The Tire Rack Dixie Championship Tour annually draws drivers from across the continent, many fleeing colder weather. Des Toups in D Street came from Portland, OR, but four drivers made the trek from Canada: Dina O’Donnell, Bill Rogerson, Mike Aversa and Omar Elgazzar.
All eyes have been on the Solo Spec Coupe Class since its debut two weeks ago at the Fort Myers Tire Rack Match Tour. Between open and ladies classes, 15 drivers showed in Dixie. In the 10-driver SSC class, Jonathan Roberts led after day one, but coned his fastest run Sunday, leaving the door open for Mike Lawson to take the win. Steven Duckworth and Jeff Jacobs claimed the remaining trophies. On the ladies side, Tonda Lawson continued where she left off in Fort Myers, dominating early and leading after day one. But she couldn’t keep up with Christy Carlson on Sunday who claimed the SSCL class victory and Top Ladies PAX honors.
On the other side of the heat one grid, co-drivers Dennis Sparks and Jordan Towns took first and second place honors in D Street for the third consecutive year at Dixie, but this time in a brand-new 2018 Subaru WRX. Des Toups and Steve Brolliar claimed the third and fourth place trophies.
In heat two, the Canadians took over Street Modified. With Tim White out of the competition this year due to a motor rebuild, Bill Rogerson and Mike Aversa took first and second, dominating in the Subaru. Chaisit Tongsuvone claimed the final trophy position in a Mitsubishi Evo.
In Super Street R, Sam Strano’s Chevrolet Corvette had transmission issues just before first runs on Sunday. He hopped in Steve Water’s Corvette while co-driver Mike Snyder joined Brian Huber. Regardless of the cause, Strano slipped from first to second on Sunday, with Matthew Braun claiming the win. Josh Luster and Steve Waters claimed third and fourth place trophies.
Photo by Christy Carlson
E Street was a giant class with 19 drivers lined up in grid with a mixture of Mazda Miatas and Toyota MR2s. Matt Waldbaum led after day one, but cones plagued his fastest runs, leaving a gap. Steven Hughes took advantage on his last run to slide into first in ES. Charles Mathews, Wes Jenrich, Sean Minehart and Oliver Jones claimed third through sixth place trophies, all in Miatas except Minehart.
Complete Tire Rack Dixie Championship Tour results can be found here.
Top 10 PAX finishers were as follows:
- John Vitamvas, DSP
- Matthew Braun, SSR
- Sam Strano, SSR
- Michael Kuhn, DSP
- Josh Luster, SSR
- Randall Wilcox, SSM
- Tim Routh, KM
- David Marcus, STR
- Dennis Sparks, DS
- Steve Waters, SSR
