Jacki&GeneZ16

Please let me know if you have have participated in an autocross or SCCA Solo event on an Air Force Base in the past 2 years. Also, include the name of the base.



I am trying to build a good case to get the commander's approval at the base where I work. It was been years since some other base commander approved an autocross on Elmendorf AFB near Anchorage.

TedDBere

Ft. Myers is often used but I'm not sure what kind of base it is. National Guard maybe? All I remember is that part of the pre-event driver's meeting included the advice that if the runway was needed for an emergency that an aircraft might land on it durring the event so keep your eyes open for aircraft on approach.

Lancer033

They do it on a Navy Amphibious base down here (I'm at Langley)

Locke

While due to operational constrants, meaning we could get our event canceled at [U]any time[U], the Navy has no problem with us using the runway at Whitehouse OLF here in Jacksonville, FL.
We've been running there since 1970 that I know of. The Operations Officer handles all the arrangments and just happens to be the Solo Chairman for the Buccaneer Region of SCCA!

Get a pilot or two interested, they can work on the CO from the inside.
Each year we used Whitehouse, NFCA would donate several hundred dollars to the Navy Relief Fund. Of course we routed the check through the Commander!

astock165

Regular events @ Air National Guard Base (I believe) in Ayer, MA called Fort Devens.

meldog21

Moffett Federal Air Field, Mountain View, CA(formerly Moffett NAS) uses an empty parking ramp for police vehicle training. They have cones almost permanently set up. One area is for motorcycles, one for cars. The car area uses part of a taxi way that is not normally used except for C5's.

Edit: I just reread my last line. I should have said airplane C5's, just in case anyone might confuse it with a Corvette C5.

Dog

Z11409

For many years NAS North Island San Diego has been used for the Vintage Grand Prix.

69427

My club has used Grissom Air Reserve Base (Formerly Grissom AFB) in central Indiana for years. IIRC, we first approached them to use the facilities when the base was being reorganized. The runways are still being used, but there are several ready pads and taxiways that sit unused these days. There is also an on-site museum there that we donate a portion of our entry fees as a token of our appreciation for use of the facilities.

ps: Don't forget to include your club/region/council insurance policy coverage details when making your presentation.

mk2001c

Getting an inside guy is your best option. Also, show the WG/CC how you plan to mitigate any risks (limiting car types, tech, fire bottles, etc) and how it benefits him by letting the troops get their aggressive driving fix in a controlled environment. Ultimately, it will depend on whether the boss is a car guy or not.

johninar

Not to hijack, but if anyone can send me a pm with advice on approaching our local base, I would love to get the Little Rock AFB on board with this. We have been turned down in the past.

TIA

Lancer033

and don't forget the benefit of learning car control skills that will help in real world situations on the road.

GS023

James Conally in Waco, Tx. Called TSTC now. Except when George W. flies in. Something that would help is to have a large organiztion such as NCCC or SCCA behind you.

'99 Feather

Delta Region of the SCCA has been having autocrosses at Belle Chasse Naval Air Station for many years now. They use one of the abandoned run-ways.

GTB/ZR-1

And, OH the grip there!

MazdaRob

They AX frequently at Grissom AFB in Peru, IN. I haven't been there but a friend of mine that lives near there has. It is cool to see from the google map.

ROb

C66 Racing

I would not overlook security risks of letting civilians on military installations. While I'm not an Air Force guy, I'd think your chances of getting a civilian event on an air base with tactical aircraft would need to address the security picture or you are not going to get far in your pitch. Good luck!

mk2001c

This is true. However, there is precedence for running events at fighter bases. Nellis AFB in Las Vegas held an SCCA sponsored event last year. They required early event sign up to run name checks and had a roster of drivers at the front gate. You could call the Nellis security police desk for more detail on the procedures.

Jacki&GeneZ16

Fantastic! All these are helping, keep them coming!

Please Note I am looking for ACTIVE Air Force Bases to use as examples. Though knowing the Army, Navy, ANG, NG and AFRB helps support the pitch to be made.

Our Arctic Alaska Region SCCA would run the event and we have a healthy number of retired military as well as civilians working on base. Yes, we are working on getting that inside military representative.

Also, appreciate examples on how others butter the commander with donations and volunteering our help.

Access to an active base: as a Special Olympics coach we had not had a State Bowling Tournament on base after 9/11/01 until 2006. I have tried ropes and succeeded in sponsoring a dozen plus parents of athletes for weekend base access.

Excellent point on tactical aircraft concern from Nellis! Given the fighters sitting on our ramps and an increase in Russian tests of borders, I suppose we should not expect solo on the taxiways, ramps, and runways.

As a licensed Safety Steward, and having co-chaired I am aware of selling safety to our hosts and the amount of insurance carried for each. A good reminder to help me prepare.

Vinca1

Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas lets the Las Vegas Region of the SCCA use the air field for autocross. The general of the base explained the first time that the reason he advocated our use was because they have a lot of airmen of age 18 to 20 who are not welcome in the casinos in town. Our use of the base was allowed because we gave rides to airmen and instruction to those who brought their own cars. Also, the fees we normally pay were given to the airmen's club to improve the entertainment there. At the start of the event, they lined a Z06 up next to an F-15 and raced. The Z06 was keeping up with the F-15 until about mid field when the F-15 pulled back and went straight up in the air and was out of sight in about 3 seconds. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen.

acrace

If your club runs anywhere that active aircraft may use (apron, etc.), you'll need to address the issue of F.O.D. (foreign object debris) as that would chew up an aircraft's engine. Years ago we ran a large divisional event at an ANG base, using the apron. We made sure to walk every square foot of what we used, afterwards, to insure that there was not any debris left over (paper trash, hardware, etc.). As another note, we weren't permitted to put down flour or anything to line the course; only chalk to mark the pylon locations.