How to really, really drive in the snow

LIME ROCK — Lime Rock Park’s first public Winter Autocross Day (WAX) was held Friday, Jan. 9. Eleven customers spent the day getting “slideways” — a Lime Rock-invented word that comes from combining “slide” and “sideways” — driving their cars on the snow-covered autocross courses and having what appeared to be a very fun time. The next day, 16 more drivers drifted their cars around the half-mile layout.

Winter autocross is much like the Japanese drifting phenomenon that has taken hold in the U.S., but instead of smoking the tires in the dry, the cars send snowy rooster tails skyward. Unlike driving on a racetrack, mistakes on an autocross are not punished with a possible slide into the barriers. Instead, one simply falls off into the snow.

“Within two hours of getting the email from Lime Rock about the winter autocross, I called and signed up for the first one,” said Gabe Rosen of Newtown. “I learned a lot about oversteer and understeer; I’m now a much better driver, that’s for sure. And it’s so much fun!”

 In December, Lime Rock acquired snowmaking and grooming equipment so that it could schedule weather-independent WAX days. The snow-covered autocrosses let people drive as fast as they are able — albeit top speeds are only about 35 mph — all while balancing traction, drift angles, throttle position and brakes with their eyes, hands and feet. Lime Rock charges $300 for a day, which includes feedback and ride-alongs from a professional cadre of winter driving coaches.

 Lime Rock’s Winter Autocross facility was created primarily for use by the private Lime Rock Drivers Club (LRDC) following requests by its members. One of the club’s newest members, realizing he could help bring this to fruition, connected Lime Rock with snowmaking experts and equipment. The club then graciously opened it up for use by non-members in between the private LRDC WAX days.

Walter Irvine, Lime Rock Park’s business development director, said that winter autocross is particularly valuable to parents who want their teen drivers to learn life-saving car control skills. 

“There’s no better way for young drivers to learn — at low, safe speeds — how to control skids than driving in the low-traction conditions that you find in winter autocross.” 

Lime Rock has scheduled an additional 12 public WAX days through Saturday, March 7. More information can be found at www.limerock.com or by calling the track office at 860-435-5000.