I helped Rob Boynton transport his ASP/SM2 car to Topeka this year and I am
sitting at home looking back at my experience. In all the years that I have
autocrossed I never really understood the "Nationals" experience. You have
to go there to really get it! It is so much bigger then just a large Tour.
The people are from all over the country, but that only shows in their
accents and on their license plates. Everyone is just trying to do their
best and hopefully get a trophy or that elusive Championship Jacket. Some
SFR people are legend to the crowd. I was at practice on Saturday and Chris
Cox went out in that old BMW that just takes Top Time of Day at our local
events on a regular basis. I overheard someone say "that BMW was sooo fast,
top time in the run group by a lot!'. Just an everyday thing for SFR.
A really interesting sidelight: Derek Butts managed to get Toyota to get a
car hauler together to get several people to Topeka without the
pain/pleasure of the long tow. Well this hauler just sits there and acts as
a home for the hauled cars. That is until Tom Berry blows his clutch in the
morning PRO. With a little help from another Corvette driver supplying the
clutch and the TRD trailer supplying the workshop Tom not only got back in
the game, but went on to win the Super Challenge point title.
The last PRO event of the year was great for SFR. Trophy winners:
BS Mitch Fagundes 2nd
HS Lorin Mueller 1st
BSP Harold Olsen 3rd (1st was 56.619, Harold had a
56.651)
DSP Derek Butts 2nd
ESP Navid Kahangi 1st (came from behind win)
STS Kevin Mccormick 4th and Overall STS Champion
SM Vic Sias 1st, Overall SM Champion and
Overall Honda Street Challenge point Championship
Gary Richardson 4th
SM2 Andy McKee 1st
Congratulations SFR!
In case you didn't count that is 4 - 1st place finishes. Really great!!
And the placing at the Tuesday results for Nationals is starting to look
good too.
Next year I'm going to race. No more just hang out for this guy!
Bryan
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