Thursday, February 28, 2013

Sloppy Seconds? Okay!!!

photo by Chris Strew of CSPhotography
 By: David Corsaro

 New England Region SCCA's Rallycross program hosted their annual Stafford Springs event on January 12th and 13th.  

Conditions were at their worst once again, which is exactly what any masochistic offroad enthusiast loves. 

Mud, gravel, snow, ice... bring it on!


This time I was driving Morgan's 2010 Toyota Yaris, all decked out with brand new Firestone Winterforce tires purchased literally the day before the event. Weighing as light as my old EF Civic hatchback, I knew it would be a strong contender in Stock FWD- and it was.

Fwd Stock - Total Entries: 14
1 SF 97 Corsaro, David toyota yaris 147.950 142.885 122.881 112.976 526.692
2 SF 79 Perkins, Jacob 1991 Nissan Sentra SE-R 158.986 151.961 129.194 116.964 557.105
3 SF 803 Belperron, Pascal 1985 Saab 900 SPG 164.932 155.540 128.246 114.981 563.699
4 SF 43 Knight, Ben 2012 Ford Fiesta S 163.277+1 157.910 136.308 118.432 577.927
5 SF 162 Lapierre, Robert 2000 Honda civic 161.392 167.787 135.308 117.920 582.407
6 SF 822 Belperron, Marcel 1992 Saab 900 178.272+3 151.553 130.849+1 112.692+1 583.366
7 SF 53 Allen, Chris 1999 Volkswagen golf 160.325+1 168.882+5 124.751+1 116.566 584.524
8 SF 176 Mlynarski, Robert 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 161.860+3 160.649+2 143.549 124.116 600.174
9 SF 810 Zaharis, Peter 2008 Honda Civic Si 164.127 165.858+4 135.652 132.968+3 612.605
10 SF 825 Trail, Brent 1991 Honda CRX 151.107+1 151.198+2 DNF 123.872 613.001
11 SF 62 Sutherland, Candace Honda 174.880 162.882 145.476+1 129.398 614.636
12 SF 888 Andrade, Kevin 1992 Volkswagen Golf 165.327 186.189+1 150.824 128.613 632.953
13 SF 806 Dixon, Marcos neon 186.809+11 182.652+3 143.762+1 DNF 706.191
14 SF 833 Dennis, Dan neon 176.859+8 158.898+1 DNF DNS DNF

Saturday results HERE. Sunday results HERE.

The Yaris proved to be very competent in the rough stuff just like my old Civics and Toyotas of yore. Its short wheelbase provided effortless maneuvering through the course albeit with lots of e-brake use. Maintaining momentum was paramount as torqueless front-wheel-drive cars just don't dig out of slow corners the way all-wheel-drive cars do. I had a blast and plan on doing more rallycross events in the red Yaris. 

Unfortunately I did not stay to compete on Sunday as I did not want to chance damaging her daily driver. Kudos to NER for putting on a great event with long, challenging courses. Also thanks to the Dennis family for providing a gratuitous amount of hot food Saturday for everyone at the event- a real class act!

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