This is a thread that’s being started in response to an idea that was hatched on this forum a little while ago. BA Cutler, Lapapex, Mrs. Lateapex and I (Drivesolo) are active members of BEAC (Boeing Employees Autosports Club) one of the rare privileges that Boeing Company gives our club is the use of Boeing’s West Parking lots of the Everett Plant for autocross practice on certain weekends of the year. If you’re familiar w/ the local autocross scene, you know that Everett West hosts half of all events that take place in the Puget Sound area, mostly for the WWSCC (Western Washington Sports Car Council).

So the tentative plan is to hold a NW 350Z Meet at one of the BEAC practice days. As BEAC members we are allowed to invite up to 2 guests each. That would mean that in addition to BA Cutler, Lateapex and Mrs. Lateapex and myself, up to 8 of you can join us in practice. In case you’re wondering, there are no fees or cost to autoX-ing with us, but like w/ all autoX events, if you’re going to run, you’ve got to lend a hand with the work.

The following are issues that I’m thinking we need to consider before we can make any definite plans. If there’s a lot of responses I’ll post a survey or something, but hopefully this thread will be good for now.

-So by a show of hands, who’s interested in attending?
-Of those interested in attending who’s interested in autoX-ing their Z?
-No date is scheduled for now but it looks like the earliest date we could hold this ‘get together’ is sometime in Feb where, unfortunately, it will most likely be cold and raining. If you have any recommendations on when we should do this, let’s hear it. Keep in mind that we only have one or 2 opportunities per month, usually on a Saturday.
-If there are any other active BEAC folks out there that would be willing to take on 2 guests at a practice, then we can get more Z’s out there. The more the merrier, right?

If you have any questions, comments or issues post ‘em on this thread and let’s talk about them.

 

I'm interested in attending. Need to find out more about autoX before I'd commit to that, but I can probably be talked into that.

 

I'm interested in attending. I have no autoX experience but it would be fun to participate. Although I would be content with just showing up to chat with you guys and watch. I'll take what I can get.

 

A low-key practice autocross is the perfect place to get introduced to the sport.

I think we should get together when the weather is acceptable: at least 50 degrees and dry. Either use an 'adjustable' date that will slide if the temperature/moisture threshold isn't achieved, or pick a hard-and-fast date later in the year (April-June).

 

I'm in... and yes, I'll be driving. For those Z owners who are not ready to autocross their Zs... are we allowed to take passengers?

BC

 

Yep, as long as the waivers are signed.

Before our last practice I checked w/ Karen B. about the limitations of our insurance coverage and she said that passangers that are old enough to legally ride in a car w/o the assistace of a child seat can ride along for runs (I don't know what the legal age is for that or if it's a size issue). Aside from the age of the passanger that's the only limitation I am aware of.

 

Good idea. We'll know next month when the schedule for the West Lot avalibility comes out. I'll post some of the first possible dates when they come out and everyone can give their input on them.

Lateapex, BA Cutler; would you guys be alright w/ answering the questions that anyone has concerning autoX? Seems like you two would be the best suited for the task and it seems like there might be a few folks that would benefit from a proper introduction to the sport if they're willing to give it a try. I'll take care of any questions anyone has about this event and scheduling cuz if this event is a go, I'll probably be the one focalling it.

 

Yasureyoobetcha.

 

Even though I don't have a Z yet I usually attend most events just to hang out and watch others. I would come down to meet guys from the forum.

 

Anything I can do to bring more folks into the sport.

 

I don't know if I'll have my Z by then, but I may be interested if I can "do the drive" from the Portland area -- if not, I may just drive the SpecV up and see if I can bum a ride with one of you.

 

Alright... Lessee....

So far it looks like we've got the following:

Drivesolo (AX)
BA Cutler (AX)
Lateapex (AX)
Mrs. Lateapex (AX)
Rahtok
MaximXL
MadMax76
PDX_Racer (AX)

(AX - will run in Autocross)

If I have you incorrectly labeled, please correct me.

If anyone's got any questions about the sport of autocross, you should contact Lateapex and BA Cutler. They're the guys that I go to for advice and aspire to be like someday since I'm relatively new to the sport myself (2 years).

FYI:
BA Cutler has got it the formula down for Stock class 350Z tuning. He's getting crazy dyno number while keeping his car mostly stock.

Lateapex has a monster of a 350Z, a veritable red demon. One of the fastest cars in the NW autoX community (partially the car, mostly the driver), that can challenge Z06's in autoX.

Try picking thier brains for tuning tips while you're asking them questions.

No dates until next month so we've got plenty of time before we do this or commit to anything. Right now we just need to gauge what the interest in doing a get together like this is and of those interested; who's going to run their Z's.

 

If the "AX" means "I want to drive my own vehicle in the event" then label me "AX"! Definately want to get involved -- I'm just fuzzy on the particulars of what it requires, etc.

 

Gotcha.

Drivesolo (AX)
BA Cutler (AX)
Lateapex (AX)
Mrs. Lateapex (AX)
Rahtok (AX)
MaximXL
MadMax76
PDX_Racer (AX)

What autoX requires, you already have; a car and a fast one at that. But I will let Lateapex and/or BA Cutler give a proper explination.

 

If this is going to be the practice I would love to ride with someone in their Z and see how the car behaves in the autoX environment, cause when I get my Z it will definatelly see a lot of autoX events.

 

<raises hand>

Cryptic (AX)

 

So far:

Drivesolo (AX)
BA Cutler (AX)
Lateapex (AX)
Mrs. Lateapex (AX)
Rahtok (AX)
MaximXL
MadMax76
PDX_Racer (AX)
Cryptic (AX)

Anyone else interested? Just shout out so we know you're there.

 

I'm very interested in attending the event. My schedule is very volatile right now so I may not be able to show due to conflicts. As long as it does not keep someone else from being on the list, please put me down for now.
Thanks,
Gary

 

Sweet. Now I can get a can of whup opened up on me by Mr. Turbine!

 

When we get the schedule next month, we'll know what dates will be avalible for the first few 2 months (Feb & March) of the beginning of the year. We'll toss out the possibilities for BEAC practice days out on the NW forum and see what day folks wanna do. We'll see if we can pick a day that can work w/ your schedule 7 eleven, I know I'm not the only one that really would like to see what your Z can do. Right now it looks like we're pretty good as far as people who want to autoX, only 1/2 way to the limit.

We may want to do what Lateapex suggested and pick a day further out so we can be assured of warmer weather with a greater possbility of a dry course. For those of you that aren't familiar w/ autoX; it kinda blows in the cold and rain, but it's more than doable. I don't mind it being cold, I would rather have it dry than anything.

Okay so right now the interest list looks like this:
Drivesolo (AX)
BA Cutler (AX)
Lateapex (AX)
Mrs. Lateapex (AX)
Rahtok (AX)
MaximXL
MadMax76
PDX_Racer (AX)
Cryptic (AX)
7 eleven (AX)

Looks like 4 more can join us for autoX and there's really no limit to those that can come to watch as long as we can keep it down to a safe amount that doesn't get us in trouble w/ Boeing security.