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TheBritishSuperSonicCar(SSC)project,TheBloodhound,isundergoingtestingforaworldlandspeedrecordattemptof1,000mph.TheBloodhound’snamewastakenfromafamiliardogbreed.Manyvehiclesarenamedaftercreaturesofallkinds.CharlieDemmy’sfascinationwiththisnamingconventionspawnedhisdiggingdeeperintothesubjectandhediscoveredquiteanassortmentofmakesandmodelsbearingnamesoffurry,scalyandfeatheryfauna.FormoreofCharlie’sdiscoveries,gotothecoverstory“CarChatter”onPage4.q
March 2012
The Official Newsletter of the Susquehanna Region of theSports Car Club of America, Inc. - Incorporated June 29, 1959
November 2012
Animals have often been the inspiration for car names. This supersonic British Bloodhound SSC is but one example.. — AutoWeek Rendering.
Animals Inspire Naming Cars
The RallyCross was a resounding success with 47 entries. Torren Carlson took Top Time of the Day with his Subaru 2.5 RS — Eric Helgesen photo.
Goodweatherandloadsofexcitementlured47competitorstoourNovember18thRallyCrossatSusquehannaSpeedway.TenSusquehannaRegionmemberswereinamixofregularcompetitorsandnewcomersalike. WashingtonDCRegionhadaparticularlygoodshowingwithseveralofitsseasonedRallyCrossentrants.Accountsoftheeventcanbefoundinsidethisissue. EricHelgesentookmanyphotographsthroughouttheevent,somethingcompetitors,friendsandfamilyenjoy.Afewofhisimagesappearinthesepages,butalinktohisfullon-linealbumcanbefoundonPage5.q
RALLYCROSS
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The Squeal is a monthly publication of
Susquehanna Region, SCCASend editorial, scheduling and advertising to:
The Squeal — John Rudy, Editor3800 Hillcrest Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109
Susquehanna Region’s membership meets at 8:00 PM on the fourth Tuesday of each
month, except December, at Gilligan’s Bar & Grill, 987 Eisenhower Blvd, Harrisburg, PA. For more information, go to our website at
www.scca-susq.com
Regional Executive Steve Limbert — 717-432-4116Assistant Regional Executive Henry Brillinger — 717-697-1610Secretary Dennis Cipriany — 570-522-9356Treasurer Alan Lesher — 717-486-4087Directors Dave Walter 3yr — 717-691-9320 Alan Pozner 2yr — 717-343-7708 Geoff Craig 1yr — 717-367-7853ASCC Representative Markus Houser — 717-495-6742
MARCH 2012
REGION OFFICERS
Kate Ritter & Geoff Craig — Co-chairsHenry Brillinger — Site Aquisition/RelationsGeoff Craig — Course and Grid DesignChris Paveglio — Pre-registrationKate Ritter — RegistrationDennis Cipriany — SafetyRyan Hetrick — Tech InspectionAnne Demmy — TimingCharlie Demmy — StarterGreg Hagan — Novice ProgramDan Woland — EMT ServicesPaul Sciukas — WorkersMarkus Houser — Results
AUTOCROSS COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 2012
—COMEOUTANDVOTE!— ThebignewsthismonthistheupcomingelectionofRegionofficersfor2013.Whilemostpositionsareexpectedtoremainunopposedafterlastmonth’snominations,theRegionalExecutivepostisupforgrabs.ChrisPaveglioischallengingincumbentSteveLimbertfortheposition.OthernomineesincludeHenryBrillingerforAssistantRE,DennisCiprianyforSecretary,AlanLesherforTreasurer,andGeoffCraigforthe3-yearDirector’sposition.TheelectionwilltakeplaceduringthemembershipmeetingatGilligan’sBar&Grill,987EisenhowerBlvd,HarrisburgonTuesday,November27.Themeetingbeginsat8:00p.m.,butcometoGilligan’searlyforthefood. RallyCrossreturnedtoSusquehannaRegiononNovember18th.Thepleasantlymildweatherandthoroughpreparationmadeforanenjoyableevent.TheRallyCrossexceededtheclub’sexpectednumberofentrants.Wewereshootingfor40entriesandendedupwith47driversreadytoenjoytheday.Afinickystartlinesensorcausedashortdelayearlyintheevent,butthecrewquicklyresolvedtheissueandgottheeventbackontrack. We’venowofficiallyenteredthe“offseason,”butthere’slittletimetorelax.WehaveourYear-endAwardsBanquetcomingonJanuary12thandourfirst2013eventisjustafewshortmonthsaway.Plansarealreadyunderwayfornextyear’sactivities.q—John
From the Editor’s Desk
Share theAction! SCCA©
SPORTS CAR CLUB OF AMERICA
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TheOctoberGeneralMembershipMeetingconvenedOctober23,2012atGilligan’s,Harrisburg,at8:00p.m. AlanLeshergavetheTreasurer’sReport.TherewaslittleincomeduringOctober,butanumberofexpenditures.Alansaidthereisalagbetweeneventsandwhenassessmentsneedtobepaid.TheNovember18Rallycrossfacilityrentalfeehasbeenpaid. HenryBrillingersaidtheSeptemberminutesneededtobeamended.HealsosuggestedthattheWeekendMembershipsbeincreasedfrom$5to$10. HenryBrillingergavetheMembershipReport,whichisdown10fromlastmonth.We’recurrentlyat255members,andthereare10peoplewhohavenotyetpaiddues. ChrisPavegliogavetheWebSiteReport.Hesaidhe’dupdatedtheseriespointsafteritwasbroughttoKate,Geoff,andMarkus’sattentionthatsomecarswereclassedincorrectly.JimSnydermadethechangesontheyear-endpointsspreadsheet,whichChrispostedontheweb. JohnRudythankedhisnewslettercontributorsandsaidhe’slookingforcontentforupcomingissuesofTheSqueal. GeoffCraigdiscussedthefinaltwoseriesAutocrossesonOctober27thand28th.
AlanPoznerdiscussedtheRoadTireClasses.RTisforStockclassvehicles,butwe’vefoundpeoplefromothercategoriesenteringthoseclasses.AlansuggestedthatKateRitterand/orChrisPavegliodiscussappropriateclassingforRoadTireentriesbediscussedateachevent’sdriversmeeting. JohnRoscinskidiscussedtheupcomingRallycrossatSusquehannaSpeedway.WehaveanumberofRallycrossSafetyStewardsinvolvedwiththeupcomingevent.ThiseventwillhavetwoindividualswhohavebeenthemajororganizersinDCRegion’sRallycrossseries.TheRallycrossgateswillopenat7a.m.,andstartat9:30.Allcompetitorswillreceiveatleastonepacelap. AlanLeshersaidfortheRallycross,normalAutocrossrulesareapplicableforhelmet,seatbelt,andstockseat. ChrisPaveglioopenedadiscussionontheClubTruck.AlanLesherreadHenry’sreportonthetruck,andrepairs,notreplacementarethepreferredoption.It’hassomesuspension,safetyandcosmeticissuestocorrectaftertheseasonisover.ChassisworkwillbedonebyStanleySprings,aglassshopforthedamagedwindows,Alansaidhethinksheknowsaplacethatcanrepairtheseats.
« Meeting Minutes «
Otherissueswiththetruckaresignage,AlanLesherwillcheckoutgraphicstosupplementtheASCClogo.Hewillgetthecosts. HenryBrillingerintroducedtheNominationsforaslateof2013RegionOfficers.JohnRudyalsonominatedChrisPaveglioforRegionalExecutive.TheNominationswereclosed.NominationswillreopenjustpriortotheelectionsattheNovember27meeting. TheSlateof2013RegionOfficersisasfollows:-SteveLimbertandChrisPaveglio-RegionalExecutive-HenryBrillinger-AssistantRegionalExecutive-AlanLesher-Treasurer-DennisCipriany-Secretary-GeoffCraig-Director(3yr) NEWBUSINESS GeoffCraigrecommendedgivingcomplimentaryYear-endAwardsBanquetinvitationstoourNationalSoloChampions. CharlieDemmysuggestedhavingacleanupdayfortheClubTruckintheSpring. GOODANDWELFARE:CharlieDemmymentionedhehadsomeRegionshirtsforsale. MotiontoadjournwasmadebyDaveWalter,2ndbyAlanPozner.Meetingadjournedat9:07p.m.q Respectfullysubmitted, DennisCipriany RegionSecretary
Page 4
AftercompletingmyrecentarticleaboutthetwoTigers,Iwascuriousabouthowmanyothervehicleshadanimalnamesattachedtothem.ThemoreIresearchedthecrazieritbecame.Ididnotrealizehowmanywereused. HereiswhatIcameupwith: Let’sbeginwiththebigcats.TIGER(SunbeamandGoliath),COUGAR,LYNX,BOBCAT(PontiacandMercury),BEARCAT(Stutz),WILDCAT(Buick),PUMA(DKW),CHEETAH(Lamborghini),PANTHER(Packard),PANTERA-ITALIANFORPANTHER(Detomaso),andofcourseJAGUAR. Also–MUSTANG,PINTO,BRONCO(Ford),COLT(Dodge,PlymouthandMitsubishi),PONY(HyundaiandatermusedforAmericanmusclecars),IMPALA(Chevy),STAG(Triumph),GAZELLE(Singer),KANCIL-abreedofminiaturedeernativetoMalaysia(Perodua),BULL(LamborghiniMiura),RAM(Dodgetruckdivision),GOAT(anothernameforthePontiacGTO),PANDA(Fiat),BISON(Chevy). Continuingonwithcaninesandothersmallcritters-COYOTE(A.J.FoytIndy
Car),FOX(Audi),SABLE(Mercury),RABBIT(VW),BIELKA/SQUIRREL(Skoda),HUSKY(Hillman),TALBOTHOUND-alargehuntingdogwithlongshaggyears(Sunbeam),BLOODHOUND(aBritishSuperSonicCarproject),GREYHOUND(busline),andBULLDOG(MackTruck). Nextaremembersofthefishfamily. BARRACUDA(Plymouth),MARLIN(AMC),STINGRAY,MAKOSHARK(Corvette),PIRANA(BertoneConceptCar),andfinallytheWHALETAILCARERRA(Porsche). OK–Putyourthinkingcapson–whatdidImiss? Nextarticle–PartTwo–Birds,Reptiles,andInsects.q —CharlieDemmy
Car Chatter — By Charlie Demmy
CATS, SHARKS, SNAKES AND MOREPart One
One of the most recognizable animal-named cars ever has to be the Ford Mustang.
The full-size heavyweight Chevy Impala shares little character with its light and agile African Plains namesake. — John Rudy photos.
British Leyland’s Triumph Stag is a rare sight as only 2,871 made it to the United States.
Cover
Story
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November18thwasthefirstSusquehannaRegionRallyCrossinanumberofyears.SincetheformatisverysimilartoSolo,wehadlotsofhelpandsupportfromtheSolocrowd.TheeventalsohadsupportintheformofcompetitorsfromWashingtonDCRegion. Entryregistrationwascappedat40entries,andmuchtomysurprise(andafewotherfolks),thepreregistrationmaxedoutadayaheadofschedule.Somecompetitorswhoshowedupaswalk-onsatthedayoftheeventwereunsureiftheywouldbeabletorace,buttheirentrieswerecheerfullyaccepted.Thisbroughtustoanunexpected50entries!ItseemsthatinterestinRallyCrossintheregionisaliveandwell. Theweatherwascoolandclear,makingforagooddayofracing.Howeverthereweresometeethingproblems.Thetimingsystemhada“hiccup”,likelyduetotheamountofdustkickedupbythecars.Thecoursewastechnicalandquiteconservativeinthespeeddepartment(verytightasnotedbysome).Racersweregiventwofunrunswhilethetimingsystemwasattendedto,andthen
receivedfivetimedruns.Timeshoveredinthe50-secondarea,withfasterdriversdroppingintothe40s. Ibelievetheeventwentwell,butthereisalwaysroomtoimprove.Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankallthecompetitorsforcomingouttoplayinthedirt,alltheworkerswhobravedthecloudsofdustforlendingtheirskillsandtalents,andSusquehannaSpeedwayforallowingtheregiontohostaRallyCross.Here’stomorefuninthedirt! CongratulationstotheClassWinners:-DaveBlankenship-StockFrontWheelDrive-StephenNichols-StockRearWheelDrive-DevonZangari-StockAllWheelDrive-DavidHagan-PreparedFrontWheelDrive-ChrisHelgesen-PreparedRearWheelDrive-TorrenCarlson-PreparedAllWheelDrive-DerekLatshaw-ModifiedFrontWheelDrive-ShawnRoberts-ModifiedRearWheelDrive-AdamKimmett-ModifiedAllWheelDrive«TorrenHelgesen-FastestTimeoftheDayFullresultscanbefoundonourwebsiteat:http://www.scca-susq.com/results.htmlq —JohnRoscinski
SCCA RallyCross Review — By John Roscinski
t
Dan Woland kicks up some dust with his 2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS. — Eric Helgesen photo.
RALLYCROSS
Stephen Hyatt hustles his Volkswagen Golf GTi through the course. — Eric Helgesen photo.
ps:EricHelgesenhasafullRallyCrossphotoalbumavailableat:http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirt3_monster/sets/72157632049593451/
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ThefirstRallyCrossheldbytheRegioninsevenyearsreceivedastrongresponse.Whilewewereanticipatingpossibly25entries,wereceived40pre-entriesplus7onsiteregistrations.JohnRoscinskiandAdamMoore,bothlongtimecompetitorsandeventleaderswiththeDCRegion’sRallyCrossseries,providedthemanagementteamfortheoperationoftheevent.SusquehannaRegion’sregularregistration,timingandtechinspectionpersonnelassumedresponsibilityforthoseareasoftheNovember18thevent.HowevertwounanticipatedcircumstancesaroseandconfrontedJohnandAdam.First,ourdaywascutshorterthanwasplannedittobe.Ourinitialplanwastostartrunningat10:00amandfinishby4:00pmandwepublicizedourscheduleaccordingly.Shortlybeforethedayoftheevent,thepropertyownerexplainedthathewouldhavetoleavetomeetanotherobligationandthatwewouldhavetobefinishedandbeoffthepropertysohecouldlockthegatesby3:30.Thatmeantwewouldhavetobefinishedbyabout2:30inordertobepackedupand
everyonegoneby3:30.Thatwouldhavebeendoableifeverythingwentwellandwewerecarefulaboutthenumberofrunsthatwegave.Butanotherproblemarose.WhenwewerejustaboutreadytostarttheGroupAruns,thetimingsystemfailed.Afterthetimingtechnicianshadinvestedsometimeinrepairattempts,JohnandAdammadethewisedecisiontogivethecompetitorsuntimedfamiliarizationrunsatspeeduntilthesystembecameoperable.Aftertwosetsofuntimedrunsthetimersbecameoperableagain.Manyofthecompetitorsactuallyseemedtoenjoytheopportunitytotaketworunsandexperimentwiththecoursewithouttheclockrunning.ThefirstoffivetimedrunsforGroupAbeganat10:55andwerecompletedby12:00.ThetwosetsofuntimedrunsandthefivesetsoftimedrunsforGroupBbeganat12:30andwerecompletedby2:05.So,whileweadvertisedthatwewouldprovidecompetitorswithsixruns,wecanonlyhopethattwountimedrunsandfivetimedrunsequalsatleastsixrunsbysomesortofmath.q —HenryBrillinger
The Region’s RallyCross — By Henry Brillinger
Start line view from the timing truck. — Eric Helgesen Photos and Panorama
John Roscinski herding his 1999 Subaru Impreza around the cones.
Jeremy Utterback trying to keep his 2012 Kia Forte reasonably clean.
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ThePennsylvaniaHillclimbAssociationhelditsyear-endawardsbanquet
Saturday,October10attheHolidayInninGrantville.Nearly100peopleattended,includingseveralSusquehannaRegionmembercompetitorsandtheirguests.ThePHAwasformedin1963toregulatehillclimbinginPennsylvania.
In2012therewereeighthillclimbtimetrialsandtworoadcoursetimetrials.HillclimbswereWeatherlyinJuneandSeptember,PagodainJune,GiantsDespairinJuly,PolishMountainandDuryeainAugust.ThetworoadcoursetimetrialswererunontheJeffersonCircuitatSumitPointinMayandSeptember. 2012PHASpecialAwardWinners:GeorgeBowland-PHAOverallChampionTimMurphy-PHAMileageAwardRayKochin-LloydGeibAward 2012PHAClassWinners:BrianHalecki-AmericanSedanSteveDeTurck-ImprovedTouringBMarkAubele-SuperStreetPreparedMichaelPhillips-CStreetPreparedMikeAncas-FStreetPreparedGraceHuntzinger-GT-3
TimWilliams-EProductionRobertOswaldSr-SuperProductionUHowardBalbach-CSportsRacerJohnPittmanandJoeKatarsky-FormulaVeeNigelCass-SoloVee*TonyPreston-FormulaFordGeorgeBowland-Special1JeffreyRossiJr-Special3SueSalsburg-Vintage2DavidArron-ShowroomStockCJasonAckerman-ImprovedTouringSKendrickGiambattista-BStreetPreparedRayKochin-EStreetPreparedDanielReed-SuperStreetMod*DonaldMcLaughlin-GT-LiteGlennHoffman-HProductionAndrewMull-SuperTouringUBobGardner-DSportsRacer*RodHoltzapple-InexModTimMurphy-FormulaSSteveMarsh-Special2PeterMcCarthy-Vintage1RichardGood-Historic2*DenotesSusquehannaRegionmember.q —DaveWalter
The 2012 PHA Series Awards Banquet— Story and photos by Dave Walter
Several Susquehanna Region members attended the PHA awards banquet. — Dave Walter photo.
PHA award winners Tony Preston, Rod Holtzapple and George Bowland. — Dave Walter photos.
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Spinning In The Wet... Teaching Teens At B.R.A.K.E.S. - Part 2 AfewweekendsagoIhadmysecondweekendofteendrivingeducationattheB.R.A.K.E.S.drivingschool.Thesecondtimearoundwewerewellorganized,butshortafewinstructorsonacoldbutdryNovemberweekend. Iwasassignedtotheskidpadforallfourclasses.It’sagoodthingIdon’tgetcarsickeasily.ThekidsspunouttentimesmoreinoneweekendthanIhavemyentirelifedrivingandatallautocrosseventscombined. Likeatanyautocrossschoolorregularevent,it’sallaboutseattime.Theprimaryfocusthisdaywastheskidpad.Wewantedthekidstobeabletorecoverfromaskidorspin.Moreimportantlyitwastosimplyallowthemtoexperienceitandnotpanic.Aftertheirsecondruns,thekidsgotnoticeablylessapprehensiveaboutit.Someoftheolderormoreexperiencedkidswerereactingquitewellandrecoveringfromtheirspins.Otherssurelycouldhaveusedalotmoretimesimplydrivingingeneral.But
— By Chris Paveglio
hey,bytheendoftheirweekendIthinktheyallhadalotbetterskillsthanwhentheywalkedin,andthat’swhatB.R.A.K.E.S.isallabout. Ifyouknowanyfriendswhohaveteenagersstartingtodriveorgettingalearner’spermitnoworsoon,pleasecheckouttheB.R.A.K.E.S.programandgetthemsignedupforthenexteventsin2013! IwishIhadthiskindoftrainingavailablewhenIwas17.IdidanumberonmyfirstcarwhenIletitoversteeraroundacornerandhitaparkedcar.IwouldhavelovedtohavebeenthroughB.R.A.K.E.S.tohelpmelearntocorrectoutofthat.Itwouldhavesavedmycar,andworse,mypride,whenIhadtotellmydadwhatjusthappened.----Onadifferenttopic,I’dliketoaskeveryonecomingtotheRegionmeetingonNovember27tovoteformeforthe2013RegionalExecutiveposition.I’dliketoworkwitheveryonetomakeourexcellentAutocrossseriesevenbetter.q —ChrisPaveglio
WewillbechoosingSusquehannaRegion’sleadershipfor2013attheTuesday,November27thMembershipMeetingatGilligan’s.Themeetingbeginsat8:00p.m.AllRegionmembersareencouragedtocomeoutandcastyourballot. NominationswillopenonceagainattheNovembermeeting.Theelectionswilltakeplaceimmediatelyfollowingthecloseofnominations. Forthefirsttimeinseveralyears,thereiscompetitionfortheRegion’stopspot.ChrisPavegliohaschallengedincumbentSteveLimbertfortheRegionalExecutiveposition.
TheSlateofNominees: RegionalExecutive: SteveLimbert ChrisPaveglio AssistantRegionalExecutive: HenryBrillinger Treasurer: AlanLesher RegionSecretary: DennisCipriany 3-yearDirector: GeoffCraig
Elections on Tuesday – Our Nominees
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Nowthatthecompetitionseasonisover,theMightyRegionTruckwillbegoingundertheknifeforsomemuchneededminorsurgery.Itwillbeoutofserviceforawhile,butitwillbetimeandmoneywellspent. Assoonawecanarrangeit,MarcusandIwilltakethetruckfromitsstoragespaceinHersheytoAutoSeatCoverCompanyinHarrisburgwhereitwillbecaredforduringrepairsandmaintenance. ThesuspensionwillbecheckedoutandtheailingspringsreplacedatStanleySprings.Scott“glassman”,andKingwillreplacethebrokenandfrostedwindows.Anoilandfilterchangeandlubearedueandthebatterywillbereplaced.Theleakyroofwillbesealedup.And,“someone”willrepairandrecovertheseats.Regionlogoswillbeadded;however,theASCClogoswillberetained. Inthespringwe’llbehostingaClubTruckRub&Scrubtoget‘erintopshapebeforethe2013seasongetsunderway. Getwellcardscanbesentto:“Truck”c/oAutoSeatCoverCompany,Harrisburg,Pa.q —AlanLesher
— By Alan Lesher
The club truck is overdue for the repair of a few niggling problems. — John Rudy rendering.
Club Truck To Get Some Needed Repairs
Vettel And Red Bull Sweep Three In A Row VettelandtheRedBullRacingTeamcontinuedtheirstratosphericclimbintotherecordbookstoday.VettelclaimedhisthirdstraightFormulaOneWorldDriver’sChampionshipattheBrazilianGrandPrix,beatingFernandoAlonsoforthetitleinanail-biterthatcamedowntojustthreepoints.Vettel’sRedBull-RenaultTeamalsoclinchedthreestraightFIAConstructor’sChampionshipswiththewin. Theseason’s20thandfinalracewasrunatInterlagosAutodromoJoseCarlosPaceinSaoPaolo,Brazil.At2.6milesit’soneoftheshortesttracksonthecircuit,secondonlytoMonaco. Vettelfinishedaconservative6thatBrazilafterstarting4thonthegridandenduringanearlyracecollisionandspin.Hewentintothisracewitha13pointlead.Alonsoclosedthepointsgapwitha2ndplacefinish,butVettel’s6thkepthimcloseenoughtoholdthepointschampionshipadvantage. Therewassolidraceactionatthefront,too.OnthepodiumwerewinnersJensonButton,McLaren;FernandoAlonso,Ferrariinsecond,andFelipeMassa,Ferrariinthird. Theracewasintensifiedwithrainshowersandtirechanges.Theraingrewinintensityjustpasthalf-wayandfinallyacrashbyForce-India’sPauldiRestawithtwolapstogoforcedtheracetoendbehindthesafetycar.ItwasthemostexcitingF1raceI’veseeninyears. Vettelnowjoinsrarecompany.OnlytwoothersdrivershavewonthreeWorldDrivingChampionshipsinarow,JuanManuelFangioandMichaelSchumacher.That’sprettyheadycompanyfora25-year-old.q—JohnRudy
— By John Rudy
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CinturatoP7.TheuseofHoosierStreetTDandCommanchewouldalsomovethecarfromStocktoPreparedcategory. 1980-1982-M&HRacemasterjoinedtheotherthreelistedtiresthatifusedwouldplacethecarinPreparedcategory.TherestillwereonlyStock,PreparedandModifiedclasses. 1983-Theexceptionsclausewasinadvertentlyomittedfromtherulebook,butreturnedthefollowingyear.ThenewlyintroducedStreetPreparedcategorymadeitsdebutin1983. 1994-TheStockclassexceptionslistwasrestoredanditlisted,Hoosier(All),M&H(All).UsingthelistedtireswouldnowmoveStockcarsintothenewStreetPreparedcategory. Changesinallowabletreaddepthalsoappearedfromtimetotime.Through1987therulesrequiredthatallStockclasstireshaveatlease1/16”oftreadthroughouttheevent.In1988the1/16”minimumwasremovedandthetreaddepthrequirementchangedtoreadthatthetiremusthave“measurable”tread180-degreesapartarounditscircumferenceandwithin1”ofthecenterlineofthetire.In1993itwasfurtherrefinedtochangethe1”ofcenterlinereadingtowithin1/2ofthetreadsurface.Today’sregulationontreaddepthsaysthattiresmusthavenon-zeromeasurabletreaddepth(i.e.,pointswhereitispossibletoobtainpositivemeasurementvalues). TheStockTireExceptionstillappearsinthecurrentrulebook,butnotireshavebeenlistedsince1994.In1995itfirststatedthat,“Notiremodelsarecurrentlylisted”,whichisstillthecurrentreferenceforStockclass. Radialshaveprovidedatremendous
Back To The Future With RT – Street Tires On Stock Class Cars — By John Rudy
Backwhentireswereskinnyanddriverswerefat,allStockclassSolocarscompetedonstreet-typetires,sotheRoadTirecategoryisnotreallynew,butarehashofthepast.Actually,itwasn’tallthatlongagoforsomeofus,alittlemorethantwodecadestobeexact. Thisarticlemayseemstrangetothemajorityoftoday’scompetitorswhoweren’taroundtorememberatimewhenStockclasscarswerenotrunningHoosiersorKumhos.TrueR-typetireswerenotpermittedinStockclasscompetitionuntil1995.Through1994,SCCA’sStockclassrule’s“exceptions”clausebannedcertainD.O.TapprovedtiresfromStockclasscompetition. Ican’tgoallthewaybackto1973andSCCA’sfirstforayintoSolo,butIcantakeyoubacksome35yearsorsoto1978.That’sasfarbackasIcouldwranglerulebooks.(ThankyouDennisCiprianyandDonDeHart.) Thoseofuswhobeganautocrossingbeforethemid-1990scannodoubtrecalltheSCCASoloRulebook’s“StockTireExceptionsList”thatprohibitedseveralmakeandmodeltiresfromStockclasscompetition.Overtheyearstheexceptionslistincludedthefollowing: 1978-“TheuseofthefollowingD.O.T.approvedtirewillplacethecarinaPreparedCategory-PirelliCinturatoP7. Itshouldbenotedthatatthetime,SCCA’sSoloprogramwascomprisedofonlythreecategoriesandjust17classes;A-HStock,A-EPreparedandA-DModified.TherewerealsofiveLadiesclassesA-E.TherewasnoStreetPrepared,noStreetTouring,noRoadTire,orothercategories.Thosecamelater. 1979-TwomoretireswereaddedtotheStockexceptionslistalongwiththePirelli
(ContinuedonPage11-See“BackToTheFuture...”)
Page 11
advanceintireperformanceoverbiasplytires.FromtheearlyradialdaysofSemperit,Michelin,Continental,Dunlop,VredesteinandPhoenix,theyallhadtheirdayinthesun,tiredevelopmentdoesn’tstandstilleither.Nevertheless,continuousimprovementhasledradialtiretechnologytotoday’sultrahighperformancelevels. WhatamIgettingat?ThatjustastheStreetTouringclasseshavedone,theRoadTireclassesintroducedearlierthisyeararepoisedtotakefulladvantageoftheadvancesinstreettiretechnology.ThebigplusforRTcompetitorsislowercostsfortiresthatwon’toutlivetheirusefulnesseveryfewevents. RTcarpreparationfollowstheStockclassrulesexceptforachangefromR-compoundtirestostreettirecompounds.RTmustcompeteontireswithatreadwearratingof140orhigher,asopposedtotheevensofter,super-stickytirespermittedinStockclasses. TruthisthatthegapbetweenUltraHighPerformancestreettiresandR-compoundtiresisnarrowingmoreeveryyear.ThetoptiresbeingusedinStreetTouringareimpressive. SowhereisSCCAgoingwithallofthis?IsaddingRoadTireclassesanecessityoranexercise?ItcouldbedeemedmorereasonablebySCCAtoscraptheRTclassesandreinstitutetheexceptionslistbanningR-compoundtiresfromStockclasscompetition.Anuproarwouldsurelyensue,butinthelongrunitcouldprovebeneficialforcompetitorsandforlocalclubeventsaswell. SCCAdoesn’tseemtohaveagreatdealofconcernabouttheoveralleffectofaddingclasses.AlanPoznernotedinlastmonth’sissuethattheintroductionoftheRTclasses
Back To The Future With RT – Street Tires On Stock Class Cars
addslittletoanevent’soverallattendanceandincreasesthedilutionofcurrentstockclassparticipation. AtaNationalChampionshipeventwithover1,000entrants,alargenumberofclassesdoesn’tpresentaproblem,buthereatthelocalleveltherearen’tenoughclassestogoaround. OurowneventresultstellataleabouttheimpactofRTthisseason.Therewere169Stockclassentriesand108inRT.HadRTnotexisted,anaverageof9moreentrieswouldhavecompetedinStock,whichwouldhavepromotedhealthiercompetitionamongtheStockclasses. Alanwasright,RTisdilutingStockclasscompetition.Furthermore,itdoesn’tsoundlikeSoloneedsanymoreclasses.AsImentionedearlierinthisarticle,in1978therewerejust3categoriesencompassing22classes;17openand5ladies.Today,thereareofficially7categoriescomposedof43classes,plusanother43parallelladiesclasses.IftheRTcategory’s3classesanditsmatchingladiesclassesaremadeofficial,anothercategoryand6moreclassestothemix.Incaseyouhaven’tbeencounting,addingRTcanresultinawhopping92classesin8differentcategories!Thatmightbeviewedbysomeasprogress,butisitgoodfortheSoloprogram? So,willSCCAkeepor,heavenforbid,expandtheRTclasses?WilltheyscraptheRTprogramandputStockclassbackonstreettires?OrwilltheydropthewholeRTidea? HoosierA6tiresarepracticallythespectireforseriousStockclasscompetition.WhilethatmaynotberepresentativeoftheentireSoloprogram,itshowshowingrainedthatonetiremodelis.TakingHoosiersawayfromStockcompetitorssouldn’tbeaneasythingtodo.q --JohnRudy
(ContinuedfromPage10)
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Car Classing And Protests
ToaseasonedveteranortoafirsttimeAutocrosser,oneofthemostdifficultandoftenincorrectlyexecutedactivityatanAutocrossisenteringyourvehicleinthecorrectclass. Asmostofyourealize,there’salinanyofclassesfromwhichtochoose.You’vegotSuperStock,AthroughHStock;StreetTouringFWD,StreetTouringCompact,StreetTouringSport,StreetTouringExtreme,andStreetTouringUltra,andStreetTouringRoadster;SuperStreetPrepared,AthroughFStreetPrepared;SuperStreetModified,StreetModified,andStreetModifiedFWD;XPrepared,CthroughGPrepared;AModifiedthroughFModified;RoadTireFWD,RoadTireAWD;andRoadTireRWD.Oh,andforregionsthathavethem,KartModified,andJuniorKarts.Lotofclasses,andlotsofrulestogoby. But,there’saneasyoutformostofus:TheSoloRuleBook.Forthoseofyouwhodon’thaveit,here’sthelinktoit.http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/assets/2012_Solo_Rules_February_reduced.pdf AlthoughalotofRegionMembersunderstandandknowtheclassesforvehicles,theultimateresponsibilityrestswiththecompetitor. Sometypicalquestionsaboutclassing:
“I’vegotastreetcarwithwiderwheelsandcoiloversandanexhaustheader.WillmycarbeinStock?” Inaword,NO.Why?Wheelsmustbethesamedimensionsasstock;ie,standarddiameterandwidth,withwheeloffsetnogreaterthan¼”fromstock.Thecoiloversandtheexhaustheader,aswellasthewheels,wouldplacethecarinStreetTouringatleast,andpossiblyintoStreetPrepared. Anotherexample:Acarwithadifferentcamshaftthanstock,differentpistons,andanupgradedfuelinjectionsystemwouldbeclassedinthePreparedorModifiedcategory. Whenyoutalktoaseasonedautocrosseraboutcarclassing,abitofthebestadviceyou’llhearis:FollowwhatiswrittenintheRuleBook,anddon’ttrytogetcreativeby“interpreting”therules.Simplyput,iftherulesdon’tsayyoucandosomething,youcan’t. However,sometimescompetitorswilltaketheirvehicletotheextreme.Theyneedtounderstandthatit’stheirfellowcompetitorswhopolicethecarclassing. Anexample:AStreetPreparedcompetitorwasn’tcompetitive.Hehadthecylinderheadshavedtomaximumitcouldtake,theblockshavedaswellashavingacamshaftputinthecar.Thecarstillwasn’tcompetitive.Hesoldthecartoanothercompetitor,whohadsuccesswithitwhenitwasmoveddownaclass.Isthesecondcompetitorstillusingtheobviouslyblatantlyillegalcar?Withhisdominationoftheclass,itwouldappearso.Atlocalevents,competitorspolicecompetitorsandinthiscaseitwouldappeartheyhaven’tdoneso. ButatNationalleveleventslikeaNationalTour,ProSolo,orNationalSoloChampionships,there’saProtestCommittee.
— By Dennis Cipriany
This cooler assembly violated the rules and the driver was disqualified. Such creativity often results in disqualification. — Dennis Cipriany Photo
(ContinuedonPage13-See“CarClassing...”)
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Car Classing... AsamemberofthreeNationalSoloChampionshipProtestCommittees,I’veseensomerathercreativeinterpretationsoftherules,andsomeblatantones. Anexampleofablatantdeparturefromtherules:AttheNationals,twocompetitorsdrivinganAcuraIntegraTypeRinStockclasshadtheemissionsvacuumtubingnotinplace.AttheProtestShed,thecommitteeruledthatthecompetitorswouldbegiventheslowesttimeintheclassplus2secondsandtoldtohavethecarlegalforthenextdayorbedisqualified. OneProtestprovedquiteinteresting.ItinvolvedaStreetPreparedcar,turbocharged,butwithoutanintercooler.Thecompetitorhadaratherinnovativecoolingsetup.Coldwaterwaspipedfromacoolerbehindtheseatsintoatubethatranthroughadouble-walledintakeduct.Creative,butitviolatedtherules.Thecarwasdeemedillegalandthecompetitorwasdisqualified.Thefollowingyear,theruleswerechangedtobemorespecific. WhetheryourcarispreparedtoStocklevel,StreetPrepared,Prepared,Modified,StreetTouringorRoadTire,eachSolocategoryhasspecificlimitsofcarpreparation.It’sperfectlyfinetotakeyourvehicletothemaximumpermittedbyyourparticularcategory’srules.Infact,it’sencouraged! Butregardlessofthelevelofpreparedness,classingyourcarintheappropriatecategoryisimportant.q —DennisCipriany
(ContinuedfromPage12)2012 RegionEvent ScheduleJanuary 11ExecutiveBoardMeetingatGilligan’s 14YearEndBanquetatGrantvilleHoliday 24MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sFebruary 14ExecutiveBoardMeetingatGilligan’s 28MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sMarch 27MembershipMeetingatGilligan’s 31Autocross#1atGiantCenter,HersheyApril 1Autocross#2atGiantCenter,Hershey 24MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sMay18-20CarlisleAutocross(notaseriesevent) 22MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sJune 17DoubleHeaderAutocrosses#3 26MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sJuly 8Autocross#5atGiantCenter,Hershey 22Autocross#6atGiantCenter,Hershey 24MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sAugust 19DoubleHeaderAutocrosses#7 26DoubleHeaderAutocrosses#9
 28MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sSeptember 25MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sOctober 23MembershipMeetingatGilligan’s 27Autocross#11atGiantCenter,Hershey 28Autocross#12atGiantCenter,HersheyNovember 18RallyCrossatSusquehannaSpeedway 27MembershipMeetingatGilligan’sDecember —NOMembershipMeetingthismonthJanuary2013 12YearEndBanquetatGrantvilleholiday
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