Porsche AUTOCROSS

ORCPA autocross program

Your ORPCA autocross team welcomes all newcomers warmly, to join us in the pursuit of speed and car control. The ORPCA autocross experience is full of fun, camaraderie and a great way to make new friends.  Come out and enjoy your car to it’s and your limits once a month with us.  We currently have an average of over 40 Porsche drivers entered at each event, and we allow other makes in just to keep things interesting. Autocross is the best way we can think of to teach Porsche drivers the handling and braking basics in a controlled environment. Whether you are a seasoned driver that needs a brush-up, or a novice with a desire to improve basic driving techniques, we can help. Need coaching or instruction? There are several skilled drivers that form our instructor base. They are happy to help, be it a casual question, a short dissertation, or some instructional “seat time”.

ORPCA members can preregister for $35 per event, $40 at the gate.  For the competitive spirit in you, we have a season long points championship, cars are classed and run in same run groups.  Trophies and fame, (no money, sorry) at the season end banquet.

What Is Autocross?

Autocross is an exhilarating and fun way to help raise the level of your driving skills to match the capabilities of your Porsche!  A high intensity driving experience, it consists of one car at a time making runs against the clock on a closed course marked with cones.  No previous experience is necessary; novices are welcome. We cultivate an air of camaraderie and fun amongst our participants.  All you need is a driver’s license, an automotive helmet and a car that can pass a basic mechanical safety inspection, we can even supply the helmet! Cars are run in classes against cars with similar performance. So whether you have a beautiful old 914, a boxter or a new Turbo Carrera we have a class for you.

Your car will be given a tech inspection to make sure it is ready to go autocrossing. We typically check wheel lugs for torque, gas cap tight, battery tight, no loose items in cabin.   Speeds are generally below 70 mph and driving is mostly in second gear.  Each driver gets between 6 and 8 runs competing for time against others in their class and at the end of the event, elapsed times factored for penalties are posted for comparison.  It’s not necessary to compete in order to enter but you may find that as you gain proficiency your competitive juices rise to the surface and before you know it, you’ll be an autocross enthusiast! Most events are done by 2:00pm.

Here is a couple of videos put together by one of our members, Austin Schatz, that gives a good overview of an event:

What Are the Requirements?

Participants must be 16 years of Age and a valid drivers license. Participants 16 to 18 years must sign a minor release of liability. A copy can be found at www.pca.org of from the event organizers.

How Do I Register?

It is strongly suggested that you create an account and pre-register for events on http://orpca.motorsportreg.com/.

Pre-Registration for all events is open for ORPCA members on Feb. 1st. Non-ORPCA Members can pre-register for an event starting 2 weeks before the event date. All pre-registration is closed on the Wednesday before the event date. Registration is limited to 60 participates, with Non-ORPCA member pre-registration limited to 30 entries. It is strongly suggested that you pre-register for an event to ensure a spot. Walk-up registration is subject to availability.

Pre-registered participates will be emailed a copy of the course map after registration is closed on the Wednesday before an event.

what to expect?

Each participant typically gets 5-6 timed runs each. Arrive at PIR by 7:00am to check in or register and walk the course prior to our 8:30am drivers meeting. The majorty of the events are located in the PIR South Pits. For those events in the PIR Pro Pits, Track crossing is at the Start/Finish line midway down the PIR front straight, and is closed from 9:00am until we are done.

what to bring?

Helmet* (2005 or 2010 SA or M rated); bottled water; and a jacket.

*Limited Loaner Helmets Available

Contacts:

Autocross Chairman:
Gary Chapman
AXchair@oregonpca.org

Autocross Registrar
Britain Smith
AXregistration@oregonpca.org

If you are new to Autocross or have not participated with ORPCA in previous AX events please take the time to read all of the information here.

The ORPCA Autocross Program is Sponsored by Where2Race.com