MONTEREY, Calif. (October 12, 2014) – Erik Stearns, of Van Buren, Ohio, was named 2014 SCCA Spec Miata National Champion Sunday after the first six cars from Friday’s race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca were penalized following post-race inspection for unapproved modifications.
Stearns started the 20-lap, 45-mile race at the 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit in 12th position in his No. 97 East Street Racing/Eds 24 Hour Service 2000 Mazda Miata. He moved into the top 10 on lap three, and advanced to seventh on lap 17, a position he would hold until the checkered flag.
Seventh place is the lowest position a driver has ever crossed the finish line and been crowned champion in the 51 National Championship Runoffs events.
“What happened this week, with so many cars being non-compliant, is unfortunate. We need to ensure that this moment is a trigger for a positive change in this class,” SCCA President Lisa Noble said.
Matt Schultz, of Clackamas, Oregon, who finished eighth on the track in his No. 11 SMI Motorsports Inc. 1995 Mazda Miata was awarded second. Matt Reynolds, of Boerne, Texas, finished right behind Schultz in his No. 74 Reynolds Brothers Racing/Vintage Connection/X Factor 1999 Mazda Miata, and was awarded third place.
The 51st SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, The Pinnacle of American Motorsports, crowned Sports Car Club of America’s Club Racing National Champions at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Friday, October 10 through Sunday, October 12.
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Final results for Friday’s SCCA Spec Miata National Championship at the 51st SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with finish position, starting position in parenthesis, driver, hometown, car and laps complete. 1, (12), Erik Stearns, Van Buren, OH, Mazda Miata, 20. 2, (16), Matt Schultz, Clackamas, OR, Mazda Miata, 20. 3, (15), Matt Reynolds, Boerne, TX, Mazda Miata, 20. 4, (17), Jason Rawlins, Hillsboro, OR, Mazda Miata, 20. 5, (9), Will Schrader, Happy Valley, OR, Mazda Miata, 20. 6, (21), Rusty Dees, Phoenix, AZ, Mazda Miata, 20. 7, (18), Steven Powers, Mesa, AZ, Mazda Miata, 20. 8, (14), Tim Auger, Monterey, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 9, (19), Ken Sutherland, Sherwood, OR, Mazda Miata, 20. 10, (27), Barrett Tilley, Fremont, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 11, (20), Luke Bickham, Dallas, TX, Mazda Miata, 20. 12, (11), Marco Gallaher, Santa Rosa, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 13, (25), Eric Jones, Eugene, OR, Mazda Miata, 20. 14, (32), Joe Rombi, Pebble Beach, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 15, (22), Larry Fraser, Novato, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 16, (31), Jordan Wand, Portland, OR, Mazda Miata, 20. 17, (30), Mason Filippi, Alamo, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 18, (33), David Varco, Bonita, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 19, (28), Dean Busk, Chandler, AZ, Mazda Miata, 20. 20, (36), Michael Babcock, Surprise, AZ, Mazda Miata, 20. 21, (35), Leeson Grant, Danville, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 22, (39), Ramon Niebla, Arcadia, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 23, (34), Juan Pineda, San Francisco, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 24, (38), Russell Lindemann, Longmont, CO, Mazda Miata, 20. 25, (41), Kent Carter, Houston, TX, Mazda Miata, 20. 26, (43), Devin Dahn, Peoria, AZ, Mazda Miata, 19. 27, (42), Nels Lewis, Portland, OR, Mazda Miata, 19. 28, (40), Randy Cummings, Herriman, UT, Mazda Miata, 19. 29, (44), Brad Green, Seattle, WA, Mazda Miata, 19. 30, (45), Jim Graffy, Vancouver, WA, Mazda Miata, 13. 31, (24), Jason Starr, Portland, OR, Mazda Miata, 4. 32, (13), Jason Godfrey, Menlo Park, CA, Mazda Miata, 4. 33, (29), Michael Collins, Woodbine, MD, Mazda Miata, 3. 34, (1), Mark Drennan, San Jose, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 35, (3), Andrew Carbonell, Miami, FL, Mazda Miata, 20. 36, (4), Brian Ghidinelli, San Rafael, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. 37, (10), Tyler Kicera, Manheim, PA, Mazda Miata, 20. 38, (8), Craig T Berry, Tyler, TX, Mazda Miata, 20. 39, (5), Jim Drago, Memphis, TN, Mazda Miata, 17. 40, (7), Joey Jordan, Fallbrook, CA, Mazda Miata, 16. 41, (6), Charlie Hayes, Walnut Creek, CA, Mazda Miata, 1. DNS, (23), Seth Rowley, Bay City, MI, Mazda Miata, . DNS, (37), Dave Dunning, Portland, OR, Mazda Miata, . DQ, (2), Kyle Kaiser, Santa Clara, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. DQ, (26), Michael LaBouff, Los Gatos, CA, Mazda Miata, 20. Overall Time of Race: 35:48.962 Average Race Speed: 74.983 mph Margin of Victory: 12.086 seconds Fastest Race Lap: Kyle Kaiser, 1:45.263 (76.540 mph) Sunoco Hard Charger: #48 Joe Rombi Lap Leaders: Laps 1-20, Mark Drennan
Notes: #2 Drago, #10 Drennan, #12 Ghidinelli, #17 Jordan, #22 Hayes, #29 Berry, #44 Kicera, #79 Carbonell moved to last finishing position in order of finish per SOM - GCR 9.1.7.C.1.f.4 (cylinder head) #88 - Disqualified per Chief Steward - GCR 9.1.7.C.1.f.5 (cylinder head) #04 - Disqualified per SOM - GCR 6.11.1 (On course driver conduct)
2014 SCCA National Championship Runoffs
