July 2002 In this issue, we profile Tage Evanson. Then we look back at the June 30 event held in Flagstaff under the auspices of the Cactus Corvair Club, through a short recap as well as through Scott Meyers' usual review of results. We also do a recap and a review of the local event held at Firebird on the evening of July 13. Third and last event of the Summer Series is Saturday evening, August 10. Mike Driscoll & Garry Swanner , Co-Editors

Tage has always had a passion for cars, especially the Honda and Acura varieties. He began with car stereos and car shows, tried some noisy street competitions, and then found maturity and Solo 2 in December 1998. His long wait for run group E that day saw the weather at Firebird change from windy to wet and windy. Two spin-outs on his first run made it clear that autocrossing wasn't easy. But it was challenging. And fun. And legal. Thereafter, Tage attended as many events as possible, assisting our region as worker chief until a career decision took him to Illinois in June 2000. He notes that midwest winters down right suck, but Chicago/Milwaukee area spring/summer autocrossing rules. A minimum of 6 runs every week for 20-plus weeks constitutes serious seat time. Tage moved back to Arizona in September 2001, and immediately resumed his SCCA participation in the Arizona Region. He placed 7th in DSP at the 2001 Solo 2 Nationals. Tage enjoys contributing to local activities by conducting the drivers' meetings before each event and compiling and posting the scoring results afterward. Professionally, he works for MCI, in Chandler, as an Information Systems Manager.

The June 30 autocross competition hosted by the Cactus Corvair Club at the NAU Sky Dome in Flagstaff was a big success. The weather, although hot by northern Arizona standards, was enjoyably cool for those who came from southern regions of the state. There were 73 entrants, driving a variety of vehicles. Those who were hoping for a lot of Corvairs were a bit disappointed, but found variety in an old Mini Cooper S, a Ford Cobra replicar, a Ford-powered Datsun 240Z, a new Mini Cooper S, a Ford 150 Lightning pickup, and a shifter cart. The course itself was technical and challenging. A select few apex cones seemed unavoidable for Corvette drivers. Others , having chosen not to bring race tires along and hence running on street tires, found the surface slippery. Standings have been posted. As the saying goes, a great time was had by all, there amongst the cool pines. Several local participants were vocally anxious for the event to be repeated several times next summer.

It was a Sunday like any other in peaceful, sleepy Flagstaff, Arizona, on June 30, at least until the small colony of sporty-looking cars and ominous car trailers pulled in to the Skydome parking lot. Slowly they unpacked and set up their pits, and two slender lines of pylons suddenly appeared in one section of the larger parking lot. White chalk lines went down, timing equipment was set up and, voila!, we had ourselves an autocross event in Northern Arizona.

This was a special, one time event arranged through the generosity of the Cactus Corvair Club (CCC), chaired by Tom Schrum. Following a weeklong National Corvair Convention, there was this parking lot, rent already paid. Fat chance that it would go unused. Given the less formal origin of the event, Arizona Region SCCA Solo 2 Group altered its usual way of doing things: four run groups instead of six, all cars placed into PAX'd groupings, dash plaques for all participants instead of trophies. It all went like clockwork: 73 smiling, relaxed entrants (a very workable number), each of whom had four runs at the course.

In Open 1, there were 21 cars. Finishing at the top was "Hulk Huffman" (43.317 raw, 1000 Pax), so nicknamed because, placed behind the wheel of his yellow ASP Lotus Elan, he seems to change color to match the car. He then beats up everything in his path, no seeming about it. In distant second place was "mere mortal" Steve Eymann with his SS Z06 Vette (45.681, 960); Ted Lewis' ASP Lotus (45.189, 959) placed in third. Open 2 group had seven entrants, and Scott (when is he gonna sell it?) Meyers in the red GS Neon (49.112, 951) was in first spot, with the CS Miata of Carol Anderson (47.750, 945) in second spot, and Ron Huber's STS '01 Imprezna (50.451, 926) in third. Open Ladies found Deb Eymann's SS Z06 in first (47.688, 919), ahead of Glenda Meyers' GS Neon (52.165, 895).

Street Tire 1 had ten entries with a variety of vehicles….as usual. First place was Dave Young with his SM '02 BMW M3 (48.467, 907). And, just in case his car suffers catastrophic engine failure like some BMW models have recently, he wanted me to be sure to tell everyone (especially those at BMW) that he's followed the proper break-in requirements. Second place, with a well broken-in 1994 Vette was the AS car of Dan Sniezek (49.688, 872). Third place was Jeff Williams' AS '00 BMW M roadster (50.776, 872). The Street Tire 2 group found some familiar faces at the top when Greg Lauzon's GS '94 Del Sol VTEC (50.557, 923) took first, and Mark Shaw in a borrowed DS Audi TT Quattro (49.873, 921) was second. Only two tenths back in third was Dwight Smith and the red HS '00 Focus (51.221, 918). Street Tire Ladies found Sharon Roberts bringing her current daily driver ('87 RX-7) to Flagstaff on her new Falken tires. She scored well (51.000, 896) and bested second place Jodie Warren's Miata (53.021, 851).

Perhaps it would be interesting to note here that when the Street Tire class groupings were formed it was done so with the logic that the smaller-engined and less-horsepower cars needed to be divided and protected from the "bully" big boys, like the BMW's, Porsches, and Corvettes. You know, the cars that come from the factory with all the "good stuff." However, as it turns out, it is the "Big Boys" that are in need of protection from the "Mighty Mites" since, in all but one series (I believe), ST2 has posted better PAX times than ST1! I see that this trend continued in Flagstaff.

OK, on to the Novice classes. In Novice 1, Charles Nissen must have intimidated the rest of the field as he achieved a lonely first and last place (56.053, 791) with his ESP 1966 Corsa Corvair. Novice 2 had five contestants: Keith Mott with his HS '64 Mini Cooper took first (54.341, 866), Kevin Gleaton's DS '02 SER-Spec V second (53.255, 862), and Doug Rouse' GS '02 Jaguar X-Type third (54.646, 854). Yes, I did say "Jag-u-ar." In Britain it is a three syllable word. It must have been a "Mini" day, as in Novice 3 Richard Rivenes' DP 1962 Mini Cooper was first (49.724, 868). Second was Johnathon Schultz' CSP '94 Civic (52.881, 823) , and third Ian Gill's FSP '93 Honda Accord (54.546, 822). Novice Ladies winner was Elizabeth Pettit and her GS '02 Jag-u-ar X-Type with a 60.185, 776.

All in all a very nice weekend. The weather was cooler, the scenery beautiful and green, and the conditions excellent. Thanks to everyone for helping out and making this a very special event.

Okay, apologies to William Shakespeare. It was a hot and humid evening for the second event of our summer series But light cloud cover and strong breezes made the evening more comfortable than is usual for July (at least for those who don't suffer from dust-borne allergies). After some initial delays, the event proceeded very smoothly. The course was fast, a mini-road course of sorts. Its open design made good use of barriers (as well as the typical lane lines) and helpful green and yellow directional cones. There were quite a few DNF's early in the first run group, but some carefully placed additional cones brought the number of course deviations down to typical levels. A tight stop box that turned away from grid and spectator areas promoted safety, and earned DNF's for the few drivers who hit cones there. As posted results show, the competition was hot. Current within-category standings among those who ran in this event and in the first event of this series (and in the same run category) have been tabled.

Do we have good timing, or what? We hold the Solo 2 event one night before all hell breaks loose! Possibly the worst storm to hit Phoenix ever, we beat it by a day (or night). Lucky us. I hope all of you weathered the storm well.

The Summer Series always brings about some changes in the usual order of things, it seems, and this second event of the series was no exception. For one thing, it's not all the same crowd; another would be that funny things happen in the results. It seems that people sense the more relaxed nature of the evening Summer Series and kind of "let their hair down", or something like that. Folks try new things on their cars, and experiment a little. It's more like a party or happening than an event. One hundred twenty-three of you had a great time on (from all reports) a great course. Lots of compliments to Chuck Voboril.

The Super Stock ranks saw the Corvettes hibernate, and the Mazda duo of Jim and Melinda seized the moment. We saw Jason Isley's venerable older Corvette make it out with dad (?), too, for a real family affair in A Stock. Brian Peters in C Stock brought out the night vision goggles and took his first win in that tight group. I personally didn't know there were any Stock Lotus Super Seven's left, but Tom Errickson brought one out to thump the D Stock wannabes.

Looks like local A Street Prepared has been taken over by Jason Boles' BMW Z Coupe, but I did read a set of results from (I think) Wisconsin recently where he finished fifth in STS class. Just can't let that Subaru rest, can you Jason? E Street Prepared locally looks like a great place to play, with Camaros, Dodge Dakotas and Mustangs slugging it out. Top slugger this night was Richard Rippy in his '98 Camaro. The F Street Prepared German parade was rained on by the lone Honda (HI-YO HONDA!!!) of Mike Shapiro.

The "Man of Steele" and his 65 Mustang is settling nicely into Street Mod . His days of pylon abuse now a thing of the past, he has only disgruntled competitors in his mirrors. Could it be that the rain (oops) reign of the Subaru is over in STS class? It seems that David Rock has found the traction and handling to consistently dominate the pesky Subarus. Apparently all of the Subaru clan chanting, candle-lighting, and bead fondling was for naught as their prayed-for rain came one day too late. I wonder if Subarus can float, too? :) Even in STX, the Goerner Integra Type R "dusted" Imprezas. Let's all sing…."The party's OVER……."

Talk about "Mystical Happenings", PRO class was still won by Mark Huff and Puff Man, but NOT with the top Raw or Pax time. THIS is a news event. Perhaps top Pax and FTD driver Steve Eymann slipped a little something into Mark's hot dog before he ran, or, we may need to start checking for steroids at our events. What a drive for Steve to take the Sportsman class!

Little side note - Pax Ladies Deb Eymann (Corvette) and SS Ladies Melinda McClelland (RX-7) finished one point apart, or 55 thousandths of a second. Good drive Melinda!

Quite a menagerie in Street Tire 1 class this outing. Jim Rohn's family four door BMW M3 left in his wake a Corvette, Camaro, Firehawk, and Supra among others. It's like watching the heavyweights box but without the "Ring Babes" walking around between rounds. Say……I wonder? Naw. :) Nice to see Glenn Lane (94 Camaro) out again, teaching his kids how to have fun the right way! Remember the Pontiac Fieros? Well, the rest of Street Tire 2 competitors do, as the '88 V-6 Fiero of Bill Zerr did the deed on a newer Sentra Spec-V, a few "Foci", and a couple of "Miatae".

In Novice 1 an ASP 911 RSA ran a very healthy Pax time (938) and left the field behind too. George Helser won't be a Novice for long…… Kirk and Chris Lane finished mid-pack, in spite of dad's advice. Imagine when they learn the truth about his old driving stories from long ago. :) The Kozan Altima SE led the way in Novice 2, but only by one-tenth of a second, and (finally!) a Subaru won a class, as in Novice 3, Kristopher Castner's 2.5 RS took care of business. Nice to see a few Novice Ladies out, and I'll bet Tammy Rolland enjoyed herself finishing first. Hope Susan and Kristin return for another shot at learning the ropes.

Well, that's it! Look for more upsets at the last event of the series, on August 10.