The CVR 2022 DE season got off to a wet and snowy start – we could not have asked for better conditions for our Winter Workshop Car Control Clinic. Can you believe that a snow-covered surface is what we were hoping for and up to five days prior to the event we had no snow in the forecast for Lime Rock Park?  With the help of LRP’s Jen M. doing what she called a snow dance and us crossing our fingers, we got upwards of 5 inches of snow Thursday evening into Friday midday.   On Thursday, before the snow, we went to Lime Rock to set up the chalet and to put cones out all over the autocross area so that it would not be a ‘sea of white’ on the morning of the event.   The tops of the cones were all visible on Saturday morning.  Perfect.

The snow made for excellent winter track conditions, with all of the participants able to slip, slide, drive with the nannies on and the nannies off. Our morning started off with a light breakfast and the introductions of our event sponsors and event coaches. 

Part of the event was held at the newly redone Lime Rock/FCP Euro Proving Grounds.  With all surfaces being repaved at the Proving Grounds and with a fresh coating of newly fallen snow, it was a fantastic day for all. CVR Club Photographers Paul Roth and Bob Reinckens were at the event in the morning, to take pictures of everyone having fun. Bob told us he took over 1600 pictures and will be posting some of them on the CVR photo page after he goes through them all. Both Paul and Bob sent some pictures that are included in this article.

For the first part of the day, we set up multiple exercises related to compromised road conditions in the northeast during the winter season. Our first exercise was learning about weight transfer at slower speeds then moving into higher speeds where faster reflexes came into play.

The second exercise was threshold /full ABS braking, learning to use the ABS to control the car in inclement weather conditions. The third exercise was done in B Paddock, set up by our close friend Bob Green.  As usual, he hit the mark – Bob always combines a course with many elements that have the participants working on car control while cornering under extremely slippery snowy conditions.  Most of you know Bob, but if you don’t, he’s been a long-time CVR member and was the owner of Survive-the-Drive, an educational program for teen drivers.   He now has a B&B called GreenWorks at White Hollow, conveniently located just minutes from Lime Rock Park.

After everyone got to drive at each of the three exercise segments, we all went back to the Lime Rock Park chalet for a light lunch.  After eating, but before going back to the fun winter driving, we held a raffle for 4 lucky winners, each receiving a beautiful 2022 Porsche calendar, donated by Danbury Porsche. 

After lunch, everyone headed back outside where Ryan (from Indian Summer Racing) and Bob changed things up a bit from what had been set up in the morning.  Bob changed the course in B Paddock slightly, to take advantage of some areas with fresh snow and then reversed the driving direction.  Ryan combined both sections of the morning course into one larger course, with the addition of a fresh snow-covered left-hand uphill turn.  Ryan also moved a coach up to the skidpad where participants got to work on keeping their car on a controlled slide while in the snow. 

It’s always great to hear “I’ve had so much fun, I’m exhausted” from our participants.   Not everyone had the energy to last until the end of the day.  Of course, father and son Jay and Stephen, along with Jeff were our last drivers to finish the day.  Those three had a blast, right up until the very end.

As always we would like to thank our sponsors for this event. Danbury Porsche always said “yes” when we ask for their support for our Winter Workshop.  Chris surprised us with the calendars (for the lunchtime raffle) when we went down to the dealership to pick up the banner and outdoor signs. 

We also had Elm City Trailer say “yes”.  Bobby brought up a top-of-the-line Trailex trailer to put on display and had his very fragrant air fresheners on the display table, for anyone that wanted one.   

Victoria and Kiernan came up to represent Hagerty Insurance.   They brought up all sorts of reference materials for the taking, along with hand warmers – perfectly appropriate for our 30° day.  This is Victoria’s second year at the Workshop, but we’ve known her since she was a very young child because her dad has been doing DE with us for that long.  

Thanks to Dunkin Donuts on Hayestown Avenue in Danbury.   Fred, the manager, set us up with a very nice selection of donuts, muffins and bagels.  The sugar zing was perfect for getting everyone psyched to go out and play in the snow.

Our final sponsor was Stable Energies Motorsports.  Because of the weather conditions, they were not able to come to the event, but as everyone knows, I tell our drivers to make the trip to Garfield NJ to visit their shop.  Go there to get sized for a helmet, to buy seats or harnesses, or to check out the latest and greatest in safety equipment.  Bob and Laurette have supported the CVR DE program for the past ten years.   We can’t thank them enough.

All of the non-perishable packaged food that was leftover from the event was donated to the Community Food Box at Shop Rite in Danbury. It’s a nice feeling to give assistance to those that need a little help.

For all of you that attended the Winter Workshop Car Control Clinic, congratulations on making the smart decision to come out and have some fun in the snow.  

Our first non-snow event will be on April 11 at Lime Rock Park.  Registration opens at 1 pm on ClubRegistration.net, on March 1^st.   Instructed drivers: register early!

See you at the track.

Dave