ARIZONA REGION – Britt hails from NE Ohio & found his way to Arizona, like most re-located Mid-Westerners, in search of sunny days. He quips, "Being from the Cleveland area, where the sky is gray 300 days a year, it got very depressing especially by February." (This is a fairly common story among transplants, especially from that area!)
He lived in Florida for awhile while attending the University of Tampa, and found that Florida has no elevation changes and only 90 degree corners on the roads. "Arizona seemed a much better place to spend my sunny days. Canyon roads? … ooooohhhh." (Yes, we certainly have some of those for ya!)
Britt got interested in Motorsports through his brother. "I have no idea how he got interested in it, though. Anyhow our hero was Jim Clark & I've been a Lotus fan since. Almost convinced my dad when I was 16 to buy a used twin cam Europa. To this day when I see one, I have a Pavlovian response." (Who doesn't? Tail wagging, tongue drooping and drooling. Not to mention the Elan and now, the Elise!? Ooooooh!)
"I got interested in sportbikes after my move to Arizona and then really got interested in racing up and down various Arizona canyon roads with my buddies. Then I met my wife, sold my bike, got an econobox, and before I knew it, I was looking for an adrenalin release." (A guy can't just sit around the house, you know. That release has to be taken care of!)
"That’s what lead to Autocrossing, I suppose. By this time it was the late 80s. I entered maybe 3 events in 1989. At that time, Don and Sharon Roberts were running the events at Tempe Diablo Stadium, and their MGB was the 'king of the hill.' My daughter had just been born, and I was cash poor, but I had some Goodyear Eagle GT’s on my ’84 Mazda 626 automatic, and I went for it. I still think that automatics are faster autocross cars than manuals, especially on the 4 cylinder cars…left foot braking, keeping your foot halfway down on the gas to promote earlier downshifts, etc…but a crippled tranny after two events convinced me to get a manual next." (You think Manfred ought to read this? LOL) "That car was a ’90 Civic EX 4 door- the start of my EF Civic 'sickness.' I only entered one more event though."
"Along with my new daughter, I was starting a business and was sinking all my money & time into that. I didn’t enter another autocross for sixteen years, Sept 2005." (Ah, the Jones calls you again, and after taking care of the "yada, yada, yada" and getting established, out comes the new ride and then the improvements, tires, and a string of Series' wins!)
"Since my Fall ‘05 novice season I’ve spent most of my time in STS until this past fall when I entered ST1." (Much to the dismay of other competitors, Britt has taken to the RWD Honda like a fish to water! His string of wins may be interrupted, but not for long. Nothing like putting the bar up for the rest of the competitors. "Y'all in a heap o' trouble!")
Britt has other interests as well: "Every couple of years I like to climb something challenging. The last few were Mt. Shasta, Whitney and Mt Rainier (summer ’06). I also love to canyoneer/rappel in Zion National Park, but since I’ve started Autocrossing I’ve just been putting on the pounds. Ugh, better start getting back into shape." (No, Britt, you had better not! The competition will be SO overwhelmed if you lose those extra few pounds! Gotta give them SOME kind of handicap.)
Britt is Vice President of Construction (in Phoenix) for an Arizona Home Builder. Sounds like he has put his time in with the toolbelt, hammer and nails and has impressed said builder to the point of being the guy with the nice truck and the busy cellphone and pager? Wanna bet he still gets out there and pounds a few nails and hangs panels and sheetrock and all that builder stuff? After all, once you slow down your physical involvement (and hiking and climbing endeavors), one tends to put on a lot more weight, and nobody wants to see that! Oh no!
Britt has shown that his driving skills are exceptional. He gets involved with new folks and is also always wanting to learn. (Beware! Those S2000 guys are all conspiring together! They will only get faster!) Another happy smiling face in our group, and a good fellow! The Pylon Press is proud and happy to feature Britt this month. Who will be next??? Only the Shadow knows...