Autocross at Loring attracts 75 entrants

11 years ago
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Contributed photo/Tom Hale
    Matt Howe wheels his Mazda Miata through the tough elevated section of the autocross course at the Loring airfield Saturday as part of the Cumberland Motor Club’s fourth annual autocross, which was held on the runways at the former Air Force base.

By Tom Hale
Special to the Aroostook Republican and News

    LIMESTONE — Excellent weather at Loring allowed sports car racers from New England and New Brunswick to test their high-speed driving skills on the expansive former Air Force base. The fourth annual autocross, held Saturday and Sunday and put on by the Cumberland Motor Club, featured challenging course layouts designed by a Massachusetts resident who is known by his pseudonym, Stephen Scruffy.

    Overall fastest for the weekend was Jake Daniele of Pownal in his Intrepid shifter kart. Daniele reached speeds over 90 miles per hour in the straight sections of each of the courses. Autocross courses typically have racing karts turning the quickest speeds and Loring was no exception. Daniele’s kart featured a 125 cc six-speed motorcycle engine on a light weight racing chassis. The powerful engine combined with four wheel brakes and driver skill made for fast times at the Loring venue.
    The automobile with the fastest overall time was New Hampshire’s Mark Chessick in his 2001 Honda S2000. Chessick is a perennial favorite at Loring. His smooth and precise driving skills put him at the top of the field. 
    Carl Perry of Gardiner set second-fastest times both days. The retired Air Force member drives a Pontiac Solstice. Perry is the Public Relations Chairman for the Cumberland Motor Club.
    Over 75 entries were run on each day on the mile and one-half course. Retaining his unofficial title as “Fastest Autocross Driver from the County” was Mapleton’s Garth Johnston in his 2012 Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition Mustang. The self-employed logger/trucker gained valuable experience toward retaining his title in the 2014 event.
    Several County drivers entered as novices to try their skills as a driver and test the capabilities of their car or truck on the twisting course. Each day the 1.5-mile course was changed, however, both courses featured high speed segments as well as tight portions which required deft use of the brakes to travel as swiftly as possible.
    Autocross chairman Per Carl Moberg of Standish said, “Cumberland Motor Club will be back to Loring in 2014 and hopes to someday have one half of the entrants from northern Maine and Canada.”
    Complete results from the Loring event and information about remaining autocrosses in 2013 may be found at www.cumberlandmotorclub.com.