Teeing Off Again at FIR

Spring 2006 Series, Event 1 of 4

by Mark Johnson

Firebird International Raceway – February 11, 2006

From the early on, it was clear the first AZ Region Solo of 2006 was going to be big. Organizers were scrambling even before the event started with a record number of pre-registered entrants. The reason behind the demand were not as evident, maybe the move to the East Valley and FIR, maybe the lack of a January practice day, or perhaps it was the previous 16 weeks without a drop of rain prior to the event that drove everyone into a Solo frenzy. Whatever it was, 196 drivers came out to the Firebird International Raceway skid pad for fun day of local autocross competition. With clear skies, a slight breeze and temperatures headed for 75 degrees, the day did not disappoint.

In spite of (or more likely because of) a new crew of specialty chiefs for 2006, event chair and newly appointed Solo Director, Brian Peters, kept everyone on schedule. After a comprehensive Driver’s Meeting which detailed some of the new rules, such as the advent of the Extreme DNF for any cone hit after the finish lights – do it twice and your out; the first car was out by 9:15 AM.

The course, designed by Victor Malchesky, started with a dogleg to the right into the Founder’s Circle loop. The top of the loop was medium sized 180-degree left turn down leading to the duck hook at the bottom of the loop just in front of the gallery. The second time around, the course sliced to the right, around another 180-degrees while building speed into an optional two-cone slalom that offered either a tight entrance with good exit or a wide entrance and reasonable exit at the expense of extra distance. Either way led to a fast fade where the big dogs could eat, around the far corner and dove into a four-cone slalom with the finish offset to the right that tested the driver’s short game. The course featured wide gates allowing drivers to select their line, had good dynamic range and offered a nice balance between transitions and steady-state corners. Those drivers who pushed too hard found themselves on the fringe, losing time as they recovered or bailed out.

Memorizing the pin sheet (or was that cone placement?) and knowing where and how to place the car was rewarded with fast times. Mark Huffman walked off with the Green Jacket for FTD; his 29.392 second run in the F125 kart was the fastest time of the day. The top handicapper was Steve Eymann in his Z06, whose 30.638-second time was the quickest for a full size car.

The traditional SCCA Open classes, where drivers compete head-to-head on time in each class, attracted just over 30 percent of the drivers. Corvettes ruled the roost in Super Stock and A Stock. Darrell Covert captured the win in Z06 in SS while Gene Sanders gather the top spot in AS in his C4 Corvette. Similarly, Miatas dominated C Stock and E Stock where Mark Johnson and Tom Tkacik prevailed respectively. Mark Algers drove the Viper to the win in A Street Prepared. Mazda supplied all the vehicles for C Street Prepared, but it was the black Miata driven by Don Sattler who won the class. Sattler’s second run of 31.622 beat out co-driver David Lahey’s first run of 31.775. Steve Ashcraft improved every run to finish with a 32.344 while Derrick Disharoom nailed a cone on his best run in the RX7, settling for the 34.087 of his second run. D Street Prepared has become a competitive place to play. Once the sole domain of Ben Clement, he now shares it with Clint Child and Kris Castner. Playing Mr. Consistency, Child found the sweet spot on his Type R on the first run, improving only 0.3 all day long. His 32.209 on his second run would win the class. Clement worked hard, overcoming a DNF on his second run, to manage a clean 33.430 for second. Castner worked his new set up, moving from the 36s on his first run, the 35s on the second run to the 34s on the third run. It was a good thing for the other DSP drivers that it was only a three-run event! Paul Lemke claimed E Street Prepared in his 300ZX and Greg Duncan notched the win in a four-car E Modified class with his Fiero. The new-for-2006 X Prepared class (the class formerly known as A Prepared) attracted the heavily modified 240Z clones of Clifton Ragland and Andy Zimmerle. Ragland’s 884 PAX topped Zimmerle’s 851 PAX.

Street Modified was the second largest Open class with nine drivers. The first to tee up was Geren Smith in his STi. His 32.8 drive set the benchmark for the others. Ron Mercer laid down a 35.4 in his Camaro SS while neo-Evo driver Frank Miller (of Michigan) came in with a 34.264. Dave Green drove his 240SX hot rod to a 37.0. Kevin Gleaton borrowed a go-fast Integra to nail a cone on his way to a 33.9 raw time. Jason Smith in another 240SX came with a 36.1 and Chris Black powered his Firehawk to a 35.7. Travis Barnes managed a 36.4 in his WRX, while Greg Rubenstein took his freshly modded STi to a 32.2 to grab the lead from Geren Smith after the first round. Miller was in third as the only driver in the 34s. Mercer was ahead of Black and Gleaton in the 35s. Jason Smith and Barnes rounded out the field.

Geren Smith pushed hard on the second try, grabbing a faster raw time, but hitting a cone in the process. Mercer shaved 0.7 seconds to move into the 34s. Miller figured the new car out on the second run, vaulting to into first with a 31.9. Green shaved 0.4 to move into the 36s. Gleaton could not get a handle on the oversteer and was seen tagging another cone with the back of the Integra. Jason Smith recorded a DNF while Black moved to the low 34s. Barnes hit a cone, but Rubenstein pulled out a 31.8 to reclaim the lead from Miller. After the second round, it was Rubenstein and Miller in the 31s, Geren Smith in the 32s and Black and Mercer into the 34s.

On the final runs, Geren Smith improved to a 32.270. Mercer shaved another half second to get to a 34.380. Miller fell back to the low 32s and stood on his second run. Green shaved 0.6 to get a 36.056. Gleaton could not find a clean run all day, nailing two cones on his trip around the course. He was forced to stand on his first run, with only one cone. Jason Smith slipped into the low 35s while Black slowed slightly. Both Barnes and Rubenstein tagged cones on their final runs. In the end, it was Rubenstein claiming the top spot based on his second run, one tenth ahead of Miller, both in the high 31s. Geren Smith was third in the 32s, Black and Mercer in the 34s, Jason Smith and Gleaton in the 35s. Green and Barnes finished up in the 36s.

Street Modified 2 featured the piston powered Mazda Miata of Harry Berzes trumping the rotary powered Mazda RX4 of Brian Jackson. Something about 20 years of technology, oh, and a little forced induction to fortify the intake.

Street Tire S was the largest Open class with 14 drivers. Olin Tweed is the first driver out in STS in a borrowed Honda Wagovan and puts down a 37.9 raw time, but swings into a cone in the process. Andrey Sharkov is next in an Integra and grabs the lead with a 38.1 run. Jeff Williams sets the bar higher with a 36.476 run in his black Civic. Britt Dollmeyer puts down a 37.4 run in his red Si to move into second as the rest of the field takes on the course. Ryan Hayles is in the 38s in his Prelude; Thomas Winchester shows good speed, but takes an extreme DNF at the finish with Infinite. Mark Shaw and his silver Beetle Turbo S inched ahead of Williams for the lead with his 36.421 run. Travis Gianelli follows along with a 36.8 in his white 240SX, temporary moving him to third, until the next car, driven by Bejoe Mathew finishes with a 36.377 to claim the lead with his white GSR. They all step back as Eli Concepcion makes his magic move with a smoking 35.717 in his black Civic – a half second faster than Mathew! Rich Damp hits a cone in his Civic and Dave Reuss gets an extreme DNF in the shiny Cavalier trying to catch Concepcion. Scott Jones and Eric Splinter manage clean runs but not as fast the leaders. After the first round, Concepcion is at the top of the leader board in the 35s, followed by Mathew, Shaw, Williams and Gianelli in the 36s. Dollmeyer is the only driver in the 37s. Splinter, Sharkov and Hayles are in the 38s.

The second round begins with Tweed demonstrating nice car control skills as drifts the Wagovan to a 36.5 run, moving up considerable on the standings. Sharkov shaves time as well, getting into the high 37s. Williams finds a small improvement with a 36.2, moving him to second place temporarily. Dollmeyer joins the 36-second club with a 36.7, as does Hayles with a 36.9. Winchester has the yips all day, recovering from his extreme DNF to record a 36.3 raw time, but hits a cone on the way. Shaw records a 35.857 to grab second place as the only other driver in the 35s. Gianelli pushed too hard with a spin and cone at the finish. Mathew nabs a cone as well. Concepcion slows to a 36.3 but still leads based on his first run. Damp had troubles with the finish all day, with his second run being the worst. Reuss cleans up his extreme DNF and jumps into the fray with a 36.4. Jones shaves a second and a half to move to the 38s and Splinter cuts over a half second to move into the mid 37s. After the second round, Concepcion is still at the top of leader board with his 35.717 first run. Shaw is also in the 35s, followed by Williams, Mathew, Reuss, Tweed, Dollmeyer, Gianelli and Hayles in the 36s.

The final round finds everyone pushing hard – too hard in some cases. Tweed puts on a drifting tutorial, but his time slows. Sharkov goes deep in the Show Off turn ends up out of bounds on his way to a DNF. Williams is not rattled, and lays down the smack with a 35.625 to claim the lead. Dollmeyer records a 36.1 to move to third. Hayles comes from out of the cabbage to lay down a 35.785, bumping Dollmeyer to fourth. Winchester goes deep into Show Off and nails two cones. Shaw shaves hundredths with a 35.804, slotting himself between Hayles and Dollmeyer. Gianelli becomes tour guide, takes on a passenger and lays down a 36.2, just behind Dollmeyer. Mathew is slower each run and he must stand on his first run. Concepcion keeps his eye on the prize and drives to a 35.576 to regain the lead over Williams. Damp gets hella sideways at the finish again, but keeps it clean to run low 37s. Reuss is finding the touch and manages a 36.3 on final run. Jones tags a cone and Splinter breaks into the 36s on his last run. STS wrapped up with Concepcion on top, Williams in second, Hayles in third and Shaw in fourth, out of the lead by 0.228 seconds and all in the 35s. Dollmeyer and Gianelli rounded out the trophy spots.

The Street Tire X(treme!) drivers have got to be the class of the field. With the majority of them sporting matching number plates, there was no question what class was running when they were on course. Dan Martin prevailed with a 943 PAX and, as has become the custom in STX, Chad Mizner grabbed second with 934 PAX. Ron Huber put in a good drive with his 926 PAX for third. Kevin Venisnik, the STS2 stalwart, continues to run alone in hopes of attracting more drivers to this fun class. Likewise, Gil Harari has opened the bidding on Street Tire U(nlimited) trophy as the lone entrant.

Over in the Indexed classes, the fastest women in Arizona, a.k.a. the PAX Ladies class, looks to be a barnburner this season. Deb Eymann won the first round with 928 PAX and an awesome 33.002 run in her SS Corvette. Sharon Roberts recorded a 34.409 in her AS S2000, good for a 900 PAX score and second place. Mindi Cross was just one PAX point behind at 899 in the venerable Elan, running a 33.597 with the ASP factor. Diane Deanovic’s first venture into the class yielded good results with a 33.933 run, good for an 898 PAX score with her SM factor. Yes – second through fourth place were separated by two PAX points! Melissa Rex-Flint brought her newborn to the event, put Joel to work babysitting, and drove her Impreza to an 848 PAX. Teresa (sans h) Clement brought up the field with an 816 PAX with her STS Neon. Josh Sortor and Steve Ryan had an epic battle in PRO for the win. Sortor prevailed with a 975 PAX to Ryan’s 974. Dave McCombs and Joel Schotz co-drove the S2000 to 970 and 966 PAX scores respectively. Sportsman class was nearly as competitive with PAX master Eymann only four points ahead of Brian Peters. Larry Petrucci found the right touch in his Firebird to lay down a 989 PAX. The 950+ PAX scores five deep as David Rock turned in a 978 PAX performance to put him ahead of Dave Young’s 967.

In the local Street Tire classes, Aytinc Akad proved last season was no fluke, once again at the top of the leader board in ST1. His 923 PAX in the Lancer put him ahead of the STi brigade of Patrick Fisher, Justin Markiewicz, James Frink and Greg Varela – all over 900 PAX! Likewise, George Capito has got it going on in ST2 with the Spec V. His one point lead over Jim Rohn in a borrowed (naturally!) Audi TT gave him the win. Continuing the tradition, Glenda Meyers learns another new-to-her car for the win STL.

At 28 drivers, NV1 was the largest single class of the event. Mike Wittkopf mastered the awesome white Firebird to grab the lead with a nice 905 PAX. Matthew Murray connected with his STi and an 898 PAX score to grab second. In NV2, Rasmus Hansen led the pack over Manfred Reysser, 878 to 854. Thomas Ruplinger was in the mix with his 852 PAX flogging of his Focus while George Skliarevskiy managed an 843 in his Mazda 6. NV3, home of the SCCA street tire classes, was won by Nate Breaux with his 240SX and an 868 PAX performance. Ben Agee and Steven Roberts were chasing with their 866 and 862 drives respectively. Debi Hamersly had some expert coaching to win NVL in her Corvette. Full results for all classes can be seen here.

In many ways, golf and autocross are similar. Both require a good plan, intense concentration and just the right touch. It can take years for a scratch golfer to realize his potential; likewise, a talented autocross driver continues to learn over the course of many seasons. And, no matter how good one is, each new course presents unique challenges. The AZ Region Solo group offered a great new challenge for a record number of drivers in February. Whether putting around the course, exercising a little backspin or both, everyone appeared to have a good time.