Well, we just lost our spot. It was a large parking lot from a Outlet Mall that was blown down by a tornado a few years ago. Well, someone just bought the lot, so now we have to find a new place. Anything to look for for a primo spot?

 

Large area, free of obstructions (curbs, islands). Some lightposts are ok - refer to the solo2 gcr for course design specs and how to deal with such obstructions.

ideally, if you can find a lot thats 100 yd x 100 yd, you will have room enough for a decent size course and some paddock area as well - dont forget to take paddock/grid area into account because that can take up alot of room if you have a lot of people.

Look for lots that are *never* used on sundays, find out who owns it, and you may have to offer them some $$$ for lot usage (they usually jump at free $$$).

-Ryan

 

acreage (lots)
elevation changes (some )
control areas (fences) (makes roping off easier)
obstructions (Not good )
surface quality (you will tear up a poor surface then you will loose the site)
availability (you need to be able to rent it )



[Modified by Crazydave, 4:44 PM 1/10/2002]

 

i have been looking at some old air force bases in lawton and clinton.

 

This is an excellent question. Autocross sites are a PITA for many local clubs and I'd love to see people chime in with what they think makes a "good autocross site."

As others have mentioned...you need room, and you need it without a lot of stuff that can be hit. Also, don't forget paddock, grid, and possibly spectator space.

Some other things that you might keep in mind...

1. Close to stuff like hotels, restaraunts?
2. Close to where your club members live?
3. Ability to design a fun course
4. Ability to design a course with good overlap. This is KEY if you get a lot of attendees at your events.

If I think of more I'll post them.

 

unable to be viewed by interstate traffic. I found the PERFECT lot for our local SCCA chapter, except it was right next to a interstate. Idiots watching the racing while driving past at 65 mph = a wreck.

 

We also just lost one of our sites and I'm now in the hunt for a new location. Our old site used to cost us $175 per day. This year they decided to charge $1500 a day. That's suddenly too rich for our club's check book.

When looking for lots, we can get an OK course design in a 1000 space parking lot. It's not ideal, but it works all right. The biggest problem you'll find, is that you may be able to find a lot big enough, but somebody will have also put islands and trees in the middle of it. Islands and autocross don't work well together.

 

Finding acceptable autocross sites is getting very difficult. There are several factors:
1) Lot owners do not see a reasonable return on investment for the perceived liability risks in our law-suit happy society.
2) Increases in suburban density means more noise complaints
3) Since 9/11 many airport type sites are now off-limits
4) Environmental laws encourage the use of many green islands in new parking lot design making those lots unsafe for autocrossing
5) More business operate on Sundays making lots unavailable

It is clear to me that there is no longer an acceptable autocross facility in the Northeast for National Level competition. It is only a matter of time before continuing pressures will force the autocross community to build dedicated facilities.

Regards,
Alan

 

Stadium and race track parking lots work great too

 

So far we've found an abandoned WAL-MART parking lot...we'll see.

Thanks for the help

 

check local middle and high schools, they have lots for busses and those are sometimes large.

 

we might have found a old airport that we use to use back in the late 90s

 

Why is the ft. devens (ayer mass) site no longer useable? i spent the summer living in NH this year and i ran alot of events there and i thought it was a great site to use......

-Ryan

ps. Waffles - wal mart parking lots are great - too bad most are open 365 days/year

 

A region near me uses a go cart track a few times a year.
http://www.cnyroadrace.com/cvmp$.html
http://www.cnyroadrace.com/scca/solo2.html


[Modified by Gasoline Fumes, 12:43 AM 1/12/2002]