Base to host inaugural 'Keesler Motorsports Fest' Published Aug. 17, 2012 By Master Sgt. Thelmo Frias 81st Medical Support Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The Gulf Coast Region of the Sports Car Club of America has teamed up with the 81st Force Support Squadron to offer Keesler Air Force Base community the inaugural "Keesler Motorsports Fest." Sept. 22-23 will be full of motorsport activities on Keesler. There are two venues -- the Keesler Marina will host their 9th annual "Cruising Keesler" classic car and bike show while the lot on the corner of Phantom Rd. and Hangar Rd., will welcome the auto and bike customization crowd. There will be several vendors profiling their cars, products and services, along with several of Keesler's private organizations offering food and drinks to purchase. Also, music will be played and raffles will be drawn at both venues. While this is all happening, the Gulf Coast Region Sports Car Club Association will be conducting their 4th installment of the TireRack Street Survival Course on Keesler Air Force Base. The class is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22nd with a classroom portion at Professional Development Building 2902 and a hands-on portion on Ramp 3 of the flight line. The aim of the school is to reduce deadly car crashes involving teenagers, beginner drivers, as well as experienced drivers by providing them a controlled setting where they can gain valuable hands-on experience in car control in real-world situations. It's not a course for learning how to drive at high speeds -- safety and car control are the objectives. Space is limited to the first 30 participants. Those with driver's permits and parental consent are allowed based on space availability. Registration must be received and a $35 fee for participation must be paid by September 18. To reserve a spot in the course, or for more information, call 228-376-3448 or email keeslerautox@gmail.com. To see the class in action, search for "Keesler Street Survival" on YouTube. As part of the Keesler's weekend events, the Gulf Coast Region's Sports Car Club will host their 9th Autocross of the season. Autocross is one of the fastest growing driving events. It's a sport in which you are timed while driving through a maze of cones in your vehicle. You compete with similar vehicles, and at the end, the fastest time with the least knocked over cones wins. This type of sport improves your reaction time and allows for a more vigilant driver out on the roads. If you would like to sign up for the Autocross portion of the event, or would like more information email serendib@bellsouth.net.