All Along the Watchtower, autocross fans are following this year’s rock ‘n’ rolled themed Tire Rack SCCA^® Solo^® National Championships, taking place Sept. 1-5, 2025, in Nebraska’s capital city at Lincoln Airpark. By day’s end, the first set of Solo Nats Champions will be found from as many as 40 competition classes.

Follow this concrete concert live, online at sololive.scca.com for current timing/scoring, as well as audio from DJs covering all the Heats. Be sure to monitor the Tire Rack SCCA National Solo and SCCA Official Facebook pages, too, for ongoing updates, videos, and photos. SCCA.com is an additional outlet as well that keeps the beat for one of the biggest events SCCA conducts every year.

If you’re at the Solo Nats show, remember your presence doesn’t count if you don’t share it on social media. Tag your posts with #SoloNatsHasStarted and #funwithcars so others know you’re awesome…and they could’ve been.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Trophies from Kiesel Guitars

For a rock ‘n’ roll-themed competition, there’s nothing more apt than having guitars as trophies. Sure enough, that’s what’s happening in 2025 thanks to Kiesel Custom Guitars and a family of diehard SCCA Soloists.

The Kiesel clan has been an integral part of SCCA Solo in many ways. You’ve got papa Jeff, a Solo Driver of Eminence with 17 National Championships and four Solo Triad Award honors, as well as matriarch Shawn with another 13 Solo Nats victories. Daughter Kaila has won three times, too, as has son Zak.

Luckily for SCCA, Jeff is also vice president of Kiesel Guitars. Since 2013, he has made a few prized guitars available each year that are awarded as very special trophies.

"It's an honor to be able to craft these guitars based on the annual theme,” Jeff said. “Drivers put in so much work each year, and it means a lot to be a part of their huge accomplishments."

The five guitars up for grabs this year are based on the company’s Kyber model launched this year. Each one has been finished with a very iconic rock/metal crackle finish and features its own custom inlay design across the fretboard. This brand-new model was created to push the levels of what is possible today, with notable changes including a thin body design, modern aggressive headstock, an extra-sculpted neck heel for easier upper-fret access, and a unique body that allows for comfortable playing in any position.

A couple of these practically priceless instruments have already been awarded. Billy Davis, the Johnson-Clark-Johnson Cup recipient recognizing ProSolo’s Super Challenge Points Championship victor, earned one guitar. Kim Whitener, who won her eighth Fletcher Cup recognizing ProSolo’s Ladies Challenge Points Championship winner, earned hers Because All She Wants to do is Dance to excellence.

Two more guitars are earmarked for the Solo Nats top PAX performers from Tuesday/Wednesday and Thursday/Friday. The final guitar goes to the winner of CAM-S running Tuesday/Wednesday at Lincoln Airpark.

Kiesel has been building world-class guitars, basses, and pickups since 1946 for pro and hobbyist musicians alike. The extremely rare musical instruments created for SCCA members have been handcrafted by a small set of skilled artisans in Southern California, and each piece requires about 35 hours of painstakingly delicate work.

Known for high-quality workmanship, and industry leading use of exotic woods, the company offers countless combinations of custom options so you can design your own custom shop instrument at an affordable price. So if you don’t earn one of the five limited-edition trophy guitars this year, head to the Kiesel Custom Guitars website and order up something nice so you can play like Ziggy Stardust.

Wednesday’s Can’t-Miss Afterparty

Lots of Soloists are yet to play Wednesday on the two featured autocross stages at Solo Nats – and when that show is over, everyone is invited to the Tire Rack Event Center (TREC) VIP Backstage Tent for the annual Tire Rack Solo Awards Celebration starting around 5:45 p.m. local time.

Like any concert backstage VIP space, there will be free food and beverages for all rockstars and entourage members. The first set of Solo Nats winners will be lauded, and the names of significant Solo Award honorees will be unveiled.

Wednesday evening at 7:45 p.m. is when the Solo community will hold its annual “In Memoriam” session. Everyone is invited to gather for that Sunset Remembrance Toast, which occurs near the Solo Impound Scales located between the two competition courses. It’s a chance for people to join together and remember those who have departed, but who will always be part of SCCA’s spirit. This is a ‘bring your own tissues’ engagement.

Photo: The Kiesel guitars up for grabs at Lincoln Airpark this year.

Picture Courtesy of Kiesel Custom Guitars