Ridetech drivers and Ridetech sponsored drivers going to OUSCI (
OPTIMA ULTIMATE STREET CAR INVITATIONAL) in Las Vegas
Let’s talk about Jane Thurmond and her Red Corvette she calls Scarlett. Jane is new to the pro-tour/race scene, but not new to cars. In fact, while still in high school, Jane was lured towards cars by her now- husband Greg. Over the ‘Camp Autocross’ fire pit at Del Mar one year, Jane told the story of how she and Greg met. Loving the story when I heard it, I asked Greg for his side of the story:
“So we lived in the West San Fernando Valley, CA. I was 23 and she was 17. The donuts I asked her out for were not the kind you eat, but she didn't know that at the time. It was a rainy night and I had my Red 69 Camaro 4 speed 4:11 posi, 14:1 compression small block w/dual quad cross-ram at the time. This was a drive-with-the-rear-wheels kind of car, so I went to one of my favorite spots and did like twenty donuts until she was dizzy. Jane was screaming but absolutely loved it, so she had me from then on. Every other girl I ever drove with always said ‘slow down!’ but not Jane. Later she drove that Camaro everyday for years, and of course she learned how to do donuts. So to be exact, the streets were Fallbrook and Woodlake, that is where we went for donuts. We sold that car to buy our first House years later.”
Late last season Jane and her husband Greg were approached by RideTech West salesman John Meadows about giving RideTech’s new Corvette-tuned shocks a try. Greg couldn’t turn down the offer with John’s promise of a two-second improvement at the finish line. Greg recently commented that, “The current shocks have made a huge difference in how the car handles. Jane and I learned so much about car handling by trying all the different shocks, springs and sway bars I could get my hands on. But the adjustable shocks we ended up with are amazing. We can loosen the car up for autocross which is necessary for grip on small Goodguys type courses and then we can tighten it up for the higher speed road courses at the Optima events.”
Jane has raced, Goodguys’ events, Run to the Coast events and tons of autocross track days, sharing car duty with her husband over the last 2 years. Jane started out driving with a small group of core racers in California and has steadily improved along with the car. Now taking the racing seriously with diet and exercise and car updates and RideTech adjustable shocks, she has her sights on a great showing at OUSCI. Jane is another one in the pits you won’t miss, laughing, joking and handing out hugs until it’s go time…Have Fun Jane and remember: Kick Ass!