By Jon Gulliver
Special to the Aroostook Republican
LIMESTONE — The runway at the former Loring Air Force Base this summer hosted the fastest automobiles and motorcycles man can produce, now it’s the driver, not the machine taking center stage.
Contributed photo
A driver is about to tackle the course set up by members of the Cumberland Motor Club at Loring last year. The event this year is this Saturday and Sunday.
This weekend, Aug. 20-21, the Cumberland Motor Club will be hosting its second autocross event at the Loring Commerce Centre.
Autocross is a timed competition where drivers navigate one at a time through a temporary course marked by traffic cones, rather than racing on a track with multiple other cars, as in road racing or oval racing. Autocross tends to place more emphasis on car handling and driver skill than on sheer horsepower, and events typically have many classes which allow almost any vehicle, from economy sedans to purpose-built vehicles, to compete.
Chris Moberg is the autocross organizer for CMC. He says Loring is a big piece of property and makes for an excellent site for an autocross.
“It allows us to set up a big course and get more drivers involved,” he said.
Contributed photo
Cars line up at the first autocross event at Loring last year. Officials are expecting about 80 to 90 drivers to test their skills this year on the course set up on the runway.
Moberg says they are expecting 80 to 90 drivers, from mostly downstate, to compete, but the event is open to anyone and most vehicles. Remember it’s about the driver and not the car.
“If you want to bring your family wagon and tackle the course that’s fine. We even have a handicapping system to measure the drivers regardless of the vehicle,” added Moberg. “Maximum speeds are usually no more than highway driving. It’s how you can get through the cones.”
Moberg says participants in autocross are multi-generational, from those in high schools to retirees.
To participate, all vehicles have to go through an inspection to make sure they are safe and drivers need a helmet. If you don’t have a helmet there are loaners available.
There is a $55 fee to participate. Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Spectators are also welcome. The first cars should go out on the course at about 10 a.m.
For more information go to the club’s website at www.cumberlandmotorclub.com.
