----- Original Message -----
From: richard nichols <rnichol1@san.rr.com>
> So -- where *are* they?
They *are* out there -- in small numbers. Part of it, I think, is that
autocrosses are still hard to find for the uninitiated. I've fielded about
a half dozen "where can I find these events" questions just off the Prelude
board I'm a member of. Two were near me in D.C. (they're enthusiastically
saving for R tires now), and one was in the SF Bay area -- places where you
can find an event at least every other week without trying hard. I can find
the number for the Maryland International Raceway (a nearby drag strip)
in the phone book -- but none for the local SCCA region or any other local
sports car club.
Local speed shops are pasted with flyers for drag events -- can't remember
the last time I saw a flyer for an autocross. We are truely the secret
motorsport.
On the other hand, the SCCA estimates there are some 50,000-plus
autocrossers out there. Events here, which are capped at 120-150 cars, are
full within 48 hours of pre-registration opening up and have a waiting list.
Some regions are seeing 200-car events, and the Nationals see more drivers
every year. Philosophically, I'm in favor of expanding our "market," but I
understand there's not lots of pressure in many localities to do so.
Jamie
'92 Prelude Si
Speed Demon Racing
http://www.mindspring.com/~jsculerati/sdr
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