End of the year wrap!
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I’m reflecting on my first complete year of racing since leaving California and feeling really great about my life out here but still missing one of my favorite autocross/friendship experiences out in Scottsdale.
I was fortunate to run 11 major events this year – Nashville and Bowling Green Goodguys, Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational at NCM Motorsports Park, Holley LS Fest, NSRA Spring at Springfield, MO, NSRA Nationals at Louisville, KY, Cars ‘n Cones, Cruisin the Smokies, and even managed to squeeze in some Kentucky Region SCCA.
The car performed flawlessly this year. Suzy took the brunt of a couple of mechanical issues (fuel pump, bad ignition) but those were easily fixed and didn’t make us miss too much time on the track. Most noticeable were the changes we made in the looks department for the Optima event. We went further with the gold to gave Plain Jane a bit more of a Trans Am feel. Some gold wrap and carbon fiber tape and fresh wheels was my attempt to garner a few points in D&E on the outside and some aluminum Kirkey seats with fresh upholstery was the inside – I did finally fix my horn as well. I must have done or said something right because I managed to pull off 7th place in D&E – no idea how that happened with the crowd at that event. What I do know, however, is that I raced my ass off, because I really wanted to make a good showing for my sponsor Spectre Performance. The field was stacked with all the usual names and then some who only show up for the fun tracks, including Mark Stielow, Rob MacGregorr and Brian Finch. In the GTV class, I managed to surprise myself! I was top ten in all racing events! I made the podium for autocross coming in 3rd place, Finch was 2nd and Woo was tops that day
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I came in 5th place in the Speed Stop and the biggest surprise of all: I came in 6th place on the Road Course Hot Lap Challenge! My little homebuilt Janie with her stock 350 horsepower on the twists and turns of NCM, came in 6th place! To say that event was a good weekend, was an understatement.
LS Fest was a blast and I managed to come in 17th at Beech Bend out of 150 which normally I wouldn’t feel so good about but Brian Finch came in 15th, so I’m okay with it. Beech Bend reminds me of Pleasanton Goodguys with its park filled with grass and trees – lots of bull****ting while sitting in the shade…just like Pleasanton.
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Goodguys events hold a special place in my schedule. I always dig running Goodguys, regardless of how crowded or messed up they can get, they are our autocross family reunion. And, I can say with all honestly, they are succeeding at all they do to help us have fun. Goodguys has put more effort into the autocross than in years past and it shows. Great courses, great people running the fun and I felt like I got an exceptional amount of time on track this year. Out here in the Southeast we start our season at Nashville with a lot of fun and great crowd. I managed to come in 5th at Nashville, 6th at Columbus and 7th at Bowling Green. I am definitely feeling like I need to step up my Goodguys game and go pro in 2017 but that won’t change the fun for me if I don’t.
I have many friends in this sport and industry; you are my motivation and driving force to make those long hauls and show up for race day. Without many of you, I would not be able to do this. First and foremost I need to thank Spectre Performance and Michael Morrow. I have worked with Spectre since the early days long before K&N came to town and I appreciate all you continue to do for our sport and for me. This year’s contribution of twilight autocross at Columbus was AMAZING. Additionally, Evil Stig would never have been born without you.
I also need to thank Tanks Inc for the best damn notched LS tank out there, Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil for the highest performing oil for my LS truck motor on the market, Mr. Gasket/ ACCEL Performance Group for your purpose built electrical components that never fail me, Baer Brakes for the absolute best braking components in the industry (No way I would have performed so well at NCM Speed Stop without them!). Thank you Ron Sutton, for your continued encouragement and support of this hobby and for geeking out with me over suspension and tuning. K&N Filters allows Jane to breathe and clear her oil freely. Detroit Speed AND UMI Performance Inc.helped me keep the boat from rocking this year and BFGoodrich Tires kept Jane planted
I saved the best for last: Without the friends and friendships that Suzy and I have made since leaving California none of this would be remotely interesting. We have been so fortunate to fall into a community as rich and colorful as the one we left in California. Camp autocross and the Low Country Boil just get better and better and the trash-talk is at an all-time high. Forging these friendships with not only drivers but your families has made our life here amazing – I can hardly believe it’s only been a couple of years. Many of you helped Suzy when she broke down without me and I can’t tell you enough how trusting I was in her taking off in the car knowing you all had her back.
2017 will bring more events in general, and more for me with some vacation time on the books. I am looking forward to the addition of NSRA (more runs that you’ll get anywhere), LS Fest, Goodguys
