Thrilling Auto-X Action!
I had to share.
The Jaguar Clubs Of North America hold three competitive events nationwide, Concours (bleagh), Rally, and Slalom. The latter is frankly the ONLY reason I pay my JCNA dues every year. I’d rather have a root canal than actually *compete* in Concours. I love TSD rallying, but only one of the three JCNA clubs around here (the Canadian XK Register) actually bothers to do real rallys. But Slalom (the world JCNA uses for auto-cross) is a ton of fun.
The concept is simple: Identical course and timing gear throughout North America. Distinct classes for the various models. The playing field therefore is VERY level and driver skill is the real test, and you can compare yours against everyone on the continent. They have a non-Jaguar class too, which is comprised usually of sports and muscle cars and it is cool to see both shows up, and what does well. I had what I thought was a most unusual Slalom participant posted here before, but the one above literally takes the prize.
Of all the tools to bring to an autocross, a BMW Isetta is not on the top of the list. Note the stellar handling! 
I hope to bring my TDI Jetta to a slalom this year and set the bar for a Bio-Fueled vehicle.
what a hoot! and he looks like the time would be competitive!
Jerome
Comment by gondwana — March 1, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Brilliant! That guy must be going ten tenths-he’s (I assume it’s a “he”) is on two wheels through some of those turns.
Comment by Mad Dog — March 1, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
Looks like he turns a 0:56, which is respectable… better times than most of the big saloons. Then again, to a car of this size this course is a wide open road compared to horsing a big Jaguar around the cones!
Comment by chuck goolsbee — March 1, 2008 @ 8:59 pm
As a ex-owner of a 300 Isetta (the BIG BLOCK version, not the weenie 250 one, mind you!!!) I can assure you there is only two throttle positions: idle, and Wide F’n Open…! It also features “four-on-the-wall!”
With a rompin’, stompin’ 13 HP –YES, THIRTEEN– the Isetta doesn’t do *anything* quickly. Peter Egan, one of my *fave* automotive writers (next to chukkie, natch) said about the Isetta: “It doesn’t accelerate so much as it gathers speed, like a Treasury note gathers interest.”
It does, however, handle fairly well, with its narrow rear track…anyone know *why* the rear track is so narrow?
:):)
Comment by vrooomie — March 6, 2008 @ 2:14 pm