The 2016 Packwood ProSolo wrapped up on Sunday. 138 competitors had the opportunity to try their hand at the Tim Weidemann designed courses. Beginning with the welcome party on Friday evening and continuing through both days of racing, much fun was had thanks to the friendly folks of the Northwest Region.
The weather report showed a chance of thunderstorms for Sunday, but when the event began Sunday morning, the asphalt was still dry. It remained that way until moments before the Ladies Challenge began, when one lone rain cloud planted itself over the site and let out just enough moisture to make spots on windshields.
Three junior karters in FJB kicked off Sunday’s competition. Kash Langley of Umatilla, OR, sponsored by Duke’s Auto/Langley Motorsports took the class win by over 2.2 seconds.
The next group to take to the course was the ladies of L2. After Saturday competition, Laura Molleker was leading the 7-driver class with Kristi Brown close behind in 2nd place. On Sunday morning Jessica Gauthier found time on the left side course and rocketed herself into 1st place in her 2016 Subaru WRX. Kristi Brown remained in 2nd, just 0.160 second behind Gauthier. Lacey Otis found time on the right side and edged out Molleker for the 3rd and final trophy position.
The ladies of L3 also ran during the first group. Both Annie Gill and Kate Fisher found time on both courses Sunday morning. Tasha Mikko found time on the right side course and was able to keep her lead over the class. Gill finished 2nd and Amy Coleman improved enough on the right side to move into the 3rd spot. Kate Fisher took the 4th and final trophy position.
Above: F-Street Class Picture
In B-Street Dan Bullis and Brian Coulson were just 0.033 seconds apart after Saturday’s competition. On Sunday morning Bullis made up time on both courses, while Coulson only found time on the left side. Bullis stretched out his lead to 0.563 second and took home the win in the Sins Performance Chevrolet Corvette.
The ladies of L1 took to the courses during group 2. Caitlin Snell drove the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution of Geoff Clark Racing to a first place finish in the 9-driver class. Bonnie Mueller took second place, while co-driver and daughter-in-law Jennifer Mueller took third.
After Saturday’s competition, Cam Withell held the 1st place position in A-Street with first time ProSoloer Rex Ayers in 2nd ahead of Glen Hernandez. On Sunday morning Hernandez was able to find almost a half-second on the right course to move himself into the top spot. Withell fell to 2nd, just 0.089 second behind Hernandez.
The 11-drivers of F-Street continued their battle on Sunday morning. Both James Paulson and Stacey Molleker improved their times. Paulson was able to move himself up to the 2nd position; pushing Molleker back to 3rd. Brian Meyer found enough time on the left course to move up into the 4th and final trophy position, edging out Matthew Ales by just 0.006 second. While Ryan Otis was not able to improve on Sunday in his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS sponsored by Stranoparts.com, his times from Saturday were fast enough to keep him in 1st place. On a side-note, Sean O’Boyle has decided that Mustangs have more torque than he desires and you will find him back in the BMW M3 in the near future.
Above: B-Street Class Picture
At the end of competition on Saturday, Chris Thorpe was leading the way in the 14-driver class of STU. Sunday morning, Bryan Heitkotter was able to find just enough time on the right course to move himself ahead of Thorpe. Heitkotter took the win in the 1994 BMW 325is sponsored by Milts Service Garage, beating out Thorpe by just 0.072 second. Thorpe took 2nd with Jonathan Lugod in 3rd, Mack Tsang in 4th, and Steve O’Blenes in the 5th and final trophy position.
In STR, Kevin Dietz was able to find time on both courses Sunday morning. Unfortunately for Dietz it wasn’t enough to get ahead of Ron Bauer in his 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata sponsored by Mazda Motorsports/Bauerspeed Racing. Dietz finished 2nd in class, just 0.042 second behind Bauer. Charly Spyksma, Bauer’s co-driver, took the 3rd and final trophy position in the class.
The hard luck award for the event should go to co-drivers Jason Merritt and Joey Sim. The 1989 Nissan 240SX they were driving in SM broke the rear diff while Jody Fordahl was driving the car in L1 on Saturday afternoon. Merritt and Sim rushed to get parts and had the car fixed by 7:30 Saturday night.
During Sunday morning competition the car broke again while Fordahl was competing. This time an axle gave out. Merritt and Sim were able to get the car repaired in time for their final runs in SM.
Above: Sunday Afternoon Thunderstorm Developing…
Sim’s name was drawn for the Bonus Challenge, but everyone wondered if the car would make it. In his first round Sim knocked out Carson Orud. Sim then drove against Richard Willy and won. In the final round Sim beat Brian Crow to take the Bonus Challenge Win.
Tasha Mikko, the winner of L3, went on to get her first ever Ladies Challenge win. In her initial round, Mikko was paired up with Annie Gill. Unfortunately for Gill, she got a red light. Next Mikko went up against Laura Molleker and Molleker also got a red light. In the final round of the Ladies Challenge Mikko beat out Lacey Otis, leaving Otis in 2nd place. Caitlin Snell took 3rd place in the Ladies Challenge.
In the Round of Four of the Super Challenge, SS winner Monty Pack was paired up against AS winner Glen Hernandez. Kevin Dietz (2nd place, STR) was paired up against FS winner Ryan Otis. Hernandez took the win over Pack and Otis took the win over Dietz.
Above: Jim Daniels vs. Chad Langley
After the round, when Dietz drove back toward the grid to shake hands with Otis, Dietz exclaimed, “My clutch just blew up! I gotta push it. It won’t move!”
Dietz was to go up against Monty Pack for the 3rd place runoff, but without a working car, Dietz would have to forfeit. Upon hearing this, Dietz’s class competitor and good friend, Ron Bauer, sprinted across the site to retrieve his own car and offered it up to Dietz. Dietz took his final run in Bauer’s car and though his times were fast, they weren’t quite enough and Monty Pack took 3rd in the Super Challenge.
In the final round of the Super Challenge Ryan Otis and Glen Hernandez lined up with Hernandez on the left and Otis on the right. Though he was back quicker, Hernandez hit a cone on his run, giving Otis an advantage. When they lined up again, Hernandez red lit, giving Otis his first ever Super Challenge win.
It was a great weekend of racing amongst the tree-covered mountains of the Pacific Northwest. The Northwest Region did a fantastic job of hosting the event just like they always do. Here’s to hoping we get to return to Packwood next year.
2016 SCCA Runoffs Registration Opens July 20
Registration for the much anticipated 2016 SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®, presented by Garmin VIRB, is slated to open Wednesday, July 20 at 9am Central Time. It is strongly urged in advance of registration that drivers verify that all the information contained within their online SCCA account is correct and up to date. Specifically, review account information to make sure Region of record is correct, membership and license is current, and membership numbers are correct. If problems exist, please contact [email protected].
At time of registration, competitors can also reserve paddock space for a fee. A limited number of grass paddock spaces may be available without reservation at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis, and at the direction of the Paddock Marshal. An interactive paddock map is available for viewing online at the Event Spaces tab found at the Runoffs homepage.
There will be an option for free participant camping for tents and self-contained trailers/RVs. Again, those interested will need to sign up during online registration. Those spaces are non-reservable and will also be filled first come/first parked. Additionally, trackside motorhome camping reservations can be made through Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. When purchasing a trackside RV space through the track, be sure to mention you are a credentialed participant so as not to be charged for a spectator ticket. There is an onsite dump station, but electric or water hook-ups are not available in any area.
The winner-take-all SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®, presented by Garmin VIRB, will consist of 23-lap races September 23-25 on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course’s 2.25-mile, 13-turn layout for all 28 Runoffs-eligible classes. Each Class will get a 15-minute qualifying session each day — Monday through Thursday — to set starting grids. The fastest time over the four days will earn the Tire Rack Pole award, to be presented during Thursday’s all-participant party. The Thursday night party, on site at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, will also honor the newly crowned SCCA Worker of the Year selections.
Of note for 2016, based on survey data from participants, qualifying sessions will run at a similar time in the day as scheduled races. Also this year, some qualifying sessions will run as “seamless.” The class marked first on the schedule will run for 15 minutes, while the second class will move from grid and stage in pit lane just prior to the conclusion of the previous group. When the first class or group has received the checkered flag, the second group will be released. Cars that are safely stopped on track but need assistance getting back to the paddock will remain until the second session in the seamless qualifying is complete. These sessions are clearly marked on the full schedule, and will only share time on the grid, not the track.
Photo Caption: Robert Mazza making his way around Mid-Ohio, site of the 2016 SCCA National Championship Runoffs, presented by Garmin VIRB
This article first appeared in the March, 2016 edition of SportsCar Magazine. SCCA members can read the current and past editions of SportCar digitally here after logging into their account; To become an SCCA member and get SportsCar mailed to your home address monthly in addition to the digital editions, click here.
Upgrade Disorder ˈəp-ËŒgrÄd dis-ˈȯr-dÉ™r: Replacing a perfectly good vehicle part with a higher performance part instead of leaving good enough alone.
Angela Carlascio’s women in amateur motorsports journey continues, this time with a disorder that knows no gender
A true gear head, regardless of gender, knows the definition of upgrade disorder by heart — yet denies having it to no end. They refuse to add up receipts, and then hide the parts from their significant other unless they first had to obtain funding approval. The problem isn’t only the cost; it’s going overboard. Just because a part can be upgraded doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be. It didn’t take long for it to hit me. So, how does one manage upgrade disorder?
First, consider performance value. We would all like to believe that if we throw more “performance” parts at a car, we will become faster — and the more expensive the part, the faster we will go. Sadly, the math doesn’t add up. Often it is the driver who makes the vehicle go faster — but that’s not my lane in SportsCar; I’ll leave it to Randy Pobst to upgrade that disorder. I’m instead going to give you pointers on the decision-making process.
The key is to find performance parts that complement your driving style. The key word in that sentence is “your.” If, for example, you get on the brakes earlier or harder than the guys around you, their tuning route might not necessarily be right for you. Don’t be afraid to do what you believe will work best for your driving style.
Once you’ve figured out the parts you need, the next problem is getting those parts on the car. Remember my first article? Performance parts will rarely, if ever, be a direct fit. Don’t let that stop you. This is where the research lesson comes into play in seeing what tools you need, what others encountered while performing the same modification, and preparing for the possible needed assist (remember what I said in that previous article — everyone needs a helping hand eventually). And as frustrating as it is to have parts not fit, everything you do on your car can help you with the next project. It’s a machine of parts that must work together to perform, so don’t shy away from the project.
Where do all the tools you need for the latest project come from, the garage fairy? Umm, no. Some tools we have to purchase, borrow, or beg for. So, while we upgrade the car, we also often upgrade our garage with new tools — although watch the costs. There are tools you may only use one time, while others will be used to excess. Research the tools, then purchase — or borrow for free, as many automotive parts stores offer free specialty tool rental.
“One thing,” as The Fixx says, “leads to another.” It’s an upgrade law. You upgrade this and you have to upgrade that because (as stated) it’s a machine of parts that have to work together, so be prepared. How many people upgraded their brakes but didn’t look twice at the brake master cylinder and lines? Here is a general tip: Look at what you want to upgrade, then follow the trail to see everything affected by it. It’s not a scary trail, it’s a realistic one.
If you’re going to do something, do it right — but don’t overdo it and don’t get caught by the upgrade disorder. Now make a plan, get in your garage, and get to work!
Words by Angela CarlascioImage by iStockPhoto.com/Denis_prof
On this past Sunday, the 2016 Tire Rack Match Tour season concluded with all too many satisfied soloists leaving PittRace, each in their respective caravans towards their home regions. The weekend was grand, made possible especially by a site as supportive and pleasant as PittRace. They even have a track dog by the name of Turbo, and he was absolutely adorable, his name notwithstanding. All contingencies were off for Sunday, which meant every driver was focused on having fun qualifying as fast as their mind and machine would allow, rather than on winning some silly tires. Despite some talk of a few loose sections during Saturday’s competition, the course definitely picked up some speed for qualifying runs. Any Saturday evening quibbles were ousted with a variation of, “I was definitely faster this morning.”
Unlike with ProSolos, the top qualifiers from each heat make it in to the Top and Under Dog brackets. Sam Strano laid down a 46.2 to take the top qualifier position in heat one, but decided to pass on competing in the challenge, bumping the following 16 drivers into the brackets. In heat three, Martin Valent managed his infamous MR2 to a blisteringly quick 45.5 to take the top qualifying spot, he claimed FTD for the weekend too.
As the Top Dog bracket racing began, times began to drop, drivers were breaking out past their dail-ins from earlier in the day. In heat three, Danny Kao piloting Oscar, the NB CSP car, was able to fend off all of his fellow heat three drivers to move on to the final, three-way battle. Heat two’s bracket winner was Gregory Vincent driving his yellow B Street S2000. Matt Jones was the victor in from heat one. In their three-way battle, tensions were high. The timing displays were switched off and the announcer did not share times as each competitor crossed the line. First one across the line was Matt Jones, Matt had been consistently going faster with each bracket pairing, but also steadily decreasing his dial-in. He powered across the finish, clean and solid run. Next across was Vincent, and like a crisp bolt of lighting, also finished with a clean run. For the final run, all eyes were on Danny Kao, and has he began the course and now seeing it for the fourteenth time, he was really shifting. On the second to last turn, he got on the power heading towards the finish; a bit of oversteer, a little bit more of oversteer, a lot of oversteer, and then the rear tires decided to cross paths and change rolling direction. Kao brought his reversing car to a stop as spectators paused in silence. The announcer came on and declared Matt Jones the winner with another properly quick 48.2 break out run. Excellent driving by all competitors in the Top Dog challenge, you put on one heck of a show.
Moving to the Lucky Dog challenge, Megan DePietro’s hear her name most. First, she fought off Matt Parson in his XP V8 Miata. The next competitor was Sara Odioso, who just nicked a cone on the back slalom. In the final bracket, DePietro faced off with Lloyd Willis in his HS mini, but Megan prevailed and piloted her beautiful Nitrous Blue RS through to the finish closer to her dial-in, and winning the Lucky Dog bracket! The final bracket on Sunday afternoon was the Under Dog challenge, the drivers qualifying ninth to sixteenth in each heat compete here. Kyle Herbst emerged victorious from the first heat bracket, Chett Wohlgamuth from the second heat, and Andrew Merrow from the third. Merrow went on to win the Under Dog challenge with a clean and fast run. Fantastic driving by all drivers on Sunday afternoon.
With another two National Tours on the horizon for east coast competitors, the cars will not get but a few days’ rest, if even unloaded from their trailers. Huge thanks again to PittRace for hosting a phenomenal weekend, and even with other events taking place simultaneously, the event flowed flawlessly. Next up, Wilmington!
