A strong mix of amateur and experienced drivers is set to hit the track during the second round of Toyota Autocross Championship 2010 to be held at Iskan Park, Al-Khobar, this weekend (Sept. 29-30). Autocross is a branch of motorsport that involves driving a car anti-clock wise on a loose surface circuit. A competitor will get a three-lap practice session and four timed runs of four laps. A group of special engineers has designed the track, which has made the contest all the more challenging with a slew of curves and hairpin turns. The circuit is 1,300 meters long and is punctuated with turns and obstacles. A special digital timing system is used. According to the organizer, Abdullah Bakhashab: “Our studies have shown that a high percentage of youngsters wishes to see sports event and activities organized locally in Saudi Arabia. Our aim is to help Saudi youth attest their driving talents in specialized areas and not endanger their own and others' lives by racing cars on the city streets and highways. “They will drive ordinary cars of their own and then compete with the Toyota Camry, the official car of the championship, to determine the Saudi Champion for this round,” he said. The competition is sponsored by Toyota and supported by Mobil 1. To take part in the event all one needs is a crash helmet and a fireproof overall to comply with the FIA regulations, and of course a car. There are different categories for standard cars with very limited modifications, right through to purpose-built specials. The 35 amateur drivers selected for the round will be divided into seven groups and each group members will compete among themselves. The drivers, with their cars, will be divided into seven classes depending on the capacity and the power of engine, car size and year of manufacture. The classes are: Super Stock (SS) for ultra high performance sport cars; A Stock (AS) for high performance sport cars; PA — sport cars and GT's; C Stock (CS) for small size compact cars; D Stock (DS) for intermediate size sedans; F Stock (FS) for sedans and coupes; and BS for medium size coupes. The round, which will continue next wednesday, will see a distinctive challenge between experienced and amateur (first-timers) drivers to determine the Kingdom's champion, Bakhashab added. A judge and 12 marshals around the track will oversee the action. If anybody hits the barrier, the marshals flag him and the driver loses one point. The top three drivers will win cash awards worth SR6,000; SR4,000; and SR2,000 respectively. __
