From sorting bolts to managing a team, I have worked behind the scenes for a few years. But this weekend, I was able to sit behind the wheel for the first time.
For those of you who maybe have seen my name pop up this past month and thought: Who is this? Well, allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Paris Van Gorder, and I am happy to be here as a new GRM associate editor. What got me to where I am today? Let’s jump right in.
When I stepped into college life at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University as a mechanical engineer for the robotics track, a friend from school brought me to something called SCIC. What is SCIC? Well, it’s short for Sport Compact Import Car Club. This introduced me to a crew of car-loving pals with diverse stories, skills and wheels. This was my ticket to the world of automotive adventures, and boy, has the journey been a joyride ever since.
Eventually I realized mechanical engineering was not my path and switched my major. I still wanted to do something hands on, though, but like any other college kid, I didn’t have the money, space or time. So, I joined ERAU Motorsports, my university’s Formula SAE team. This team was more than just a club, it’s a mini family that designs, builds and races a formula-styled vehicle each year.
[Make your project car faster: Advice from a Formula SAE team]
Don’t get me wrong, I am not the most automotive mechanically inclined person out there. Even so, I was brought on to the team with open arms. Just two weeks after joining, I was chosen to be the team’s business operations lead, and a few months later I was voted in as treasurer. And then after one year, I was voted as the team’s first woman and non-engineering-focused vice president.
These roles had me handling sponsorship outreach, social media and all aspects of team management, but most of all, they allowed me to really get a sense of racing and the passion the community holds.
While I loved my time in FSAE, after two years, I chose to leave and advance within SAE, the governing body for competitions. Progressing further, I assumed the role of director of communications for SAE Florida my last year in college, overseeing all SAE chapters in the state. This includes Formula SAE, SAE Baja and SAE Aero, and I still hold this position today.
One thing I never got the chance to do, though? Drive.
My daily, affectionately known as “The Boat,” is a 2016 Chrysler 300. It’s not really autocross material, but my family gave it to me when they moved abroad. While I've ridden in friends' cars and participated in testing and international competitions for FSAE, I've never had the chance to drive on my own. That was, until this past Sunday.
This autocross, held by Martin Sports Car Club, allowed me to get behind the wheel of our Volkswagen Golf GTI. Finally, I had the perfect opportunity to drive in competition. With the Orlando sun beating down on us, David took Colin and I under his wings. As we completed our track walks, we talked slaloms, apexs and, basically, Autocross for Dummies.
[Video: Expert tips for faster autocross times]
Heat one: David was up, and I was working the course. Looking back, working first was very helpful. It let me see just where people were having issues and the best way to approach those problem spots.
Heat two: my turn. Up until this point, the reality that I was about to drive had not sunk in. It wasn’t until I pulled into the queue and the helmet was on that I went, “Ohhhhh boy.” First run, my focus was making sure I didn’t DNF or destroy a poor cone.
60.698. Well, that won’t do, not when I watched people break into the 30s. As David and I went over that run and noted things to improve, the biggest issue I faced? Looking ahead. When he said those words, I realized just how much I was looking right in front me, and how it was affecting the upcoming sections. Now it was time to put those lessons to work for run 2.
Smooth like butter with a time of 51.936. Still not amazing, but shaving 9 seconds was a win in my book. I repeated that process during each run: Look ahead, watch the apexes and don’t be afraid to push it.
By the end of my fifth and final run, I was down to 45.165 seconds, putting me third in my novice group and fifth overall out of 16 novices.
The biggest problem now? I’m hooked.
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Comments
Sunday was a fun day. Sure, we got to play with cars but, more importantly, put someone new behind the wheel.
I wound up doing novice instruction for two heats. At one point, the person working grid came up to me: We have someone who keeps getting lost, can you help?
Sure.
I first worked to get him calm and find the issue: He was missing a gate before a 180. I had a course map on my phone and showed him where we needed to go.
Next run, he made it through the gate.
The one after that, he started adding speed–you could feel the confidence from the right seat.
Upon returning to grid, his buddies ran over to congratulation him on looking smooth and fast out there.
I’d call that a win.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I recall that exact gate. I nearly missed it several times.
I also second what Paris said, I also prefer to work before my driving session. It helps me see how other drivers tackle the course–where they are fastest and where they have difficulties.
The one after the first slalom? Yup.
The biggest problem now? I’m hooked.
You say that like it is an actual problem...
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