Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 18, 1993                   TAG: 9308180033
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

SUNDAY DRIVE TAKES A QUICK TWIST AT RU'S DEDMON CENTER

But neither had much of a chance to enjoy the drive, the weather or anything else.

The drives they took were less than three-quarters of a mile long and lasted only about 75 seconds. They found themselves slaloming around pylons, accelerating to speeds of around 60 mph and then having to stop on a dime while careening around in a parking lot.

For Brown and Cox in their silver 1991 Mazda Miata were among the 32 racers at the Dedmon Center Autocross, a sports-car skills competition sponsored by the Blue Ridge Region Porsche Club of America.

Cars compete in myriad autocross divisions based on make, horsepower, weight, handling characteristics and modifications. Almost all the cars competing at the Dedmon Center, including Brown's and Cox's Miata, were stock cars.

Except for some cars with personalized plates or an occasional racing number, many wouldn't even be noticed as anything out of the ordinary at a stop light. The Miata, for example, would just appear to be a sleek convertible since its numbers and nameplates are magnetic stick-ons.

But when the cars enter the course for their timed-runs, everything changes. The drivers in everything from boxy Volvos to powerful Ford Mustangs to formula racers such as an F440 to even an occasional small pickup truck try to negotiate an auto obstacle course successfully. And each driver is allowed three runs to see who is fastest.

"I used to race motorcycles but I had a bad crash three years ago," said Brown, who owns a landscaping business in Radford and drives a full-sized Chevrolet pickup during the week.

"I injured my shoulder and I couldn't ride for three months. So we decided to go buy a sports car. That's when I found out about autocross. I decided it would be something nice to try. I did it and I've been hooked ever since."

Last year in his first full season of racing, Brown finished third to Tim Gutherie of Roanoke and Maury Hamill of Blacksburg in Class C Stock.

This year, Brown entered the Dedmon Center event leading Hamlin by a single point in the standings. But Hamill won the class at the Dedmon Center by less than a second: 72.792 to 73.696.

"I'd like to beat him [Hamill] when he's not having a bad day," Brown said after the event.

Cox also got her introduction to autocross at the Dedmon Center. After watching her husband compete for a couple of years, she got behind the wheel herself last year and gave it a try. Now she leads the Class C Stock Ladies points race.

"I'm scared to death every time but I'm ready to go," said Cox, an accountant with a Radford accounting firm and the usual driver of a Honda station wagon.

"The only racing I'd done before this was on the highway - he [Brown] would tell you I think I'm racing on the highway. So I'm still learning."

It took Cox a while to learn the challenging course Hamill designed. After going off course on her first two runs, Cox wound her way around the parking lot in 76.989 seconds, including a two-second penalty for knocking over a pylon.

That was the fastest time recorded by any woman competitor in the event.

Because she is just learning, Cox is not quite as fast as Brown. Yet.

"The times show he is a little faster, so I'll have to concede that point," she said. "I'm pretty close though."

Meanwhile, Brown stresses another type of learning involved with autocross.

"If you can drive a car on the street you can compete here," said Brown. "It will improve your skill on the street. You can find out the performance limits of the car. And that will make you a better street driver."

How much longer the couple will be out finding out the limits of their Miata is unknown. The car is up for sale so the couple can buy a house.

"We can't live in the Miata," said Cox. "It's a little bit small."

Said Brown: "Maybe if it was a Suburban or something like that we could live in it."

However, even when they sell their immaculate Miata - the car is generally just driven for competition and has never been revved over 3,500 rpm - the couple will stay on the autocross scene.

"It's our only hobby," Cox explained.