Registration for SVR’s July autocross exceeded expectations with 46 drivers registered. It was quite a surprise given the afternoon temperatures reached the mid -90 degrees. Most surprisingly, there were 12 novice drivers registered which continues a trend this season which has seen a significant increase in novice drivers giving the sport of autocross a try. It is hard to say whether this is a direct result of the club’s phenomenally successful annual autocross school or a pent- up demand for performance driving events. I will certainly have to investigate this for planning our 2026 season.

SVR autocross events do not require any experience or requirements to participate other than to have a well-maintained car and a helmet. Our events attract about 85% Porsches with the remainder driving a variety of cars. At this event, we had 2 very accomplished Corvette drivers who dominated the top time of day closely followed by a small pack of Porsche drivers in the chase. Taking top time of day was Jason Trantham driving his 2021 Corvette with a time of 42.716 followed by his close friend, Kyle Nemechek driving his 2022 Corvette with a time of 42.823. In the chase in the Porches was Steve Nieslony driving his race prepared 914 with a time of 44.107, Grady Carter driving a 2016 Porsche Cayman with a 44.193, and Collin Fat rounding out the top five fastest times driving his 2016 Porsche GT3 RS with a time of 44.421. The full results of the event are posted and can be viewed here.

The course was designed by SVR team member Kent Treiber, and featured four legs, with two going south and two going in a northward direction. The design included several very sharp hairpin corners at each end that required precise braking, and placement of your car to make some of the very technical 100 degree plus turns at the end of each straight. Down the straights, some of which featured a variety of slaloms, getting on the gas was the secret to recording an enjoyable time. I think most of the drivers felt challenged but enjoyed the course more as the day wore on. Most getting their best times of the day in the afternoon sessions.

Our site at Thunderhill Raceway is approximately 400,000 square feet in size and features a pristine paved surface. It is much larger than our old site at the Stockton Fairgrounds and does not have the parking lot lights we had to deal with at Stockton. If you have an interest in testing your driving skills or the performance available with your Porsche there is no better way to find out than to take it to an autocross. SVR’s next event is scheduled for August 23^rd with registration now open at: https://msreg.com/SVR2025AX6.