>From: "Matt Murray" <mattm@optonline.net>
>>Just squeaking inder the wire, I have received a final nomination of
>> >>Karl Rickert. I know Karl is an Alfa guy and that's about it. So
>> >>Karl, let us know #1) do you accept the nomination,
Yes! Nomination Accepted! (Thanks Chris!)
>>and #2) tell us about yourself and why you should be Y2K DTN.
Gosh, I'm happy to be nominated I don't know where to begin.
I was born a poor... never mind. I'm originally from East Tennessee, where I
started honing my driving skills, by running the backroads and byways with
the likes of Johnny Miller IV of Trans-am fame. But that's a whole other
story.
My first car was a 1971 Volvo 142E that was my father's B Sedan racecar. I
replaced the bumpers and headlights and I was the envy of every 16 yr old in
the county. I started autocrossing in the ETR Region at the tender age of
16, but was my father's pit crew at autocrosses and road races from the age
of 10. Along with the Volvo I also owned a '67 Austin Mini, '58 Volvo 445,
and a '76 Trans am, all before the age of 18.
After "gradiating" from high school, I moved to Cleveland, TN and attended
UTC in Chattanooga, working on a BS in Graphic Arts. I meet my wife of 15
yrs there and we moved to Florida a few years after we were married. We have
3 children ages 8, 19, & 18. I am currently employed at The Printing House
Ltd in Quincy, FL as the Estimator. One of our sister companies is Homes &
Land Magazines, which are produced and distributed nationwide.
We moved to Tallahassee in 1992 and started autocrossing again in 1996 after
a co-worker "gave" me the '74 Spider in drive today. I was able to capture
the '97, '98 and '99 C-Stock Championship in The Dixie Region. I was worker
of the year in '97 and Member of the year in '98 (or vice versa).
I've always been active in the Region. In '97 I was elected as a board
member and in '99 was elected Assistant Regional Executive. I'm always one
of the first to arrive at the event, either setting up the trailer or
registraion table. My consitant worker position is that of an event
supervisor, making sure all is fine and dandy in the area. You can also find
me working the PA system from time to time (someone please take the mike
away from me), but fellow DTN driver David Hawkins does a much better job;)
Currently, I am the SEDiv Solo2 Registrar for our Solo2 Divisional series. I
am filling the shoes of one Ms. Brenda Ashburn, who will be missed at the
events as an official.
My current autocross car is a '74 Alfa Romeo Spider, while not the best
looking (rusting away) or handling car in the world. It is an absolute blast
to drive and watch! I'm often asked how I keep from dragging the door
handles, when cornering hard. I was however able to capture the SEDIV
C-Stock Championship in '99 driving the ole Alfa! Currently I am preparing a
'71 Datsun 510 for Solo1 and eventually road racing.
I'd like to thank everyone on Team.net for their informative, if not always
serious posts and Mark B. for hosting the service! I've been fortunate
enough to meet the likes of Phil Either and his Lotus and was even able to
arrange a ride at a "rally cross" in Minnesota a few years ago, by using
Team.net! Did I mention my SEDIV boss is MaS?
So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
And if elected the 2000 DTN, I promise octane boost in every tank, a new set
of BFG's every year and not to bring up the twelve days of autocross ever
again! I'll even bring JD Kemp with me for luck!
Regards,
See ya'll at the Ozark SEDIV Divisional!
Karl Rickert
Dixie Region Asst Regional Executive
Dixie Region Solo2 Chairman
SEDiv Solo2 Registrar
CS #38 Alfa Romeo Spider
EP/GT4 Datsun 510
TLS #25
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