These were photos taken at a SCCA autocross event for the Washington DC Region. In the photos, Matt is racing a 2005 VW Golf. Yes, it’s a diesel! Matt is currently racing a 2010 VW GTI. [Read more...]
Matt’s 1987 RX-7 Photos
June 16, 2012 by · 2 Comments
Ready for some antique plates this year! Matt purchased his RX-7 in 2001. [Read more...]
How to Start Autocrossing in the Washington DC Region
March 20, 2012 by · 1 Comment
An autocross is a timed course that is comprised of slaloms and turns marked with street cones. Within a controlled environment such as a large parking lot, autocross courses test the driver’s precision, allowing him or her to compete with other drivers in a safe environment. In addition to competing for the best time, drivers must navigate around cones or else receive a 2 second penalty for each cone hit. Drivers must also stay on course or they will receive a DNF (Did Not Finish) for that run.
To Get Started With Autocrossing…
MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN AN AUTOCROSS:
To compete in an autocross, one must have a valid driver’s license. Some regions provide cars as rentals for events. Most autocross events are open to the public, but some may limit participation to SCCA or NASA (National Auto Sport Association) members. Registered SCCA members are covered by insurance in case an accident related to the event occurs. [Read more...]
Matt Bought a Motorcycle
March 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
So last Saturday, Matt woke me up around 6:30am to let me know he was leaving the house. He had not mentioned that he had any plans for the weekend. His XBox game, Mass Effect 3, had just arrived in the mail. Because he had been waiting for this game since October, I thought he would be playing it all weekend.
I followed him into the kitchen.
He moved around the kitchen, trying to block my view of the kitchen door. I peeked over his shoulder and saw his racing helmet and combat boots. Now I was really confused. Track day and his autocross season were a few weeks away and neither one would require combat boots. He left the house as quickly as possible to avoid my questions.
I told myself he must either be doing some kind of race that was dangerous enough that he wouldn’t tell me about it OR he was sitting safely in the living room of one of our friends, saving the universe on Mass Effect 3. (With a racing helmet and combat boots on, of course.)
As the evening grew closer, Matt came back home. So what had he been up to all day?
Getting his permit to ride a motorcycle. *sigh*
I didn’t find out until last night that he already purchased the motorcycle 2 weeks ago. He brought it home a few hours ago.
SCCA autocross events for the Washington DC Region
November 9, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
As a member of the Sports Car Club of America, Matt participates in SCCA autocross events on a regular basis between April to October. An autocross is a timed course that is comprised of slaloms and turns marked with street cones. Within a controlled environment such as a large parking lot, autocross courses test the driver’s precision, allowing him or her to compete with other drivers in a safe environment. In addition to competing for the best time, drivers must navigate around cones or else receive a 2 second penalty for each cone hit. Drivers must also stay on course or they will receive a DNF (Did Not Finish) for that run.
Matt currently races in the G Stock class with his 2009 Volkswagen GTI and participates in races in the Washington DC Region.
In addition to racing at SCCA autocross events, members are asked to work on the course. Members that are working on the course are responsible for reporting the number of cones hit and if a car goes off course. While working, Matt likes to wear a GoPro camera with a chest strap so that he can record cars on the autocross course. This makes for some fun videos when cars spin out. When driving, the Go Pro camera has a suction cup mount that allows him to attach the camera to the sunroof or window.
GoPro makes one of the most popular HD cameras for motorsports. It’s working out well for the autocross videos because it’s easy to adjust by just suction cupping it to different parts of the sunroof or windows from inside of the car. It also can mount to a helmet, motorcycle, ATV, car, plane, jet ski, boat, snowmobile or other vehicle. He also uses it to make mountain bike videos of some of the local trails.
SCCA Autocross Events in Videos
To see some of his SCCA autocross events or mountain bike videos, you can view his Youtube channel. Most of the mountain bike videos are from the Rivanna Trail in Charlottesville, Virginia.
You can see more videos on his YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/runnermatt
