auto-x (was Re: racing helmet)

[Jon]

I went to the auto-x this weekend. I suppose I should share how I got 
there. I was playing GTA4 when it occurred to me a real car would be a 
lot more fun. Part of the allure of auto-x (for me) is I can try some 
possibly stupid things and the probability of something catastrophic is 
near nil. I didn't even clip a cone the whole day. In trying some stupid 
things, I like to think I learn something about my car and/or driving in 
general that may save my bacon some day. I really want to explore the 
limits of my car a bit in a safe, controlled and legal environment...

I had met a coworker who was there driving a Subaru WRX. He was in front 
of me on the grid and we were driving our 4th and final run. As I'm 
driving about half way through the course, I get red flagged... and it 
turns out my coworker had wrecked into a light pole. Noone was 
injured... the pole won the contest however and I don't think the WRX 
will see the road again. It started to catch fire and they hosed that 
chemical powder all through it. I think in the end it was bad course 
design, there were several other cars that got close to that pole. The 
way it was set up there was a pretty fast slalom at the finish and cars 
tended to get sideways there and head for the pole. The incident really 
wrecked my mood along with it. I got a rerun, but I just wasn't as into 
it. I think he is also going to have a hard time with insurance...

Jon Davis