As soloists around the country gear up for The Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships in September, The Tire Rack SCCA Solo Championship Tour concluded last weekend’s Pacific Northwest Championship event in Packwood, Wash.The 252 entrants enjoyed favorable conditions for the entire weekend, with temperatures ranging from the high-70s to mid-80s. The shorter-than-normal course received good reviews from the competitors, including those who traveled from Idaho, California, Oregon and Canada.
On Friday night, the racers were welcomed with a small party consisting of small snacks. However, the big bash took place on Saturday night at the Packwood Community Center. The SCCA Northwest Region was responsible for the event that featured a catered feast, as well as a raffle.
The competition was tight, as one might expect this late in the year, with four classes being decided by less than 0.1-second.
In Street Modified, Eric Hyman (Cobb Surgeline/ Nissan GT-R) was third after day one of competition. On day two he came back, setting the best time in the class on his last run. With that run, Hyman took the 0.084-second victory over Russell Mayer (Monica Mayer Nissan 240SX).
Gilbert Calkins (GBC Racing Dodge SRT-4) was another come-from-behind winner in Street Modified FWD. Bonnie Mueller (Mueller Larson Osterman Yuva L Ford Focus) held a 0.025-second lead after day one. Calkins would not be denied, laying down a day-two best run of 42.567 seconds, a time good enough to take a 0.03-second victory.
Brian Hemming (PDM Racing/OSGiken Mazda Miata) beat out fellow Canadian, and teammate, Jim McLaughlan (PDM Racing Mazda Miata) in C Street Prepared by a 0.013-second margin. After day one, McLaughlan held the edge, but Hemming put it together on day two to take the narrow win.
In F Stock, Jill Snell (Progressive Automotive BMW M3) took the win over Caitlin Snell (BMW M3) in a mother/daughter affair, using the same car. After the first day of competition, Jill had taken the lead by 0.304-second. Caitlin made a charge on day two, but came up 0.083-second short.
The Tire Rack SCCA Solo Championship Tour — running the traditional National Tour format — has one last stop for 2013 in Wilmington, Ohio. The Northern States Championship, Aug. 3-4, will be the final tune-up leading to the National Championships in September. More information on the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Program is available at http://www.scca.com/Solo.
More information, including results, from The Tire Rack Solo Pacific Northwest Championship is available here.
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Packwood Championship Tour