The SCCA Board of Directors has, unfairly, been accused oftentimes of favoring one program over another. This week at the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships in Lincoln, the Board of Directors have grabbed their helmets and become an active part of the event.
Four of the 13 area directors — Chairman John Walsh, Vice Chairman Dick Patullo, Brian McCarthy and Terry Hanushek — are on the entry list this week. Most have been to Lincoln before, but haven’t participated, and all have experience in the SafeRacer Club Racing program.
“We were told that to really understand the experience, you have to compete,”Patullo, who is co-driving in C Street with Mike Cavanaugh in the No. 74 Sally’s Riding Stable Nissan 350Z. “I’ve never done a Solo in my life — I’ve done everything else in the Club, I think, but I’ve never done a Solo. They said people will appreciate it, and you’ll get more of the experience. People do seem to appreciate it, they’ve been really supportive.”
it’s not that the Directors haven’t been interested in driving before.
“This year is a matter of opportunity,”Walsh said. “We had somebody wrangle us cars. I’ve run exactly three autocrosses in my life, and it’s never been pretty.”
And none of them knew what to truly expect before jumping in the car. Patullo took a turn on the test and tune course, but Walsh, Hanushek and McCarthy — the latter two co-driving in an H Stock Mini — have to wait until the Thursday/Friday sessions to test their mettle.
“Heyward [Wagner, head of SCCA’s Experiential Programs Department]sent us an email and told us who we were hooked up with, and there was a sense of evil laughter when I got it because all of my experience is in small bore stuff — Spec Racer, Volkswagen IT cars, little Nissans — and I opened the spreadsheet up and I seemed to be firmly planted in a B Street Corvette,”Walsh, who is co-driving with Matt Feeney, said. “I don’t know if that’s revenge, or if I’m here to provide amusement, but I’m looking forward to it.”
And though competitive as Club Racers, each of the Directors has been realistic about their chances this week — they know the Solo program at this level is a serious effort. But they also understand that being involved helps them understand the process at its’ core, from registration through the award ceremonies.
“John Walsh the driver wants to kick as many asses as possible, but reality says there’s not a chance that’s going to happen,”Walsh (ed. note – he was answering the question as it was phrased and doesn’t make a habit of referring to himself in the third person) said. “John Walsh the Chairman is here to really appreciate this program. I spent two years as liason to the SEB, and this is my fourth year here at Solo Nationals. My real goal is to better understand the program. “
Patullo understands that as well.
“When you’re coming here as a Director, you have responsibilities to go around and talk to people and gather information. I didn’t want me playing at something to interfere with that, but so far it’s working out. I have to get up a little earlier and my feet hurt a little more, but I could use the exercise. There’s still time between rounds to interact with people and maybe there’s a little more openness now that I’m not just some outsider.”
There is an unofficial competition amongst the Board members, and, not surprisingly, every one of them picked a different person to do the best (ahem… themselves).
Ultimately, along with President Lisa Noble, SCCA Pro Racing President Robert Clarke, and three other staff members that are not usual Solo participants competing this weekend, the takeaway is to just be involved and carry over some lessons to the rest of the Club.
“A lot of people in our Club, especially the side that I’m most active in, Club Racing, totally misunderstand autocross,”Walsh said. “They don’t understand how difficult it is, and they don’t understand that it’s an entirely different social atmosphere than Club Racing, where everyone tends to be wound a little tight. This is a social happening — this is Woodstock, this is Burning Man, but with cars. it’s a very cool event, just because of the ambience and every one’s attitude. I’m here to enjoy the event.
“Solo is where our numbers are, it brings us great members, and a lot of our Solo leadership feels like second-class citizens. We really don’t understand why, because on the Board we don’t consider Solo a second class program. If you ask any Board member what we need, it’s more members with a Solo background. Right now we have Tere Pulliam from the Atlanta Region, and we welcome that because we value her input and background. Marcus Meredith served in the same way. More than half of our members autocross, why is it such a small part of our Board?”
2014 Solo National Championship
It took each of her allotted three runs, but Mandy Owen, of Phoenix, Arizona, did what she needed to do to earn her second consecutive National Championship in E Street Prepared Ladies. At the controls of her No. 96 Goodspeed Performance Subaru WRX, Owen entered Wednesday’s competition with the class lead.
After second runs, Owen’s lead was gone due to a cone penalty during her first run and a clean, but slow, second run. Donna Marx, in the No. 66 Thanks Jeff Cox Ford Mustang, set the fastest time of the class on the East Course, and took over the lead. With the leader in the clubhouse, Owen put down a clean run that was good enough to earn her the Championship by 0.198-second.
“I am floored I was able to come away with the win,”Owen said. “I started the day with the lead and had two horrible runs. Donna [Marx] was running so well, and I knew my back was against the wall. All I wanted to do on my last run was have a clean lap with a fairly decent time, since the first two weren’t.
“I came across the line and saw my time and though ‘I didn’t do it, it wasn’t enough.’ It wasn’t until I got back to the grid that I found out I had taken the win. it’s kind of crazy. I’m just flabbergasted.”
In D Street, Michael Wood, of Alamo, California, pulled off the win in his No. 98 Thanks Justin Subaru WRX. Wood started Wednesday’s competition in third, with a 0.301-second gap to overcome. On his final run of the meet, Wood laid down the fastest time of all drivers in the class, which allowed him to seal the National title.
“This sounds cliché, but this week was all about having fun,”Wood said. “Prior to this event, I had a total of six runs in this car in San Diego. I was fortunate enough to do well there, so I asked Justin [Moore] for the co-drive.
“The results were beyond expectations. This win is a little bittersweet as this class lost a great man earlier this year. Honestly, I would be happy if I could have been second to Jim [Feinberg]. I’m stoked. it’s a nice surprise to have won.”
Rachel Kerswill, of Reno, Nevada, took home top honors in C Street Ladies. Kerswill (No. 88 MAZDASPEED Mazda RX-8) earned the title while facing some stiff competition, namely multi-time National Champion Meredith Brown.
Heading into Wednesday’s competition, Brown was the class leader by 0.207-second. Kerswill wasted little time in setting a fast time, as she her opening run proved to be the quickest of the class on the East Course.
“I was really nervous heading into the event,”Kerswill said. “I knew I was up against Meredith Brown, who is a National Champion. I felt like I prepared the best I could, but I’m always nervous up until the last moment when everyone has finished their runs.
“I knew she [Brown] was way ahead of me heading into today’s runs, so I knew I was going to need to pull out something big. It feels great to come out on top when my back was against the wall, like that.”
In Street Touring FWD, Lee Chhit, of Huntsville, Alabama, claimed the National Championship title behind the wheel of his No. 36 Custom Chip Connections/Outdoorsolutions4u.com/MINIUSA.com Mini Cooper. He entered his final day of competition with a 0.772-second advantage over Travis Sackwar. On Wednesday, Chhit did what he needed to do to preserve his class lead and finished with a 0.243-second margin of victory over Andres Rodriguez.
Mari Clements (C Modified Ladies, No. 94 Van Diemen Honda) and Susan Anderson (D Modified Ladies, No. 87 Craig’s Photography Lotus Super 7) ran unopposed in their respective classes.
The Tire Rack Solo Nationals continues through Friday. More information can be found at SCCA.com/SoloNationals.
2014 Solo National Championship
Lincoln, Neb. (Sept. 3, 2014) — Three of the Tire Rack SCCA Solo program’s highest honors were given out Wednesday night at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, as part of the Wednesday’s Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships awards banquet. The Solo Cup, Spirit of the Sport and Driver of Eminence award were all awarded prior to the official coronation of 26 National Champions.
The Solo Driver of Eminence award was given to Shelly Monfort, of Saratoga, California. The award is given yearly to the Solo driver who not only displays a high degree of skill behind the wheel, but also promotes sportsmanship, dedication and unselfishness. The winner is selected by the Solo Events Board, from a pool of nominations made by the general membership.
Behind the wheel, Monfort has competed in Solo, Club Racing and even professional-level racing. Throughout her time in the sport she has put in time as a driving instructor for beginning and experienced racers. In addition, Monfort was part of the committee responsible for selecting the recipient of the Wendi Allen Scholarship. The scholarship was created to assist up-and-coming female soloists further their motorsport ambitions.
“I started racing when I was 16 years old,”Monfort said. “I wasn’t very good at it for a long time, but I stuck with it. Talent is fortunate, but tenacity is what’s earned. I’m still learning it, and I’m sure all of you all. I would say, if nothing else, just don’t ever give up on yourself.
“I’m just one person, and I know so many other people in this audience that have put in so many hours and you put your heart into this. I hope I can live up to what all of you have done. it’s a gift that we all bring to this sport, and it’s what makes it great. I thank all of you for that.”
The Solo Cup was given to Robert Chrismas, of Genoa, Ohio, for his lifelong contributions to the Solo Events Program. Like the Driver of Eminence title, the recipient is selected by the Solo Events Board from a group of members’ nominations.
Chrismas served as the Northwestern Ohio Region SCCA Regional Executive in 2004 and 2005. Currently, he serves as a Director at Large for the region.
“About three sentences into that, I looked over at my wife and said ‘no, really?'”Chrismas said. “The Northwestern Ohio Region has given me a platform to work with some wonderful people who make me look good. I’m deeply honored and completely thrilled by this, and hopefully the rest of my week will go this well.”
The Johnson Spirit of the Sport award was given to Van Townsend, of Arvada, Colorado, for the fun-loving spirit he has displayed and promoted throughout his time in the sport. The award, selected by a committee of the three previous winners, is named in honor of the initial recipient, Roger E. Johnson. The award is given to anyone in the Solo community that ‘upholds the spirited virtues of FUN, CAMARADARIE, and TOMFOOLERY,’ as it is engraved on the trophy itself.
The SCCA Nebraska Region presented an $8,000 check to the SCCA Foundation, during the evening. The check represented the donations made my competitors who utilized the practice course on the north side of the competition site.
The SCCA Foundation is the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) arm of the SCCA that supports select automotive educational and safety programs. Currently, the major efforts are directed towards several youth educational and safety initiatives including the Tire Rack Street Survival® Program, Formula SAE, the Carroll Smith’s Mentor Cup and the Bob Woods Cup.
The remaining National Champions will be decided following the final day of competition on Friday, at the Lincoln Airpark. The banquet for the second wave of winners will be held Friday evening, again, at the Lancaster Event Center.
Follow the action through live timing at http://www.sololive.scca.com, live audio from the east course at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/solo-nationals-east and from the west course at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/solo-nationals-west, on the SCCA Facebook page at Facebook.com/SCCAOfficial, or on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.
More information on the Tire Rack SCCA National Championship is available at http://www.scca.com/solo.
2014 Solo National Championship
Heat Two
A former Street Touring® X runner-up, Jeff Stuart, of Santa Barbara, California, earned his first SCCA National Championship, topping a 55-car C Street class, overcoming a 0.231-second deficit in his No. 193 Berry Family Racing/www.racetraceapp.com Nissan 370Z. Tuesday leader Chris Fenter, of Greenville, Wisconsin, finished 0.313-second behind in his No. 189 Mazda MX-5.
“Winning a National Championship feels amazing,”Stuart said. “This is my fourth year here and I’d been close before, in second, but it’s nice to get one. I came here with my own car for the first time, and it was real close at the end. After Tuesday, I was feeling comfortable, but then after first runs all that comfort went away, with Chris [Fenter] putting down such a fast run on his first run. There are so many unknowns here and I’m just relieved and very happy.
“I want to thank my co-driver, Mike Nakata, for towing the car here and the Berry Family for all the support and being my home away from home in the Cal Club Region events.”
Despite feeling that he left time on Wednesday’s east course runs, Mark Huffman, of Litchfield Park, Arizona, earned his fourth SCCA National Championship, the second in D Modified driving his No. 99 Lotus Elan. Huffman led by 0.780-second after Tuesday, and held on to top two-time defending class Champion Jeff Cashmore’s No. 197 King Motorsports Lotus 7.
“Jeff [Cashmore] has really pushed me the last few years to be a better driver and I know if I’m not on the top of my game, he’s going to capitalize on it,”Huffman said. “Luckily enough, I got to capitalize on it this year. I was not happy with my runs today. The car was pushing a lot and I made a few changes that didn’t seem to help.
“I’d really like to thank my wife for supporting me and pushing me to be faster.”
Michelle Miller, of Federal Way, Washington, earned her second Street Touring® FWD Ladies Championship, leading all the way in her No. 95 TCKline Racing/425 Motorsports/DirtFish Rally School MINI Cooper.
“It feels really great to win another Championship,”Miller said. “The car was great. The courses were fun. It was a good time. I want to thank TC Kline Racing for all of the suspension help, 425 motorsports for all of our safety gear, DirtFish Rally School, Drift Office for the dyno time and, of course, my husband for being awesome and helping me build the car.”
Heat Three
Andrew Pallotta, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, took home his second National Championship, this time in at the wheel of the No. 85 ChaseRace/StranoParts/Drift Office/Annie FTW Scion FRS in Street Touring® Xtreme. Starting the day in the fourth spot, Pallotta had a 0.120-second deficit to overcome. On his second of three runs on the fast West Course, Pallotta set a time that would earn him the title provided it held up.
Former National Champion Bryan Heitkotter, in his No. 18 Team KW/Z1 Motorsports/ AIT Nissan 300ZX and Tuesday’s class leader, Lance Keeley in the No. 108 Nameless Performance/Bartuned/Link Garage Subaru BRZ, did what they could to knock Pallotta, but had to settle for second and third.
“I came in without much pressure,”Pallotta said. “I’ve been running Super Street R most of the year, but my co-driver, James Newman, had to have shoulder surgery. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to come to Nationals. I thought STX would be a good fit, since it was unfinished business from last year.
“The competition was really close after day one. I was really happy with yesterday, since I’ve never been strong on the West Course. I did what I had to do yesterday and was hoping to get ahead enough for today’s racing. I wasn’t happy with the last run, because I know there was a 62-second pass in the car. But, it was enough for the win, and that’s all you need.”
The Tire Rack Solo Nationals continues through Friday. More information can be found at SCCA.com/SoloNationals.
2014 Solo National Championship
Time for Part 4 of Choose the Champs: Street Modified. Today, we speak with Jank Frayson. Jank is a long time muscle car guy, born in an era when cars were made of iron, stone and the hides of mastadons. The wheel project was just completed as Jank got into cars and he absolutely couldn’t get enough of making his whip faster. So, on to Frank’s picks!
- SM – Street Modified class should be a fun class to watch this year. Eric Hyman has been traveling all over the country with his Nissan GT-R (appropriately named “Godzilla”) in tow to get seat time at National level events and has been driving well. Tyler Faucett will be looking to improve on his performance from last year, and G-Fab Racing is spreading its’ talents out amongst a couple classes, so Todd Kean will be piloting the Panda (v2). However, we are going to have to go with David White to bring home back-to-back wins in Street Modified driving the new and improved G-Fab Nissan 240sx. We are sure the 2012 Nissan GT-R will be handful, but are looking for Laurie Hyman to take the win in Street Modified Ladies, margaritas will likely be flowing in paddock if that happens!
- SMF – Street Modified FWD was dominated by Honda Civics last year taking the top 10 spots in class, this year looks to continue that trend. Lots of talent and fast cars should make this class exciting to watch. Andy Hollis is forever tinkering with the OneLap Honda CRX to make it better and certainly can’t be ruled out, and neither can last year’s champion Chris Haydu. Brian Kuehl has been strong driving the 2012 SMF winning Honda CRX this year, but we are going to select Jinx Jordan in his to take the top spot in SMF. Look for a fun battle in Street Modified FWD Ladies this year between Ginette Jordan and Rachel Baker, our selection to take home the jacket is Rachel Baker.
- SSM – We’re looking forward to all of the talent that Super Street Modified has to offer meeting up in Lincoln. Matt Glagola in the Elise, Randall Wilcox in the Miata, Martin Valent in the MR2, along with both Brian Johns and Jake Namer in their respective RX7’s should be in the mix. PJ Corrales will be one to watch piloting “Panda”and if Tom O’Gorman makes the trip to Solo Nationals you will have to watch out for both drive in the G-Fab car; all that being said, we think that Carter Thompson is the driver to beat in Super Street Modified. They are looking for more entries in Super Street Modified Ladies, but at this point we are going with Jodi Fordahl to add to her handful of jackets.
This will concluded our Choose the Champs articles this year. If you would like to see more, reach out to SoloMatters via Facebook and let us know. We’d love to have more writers to make even more picks in 2015!
Time for Part 3 of Choose the Champs: Street Prepared. Today, we speak with Hilda High-Sprung. Hilda runs her own race team, High-Sprung Racing, featuring a 1969 Honda N360 Civic. They aren’t fast, but at least the car breaks a lot to keep them all busy. Hilda knows all about replacing hubs in grid and flaring fenders, so let’s get to Hilda’s picks.
- SSP – Super street prepared has had some monstrous battles this year. Andy Hohl is always a strong competitor, but don’t count out Eric Stemler as his recent build is a monster. All that being said, we will give the nod to Joe Tharp. He’s had years of seat time in the car and at Lincoln and always fast and consistent. In SSP, we have to go with Amanda Meinen and the yellow McGeorge Corvette.
- ASP – ASP, the loud the proud the boost buggies. Aaron Miller should be able to reclaim his championship this year. Tom Berry and Marshal Grice definitely cannot be counted out though! We’ll give Christine Grice the nod in ASPL, but we can’t count out Mindi Cross as she’s always a strong competitor.
- BSP – Last year Robert Thorne had an excellent performance raw timing all of SP, so it would be really hard not to give him the nod this year. Likely we’ll see Mike Lane and Lee Piccone in the trophies. We expect to see Amanda Hahn reclaim her title as BSPL National Champion. She is getting stronger and stronger every time she gets behind the wheel.
- CSP – Tim Aro is always a strong competitor, but he has been lacking an important thing this year; seat time. We expect to see him in the trophies battling it out with John Hunter as he tries to reclain his title in CSP and his co-driver Matt McCabe, but don’t take your eyes off of Billy Davis he sure is quick! Though as a consistent and strong competitor I think we will have to give the not to Bill Schenker this year. Sue Eckles is always fast in her Miata and will be gunning to keep her Championship title in CSPL this year, but watch out Sue, Katey Lacey and Gretchen Austin sure can’t be counted out, they are getting very quick in their new car.
- DSP – John Vitamvas is really bringing the power house this year. He is getting much more used to his car and pushing it hard. We expect to see him launch his way to the top of the class in DSP. Not to be ignored though is his co-driver Julian Garfield a very strong competitor coming from the Formula Junior program.
- ESP – Greg McCance is expected rally his car to the top of ESP, to reclaim his national championship in ESP. Dave Ogburn III definitely one to watch though as he could undoubtedly put it together and bring it to the top. We expect to see Dave Heinrich and Ryan Finch to continue their tight competitive battles, with Jadrice Toussaint. Lorien Feighner having previous championships in the class and always a very strong force to be reckoned with with be battling it out with Mandy Owen last years national champion in ESPL. Mandy is no slouch and will be driving hard to reclaim her title.
- FSP – FSP has a new dynamic this year bringing the first generation CRX in to the class, but it isn’t expected to shake things up too much. We still expect to see Kevin Wenzel wheel is way to the top of the class. Jeff Zimmer not to be counted out always fast an a very consistently strong competitor. Steve Meritz is signed up this year and expected to do very well, and also new to the class is David O’Maley who is consistently in the trophies at Nationals. Lisa Krueger-Burgess has many years in her FSPL car and always very fast. We expect to see a battle between her and Jamie Yost for the title of FSPL National Champion.
