GWS Autocross #6 at Millbrook High School, Winchester, VA

On September 13, just a week after the disappointing turnout for the previous Greater Washington Section autocross, this one surprised us with a huge turnout. There were 63 participants that stretched our capacity, but a short and uncomplicated Mike Wirt course helped us get through the day relatively quickly.

Some of the extra crowd can be explained by a birthday bash for one of our regular autocrossers – GWS member Barrie Gochman (pictured). Happy Birthday, Barrie. We suspect the word that there would be a free lunch drew part of the crowd.

Debbie Hirtes was back and drove her 1967 230SL to a 44.736. Finishing first is getting to be a routine for Debbie.

The usual 16-valve group was out, with Denise Dersin turning in a 41.421 to edge Bill Stewart by a little more than five-tenths of a second. Her time earned Denise overall Ladies’ FTD and Bill’s time earned him Mercedes-Benz Gentlemens’ FTD. Just about five-tenths of a second separated third and fourth, with Ted Joseph edging out Paul T. Vandenberg. As usual, Paul D. Vandenberg finished dead last. In the six-cylinder class, Ben Weber was back, and back in form as he ran a 43.026 to take first place. Jim Smith ran a close second, and GWS President Bill Hopper took third. In the V8 class, GWS VP John Heflin was once again all alone as the Harrell’s 400E was laid up for repairs. The SLK class was bigger than it’s been it quite some time with Chris Mazzola, Greg Knoll, Buzz McClain, and Steve Spector vying for points. Buzz, a reporter working on an article about club activities, was a complete autocross novice and was driving a car loaned to him by MBUSA, but still managed to lower his times by over 10 seconds and finishing with a respectable 47 second final run. Steve Spector turned in a strong 43.223 to take first, with Chris close behind followed by Greg and Buzz. Richie Crim and Rachelle Carter-Crim were out to represent the AMG group and finished first and second respectively.

In the “Other Marques” group, the ladies were back out, with Patti Cornell driving her Mustang GT to a first place finish and Ladies’ FTD for other marques. Brenda Curtis finished second, Maurya Brenneman finished third in her Honda Fit. Laurie Harrell, driving a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, finished fourth. Newcomer Wade Chamberlain was out his Factory Five Roadster – a Shelby Cobra kit car powered by a supercharged 302. The car was both loud and fast, with Wade turning in an impressive 37.174 to take FTD and first place. Mike Wirt drove his Porsche Cayman to a 39.810 to take second place. Marty Gallagher took third, with another newcomer, Don Fitzpatrick driving his BMW M3 to a fourth place finish. GWS regular Brad Blase ran a respectable 40.324 to take fifth place. Andy Thomas was back with his super-quick Hyundai Accent and managed to snag sixth place. Wade’s co-driver, Brian Kirwan had the second fastest time with a 38.861, but the index on that Factory Five Roadster pushed him down to seventh place. Pete Gochman, Brett Hack, and Howard Leiken rounded out the top ten. Our report would be incomplete without mention of the bright yellow 2010 Chevrolet Camaro the Harrell’s brought for this event. Here’s hoping their 1993 400E is ready to go for the next GWS autocross on October 11th.

By Paul Vandenberg, Greater Washington Section