Come challenge or watch some of the most skilled drivers in Maine at a fun, safe, timed competition to see who is the fastest through a technical course. Open to all makes and models of cars. Spectating is free, and spectators with a valid driver’s license can even ride along with competitors! For more information or to register to compete, visit www.CumberlandMotorClub.com
Competitors can pre-register for the event at www.CumberlandMotorClub.com or register the day of the event before 8:00 am. If you pre-register, you can either pay online or on the day of the event. To compete, it cost $30 per car (2 car max) each day if you pre-register online or $40 if sign up the day of the event. There is a $10 weekend membership for non-club members and a $10 discount for college students with a valid college ID. We compete rain or shine.
Whether you’re planning to compete or just thinking about it, PLEASE PRE-REGISTER! This helps our club immensely, both for planning and inputting competitors into our timing system. You have the option of paying online when you pre-register, but it’s not required. It is much easier for us to delete your entry if you do not show than it is to enter it the day of the event.
Since 1958, Cumberland Motor club has been organizing and facilitating sanctioned autocross competitions and rally events in Southern Maine, as well as more recently in Aroostook County at the former Loring Air Force Base.
Cumberland Motor Club will be returning to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor for a double header autocross weekend on Saturday, September 7th and Sunday, September 8th. This will be the last autocross in Bangor this season. Each day will have a new course layout that maximizes the space the Cross Center provides. Once again, we are anticipating a great turnout of competitors, auto enthusiasts, and spectators from the greater Bangor area, as well as from all over the state.
If you are unfamiliar with autocross, it is a driving competition in which drivers navigate their cars, one at a time, through a mini-road-course track defined by cones on a large paved lot or runway. Cars are separated into classes based on their performance and upgrades. There is a wide variety of vehicles that compete. Vehicles include go-carts, everyday road-driven cars, sports cars, and even purpose-built race cars. Less powerful cars are given a time handicap, so everyone is competitive. Cumberland Motor Club is a large club with a number of our members that compete at a national level.
Admission for spectators is free! Spectators can go for ride alongs with competitors if they have a valid driver’s license and have signed a release form. Helmets are required to compete and for ride-alongs. Cumberland Motor Club does have loaner helmets if you do not have one.
Competitors can pre-register at www.CumberlandMotorClub.com or register the day of the event before 8:00 am. If you pre-register, you can either pay online or on the day of the event. To compete, it cost $30 per car (2 car max) each day if you pre-register online or $40 if sign up the day of the event. There is a $10 weekend membership for non-club members and a $10 discount for college students with a valid college ID. We compete rain or shine.
If you are interested in competing, you can pre-register or get more information at www.cumberlandmotorclub.com. On sight registration is also available from 7-8am. There will be a driver’s meeting at 8:15 am, and the competition begins at 9:00 am.
Competitors don’t need a special car to compete at autocross, it just has to pass a basic safety tech inspection. The safety standards cars must meet are relatively simple. Each vehicle will be given an inspection to make sure nothing will fall off the car and that it is in good mechanical condition. Wheels and suspension must be securely fastened. Wheel bearings should have no excessive play. The battery should be bolted or securely clamped. There should be no fluid leaks and no loose items in the car that could move around during spirited maneuvers.
Cumberland Motor Club officials will hold a drivers meeting where new competitors will learn about course safety and procedures as well as how to read the course. All drivers are encouraged to walk the course before the competition begins so they are familiar with the track before getting behind the wheel. Since drivers compete one at a time instead of side by side, like in stockcar racing, there is little danger of bashing body panels or damaging the car.
Our club is very welcoming, especially for first-time and novice competitors. Many of our members are more than happy to hop in the passenger’s seat with you to give you pointers and help you see the course. If you would like someone to help you, you can ask at the timing tent or leave your hazard lights on and someone should notice and jump in to assist you. Hopping in the passenger’s seat of a more experienced competitor is also a great way to improve your skills and learn the course. It is highly recommended to arrive early to the event you can also walk the course to learn it too.
Friday evening beginning at 6:30 pm there will be a Waterfront Car Meet at the corner lot of Railroad St. in Bangor. This meet is open to everyone and will feature both locals and members of the Cumberland Motor Club. This meet is a great opportunity for everyone to meet each other check out their cars and learn more about autocross.
Quote from Gary Bellefleur
“I first started competing with Cumberland Motor Club over 10 years ago when they had events at the University of Maine in Orono and quickly got hooked. It’s an exciting, safe, and inexpensive way to have fun with your car and learn new driving skills.
Since I started I have learned so much, made many life-long friends, and had some incredible experiences. I have gotten many of my friends involved in autocross as well as my girlfriend Hillary who is quickly becoming a fierce competitor.
Bangor has a great car culture. We have added many new members to our club from the Bangor area thanks to events at the Cross Center over the last year. We really appreciate having this venue and the ability to bring a different form of motorsports to the Bangor.”
Web Links to Cumberland Motor Club
Club website: www.cumberlandmotorclub.com
Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/cumberlandmotorclub/
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Cumberland-Motor-Club-CMC-471998929635216/
Spectating is free!
Competitors can pre-register for the event at www.CumberlandMotorClub.com or register the day of the event before 8:00 am. If you pre-register, you can either pay online or on the day of the event. To compete, it cost $30 per car (2 car max) each day if you pre-register online or $40 if sign up the day of the event. There is a $10 weekend membership for non-club members and a $10 discount for college students with a valid college ID. We compete rain or shine. Spectating is free, and spectators with a valid driver’s license can even ride along with competitors!
7:00AM TO 8:00AM ON-SITE REGISTRATION AND TECH INSPECTIONS
7:30AM NOVICE MEETING
8:45AM NOVICE WALK
8:15AM MANDATORY ALL DRIVER’S MEETING
8:35AM CARS STAGE IN GRID
8:45AM WORKERS MAN THEIR STATIONS
9:00PM EVENT STARTS!
Gary Bellefleur
Event Chair
207-478-7554
teg2kgsr@yahoo.com