Fun at the Autocross!

[josh912]

I raced in my first autocross at the James Dean Memorial Autocross Saturday. What a blast! I started off by having Lars Frohm, Zone 8 autocross chair, instruct me in my 912. WOW! I learned so much in the 4 laps I drove with him. He esencially taught me how to race my car. He was so nice and encouraging. Then he brought me out in his 914 for 3 laps and showed me how its done. I can't tell you how much of a help this was. When I was driving, he at first told me what to do, then he let me go and gave suggestions. I can honestly say that his instruction resulted in my lap times being at least 10 seconds less than what they would have been. Then he followed up with me throughout the day and gave me final suggestions before the competition laps. I can't stress how much help he was. If you are new to autocrossing get an instructor to go with you. Most will gladly go with you. I had 3 people who ASKED ME if I wanted to go with them!

In the autocross I actually did very well. In my 10 runs in the 912 I only hit 2 cones (both with Lars) and never spun (around that is), and it was a very tough course. I probably came with the slowest car and it only has 120 hp (or so Haven't dinoed it yet so I like to be conservative ) and has harder street tires (400 tread wear H rated!) and the car isn't lowered (yet). However, I posted very good times, better than others with superior cars. In fact, my best time was within 6 seconds of one of the pros in a 84 Carrera, albeit he was having an off day.

My day was far from uneventful. The day before when I was helping set up, my car was blowing oil through the oil blowby (not hooked up). I had accidentally overfilled the oil the day before and didn't get away with it. Anyway, my car was going to fail tech. So I cleaned it up and passed the next day. That afternoon after the practice sessions when I was on my practice lap before the 3 competitive laps, on the last 1/4 of the lap my positive battery wire came loose. No power! Thought I had lost the engine until I realized nothing worked. After pulling off track I ran to where I left all of my tools and ran back with the wrenches. However, the 10mm was missing! So this time I got a ride back and got a cresent wrench and got the car running. Then went on to set my fastest lap of the day that next lap! What a day! Then after the autocross was over some of the drivers were giving rides to the corner workers. After everyone got a ride I hit up on the driver of the silver 993 TWIN TURBO!!! What a ride! Definately the coolest, fastest, and most fun car I've ever been in! To make the day enven more eventful, one of my region members and friends, accidentally ran over my pile of suff which included my fire extinguisher! The fire extinguisher exploded! The result, EVERYTHING that I had taken out of my car became covered with fire retardant! Now that was fun to clean up when I got home! What a day!

All of you who think the 912 is not a good autocross car, think again! It might not sport the fastest times, or a fast time for that matter, but they sure are fun! I had a blast with the 912 and can't wait until October when my region hosts the California Challenge which also includes an autocross. Just bring your car as it is! You don't have to make it an race car or abuse it . You can have fun and drive it home with minimal wear on the vehicle. Bottom line: have fun with your 912... I sure did!

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Joshua Harrison
1968 912 Coupe

[WFBowen]

Josh: Sounds like you had a blast. One of these days I'll be putting together a street/autocross 912 project & might see you there. Your comment on the 912 bieng a good autocrosser is well taken. I had a very brief (and severely underfunded) run at SCCA in the early 70's-I still see black flags in my dreams!) I remember several 912's racing (if I recall one was in something like C Sedan).Anyway, the much better weight distribution of the 12's can be a definite advantage and is (IMHO) true to the original, brilliant design philosophy of F.Porsche.
Thanks for the report!

[Ads912]

Hey Josh,
I was hoping that you would let us know how the event went. I can practically "hear" your enthusiasm. It sounds like you had a great time. Running around the track must have pumped you up to post that final fast lap time. Just curious, how long did it take to complete a lap?
Great to hear that the 912 was so competative!


Adam White
68 912 Coupe.

[josh912]

My best times was a 216.134 (2min 16sec) The course was about 1.6 miles. It was a slower course but on the main straight I got the car over 75 mph, aka red line in 3rd gear! The autocross was a great way for me to learn a lot about what the car can do and what I can do. I would definately recommend finding a local autocross and race in it. It's not about kicking the butts of the 914-6 and the twin turbos but instead its about having fun, and lots of it. The people are friendly and willing to help, and you get to push your own personal limits, legally! However I will warn you, it is addictive. I'm already thinking about lowering the car, easy job right???

Can't wait until October when the California Challenge rolls around!

Also, don't forget to make friends with the guy in the 993 Twin Turbo!!!!

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Joshua Harrison
1968 912 Coupe