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September 2002Mike also asks a few rhetorical questions about the September 8 event, while Scott Meyers thoroughly reviews that beginning to the Fall 2002 series. And we report on the efforts of local drivers at the recent Nationals in Topeka. Our next event is on Sunday, October 6. Duplication allowed in whole or in part, provided full acknowledgment is given. Mike Driscoll & Garry Swanner , Co-Editors |
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Steve is our Registrar.
Deb is his administrative assistant.
Her position may be unofficial, but Deb and their son Brett constitute an
essential office staff.
They've been handling registration since the beginning of the year.
They enjoy it since it allows them to meet a lot of people.
The initial crush of registration doesn't allow much time for conversation,
however, so they invite you to stop by for a chat once the paperwork slows
down.
Steve, who'd always been interested in cars, got really interested after Deb gave him a three-day session at Bondurant's high performance driving school. Steve has been autocrossing ever since, and also driving in street car sessions on FIR and PIR race tracks. He even spent a few years instructing in NASA driving schools. (I was one of his students in March 2000, and that was the first step on my own path to autocrossing.) Steve notes that road racing may be more exciting, but that the competition in autocross is more enjoyable and not nearly as hard on paint and windshields. Deb's participation in autocrossing increased a few years ago, when she could drive a BMW whose automatic transmission was less intimidating than the manual transmission in their Acura NSX. Now they both compete in a 6-speed Z06. If you missed that red Vette at our September event, it was because it and they were en route to first-time appearances at the SCCA Solo II Nationals in Topeka. When not racing, Steve works as Chief Technical Officer at Radyne ComStream, in the manufacture of satellite communications equipment. Deb is full-time Mom and Household Engineer. |
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Did you get to (or have to) autocross on a wet course? Aren't you glad everybody did? Have you checked out the results from this September 8 event? |
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It’s been quite a year. Tage took a moment in the Drivers’ Meeting to reflect back to one year ago and share what 9-11 looked like and felt like to those caught at the Nationals last year. It was nice to hear that our automotive community stepped up, in its own way, to help deal with the emergency. Indeed, we are one country, united.
On to the more recent automotive news, that is, the September 2002 results from Fall Series Event #1. One hundred thirty seven hardy drivers risked potential wet weather to come out and try their skills. As it turned out, most run groups had brief very light rain, but all had at least one dry run. No puddles, just a visually wet surface. The Subaru drivers were in "Hog Heaven."
In the Open Classes,
Super Stock was a battle of the sexes between Jim and Melinda. Leaving his "gentlemanly tendencies" at the starting line, Jim proceeded to demonstrate the quick way home. Melinda is a real student of the sport, takes great notes, and will likely close the gap as this Series progresses. So it wasn’t just a summer mirage, it really was Brian Peters yet again besting the Miata flock in C Stock, this time by a solid .5 seconds. It appears that Brian has finally learned the Miata speed secrets, much to the dismay of the others. In F Stock, Don Hyland trails the Firebird of Ken Terrell by a bunch, but this was only the first event – plenty of time to improve. A Street Prepared is usually a healthy class, and this event was no exception. As expected, Jason Boles’ 99 Z Coupe came out of the gate strong, and left in his mirrors Pete Creek and Pat Soukup. We’d better watch that 911 of Erik Davis as he has scored well in earlier events too. C Street Prepared is becoming a miniature "Porsche Club", as three healthy 944’s in IT race trim (stripped interiors, roll cage, etc.) battled for the top spot. Today it was Paul Bloomberg with a 917 Pax score, about 34 points ahead of Jan Shank. Robert Freeman in his little Miata probably feels like he brought a knife to a gun fight! Now in E Street Prepared we find the Camaros, Mustangs, and….what?…..Subarus? Yes, Geren Smith is testing the ESP waters with his WRX Turbo. Not a bad first try as he was just over two seconds behind winner Richard Rippy’s Camaro. The F Street Prepared crew, another mini "German Car Club" it seems, had the ‘00 Golf of Joe Murray best the ‘95 Golf of Kevin McPeek by a few tenths. Perhaps that funny-looking Dodge Rampage can add some variety here in a month or two if it can be sorted by then. Someone has to carry on the Solo 2 Dodge Truck Tradition. The Pestel family feud has taken an automotive shape in D Prepared as Janine put down Joseph by a solid .7 seconds in their Spitfire.SCCA has developed some new "Other Classes" in recent years and months, and
Street Modified is one of the more popular nationally, as well as locally. Steve Steele -- ever since he cured his initial case of "Cone-itus" -- has pretty much ruled the roost in his 65 Mustang. Watch him drive next event – he really tosses that monster around with touch and finesse. The newer Mustangs and Hondas can only wonder if their cars are simply…. not old enough! The SM2 boys, Harry and Brant, are having a ball slugging it out, only one-tenth of a second apart this event. The STS crew was smaller this event, and the slightly moist conditions seemed to favor the Subaru of Ron Huber more than past class champion Dave Rock. Just because Ron also drove better surely had nothing to do with his win, eh? STX is also normally larger, but didn’t stop Mark’s Acura from taking care of Richard’s WRX at this event.Arizona Region has some "Local Classes," provided to create more competitive situations for local enthusiasts. The
Pro Class was decimated by the Nationals being held the same week, and lonely Steve Ryan picked up some early points, although did go home and check his deodorant later, just in case. Pax Ladies found two still in town, and Jodie had revenge on her mind as she handed Glenda a .5 second defeat. Sportsman group still had a few regulars in town as Tage Evanson in a borrowed Miata eked out a .4 second victory over Scott’s "aging" Neon. Street Tire 1 always puts on a great show, with the BMW’s, Corvettes, Camaros and the like slugging it out. The "Rohn-mobile" BMW enjoyed a clear victory, with Jack "Where-you-been" Drummond and Sheng Wen Seow separated by only 14 thousandths of a second in second and third. Ryan Yantzer's Corvette was way back in 4th spot, another 25 thousandths. Sheesh. Street Tire 2 for the umpteenth time had a top time above that of the ST1 crowd. Dwight's Focus is indeed that, Focus'd on first place, well ahead of Chad's Del Sol. In 3rd place, the Fiero GT of Bill Zerr continues to challenge, and this one is far from over. Nice to see a few more Street Tire Ladies back in the game. Debbie Cox took first place in her '00 Trans Am, with a returning Chelby Geiss' Del Sol looming real close in her mirrors. Kat Kemper is fresh from Novice class, and is gaining ground fast. There were forty-six cars in our Novice categories, our largest and most popular. Also quite competitive, and a great place to learn the ropes. In Novice 1 the first three cars were only a second apart, but Robert Billson (Mustang) was on the top end of this heap ahead of Ahren Strumpf (Mustang also) and Mike Selland (S2000). The Novice 2 winning score of Ryan Cook (Subaru WRX) was 916, good enough for first here as well as better than the D Stock Open winning time. Hmmm. Second place Doug Roberts and third Kevin Gleaton (both in Sentra Spec-V's) would certainly wish him well should he try that anytime soon. Not to be outdone, the Novice 3 group has it's own little battle underway, with the 91 CRX of Jesse Silva leading the pack at 896, but the Gurka RSX and WRX of Peter Minutella are nipping at his exhaust pipe. Finally, the Novice Ladies are back and it's Corvettes and Miatas contesting that trophy. So far Tamala Rolland's Vette has grabbed the early lead, but Leah Delozier (Miata) and Diana Ossana (Vette) still have plenty of time to improve their techniques.Let's summarize -- not too bad, not too wet, not too dry. Most had dry runs, but not three of them. Cooler but not cold. Lots of people, a challenging course, and a smoothly run event. I can hardly wait to do it again next month. You?
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(Posted 23 September 2002. Reformatted 23 September 2003.)
