that the closest auto x to the coast is in Devens in Ayer, MA.
Quite a long drive if you're going to take your car out there, drive it hard, and then drive it home. Should something go wrong, thats a helluva expensive tow.

I just came across a more local event that takes place about once a month. http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=419148
Its in Quonset Point in Rhode Island on an old air strip. Close for Rhode Islanders, coastal CT, and Southcoast MA. Five hours with instruction (should you want it) with pretty much umlimited track time is $125. Pretty fair IMO. Its a loose, casual atmosphere; no real structure or race classes, just have fun being timed as you run around the track and improve your driving skill.

I'm going to make a point of going to these during the summer months and thought that members in this surrounding area could benefit as well.

The next one is Sunday, June 5. I will be there.

Hope to see some of you there sometime!

Eh, devens is bad for me :D

Definitely planning on hitting up some autocross action this year though. Been a while and I enjoy it more than drag racing. Thrill lasts much longer.

The Devens track is getting pretty worn, too. You're right, going fast in a straight line is entertaining and all, but auto x is just plain FUN.

I was thinking of trying auto x it looks like a lot of fun.

Nothing like it, give it a shot. You'll drive your car the way you've always wanted to/already do except...legally.

I like the way you think.

^this!
I'm really dying to get out and do some open road racing at limerock and other such tracks...

Defintely sounds like a fun time, not sure how well my car will do tho....

I've been thinking of lime rock as well.

125 is a lot for autox. I would consider just going for track days at NHMS or something like that if paying that kind of money.

Has anyone here ever run their car at Limerock?

It looks like you have to be a club member at one of the clubs listed on this page: http://www.limerock.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=182:c ar-clubs&catid=36&Itemid=132

Bump- event this Sunday, June 5 12noon-5pm.

Brian, yes the cost isn't the cheapest, but its a fair price considering it isn't far away, includes instruction (if wanted), unlimited runs on a good track surface, and not having to work corners.
Anyone can argue against those same points, too, but I'm just interested in passing along an opportunity that isn't readily available to those in the RI and Southcoast area. The next best talternative here is the Spectator Drags over at Seekonk, but I'd much rather smack some cones than a wall should I make an error.

David, Limerock isn't that hard to run at, but club association is definitely a better way to get in. I haven't run personally, but have a few acquaintances who have; however most of them are instructors.

id like to try this once this year. ive always wanted to autox my car and ive heard of them having the course set up down Quonset but i had no idea where to find out any info for it. now im def gonna try it this summer

This event is pretty awesome. You'll really get your car up to speed here and still have some very technical turns, too. Lots of opportunities for car control and learning the limits. The group and other attendees are all awesome. Everyone is friendly and they don't mind if you ask to ride along with them either. Plenty of makes, models, and all ages out there. Highly recommended; definitely going to the next one.

I don't think you can just 'Show Up' at Lime Rock and get on the track... You need to be part of a 'Club' or sponsored event.

But CT does have an AutoCross Club/Team

They charge a membership fee, and then they host a number of events, both on track and in parking lots with cones you can go to. I thought I remembered it to be ~$200, but it looks to be much cheaper now.... You'll find details on the site:sCh_elmodance:

I think the best bang for your buck is SVT club autocrosses. I'm already in the BMW club so I stick with those, but SVT club is great too. They have real long courses and lots of runs. I think its only like 50 bucks. I used to do SVT events a few years ago.

But yeah if you are lazy and don't want to do any working sessions you can probably pay more and go to Quonset. I'm not sure how their events are as far as quality goes.. maybe they are pretty good? I have no experience with them nor heard much.

I don't recommend anyone to do the spec drags unless they are just going out for a fun run, which you'll be fine. Either that or dedicate yourself to it and try to win someday, but expect you could at one point get a ding.. might never happen.. but it can.

Thanks for the info! I will look into this more, but according to #2 on this page: http://www.cartct.com/membership.shtml

"You will need a current Voting C.A.R.T. member to sponsor you."

I'm guessing that's just to allow them to vet out who's allowed to race, and to make sure they only deal with folks who want to stay involved.

I'm betting if you talk with them, they'll let you in;) but do keep us posted if you talk with them as I am curious how stringent they really are:yaaaay: