La Voz

Issue date: 4/24/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Sarah Bogen A bright red Datsun 240Z displays the stickers of many auto part companies. It has been modified quite a bit with pulled fenders and racing slick tires.

The drivers of a red, white and blue Datsun and an old blue Mustang are ready to run the course.

5/1/06


Parking lot B was filled with about 30 students, 15 instructors, 30 cars and dozens of orange cones. Every April, the De Anza College Auto Club sponsors a day of autocross lessons for students of De Anza College and local high schools.

Many domestics and imports participated in the event, with the poster car for autocrossing - Datsun 510 being the most common car there. The De Anza auto tech Datsun 510 was running strong.

Being able to push a car to its limits and seeing the results of its modifications is the best thing about autocrossing, according to Josh Mabie, 21 Sports Care Club of America member and vice president of the Auto Club.

Most of those who participated were interested in joining the Duel at De Anza on May 21. The rest were over 18 car enthusiasts from De Anza, Gunn High School, Los Altos High School, and the Regional Occupational Program for Auto Technology.

"There's not that many students, so the teachers get to know you better," said Vlad Gantvarg, a participant at the event.

The day started with a classroom lesson from 8 to 9 a.m., then moved to a walkthrough of the course. Afterward the students were able to run through the course with an instructor in the car.

The courses changed three or four times throughout the day, getting more difficult at each change. Instructors concentrated on teaching the students about the proper shifting, braking and steering techniques to optimize their cars' performances through the course.

The instructors were volunteers who have had at least 15 to 20 years of experience in autocrossing.

The lessons also excited people about the upcoming Duel at De Anza on May 21. Michael Brandt, instructor of the ROP program said he liked the lessons before the duel because "it serves a purpose. The numbers of hours in a car, 30 laps or more in one day and constructive criticism all help the students. There's not as much stress here as at Duel at De Anza so the students learn better here."

The event ran from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. The Auto Club provided food and drinks throughout the day.

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