Who's Going?
We're just a couple days away from our first return to Lincoln since the 2015 Tire Rack Solo Nationals. The Tire Rack ProSolo Series is about to hit the best site in the country, Lincoln Air Park in Lincoln Nebraska. Hosted by the local Nebraska Region SCCA, this event has been a pre-Nats staple for people from the East, West and even Central coasts to get early testing done on the site of our National Championships. Here's what you have to look forward to:
The change of street tires in stock hasn't scared away all the Hoosier hopefuls, as we see the return of Jeff and Denise Cashmore to a Corvette in A-Street. The last National event they were in a Corvette was when their previous C4 Vette was a top contender in A-Stock). Maintaining the family theme are Marcus and Jennifer Merideth in their brand spanky new Shelby GT-350 Mustang (Make sure there aren’t any curbs or crowds!). Get set to watch these dueling couples to square off in a battle of V8's and big rubber.
R1: Making the drive up from Central Florida Region is past F-Mod National Champion Darren Seltzer in a new car since his pair of jackets in 2013 and 2014. Driving the car he won those jackets in will be none other than Zak Kiesel (with many championships to his name in FJ). After some recent sorting and repair, the Kiesel Pod Racer seems to be near top form and ready for this Lincoln battle. Father Jeff will have his E-Mod somewhat-of-a-Sprite there. This car has enough jackets that they could be sewed together and made into a car cover for the vehicle that won them. Not to be shorted in the FM battles is Jason Hobbs who is the returning Champion in the class. From the center of the country come Dave Whitworth and Ron Ver Mulm sporting two opposing companies monster V8's (ponie and bowtie respectively). These two V8 monsters together are sporting more power than every other car in the class combine. It's been said that these two aren't allowed to line up against each other because all the glass in Lincoln would shatter at once. Hopefully we get to find out. From the South out of Lone Star Region is last years E-Mod runner up Jason Minehart in a V8 Stalker. All of these hopefuls will be going against Clements Burger who put a hurting on R1 in Wilmington just a few weeks ago. This battle could be a hint of what might happen in September for the Championships.
ES will for this event be known as "2007's C-Stock". Michael Ron sporting what was the car-to-have on R-comps, the Mazda Miata Sport Package. The big change and new breed of street tires has flipped the table making the previously less competitive Toyota MR2 Spyder the recent car de jour. With some Pro wins already under his belt in said car, Paul Brown looks to keep the points streak going in his 2003 model. Not willing to admit the old model is out, Chris Bailey will be there in his 1993 MR-2 loaning a co-drive to Miata.net’s favorite Alien, Andy Canak. If you're not familiar with the car, it’s a bit of a town bicycle having been in the hands of Jeff Cashmore, Robert Carpenter and possibly many others. This car has it's fair share of jackets.
FSP is empty this weekend. Oddly missing one Sir Van Townsend... I'm sure he figured if he didn't show up that he could escape a mention in SoloMatters. Not so lucky sir! Known for his wild outfits, and odd car choices (Chevy Piece of Sprint), Sir Townsend of the Townsend clan of Dorset has been a staple of the Solo scene since his arrival many fortnight ago. The event will sadly have to continue on without his presence.
If you haven't noticed the trend, SSR tends to be some of the best drivers fighting in a very tight class. This weekend isn't any different. Recent gold chain and Corvette purchaser Adam George received his first taste of SSR and it was a bit of a rough one. Don't expect his competitors in Lincoln to be easier. Past champ Tony Savini will be making the trip out from Philadelphia region with co-drive Jeff Jacobs. Also showing up is Driver of Eminence, Brian "freaking" Peters. Oh yeah, it’s gonna be fun!
It's going to be one heck of a weekend with the Tour following. Tune in starting on Thursday to both SoloLive and UStream for all the action!
