ARIZONA REGION – Darrell James Covert claims status as a native Arizonan. It's difficult to contest this claim, since he has a biblical middle name and says he was born in Arizona. Then raised in north Phoenix and Scottsdale.
He did well in school, which he attributes in part to his mother's encouragement to excel at whatever he attempted. His interest in politics began as a freshman at Scottsdale High School, where he rose to the presidency of the republican club. About the same time, he got involved as a searcher with Central Arizona Search and Rescue. Two years later, at age 16, he became the youngest aid climber to be certified by the nationwide Mountain Rescue Association. He was frequently called out of high school to help with searches and rescues. (In those days, the Sheriff's office depended on specialized volunteer groups for such services.)
But high school wasn't entirely about influencing people and saving them from the elements. Darrell was into cars, too. His first was a 1966 Shelby-ized Mustang coupe. Like many others since, he spent weekend evenings cruising Central Avenue with his friends. And, one day, he watched an autocross put on by the Cactus Corvette/Corvair Club, at what used to be Los Arcos Mall. Like many others, was forever hooked.
In college, Darrell studied political science and criminal justice. By the time he'd finished his degree, he'd also earned certification as an Emergency Medical Technician. And passed a qualification exam for the Scottsdale Police Department. And graduated from the Phoenix Police Academy. His sergeants were shocked to see a red-striped white Shelby driven by one of their own, so they made note of its GT-350S license plate.
Darrell was one of the lucky Scottsdale police officers who drove the gull-winged SV1's donated by Malcohm Bricklin. Off the job, he was doing hill climbs with ASRA, autocrossing (of course), and road racing. The latter was in A Sedan class and in a co-owned Brabham 21C Formula B car that they once took to 10th place in Nationals at Road Atlanta. All very nice. But after several years, life interrupted, proving once again that forever is a sometime thing.
Darrell went back to school.
And, in 1977, started a real estate career and married his wife Rita.
Focusing on family and career kept him away from auto sports for a long time.
This hiatus did lead to another hobby: tennis, which he pursued competitively
for about ten years.
A high point was reaching the finals in the doubles tournament associated
with the 1993 Fiesta Bowl.
In 2003, Darrell bought the 2003 Corvette Z06 shown here. He got busy re-learning driving techniques in a newer, more capable car. Then he took fourth in NV1 in the fall 2003 series and first in SS Open during summer 2005. This year, he's taken his Realty Executives Corvette on the National Tour, with co-driver (and national champion and Evolution instructor) Tom Kotzian. They've posted an SS class win at San Diego (Tom), a class win at the Fontana Pro Solo (Tom), and a finalist position in the Bonus Challenge at the Atwater Pro Solo (Darrell). The December issue of SportsCar includes (on page 69) another picture of the Corvette and its trailer, in paddock during the Nationals at Topeka.
Darrell is an expansive presence at our events and, because of his training and experience in public safety, a valuable one. He has for several years facilitated our club's participation in the Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. This year, in particular, he spearheaded it.