Mark Stielow's 69 Camaro, Red Devil

[mpozziCPL]

Originally Posted by Stielow

Well I did my first SCCA AutoX today in 15 years. It was just liked I remembered. Due to the fact I haven’t been to a Detroit Region SCCA AutoX in a long time I sent the “Director” of AutoXs an email as to what I should do. He said you HAVE to be there before 8:00 to get teched and the first car would be on track at 9:00. OK! I got up at 6:30 this morning got ready and hit the road in my car with visions of cones in my head. I got to the parking lot at 7:45 sharp to see 6 other cars in the parking lot? OK so now I’m here let’s get teched. Some old guy looked at my car for 30 seconds and put a green dot on the windshield and a sticker on my helmet. OK now it is 8:00 LET’s GO because I’m excited. Not so fast you need to go register. OK LET’s GO. I went over and stood in line. When I got to the front of the line the grumpy SCCA lady said I need to see your SCCA card. I said well I registered on line and I didn’t bring it with me. Well after some phone calls I got my number and I was READY to go. At 9:30 we got to walk the parking lot. We walked the lot until 11:00. Alright NOW I’M ready to go. “Not so fast you are in the second run group so you need to work the “Course” as a cone chaser”. OK LET’S GO. I stood in the middle of a parking lot in full sun for 2 ½ hours in 95 degree heat. So when I finished my worker session I got to RACE……I belted in my car sunscreen in my eyes and sweat beading up on my sunburned face. I lined up and launched my car I ran up through first gear….wait….I stayed in first gear for the whole lap. OK I still have visions of cones in my head and I think I can go a little faster. 38.6 seconds later I did go faster……Yeeeehaaaa.
So, for sweating my butt off I got 5 – 38 second laps in a parking lot in Detroit. So for my $25 entry fee I got 3.2 minutes of track time. Or it cost me $7.81 a minute for “track” time. I can go to my local track and run a track event for $200 for 4 – 20 minute sessions. So that is $2.50 dollars a minute for track time and I DON’T HAVE TO STAND IN THE SUN. Humm.. so Auto crossing is cheaper?

As I drove home past all the blight in Detroit with my A/C blowing ice cold on my sun burned face I had a chance to reflect on the day……I still think this sport of ours has a place in it for everyone. If you do something and you like it keep doing it. If you don’t then stop. We all got into this to have fun. I’m going to stick to open track events and the muscle car shoot outs and suck it up during the AutoXs.

I get it. I understand AutoXing. It is just not my cup of tea…..


Check out my fancy numbers.

Mark ... if you eat enough brussels sprouts, you WILL learn to like them!!!

And you did an outstanding job with the painter's tape as those numbers don't look bad at all!! Can't believe the event didn't get underway until 11AM and you worked course for that long?? Wow ...

Cheers,
Mary P.

[Stielow]

Originally Posted by mpozziCPL

Mark ... if you eat enough brussels sprouts, you WILL learn to like them!!!

And you did an outstanding job with the painter's tape as those numbers don't look bad at all!! Can't believe the event didn't get underway until 11AM and you worked course for that long?? Wow ...

Cheers,
Mary P.

Mary

My skills with painters tape are strong. No expense spaired

Well the first run group had 55 drivers that all ran 5 times so let's assume 30 seconds a run. That is 2 hours and 17 minutes. So my 2 ½ hour working the cones was a close estimate but it felt longer.

Undeterred my buddy talked me into trying the Corvette club AutoX in a couple weekend. He said they run a better program. So if you don't like brussels sprouts try lima beans.

I'm also doing an AutoX at the LS Fest next weekend. Good practice for Optima because they have the stop box deal.

Looks like the AutoXs you do out West are better than our stuff here in MI.

Mark

[XcYZ]

I'd think you could set up the mother of all AX courses on Black Lake at the MPG.

[Stielow]

I got a news letter from Grassroots Motorsports that had this image in it. I'm going to assume it is the cover for Nov. But you never know with magazines.

When I get it in my mail box I'll know for sure...






Too bad my car broke down there. But, Mike's Elco was a lot of fun.







Mark

[awr68]

Sweet action shots! Congrats on the cover!

[conekiller13]

Awesome Mark! That's My favorite magazine and one of my favorite annual issues....

[Sandbagger]

When you guys head back to Gingerman, please let me know . I want in
Gingerman has some new pavement I want to try out .

[coolwelder62]

Mark your GM iron look's great on the mag cover. Scott.( I like my Lima beans in a heavy butter sauce.)

[Jimmy Sean]

Originally Posted by Stielow

I'm going to assume it is the cover for Nov. But you never know with magazines.

When I get it in my mail box I'll know for sure...






Too bad my car broke down there. But, Mike's Elco was a lot of fun.


Mark

Doesn't the cover say October? I'm mot trying to be an ass, just saying.

[Stielow]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Sean

Doesn't the cover say October? I'm mot trying to be an ass, just saying.

Your right it says October. I didn't look that close.