Thrill-Seeking Adventure: Racing My Honda Civic on a Reckless Backwoods Go-Kart Track
The Joys of Autocross: A Weekend in the Adirondacks
As I traded in my racing suit for a pair of worn jeans and a faded t-shirt, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement wash over me. The Adirondacks, with their rugged beauty and winding roads, were the perfect backdrop for a weekend of autocross fun. My trusty Honda Civic, affectionately known as "the project car," was ready to put its skills to the test on a tight and twisty little track nestled in the heart of the mountains.
A Modest Operation
The operations base was humble, to say the least – a burger tent, a porto-john, and a small hut to run timing out of. My wife, bless her heart, brought our rambunctious pup, Bramble, to hang out in the pits and cheer me on. The dog’s highlight of the day was undoubtedly rolling in the grass, but I was thrilled to have her by my side.
The Track
The track itself was a real challenge. The long right back into the oval was a blast, a place to put down some serious power. However, the first apex after that was an absolute dragon’s den of rocks, and I found myself focusing more on avoiding obstacles than keeping to a racing line.
Improvement and Perseverance
Getting to run a second lap was a real treat. In autocross, it’s not uncommon to have long gaps between runs, which can make it tough to improve. But here, I got another shot at everything without dropping momentum. I was able to refine my lines, work on my braking, and really dial in my driving.
The Results
We did six total runs of two laps each, with times ranging from 70 to 90 seconds. My best of the day was an 81.698, which left me feeling pretty proud. The fastest cars were doing it in 76 seconds and change, but I was happy to be out there, pushing myself and having a blast.
The Future
As I looked out at the rolling hills and dense forests of the Adirondacks, I couldn’t help but think about the future. Lime Rock Park in Connecticut has a similar setup – a smaller, go-kart style track separate from its main course where you can do autocross laps. The terrain there is much smoother, but running on it costs a lot more. I’m hoping to give it a shot before deciding whether or not I need to pivot my racing vehicle to being more of an off-roader.
The Project Car
Meanwhile, my trusty little Civic seems happy to keep taking whatever terrain I chuck it over. Even with stiff tires and coilover suspension, it’s remained a highly versatile toy car that manages to be a lot of fun even (especially) when it’s not going fast. As I packed up the car and headed home, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, surrounded by good friends and good times.
