Autocross at Thunderhill Raceway

Thank you to everyone who came out for last weekend’s autocross at Thunderhill Raceway Park. October 3–4 was one for the books: great driving, great company, and a full grid that made the heat worth showing up for.

A special thank you to the Santa Clara Corvette Club for supporting the event. Having you on site made a real difference for the group. And thank you to the three Corvettes that drove all the way from Reno. That is a long haul on a hot weekend, and we are glad you made the trip.

It was hot out there. Clear skies and a strong sun kept the asphalt warm from the first session to the last. Grip was still there for the drivers who stayed smooth, the runs stayed consistent, and nobody seemed in a hurry to pack up early. That kind of commitment is what these weekends are built on.

The course design stood out again. It struck a solid balance between technical sections and flowing elements — enough to keep experienced drivers engaged, and still approachable for anyone newer to autocross. Whether you were chasing tenths or just getting a feel for the car, the layout rewarded precision and smooth inputs.

The grid itself was a highlight: a strong Corvette presence from C3, C4, C5, C6, C7 ZR1, E-Ray all the way through C8 Z06, alongside a Subaru WRX, Camaro, and BMW M3. Autocross keeps doing what it does best — putting different cars and different people on the same course.

Off the track, Red 88 is quickly becoming a tradition. Great food, an easy atmosphere, and the right way to cool down after a full day in the heat. Crowd favorites include the Crying Tiger Steak — hand-cut ribeye finished with garlic thyme butter on a sizzling skillet — the Creamy Miso Burger with wagyu blend, smoked provolone, and Parmesan miso sauce, plus Pad Thai and Drunken Noodles for the rest of the table.

A special thanks goes out to Tom and Kevin for the photos and videos. The shots bring the weekend back for everyone who was there, and for anyone who could not make it. 

Thank you to Jeff for all the work keeping us on track and on time with the driver’s meeting, and to Ken for raising the American flag for the national anthem. And thank you to Steve J., and Steve B. for setting up and running the timing system.

Thank you again to everyone who showed up, worked a station, drove, or came out to watch — including the Santa Clara Corvette Club, the three cars from Reno, and the two C8 #28 and #731 who lit up Sunday morning. Fast runs, new faces, and plenty of laughs, heat and all :)

We are taking a break for now until next time. Save the wave, and we will see you out at an SCCA, HPDE track days or Porsche autocross event.

Sebastien J.
Publications Director