Randy Pobst is a multi-time SCCA® Solo National Champion, multi-time Runoffs® National Champion, multi-time Pro Racing champion, and (to top it off) an SCCA Hall of Famer. His motorsport adventures have led him to being a factory driver for Porsche, Volvo, Mazda, and Audi, and he’s been the chosen wheelman for a number of amazing opportunities, including driving a wild Tesla Model S Plaid in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Pebble Beach Concours.
It all began on an autocross course some 45 years ago in the Southeast, and continues to this day, with Randy’s SCCA roots laying out a lifetime of #funwithcars.
Reaching the 45-year mark for SCCA membership is incredible – and to be nonstop active and downright competitive through those years is utterly astounding. Consequently, we couldn’t help but ask Randy how his motorsports adventure – which began with SCCA – has been going, and what’s on the horizon.
“I’m still on track almost every week, somewhere, including the SCCA Double Regional at Daytona,” says Randy. “My buddy Jack shared a ride in his ’04 Pontiac GTO. I saw so many long-time friends, like Sherri and Phil Croyle, racers and now stewards sharing the wisdom of ‘The Vortex of Danger Appendix P’ to reduce crashing. And Corvette Hero Butch Kummer. And stalwart SCCA supporter Fran Martin. And many more.”
Randy’s also working with Hagerty on numerous YouTube shows, including Icons, Drag Race, and Lap Battle with Jason Cammisa.
And don’t forget what’s in his garage: “There’s The Randit ’77 Trans Am, a 38-year barn-find GT1 ’76 Corvette, and even my original first race car VW Cup ’85 Golf,” he says. “Yeah, I’m overwhelmed but get a lot of help from some terrific partners.”
Randy’s next adventure is one that’s really fascinating.
“Very soon, I’m off to The Rock, for Targa Newfoundland, a week-long tarmac rally on closed public roads, taking place Sept. 11-18,” he explains. “Three hundred miles of timed stages, and 1,200 miles of transits between them, make for a truly epic competition adventure like almost nothing else on Earth. For me, nothing beats the thrill of legal street racing, winding across the beautiful countryside, then into a tiny fishing village, past homes, churches, and stop signs. Feels like Stirling Moss in the Mille Miglia.”
Targa Newfoundland requires smart driving.
“The pavement can be rough and dirty, weather varies, and most of us get no practice; we rely on our navigators and the route book, rally style,” he says. “You must drive at a pace to make the finish, leaving margins, because the risk of damage is everywhere. But that challenge raises the rewards of the drive. A lot. It’s intense, and long, and there’s no option to go off or even drop a wheel. It’s just too risky for that. My pulse races as I write, and I can’t wait to get back up there.”
It wasn’t long ago that Randy participated in another Targa, this one in the Georgia area and hosted by SCCA.
“I ran an SCCA Targa event in an Exocet open car with Jason Owens, twice, before I got to the big daddy Targa Newfoundland up north,” he says. “In SCCA’s Targa, we did track daytime trials, autocross, and rally for four days and 1,100 miles, in a car with no doors, top, or even windshield. And loved it! Why sit staring at your computer when you can live life magnified?”
SCCA Targa events give a taste of the traveling competition adventure of Targa Newfoundland. The variety, camaraderie, and endurance elements all add up to a new kind of decathlon of many skills, Randy explains. Still, the extreme element of Targa Newfoundland is like nothing else.
“At Targa Newfoundland, we’ve won both of the last two years we’ve run,” Randy adds. “In 2023, we had a 2013 Mini GP. I worried it wasn’t fast enough, but my highly experienced teammate John Hume said it’s the perfect choice: light, agile, balanced, and reliable. It’s a long week and you’ve got to make it to the finish. The high-power cars have trouble with the tight turns and low grip of many stages. The Mini is a quick and steady pony you can trust. We did have a skid plate, but we only banged it a couple of times in all those miles. On the other hand, it only takes one good shot to the oil pan and you’re done. I recommend a skid plate.”
Last year, Randy got an offer from a St. John’s local and Targa alum, Paul Abbott. His entry? A 1989 Porsche 911 Targa. “A Targa for Targa,” Randy exclaims. “Only 200 horse, stock with just a set of shocks, and 35 years old. Paul had it really well prepped and it was a pure joy.”
Randy will be back at Targa Newfoundland this Sept. 11-18 in the Mini GP. Forty-five years into his motorsports career – which all began with SCCA Autocross – and as fast and enthusiastic as ever.
That’s the Randy Pobst we know and love.
Photo by Rupert Berrington
