The Goodguys AutoCross program has fast been gaining favor with muscle car fans; it's an excellent way to put those Pro Touring modifications to the test.
For the past few seasons, the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association has been holding autocross competitions at some of its events, offering an alternative to the typical show-n-shine activities. One of the interesting outcomes of this program has been the apparent cultivation of a new crop of autocrossers who might not have gotten involved otherwise.
Traditionally, autocross has been the realm of sports-car fans, mostly of the imported variety. Crossover to mainstream American car enthusiasts often involved Corvettes, and maybe some Camaro/Firebird/Mustang drivers, but for the most part, cone dodging has not appealed to the average muscle car owner, and certainly not to street rodders. But by bringing these parking-lot cone-course competitions to shows made up primarily of muscle cars and street rods, a bridge seems to have been formed, spreading the appeal of autocrossing to the types of hot rodders who traditionally gravitate towards straight-line racing.
Street rods have never been heralded for superior cornering, but that may change for some enthusiasts as this class of the Goodguys AutoCross program grows.
For 2011, Goodguys is holding its AutoCross at 15 of the association’s events, and at four of those, the autocross action will be expanded to cover three days. These include the sixth Bridgestone Nashville Nationals, the 14th PPG Nationals in Columbus, the fifth PEAK Chicagoland Nationals in Joliet and the 10th Midwestern Nationals in Kansas City.
To participate in one of these events, cars owners simply have to register for the Goodguys show – the autocross itself is free to registered participants. Autocross participants must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license and their vehicles will have to pass a basic tech inspection. From there, entrants are categorized into one of three classes: Street Machine (1955 and newer); Street Rod (1954 and older); or Trucks (all years through 1972). All runs will be timed, and there will be winners awarded in each class – each will receive an award, gift certificates from sponsors, including one for a set of BF Goodrich tires.
For all the details and a complete schedule of events, go to www.goodguysautocross.com. Who knows – you may discover a new way to have fun with your car.
Another unlikely cone-course sighting involves full-size pickup trucks, but they have their own class at the Goodguys events; even the entrants that aren't particularly competitive seem to have a good time.