Autocross event coming to County
By Tom Hale
Special to The Star-Herald
LIMESTONE — The Loring Commerce Center will become the home of one of the largest motorsport venues in the United States Aug. 17 and 18 as the Cumberland Motor Club’s Autocross will take place. More than 130 racers are pre-registered for the two-day event. They will utilize the massive runways and taxiways at the former Air Force base.
“The Loring airfield is a huge blank canvas. We have been challenged in the past to paint courses on such a large scale,” said slalom/autocross chairman Per Chris Moberg of Standish. “This year we brought in an outside artist to draw a pair of phenomenal courses.
“Loring offers a unique mix of asphalt and concrete. The changing surface adds to the uniqueness of the venue. This year’s courses will be the longest to date, measuring close to 1.5 miles.”
Autocross is a timed competition where drivers navigate, one at a time, through a temporary course marked by cones. The Loring course will be one of the longest in the nation with an average time of 80 seconds or more. Speeds will be slower than purpose-built courses, yet will exceed interstate speeds on parts of the twisty circuit.
The class structure for the event will allow vehicles from economy cars to specialty race vehicles to race. Karts will also run the autocross and will turn in some of the fastest times of the day.
According to officials of the Cumberland Motor Club, racing a street vehicle is relatively simple. Each vehicle will be given a thorough inspection to make sure nothing will fall off the car and that it is in good mechanical condition. Wheels and suspension should be bolted tightly. Wheel bearings should have no excessive play. The battery should be bolted or securely clamped. There should be no fluid leaks and no loose items in the car.
After technical inspection, first-time racers will go through an orientation, where they will learn about safety procedures and the meaning of the marker cones followed by a drive through the course to get familiar with the layout. Then participants will strap on a helmet and get in line to go through the course at speed.
Officials recommend that anyone arriving Friday walk through the course with someone with experience who would be willing to show the preferred line through the corners and where the apex or turning point of a corner is located. First-timers could even get an opportunity to meet the course designer, who may give away some “secrets” about how to follow the course.
Knocking down course markers will cost a two-second time penalty. Skids may be expected by first-time racers, while even veterans have been known to exceed their car’s limits on occasion. With generous runoff areas, little chance for car damage exists. Racers will learn from mistakes made on each run with a goal of improving times as competitors may get six or more runs each session.
“The thing I enjoy most about coming back to Loring is the pure immersion into the autocross environment. From the time we arrive until we leave it is all about autocross,” Cumberland Motor Club public relations chairman Carl Perry said. “The huge expanse affords us the longest runs of the year as well as some of the fastest overall course speeds. The camaraderie of the club members as well as our Canadian friends who join us is what brings us all together to share in this exciting automobile motorsport.”
Mark Chessick of New Hampshire, who had the fastest time in his 2001 Honda S2000 two years ago said “the local people sure make us feel welcome and will help in any way they can. It sure makes you want to come back year after year.”
Local favorite Garth Johnston of Mapleton is one of several northern Mainers registered for the event. Johnston’s 450 horsepower Ford Mustang Laguna Seca propelled him to the unofficial title of the “fastest Aroostook County driver.”
“Most autocross courses take place on totally flat venues,” Moberg said. “The Loring Airfield “lollipop” (bomb disarmament pad) features a 25-foot rise. Past courses have had a blind approach coming down the stem of the lollipop. All you see is sky when you head to the edge of the bomb pad.”
Pre-registration is $35 per day or $40 at the event. Local racers are urged to look for more information online at www.cumberlandmotorclub.com.
