Autocross Chair | Dan Quaroni |
Consultant | Joe Kraetsch |
Administration | Dan Quaroni |
Registrar | Jeremy Mazzariello |
Chief Instructor | Dan Quaroni |
Novice Captain | Ed Moschella |
Sound | Erick Aubin |
Timing & Scoring | Jeremy Mazzariello Lisa Roche Gareth Peters |
Course Design | Chris Darminio Justin Chen Rob MacAlpine |
Waivers & Onsite Checkin |
Lisa Burke Erick Aubin |
Grid Captain | Read Fleming |
Results | Daniel Quaroni |
Safety | Rob MacAlpine |
Classification & Protest Committee |
Joe Kraetsch Jeremy Mazzariello Dan Quaroni |
Tech Inspection | Georges Rouhart Neil Halbert Chris Lindquist Bill Aubin |
The PAX (Professional Auto-X) Index has been used by SCCA® and other clubs for years. It is a handicapping system that attempts to account for performance differences between car classes allowing the drivers' performances to be compared. A PAX factor, based on performance potential, is assigned to each base class. The fastest cars have a PAX factor of 1.000; other PAX factors are a percentage relative to the fastest cars. Each driver's actual time around the course is multiplied by their car's PAX factor to calculate their PAX time. This PAX time is also called their indexed time or factored time. PAX times can then be compared across classes.
It is impossible to come up with a PAX index that is perfect just as it is impossible to come up with a class system that is perfect. Everyone believes that someone else has a softer(i.e. easier) PAX factor.
An indexed class is a class that combines several classes into one class and uses factored times to compare the results. We do not get enough entries to populate the individual classes so we need to combine multiple base classes to offer competetive classes. By forming indexed classes. the factored (aka indexed) times provide a more equitable comparison of the results than the raw times.
The NCR PAX Index is based on the PAX/RTP Index developed by Rick Ruth that is based on hundreds of autocross events nationwide. The NCR Porsche Street Category is separated into base classes that map to SCCA® classes. The PAX factors for the corresponding SCCA® classes are used for the NCR base classes. The exception is Street Class 6 which contains street Porsches that are excluded from the SCCA® Street Category. For class 6 we use a PAX factor between the SCCA® Super Street (SS) and SCCA® Super Street Prepared class (SSP) classes.
NCR Class | SCCA Class | PAX Factor |
---|---|---|
1 | ES | 0.792 |
2 | CS | 0.810 |
3 | BS | 0.818 |
4 | AS | 0.821 |
5 | SS | 0.830 |
6 | SST | 0.841 |
For the NCR Porsche Race Category and for all non-Porsche classes, we use SCCA® classes as base classes so we use the SCCA PAX for the base class.
Full details of PCA's Junior Participation Program (JPP) can be found in the PCA Library. (You must login to the PCA website to access these documents.) The highlights of this program are:
Prior approval of the Autocross Chair is mandatory.
Junior Participation Program Drivers must hold a valid, full privilege Driver’s License in their state of residence. If there are state-imposed conditions placed upon the Driver’s License (e.g. corrective lenses, no passengers below a certain age, etc.), such conditions must be complied with in addition to all PCA guidelines.
JPP Drivers must present their license at time of registration for events involving moving cars.
At least one parent of the JPP Driver must be on premises during the time the JPP Driver is actively participating in the event.
The parent of the JPP Driver must present the Junior Participation form and the Minor Release Form at time of registration to the Event Chairman, Event Registrar or Region President.
The following forms MUST be presented at EVERY event registration. Since BOTH parents must sign the form we STRONGLY suggest that you fill this form out before coming to the event. Contact the Autocross Chair for assistance.
Minor Release Form (must be printed in color):
Junior Participation Program Form
If you have any questions, please contact the Autocross Chair.
The NCR autocross program is designed to provide an avenue for improving your driving skills. Autocrosses take place in large parking lots or in our case airport runways. The goal is to navigate a course of traffic cones in the least amount of time. Timing is accomplished with start and finish line trip lights that feed your time into the computer database. You are grouped with other drivers of similar cars and your times are scored to see who is the fastest. If you hit cones during your run, penalty seconds are added to your time. In the case of autocross, neatness counts! Normally, you will get 8+ runs through the course.
By Colin Blake
What is an Autocross?
For those of you who are new to the club or have never been to an autocross event before, you’re probably wondering what an autocross is. An autocross is a test of your ability to drive your car, as fast as you can, around a marked out course. Events are held in large open spaces and all of our events are held on the disused airfield at Fort Devens in Ayer, MA. The course is marked out with small rubber cones and a single run of the course typically takes about 60-80 seconds. Although an autocross is a timed event and the fastest drivers win, each car races separately against the clock, and therefore there is no chance of making contact with another car.
For 2023, a five event series is planned. All events are held at Moore Airfield, Devens, MA.
The following rules are used to determine the Class Champions for the Autocross Series:
1st place 9 points 2nd place 6 points 3rd place 4 points 4th place 3 points 5th place 2 points 6th/lower 1 point DNS/DNF/DSQ no points
A Top Driver of the Year and the John MacDonald Most Improved Driver will also be awarded.
Awards will be presented at the NCR Annual Autocross Party on February 4, 2024.
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