Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct a few errors: A misspelling of Emilio Lopata's last name, a correction that Alexis Brinley was racing a shared car, not her own, and a correction of upcoming events on April 26–27 as well as the cost to compete. The Front regrets the errors.
A large turnout of racers filled the Bellingham Airport overflow lot for Chuckanut Sports Car Club’s (CSCC) second autocross cup of the season on April 13.
Autocross is a timed driving event where competitors navigate a course marked by cones. Drivers challenge themselves to improve their time while avoiding cones and staying on the course. Hitting cones and veering off course results in time penalties, rewarding drivers who race clean.
“It’s like video games, but you get to do it in real life,” said Alex Howard, CSCC president.
Cars sit with their hoods and trunks open before racing starts at the Bellingham International Airport overflow lot in Bellingham, Wash., on April 13, 2025. All cars that race undergo a technical inspection before racing to ensure the drivers’ safety. // Photo by Ben Magnus
The gates opened up at 7:30 a.m., two hours before the mandatory meeting where drivers walked the course and got assigned roles for the day.
Roles include timekeeping, technical inspection, registration and cone placing. These roles rely heavily on racer participation and are crucial to running the event.
33 drivers took to the course. Half raced while half worked. After every driver got the chance to take a couple of laps, roles switched.
The fastest driver of the day was Nicholas Choma, who raced in his 2024 Mazda Miata. Choma finished with a time of 34.5 seconds.
Just behind Choma on the podium was Alexis Brinley, racing a 2004 Honda S2000, finishing in 34.55. Only four-tenths of a second behind Choma.
Emilio Lopata, CSCC’s head of autocross, took the third fastest time of the day with a time of 35.04, racing his 1988 Toyota Celica.
Drivers are ranked based on their times. However, autocross uses a process called indexing, which is similar to a handicap in golf. Indexing is an adjustment to a driver's time based on their car's class that attempts to account for performance differences.
Each driver's actual time around the course is multiplied by their car's index factor, making times comparable across car classes.
“A lot of auto-people tend to be more on the nerdy side. There are a lot of rules and regulations,” Howard said. “People call it calculator racing.”
With indexed times accounted for, Choma and his Miata still raced the fastest, finishing the course in 28.05.
Behind him was Chris Roberts, racing his 1993 Miata for an indexed time of 28.53.
Taking third place was Mark Klopp with an indexed time of 28.79. Mark was driving a 1999 Miata as well.
Many join CSCC to race, but end up finding a community that goes far beyond the track.
“This is exactly what I have been looking for the majority of my adult life,” Lopata said.
Most club members are friends in their personal life and spend time together doing shared hobbies like mountain biking, frisbee golf and triathlon training. Howard recalled a time when club members helped him paint his house.
For months with a fifth Wednesday, the club organizes an activity to bring everyone together for a fun time. In the past, they’ve gone go-karting, gotten beers at Trackside and even done ax throwing.
CSCC is a great space for learning if you’re new to autocross.
“I think they got some great people here to help with the training aspect of it, giving you tips here and there,” said Kyle Redding, a newcomer to the scene.
The club serves as a space for drivers who might drive a little crazy to push their limits — safely. Drivers (with licenses) of all ages are welcome and encouraged to come.
“I have seen firsthand kids that were high school age show dramatic improvement in their ability to drive based on the skills that they learn at autocross,” Lopata said.
Two drivers look over the course map before racing at the Bellingham International Airport overflow lot in Bellingham, Wash., on April 13, 2025. At Chuckanut Sports Car Club, new racers are required to be accompanied by more experienced drivers. // Photo by Ben Magnus
The club is hosting events Saturday–Sunday, April 26–27, at the Bellingham Airport overflow lot C, 3875 Sound Way. Registration closes the night before the race and must be done online through Scorekeeper. Gates open at 7 a.m., and racing ends at 4 p.m.
This weekend might be the last cup of the season since CSCC recently lost the lease to its parking lot, leaving the club in search of a new location. It’s on the hunt for something that is paved and within 75 miles of Bellingham.
It’s $50 plus a $10 membership fee for each event that covers a whole weekend if you're not already a member. A yearly membership is $30, but it is free to watch. For more information on the club or tips that may help, their website can be reached here.
Ben Magnus (he/him) is a sports and recreation reporter for The Front. He is in his first year at Western, majoring in visual journalism. When he’s not taking pictures, he enjoys spending time with his dogs, running, and skiing. He can be contacted at benmagnus.thefront@gmail.com.
