This article first appeared in the July, 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.
Catherine Tran
Cal Club Region
SCCA member since 2008
“Growing up with my brother as a father figure, I was naturally drawn toward his interests in anything automotive. Eventually, I started working at FRSport — an automotive performance parts store — surrounded by passionate car enthusiasts. I learned about autocrossing from a close friend, and would randomly come out to autocross practices for fun, but I never imagined myself competing.
“In 2014, however, I was bitten by the competition bug. FRSport built a Subaru BRZ to compete in the STX class, and the company allowed me to demo the vehicle at local festivals. I couldn’t believe how amazing the car drove, so I signed up for every practice and competition to get more seat time. Because our BRZ was doing well locally, our team ventured out to compete in more Solo Championship Tours and ProSolos, as well as track days.
“I was able to meet many amazing and inspiring racers who shared the same passion for the sport. My greatest motivation came from having talented and fun-spirited competitors in my class. They pushed me to drive faster and work harder to be competitive. Their energy and positive encouragement kept the competition enjoyable, and now I’ve built a second family with many members of the SCCA community.
“I wondered how I could give back to this amazing SCCA community to keep the spirit alive for future racing generations, so I volunteered to design a course for a Cal Club Region novice Solo school. I also encourage new drivers at the various events by hopping in their car and instructing. If they ask for advice, I do my best to provide positive feedback and useful suggestions — anything to help pave the way for future SCCA members to gain the insight and experience we received.
“When someone asks me, ‘Why do you compete?’ How do I explain to them the big picture that encompasses all the feelings and emotions of the experiences involved? Sometimes I can’t put it into words, so I get out there, push the limits, and encourage the same in others.”
Storylines/Things to Watch:
Rah, Rah for RA — This weekend will be the season’s second visit to Road America for the July 30-31 Sci Fi Cat U.S. Majors Tour hosted by the Milwaukee Region. Located midway between Milwaukee and Green Bay in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, the legendary four-mile, 14-turn road circuit has challenged the world’s best racers for over 57 years. Follow all the action this weekend at http://www.scca.com/live.
The Cat? — Yes, a cat — the furry, four-legged mammal. As the legend goes, a stray cat that made its home in the woods around Road America befriended corner workers because, well, they often had food to share. The cat also liked to hang around driver Brian Redman. Over time, the cat became a friend to all and was quite well loved. After the feline’s passing, workers created a gravesite in Turn 10 and have since celebrated the cat’s memory each year at this annual race. Still to this day, when the moonlight is just right, many swear to see the cat in the long shadows still enjoying Road America’s atmosphere.
Break from the Heat — The weather forecast this weekend for Road America shows temperatures hovering in the upper 70s with reasonable humidity. That’s a nice change from last weekend’s SCCA U.S. Majors Tour at New Jersey Motorsports Park where high humidity and temperatures just short of 100 degrees tested both driver and machine. Embracing the nice weather this weekend at Road America will be more than 200 racecars spread across seven race groups. Follow all the action live online at http://www.scca.com/live.
Northern Conference Nearing End — This weekend’s racing at Road America is the penultimate SCCA U.S. Majors Tour race for both the Northern Conference and the 2016 SCCA U.S. Majors Tour season. Four of the five conferences have completed their 2016 events. The very final event of the year will take place Aug. 13-14 at the SCCA U.S. Majors Tour at Grattan Raceway in Belding, Michigan. That will also be the last chance for racers to qualify for the 2016 SCCA National Championship Runoffs, presented by Garmin VIRB, being held in September at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Northern Conf. SCCA U.S. Majors Tour
July 30-31: Cat SCCA U.S. Majors Tour @ Road America — Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Event/Circuit:
U.S. Majors Tour Northern Conf.
Northern Conf. — Rounds Nine and Ten of 12
Road America; 4-mile, 14-turn circuit
Qualifying:
Seven Majors Groups
Saturday: 25-min. morning qualifying sessions
Sunday: 15-min. morning qualifying sessions
Races:
Seven Majors Groups
Saturday: 25-min. afternoon races
Sunday: 13-lap or 35-min. afternoon races
Live Timing and Notes:
Live Timing & Scoring, lap notes and more via the SCCA® Pit Board are available for all sessions through http://www.scca.com/live.
Entry lists, full event schedules and more information available at http://www.sccamajors.com.
Photo: Formula F drivers fight it out at Road America
