Despite the presence of ‘Pro’ in the name, you don’t have to be a professional racecar driver to compete in ProSolo events. These events incorporate the head-to-head competition utilizing a ‘Christmas Tree’ starting light of drag racing into autocross. A single-elimination bracket is used to decide winners in the Super Challenge and Ladies Challenge, with an additional Bonus Challenge for drivers who did not qualify for the other two brackets based on margin of victory.
John Li describes the course in his post to OppositeLock: “There are two mirrored courses, or as close to mirrored as possible considering the site limitations. To account for any inconsistencies between the two courses, you do both sides at a time, and your score for the event is the best left side time plus your best right side time. Each competitor gets three sets of runs consisting of four runs each: two on the left and two on the right. In each set, these runs are done essentially back-to-back-to-back-to-back, with no allowance to return back to grid to do things like setup changes or tire management.”
As Li described throughout his account of the weekend, most drivers have a preference between sides of the course. Whether it’s a preference of direction or the car is not perfectly balanced, one side will typically be better than the other. That is part of the excitement of ProSolo.
For Li’s full post, including a mouth-watering review on the food available at the Blytheville event, click here.
There are three ProSolo events remaining in the season: Packwood, WA, Wilmington, OH and the Finale in Lincoln, NE. Click here for more information on ProSolo and upcoming events.
So here we are, round two of the back to back events in the autocross paradise that is Packwood Washington. Round two will feature what is my personal favorite format, the ProSolo. 12 runs over 2 days, it is the best bang for the buck in National competition. This round features a pair of courses designed by Mike Brausen out of Minneapolis Minnesota that promise to be fast and flowing. If you have ever found yourself complaining that the turn-out is too quick after the start at a Pro, these full 200′ starts will hopefully tickle your fancy. In the words of Jeremy Clarkson “POWEEERRRRR!”
Starting out in the smallest class (stature, not numbers), Formula Junior B has some budding talent cut from the cloth of National Champions. Abigail Dorsey, daughter of multi-time National Champion Chris Dorsey, will be bringing her 2009 Mini Magnum kart to the battle ground this weekend all the way from Littleton Colorado. Being fast in a kart at high altitude brings some advantages when you come closer to sea level and pickup that additional power from the air density change. Traveling North from Livermore California is Erika McKee, daughter of multi-time National Champions Andy McKee and Teresa McKee. The McKee’s are right up there with the Kiesel’s and Cashmore’s as a dynasty family of autocross. Hailing from Lolo Montana is future F-Mod driver Connor Barnhouse, son of multi-time trophy winner Glen Barnhouse. And of course the local representative Jared Hyman, son of SML National Champion Laurie Hyman, will be looking to keep the win close to home this weekend. All of these fine kart drivers will duke it out on a pair of course that will challenge them to believe in the grip and go in hard to every corner.
Looking on to the adult sized classes, a standout in A-Street is Grant Reeve flying in from Sturbridge Massechuets with wife Stephenie Reeve (running L1) co-driving with Glen “Hurricane” Hernandez in the 2004 Corvette Z06. Grant has been a regular in the trophies in Super Stock sporting a similar looking V8 under the hood. A couple other names to watch for in Street class, Annie Gill again running boyfriend Scott’s S2000 in open B-Street, as well as Kevin Youngers making the trip up from Greeley Colorado with his 2012 Mustang GT. All of which will provide exciting match-ups for this weekend.
In STS, Bailey Sampson will be providing the only non-Civic based vehicle in a 1991 Mazda Miata. If you’re like me, you always cheer for the underdog (it’s the nature of being a Minnesota sports fans). Let’s root on Bailey as he takes on past Packwood Pro Challenge winner Stephen Hui, past National Champion Jeff Wong, and a fleet of other quick drivers.
SSM will bring about the rematch from Crows Landing of David de Regt’s Lotus Elise vs Godzilla pilot and owner Eric Hyman. Last time around de Regt walked away the winner, but will he be able to repeat this weekend? Also don’t count out Bob Bundy or Duke Langley. Langley ran an insanely fast time day 2 of the Packwood Tour that no one else in Street Mod could touch last weekend.
As always, tune in Saturday morning to enjoy all the action of the Packwood ProSolo, and find out which of these many competitors can come out on top, and carry those final West coast points into the Finale.
