THSCC returned to the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA) for our third annual event on Sunday, August 4, 2002, known as "The German Twist". Frank Catena and Patrice Bousquet, both first-time event chairs, treated all 149 competitors (including 35 well-behaved novices) to four runs on a fun, safe, challenging course with some tight stuff, some open stuff, and plenty of places to lose time if you weren't paying attention!

OK, so the course was on the short side (30-40 seconds), and it was hot. But it kicks butt to run at a site so close (for most of us), be able to have our friends and family come out, and run at a nice venue.  There was a great spectator turnout.

In addition to regular event scoring, Patrice and Frank added a "German Twist" -- the "Fastest Time Deutsch". See, in Germany, in addition to beer being available in vending machines at the workplace, they apparently score their "slaloms" (German autocrosses) differently. The first run is practice, and the rest of the runs are added together for a total time. Guess who won this honor at the ESA? In corrupt Tarheel fashion, Patrice Bousquet, the man who computed the results for this additional trophy, took the prize! Patrice did admit to "not driving very fast", so he would avoid hitting cones, to take the trophy. Yeah ... 29.7 seconds ... you didn't drive very fast, Patrice! Matt Nicholson came in a close second place, and would have won were it not for that single pesky cone.

We had first car off at 10:10, finished competition runs at 3:40, ran fun runs for an hour, and finished up trophies a little after 5pm.  Aside from a short delay due to electrical problems in the bus, the event ran like clockwork! Many thanks to those who helped make this event a success.

Mike Whitney, your friendly autocross VP.