Florida State Championship, December 18, 2022
Much anticipated, the Florida State Autocross Championship was originally meant to be hosted by Gulf Coast Autocrossers back in early October before a hurricane devastated the west coast of Florida, designating the airfield as a FEMA site. Changing hosts to Equipe Rapide and postponing to November, another hurricane warning led to a further delay. Come December, I was excited to attend. Both for the always coveted time behind the wheel, and to see some of the state's fastest going at it.
I brought my trusty Canon F-1, equipped with the 35mm f/2 lens while walking around the lot, and for the first time with this camera, also brought out a 70-200mm f/4 telephoto lens. I had the opportunity to go out to the field during the first session to try my hand at some action pictures, many of which came out blurry or out of focus but I am quite pleased with the select few presented within this coverage. The above shot of the Apex Alignment NC Miata is my favorite from this day.
This MR2 was in great shape between the relatively fresh paint and crystal clear headlights it really caught my eye.
This Nissan Sentra had admirable character, I loved being able to see through the interior from the trunk. Sporting a rowdy SR20 it sounded like an angry bee shooting through the course.
The guys in E street (green miata, yellow MR2) easily kicked my ass despite my car being in the touring class due to modifications.
Despite E Street humbling me, I was the only car in STS class so I took home the title of STS Florida State Champion by default. Danny, cofounder of Roadster Pilots with his white 1.6 Miata would have given me some healthy competition but he got to enjoy his first track day at homestead instead. As a matter of fact, my friends Lander (Green K Swap NB Miata), Tony (Silver K Swap NB Miata), Gio (silver built and boosted 1.6 NA Miata), and Erik (Red ND Miata) all managed to take home the win in their classes, with Erik getting the most fight for his title.
Author: Austin Yero
Date: 12/18/2022
Photographer: Austin Yero
Event: ERSCC - Florida State Championship Autocross
Saint Lucy County Fairgrounds