2018-06-24 Bridgestone Tarlton Autocross Review

Category: 2018 Published: 09 July 2018

Written by Colin van Son Hits: 1403

Gone in 60 seconds
Story by Colin van Son
Photography by Racepics.co.za

Tarlton Tar Autocross June 2018 Cover pic resize

One of the highlights on the BMW Car Club Gauteng Adrenalin calendar has to be the Bridgestone Tar Autocross which is usually held in winter to minimise any chances of rain. This year was no difference, we witnessed a beautiful sunrise on a crisp winter morning at Tarlton.

While the cones were laid out on the recently marked surface, registration and scrutineering took place. After driver’s briefing, the day was opened in prayer. The drivers then got into their cars to simulate the process: exit the waiting area then line up to be staged the wrong way on the drag strip. Once the staging has been done, the competitor sets off into the cones after the light has gone green – this year in a counter-clockwise direction. The first split is right (“If in doubt, keep right”) which has a gentle right hander followed by a sharp left into a short straight, another sharp left followed by a long right, short right into another short straight, then a short right followed by a long left, a short straight into a short left then a long straight where cars get into 2 nd gear, hard on the brakes into a u-turn left followed by a u-turn right into the quartermile sprint.

Each competitor got a total of three runs throughout the day which were averaged and split by class. The 400m exit speed was also recorded. There were some really impressive cars on the day – from new BMWs through the GT-Rs, Porsches, Lotus’ and even a McLaren. The ultimate time is to break the 60 second barrier which few cars have succeeded in doing, but a handful did on the day.

What was even more impressive is that you don’t need a supercar to have fun, there was some very impressive driving with a Nissan 1400 bakkie and an Opel Corsa who were throwing in the hand brake on the u-turns for (spectator) effect. Our youngest competitor of the day was a 16 year old young lady doing her first event and she did really well!

Thanks again to our amazing sponsor Bridgestone for making this day possible – it is always a great crowd puller and spectators and drivers both love it!