GREEN FLAG

WELCOME TO SPEEDNEWS Time is an amazing thing and always seems to pass quickly when you are working hard. If you are lucky, a vision can be- come reality with enough focused effort along with time and a dose of good luck. The past twenty years for NASA has been a solid example of people working together to achieve great things with the passing of time and great collected effort. None of our classes grew overnight to be instant successes and we are very proud that our National Championship event happened only fi fteen years after hosting our fi rst event. However, it took time and the dedicated work of many people for our regions to spread and grow across the United States. We feel very fortunate to have members like you that enjoy Ryan Flaherty National Chairman our approach to motorsports and chose to spend your free time with NASA. 2011 marked a signifi cant milestone in NASA history as it was NASA’s 20th year in business. Jerry Kunzman and Ali Arsham founded NASA to provide all the great things people have come to expect from our regions like easily accessible track time and well-run events but only time and great effort has allowed those ideals to become reality. During NASA’s fi rst ten years, some people thought our model was a renegade approach that would never work. Today, however, is quite different and members, partners, and sponsors alike continue to validate our model as the gold standard of motorsport operations. When I look back through time, it is easy to recall key achievements that have built our solid reputation. At the ten year mark, myself and John Lindsey became partners in this company because we believed that motorsports events can appeal to a very diverse enthusiast base if events were offered in a more contemporary way. The desire and willingness to do things different is what attracted us to NASA and gives us the inspiration to create something great! In the year 2000 we created an online registration system that remains unrivaled today and makes it very easy for members to participate. During the last ten years we launched new and innovative classes like American Iron, Honda Challenge, 944Spec, along with others that have enticed thousands of new racecar builds across the country. 2011 brought us other signifi cant events in our evolution. Some key items from 2011 worth mentioning are; hosting our 6th annual National Championship, adding three new regions, hosting over 80 teams at the NASA 25 Hours of Thunderhill, hiring Will Faules to manage our National Championship and Greg Gill as Vice President of Marketing, and fi nally the creation of our own digital magazine Speed News. NASA’s tremendous growth has now given rise to the need for a more compre- hensive and member centric publication than our previous small section that was hosted in each issue of Grassroots Motorsports magazine. In response to this need,

2 we developed a plan, hired new people, and with this issue of Speed News we feel we have delivered a prod- uct which will serve our members’ needs superbly for the next decade. You are reading the fi rst issue of many more to come that will feature all things NASA and other stories relevant to your identity as a gearhead. You will see plenty of regional news, event reports, race class fea- tures, member spotlights, driving technique stories, and features that will focus on all the great things that happen across our regions and our shared passion for the sport. NASA has always employed cutting edge technology and our new digital format will allow us to produce Speed News in a more timely fashion in order to keep the con- tent relevant while leveraging the most advanced trends in publishing with complete video integration and con- nection to social networking portals. In short, we feel this new approach to Speed News will better meet our members’ demand to bring more focused coverage of the excitement and passion they experience at our events along with providing a platform that will enable us to deliver greater personal exposure for our members. This new digital NASA-centric magazine is a huge undertaking and as such we have had to evaluate what if anything needed to be changed in order to meet our member’s desires while not raising costs to you. Therefore, to satisfy this require- ment, stay within budget, and not raise membership fees, we have made a change to one of our member benefi ts, which is to discontinue sending complimentary issues of Grassroots Motorsports. Therefore, the April issue of Grassroots Motors- ports will be the last issue provided by NASA to you free of charge. We have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with GRM and we hope many if not all of you will continue with them as subscribers as they do a great job covering the wider world of amateur and professional motorsports. We trust that you will enjoy this issue and I hope that we can perhaps feature your efforts and adventures on the pages of Speed News in the near future. Thank you for supporting NASA and I can assure you that many more great things are in store for the years ahead. Only time will tell what they will be but based on past results they should be impressive!

Regards, Ryan Flaherty National Chairman

3

IN THIS ISSUE

DEPARTMENTS FEATURES 6 NEWS FIRST GEAR 32 SPRINT VS. ENDURO 8 Drive more, learn faster, and share expenses. Is endurance racing right for you? 14 NEW PRODUCTS 38 OPEN OPPORTUNITY AROUND THE 22 REGIONS Yes, you can race an open wheel race car in NASA. Here’s how. MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 42

4 EVENTS MARCH

9-11 Road Atlanta, Braselton, GA 10-11 Infi neon Raceway, Sonoma, CA 10-11 Homestead-Miami Speedway, Homestead, FL 17-18 Motorsport Ranch, Fort Worth, TX 23-25 Virginia International Raceway, Alton, VA 24 VIR Plantation Valley, Alton, VA 24 Miller Motorsports Park, SLC, UT 31 Lime Rock Park, CT

For upcoming events : visit https://www.nasaproracing.com/event

44 SANDBLAST RALLY Honda coupes, motorcycles, trucks and purpose built rally machines kick off NASA Rally Sport East’s annual event. 54 JDM ENGINE SOURCING Japan’s loss is your gain. Why and how you can buy a low mileage Japanese engine for your race car. 58 INDUSTRY PROFILE Shawn Sampson: A Passion for Performance How one racer turned his tinkering into a business.

5 NEWS Texas Boasts 11 Racers For Teen Mazda Challenge NASA Texas has reached ally sanctioned road race coveted “Driver Shootout” a total of 11 racers who are events. The series is a step along with champions from signed up for the Teen Mazda in Mazda’s ladder system by other Mazda based series. Challenge for the 2012 sea- which a young driver can ad- Last year’s West Teen Mazda son. vance from go karts through Champion Elliot Skeer won The Teen Mazda Challenge a highly competitive “spec” the Shootout and was award- race program was created series, Mazda’s renowned ed a package worth $75,000 to allow young race car driv- Spec Miata series. The winner to compete in the 2012 Play- ers between the ages of 13 of each regional series is in- boy Mazda MX5 Challenge and 22 to compete in nation- vited to participate in Mazda’s Cup. The teens do not just race amongst themselves, but are also competing at the same time with the other thirty or so Spec Miatas. The fi rst points event is March 17th and 18th at Motorsports Ranch Cresson in Northern Texas. The Texas series will consist of 3 week- ends between then and June with the second and third rounds taking place at Texas World Speedway and Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. SN

2012 TEXAS REGION DRIVERS Adam Poland - Age 21 Alec Udell- Age 17 Arthur Simondet - Age 17 Collin Haun - Age 16 CJ Cramm - Age 15 Deriann Taylor - Age 16 Eva Watson - Age 17 Jack Murray - Age 17 Nicholas Reger - Age 13 Steven Farrell - Age 20 Timothy Reger - Age 15

6 Spec Z NASA is pleased to an- nounce the creation of the new Spec Z series that will feature the Nissan 350Z®. The Spec Z class will include all trim levels of the popular 2003-2008 Nissan 350Z in a single class focused on close competition, parity and cost containment that will show- case driving ability and car setup skills. The NASA Spec Z class will for the series and will be an- proven track record of grow- offer a comprehensive con- nounced shortly. ing classes from the ground tingency prize program that “We are very excited about up, so we are excited to be will reward both Regional and Spec Z,” said Jeremy Croiset, working with NASA on the National Championship com- NASA Director of Sponsor- new Spec Z series. We have petitors. Nissan Motorsports ship. “We have been working a number of competitors al- will provide signifi cant sup- closely with Nissan Motors- ready expressing interest in port for the series, and their ports on the creation of Spec the series, so the potential contingency prize program Z, and it will be an excellent for this series is very strong provides cash rewards up to series for anyone looking to indeed. With our Nissan Mo- $850 for the top 3 fi nishers step into a spec vehicle that’s torsports Competition Parts at each regional competi- fast and relatively inexpen- Program and comprehensive tion weekend with only 3 sive to build, maintain and contingency prize programs, starters being required for race. With the fantastic con- we are looking to make this the program to take effect. tingency prize programs that a strong offering for those Additionally, Nissan Motors- are being provided for Spec Z, interested in stepping into a ports will provide $6,500 in you’ll be hard-pressed to fi nd very competitive spec series cash support to the top Spec a more rewarding spec series racing the iconic Z car.” Z fi nishers at the 2012 NASA to race in. We look forward For complete details on the Championships. to watching Spec Z grow and new series rules, please visit The BFGoodrich R1 tire fl ourish in the coming years http://www.nasaproracing. will be the control tire for the as more racers adopt this com/rules. Spec Z class, and BFG has new formula.” For details on the newly also created a generous con- Ron Stukenberg, Senior announced contingency pro- tingency prize program for Manager, Motorsports Mar- grams for the Spec Z series, the series. More contingency keting Communications, Nis- please visit http://www. prize programs for the Spec san North America agrees, nasaproracing.com/contin- Z class are being fi nalized and adds, “NASA has a gency. SN

7 FIRST GEAR

Grab Your Helmet And Hop In!

Like many other avid race ous cars he had driven during fanatics, I grew up under the last few events as well the misconception that only as some of the more exciting the rich could afford to get races he had competed in and serious about racing cars. I so on. Each time we talked Gary Faules NASA Director of Mentoring thought that surely you had I would fi nd myself becom- to have an expensive car, ing more intrigued. Finally great hand eye coordination, my good friend Kurt and now tion. I will share my personal 20/20 vision, and a complete life-long racing buddy sat me experience with the readers machine shop at home. Not down and helped me fi ll out of SPEED NEWS how I learned to mention it wouldn’t hurt a single page entry form to just how affordable and easy if your father and his father register for my fi rst ever week- it was to work my way up before you were famous race end on a race track. This was through the ranks. By starting car drivers. It was those same the beginning of an introduc- out in groups that allowed me untruths and many more that tion to racing that has taken to stay within my own com- kept me from setting foot me literally around the world. fort level until I was ready to on what would become the What I realized in short order take the next step however journey of a lifetime some 25 was that NASA’s and the in- long that may be. Then I will years later. struction staff was going to walk you through how I be- My racing journey began do their best to keep me away gan earning my rookie status when a good friend noticed from getting any compromis- which led to a race license, a new car of mine sitting in ing situations. NASA was season championships, and the driveway and said, “Come well in control of our activi- yes, even fi rst place podium on out with us and learn how ties, regardless of how much fi nishes in world class events to drive that thing.” I asked, we thought we knew or how such as the Mexican Gran “Who is us?” to which he re- much we thought we needed Prix and the La Carrera Pana- plied with just one, four-letter to know. NASA was there to mericana which is considered word… “NASA.” Now the last show us the proper way to be- one of the most grueling and thing I was going to do was gin enjoying motorsports and dangerous races in the world. get out on some track with a the staff was there to provide Remember… NASA made this bunch of wild and crazy wan- guidance and answers. all possible for me and they na-be race car drivers and risk Over the next few months can for you too! So grab your destroying my new car. Thank- I hope my column will help helmet and hop in. We’ll get fully my friend didn’t give guide new people to begin started in First Gear. persuading me to join him at their own road to adventure the track. Each time I saw him and get started in the Na- Gary Faules, he was telling me about vari- tional Auto Sport Associa- NASA Director of Mentoring

8

NEWS

Contingency Vault: More Benefi ts for NASA Members

In each issue of Speed News JC: Toyo and NASA sat down before, the chances of that we will highlight a different late last year to begin working happening would have been benefi t NASA members on a new contingency program very slim. So the idea here receive from our partners. for 2012 that would not was to reward the folks that This month we sat down only provide larger payouts continue to show up, race, and with Jeremy Croiset, NASA’s but also provide rewards have fun. It is VERY important Director of Sponsorship to get to a wider variety of NASA to remember that midpack and some insight on Toyo’s NASA competitors. The plan was back of the fi eld drivers are program. to provide a different type of directly responsible for the top contingency program from 5 getting a larger contingency SN:HAS THE TOYO what had been traditionally reward. Without the additional offered in the past while entries for the class, the CONTINGENCY PROGRAM maximizing the available program doesn’t qualify for contingency rewards provided the higher reward levels. So, CHANGED FOR 2012? for the program. the idea was to reward the drivers that show up and JC: It certainly has, and SN: IS THERE A REASON make the larger fi elds possible changed for the better! The because they are equally new 2012 program has more 10TH-14TH POSITIONS GET important to the overall health than doubled the contingency PAID AND 6TH-9TH DO NOT? of the class and should also dollars available to fi nishers in have an opportunity to collect each regional Spec Toyo class JC: Yes, and the reason is contingency as well. race: it now pays $1075 vs. simple. The idea was to $400 previously. Additionally provide something for NASA Toyo added another level SN: HOW LONG DO YOU drivers fi nishing farther back of contingency rewards for in the pack. We wanted to EXPECT THESE CLASSES TO drivers fi nishing in the 10- make two different races 14th positions. Classes with REMAIN ON TOYO? out of the Toyo contingency 9 or more starters will benefi t program. If you typically fi nish JC: The newly announced greatly from the revised somewhere in the top 7, you partnership extension with contingency program Toyo will most likely win some Toyo Toyo Tires names them the has made available to NASA bucks for your efforts fi nishing Offi cial Tire of NASA through competitors. in the top 5. With the new 2015. I would expect the program, folks that typically current Toyo classes to remain SN: WHY DID THE TOYO fi nish in the 8-16th fi nish on Toyo for the duration of that positions can now expect to partnership. PROGRAM CHANGE? collect contingency where as

10 newly announced Toyo SN: SOME HAVE CLAIMED SN: OUR RESEARCH SHOWS contingency program follows A RACER THAT WINS TWO THAT THESE NEW BENEFITS that line of thinking to the letter and we are confi dent it RACES COULD EARN $600!! ARE ONLY AVAILABLE TO provides NASA competitors IS THAT REALLY TRUE? NASA RACERS WHICH IS with fantastic opportunities they will not fi nd anywhere JC: Yes, it is true anyone that DIFFERENT THAN PAST else. SN fi nishes 1st place in a class YEARS. WHY THE CHANGE? of 19 or more cars will win $300 in Toyo Bucks for both JC: The idea with this the Saturday and Sunday new exclusive program races (providing of course that is to proudly offer NASA they fi nish 1st on both days). competitors the best available $600 is not a myth, Toyo is contingency package in committed to NASA racers. amateur road racing. The

NASA Announces Another New Addition to Leadership Team - Napa, CA

fornia. I was impressed with NASA, plus the renewed and his passion for motorsports expanded relationship with and his history of innovative Toyo tires NASA was gearing marketing solutions.” Gill up for their best season ever. added that he had been a “We offer the best racing ex- long time admirer of the NASA perience and the fi nest events organization and in particular in the country. Our hiring of its ability to turn so many driv- Greg and the depth he brings ers into racers. “I have been to our management team al- fortunate to work with many Ryan Flaherty, NASA Na- lows us to grow NASA to the tional Chairman, recently an- industry leading companies next level. Greg has been nounced that NASA has hired in the last decade but none of tasked with growing our mem- well known automotive indus- them have the combination try executive Greg Gill. “We of passionate members and bership base, enhancing our have hired Greg as our new VP great regions like I have seen Speed News Magazine, and of Marketing” Flaherty stated, in the NASA family.” building our National Sponsor- “I met Greg via a panel he was Flaherty noted that with ship Partners relationships.” moderating on the future of the recent addition of Royal SN Motorsports in Southern Cali- Purple as offi cial lubricant of

11 NEWS

SCOTT GOOD NAMED AS NEW GTS DIRECTOR NASA is pleased to in- He has been instrumental troduce Scott Good as the in fostering class growth in new German Touring Series his region and I expect the (GTS) National Director. Mr. same great things across Good, a two-time NASA GTS the country.” National Champion, hopes A life-long gear-head, to expand the work he has Good got his fi rst taste of done for the last three years competition at the age of as NASA’s Great Lakes Re- 16 in local autocross events gion’s GTS Series Director, behind the wheel of his a position in which he will father’s Porsche 911. “Auto- continue. cross was a fantastic way to “GTS is one of our mar- safely learn about driving a quee classes,” Flaherty car on the limit,” he says. only spread the word about said. “Featuring all makes Fast-forward a few years GTS but also to help elevate and models of German cars to 2007 when Good joined the skills of the drivers in including Porsche, BMW, NASA with his GTS2 Porsche his group. “I suppose I’ve Audi, Volkswagen, and oth- 944 S2. “I’d raced with always been a bit of a teach- ers, it is a favorite of both several other organizations er,” Good explains, “and so our racers and our fans. prior to joining NASA but at it was natural for me to want Scott’s passion for racing in my very fi rst event I knew to help others learn what I’d general and German cars in I’d found the place that was already fi gured out. While particular make him an ideal right for me. It was refresh- there are lots of GTS racers leader for this important ingly laid back and yet care- that I should be learning and growing racing series. fully and thoughtfully orga- from, there are also plenty nized. The perfect combina- who are relatively new to tion of fun and operational racing whom I’ve always felt precision… I loved it.” I could help make both bet- A year later, in 2008, ter and safer drivers.” ..at my very fi rst Good began a four-year Good looks forward to the domination of the GTS2 challenge of his new Nation- (NASA) event I class, logging 36 wins, 10 al position. “I strongly be- track records, and two Na- lieve that NASA’s GTS series knew I’d found tional Championships out of is the perfect combination just 41 starts. of cars and rules for amateur the place that was In 2009, he took on re- racing and I hope to be able right for me. sponsibility for GTS in NA- to prove that by building an SA’s Great Lakes Region and even bigger and better na- made it his mission to not tional GTS contingent.” SN

12 NEW SHERIFF FOR SO CAL REGION HONDA CHALLENGE

NASA is pleased to an- Honda Challenge class to nounce that Benoit Pecqueur focus his attention and pas- will take over the responsi- sion toward rules enforce- bilities of Southern Califor- ment as well as increasing nia HPD Honda Challenge participation. Jeremy Croiset Series Leader from Jeremy said “Mr. Pecqueur’s pas- Croiset. Mr. Pecqueur, a long sion for racing and “Joe de time NASA racer and Honda vivre” at each track event challenge participant will should provide a positive now utilize the experience infl uence on the series.” he’s gained competing in the Mr. Croiset will remain the HPD Honda Challenge series National Series director for Benoit Pecqueur - National Series Director HPD Honda over the past 6 years, includ- the HPD Honda Challenge Challenge Series ing 5 visits to the National series. SN Championships in the HPD

NEW NASA SOUTH REGION?

NASA SE Regional Director Jim Pantas sent Speed News this image from NASA member James Ray. James e-mailed the following note with his picture.

“I don’t think anyone can beat this as a unique place for a NASA sticker to be displayed! Please save me an XL shirt.

This picture was taken at McMurado Station, Antarctica. NASA Rules!

-James Ray #68 NASA-South pole!

13 NEW PRODUCTS

RECARO PRO RACER ULTIMA SEAT Everything on a racecar is designed to reach the very limits of physics. Vibrations and hard impacts can only be withstood in the cockpit with a good racing shell. For years, the pilots of many racing series have put their trust in RECARO. RECARO’s Pr features a shell made from carbon fi ber, shock absorbing foam, a special belt slot for HANS systems, HANS protection, fl ame-resistant upholstery materials and replaceable pads that guarantee individual optimum adjustment to the driver.

For more information visit www.recaro.com

CLUBSPEC ROTOR CLUBSPEC is a heavy-duty performance spec rotor designed specifi cally for the spirited street or track driver.

The universal T3 slot design effi ciently clears dust and debris, while maintaining consistent friction and and cleaner disc surface.Patented ‘Kangaroo Paw’ ventila- tion design* provides greater heat dissipa- tion AlumaliteTM centre / hat / bell made from light-weight 6061-T6 aircraft alu- minium material (re-useable) XG150 High Carbon Alloyed Iron increases the thermal capacity properties of the rotor Tri-Symmet- rical T3 Slot design dampens the vibration harmonics resulting in a quieter, respon- sive and smoother brake pedal feel

For more information visit www.dbausa.com 14 JIFFY-TITE 100% Leak proof with high fl ow through and minimal restrictions, Jiffy-tite 360 degree quick connect fi ttings are available for virtually all fuel, water, oil and transmission systems.

For more information visit www.jiffy-tite.com

EUROSPORT SNELL 2010 CERTIFIED SUPERSPORT Impact by MasterCraft Safety lis- tened to racers’ needs and added new standard features to the Super- sport™ adding vents at three points along the crown of the helmet that can be individually opened and closed via toggle switch. This ventilation system keeps your head cool during races and helps to keep your shield fog-free and clear all race long. Constructed from light- weight composites, the Supersport includes Impact’s fi re-retardant, variable-density, single-piece Gray Matter helmet liner, a wide eye port with a three-position detent 1/8” polycarbonate shield, interchange- able sizing cheekpads and a fi re-re- sistant Kevlar® chinstrap with dual D-Ring closure.

• Adult Sizes: XS/S/M/L/XL • Colors: White/Silver/Gloss Black /Flat Black • Snell SA 2010 Certifi ed

For more information visit www.impactraceproducts.com

15 NEW PRODUCTS

JBA HEADERS FOR CORVETTE Z06 JBA Performance Exhaust, a PerTronix Performance Brand, has just introduced this New 4 into 2 into 1 Stainless Steel Header for the 2006-2011 Corvette Z06

The 6821S headers are built with 3/8” thick fl anges at the cylinder head and V Band collectors for Maximum Power and optimum ground clearance. The 4-2-1 tube design is made from 16 gauge Stainless Steel tubing for durabil- ity with 1 7/8” primaries, the merge into 2 1/8” secondary’s and then 3” collectors for increased horsepower and torque throughout the power band. This is not the typical Tri Y type header that has been around for many years, but rather the state of the art exhaust design that is now being used in many forms of racing, includ- ing NASCAR®. The design accom- modates both automatic and manual transmission cars with power brakes, power steering and air conditioning.

For more information visit http://www.jbaheaders.com

FEL-PRO PERMATORQUE MLS PERFORMANCE HEAD GASKET

Features a minimum of four lay- ers – three active layers and one shim layer – to meet the needs of today’s high-output engines. In some cases, Federal-Mogul sealing engineers specify fi ve layers to ad- dress the unique requirements of extremely demanding applications. Fel-Pro offers a wide variety of MLS gaskets to serve today’s racer.

For more information visit www.felpro-only.com

16 TOYO OPEN COUNTRY® H/T WITH TUFF DUTY™ This all-season light truck tire for high-torque tow- ing applications is engineered for high torque diesel pickup trucks that tow trailers or occasionally haul heavy loads. A three-belt construction and multi- wave sipes coupled with a symmetric, non-direc- tional design help deliver long, dependable wear.

This M&S rated highway tire also features a tread depth of up to 17/32nds for improved tread life, longer wear and balanced all-season performance. Variable pitch tread blocks help to reduce noise generated between the road and the tire while an optimized casing design and a spiral wound edge ply are all elements to ensure a quiet, comfortable ride.

Five sizes are available: LT235/85R16, LT245/75R16, LT265/75R16, LT285/75R16 and LT265/70R17.

For more information visit www.toyotires.com

ACT XACT STREETLITE FLYWHEEL Streetlite Flywheel for the Honda S2000 is a lightweight, SFI Spec. 1.1 Certifi ed, fl ywheel for the 2000-2003 Honda S2000 2.0L and 2004- 2009 Honda S2000 2.2L. Each XACT fl ywheel is certifi ed to meet SFI Spec 1.1 standards, making them legal for competition where SFI 1.1 certifi cation is required or recommended. XACT fl ywheels come complete with an offi cial SFI sticker and serial number, as required for certifi cation.

For more information visit www.advancedclutch.com

17 NEW PRODUCTS

DUCATI 1199 PANIGALE Get to the track before anyone else. Designers and Engineers of the new generation Ducati Su- perbike were given a “blank canvas” to reach the apparently impossible 1199 Panigale targets of 10kg less weight and 25hp more power. Every detail, every dimension and every design de- cision has been driven entirely by a zero-compromise brief to create the highest performance Ducati Superbike of all time. The 1199 Panigale now sets the most extreme benchmark ever and its arrival represents one of the most historic moments in Ducati’s incredible Superbike history.

For more information visit www.ducati.com

FIDANZA FLYWHEEL With their new lightweight aluminum fl ywheel for 2010 and later Hyundai Genesis 2.0L engines

For more information visit www.fi danza.com

18 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR A NASAPRORACING.COM ACCOUNT TODAY!

Membership in the National Auto Sport Association will make you part of a large family of motorsports enthusiasts and will provide you many benefi ts such as being able to participate in NASA events across the country, free admission to most NASA events, and participation in other programs available to our members.

Already a member? Login today to take advantage of a growing list of benefi ts. http://nasaproracing.com/benefi ts

19 NASA REGIONS ARIZONA CALIFORNIA-NORTH CALIFORNIA-SOUTH Tage Evanson Jerry Kunzman Ryan Flaherty 7014 N 55th Ave PO Box 2366 2750 Hidden Hills Way Glendale, AZ 85301 Napa Valley, CA 94558 Corona, CA 92882 Ph 623-628-8997 Ph 510-232-6272 Phone & Fax 310-943-7793 [email protected] Fax 510-277-0657 [email protected] www.nasaaz.com [email protected] http://socal.drivenasa.com/ www.nasaproracing.com/norcal

YOUR NATIONAL

STAFF Executive Director: National Chairman: Chief Divisional Vice President, Jerry Kunzman Ryan Flaherty Director: Marketing: John Lindsey Greg Gill 20 FLORIDA UTAH SOUTHEAST Jon Felton Aaron “Biggie” Brown Jim Pantas P.O. Box 2366 2901 N Sheep Lane PO Box 1483 Napa Valley, CA 94558 Tooele, UT 84074 2150 Hahn Road Ph 386-227-7795 Ph (801) 613-2781 Mt Pleasant, NC 28124 Mobile 804-397-FAST [email protected] Ph 704-436-8211 [email protected] www.nasautah.com [email protected] www.drivenasafl .com www.nasa-southeast.com NORTHEAST MID ATLANTIC Joe Casella / Carmine Dell Aquila RALLY SPORT - EAST Chris Cobetto P.O. Box 433 Amy Feistel 16431 Kelli Ashley Ct. Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 217 Caniff Lane Montpelier, VA 23192 Ph 973-900-7272 Cary, NC 27519 Ph 804-883-7669 [email protected] Ph 919-434-3267 [email protected] www.nasanortheast.com [email protected] www.nasaracing.net www.nasarallysport.com ROCKY MOUNTAIN RALLY SPORT - WEST Dave and Revkah Balingit MID SOUTH Ray Hocker P.O. Box 15 Shawn Taylor P.O. Box 1388 Udall, KS 67146 3760 Beaver Road Ridgecrest, CA 93556-1388 Ph 303-539-9363 Munford, TN 38058 Ph 760-446-4002 [email protected] Ph 901-837-0659 [email protected] www.nasarockymountain.com http://midsouth.drivenasa.com [email protected] TEXAS MIDWEST Dave and Revkah Balingit Dave Royce NEW ORLEANS P.O. Box 15 5250 Grand Avenue Kelly Warrick Udall, KS 67146 Suite 14-387 Gurnee, IL 60031 Ph 504-273-4572 Ph 972-584-9375 847-574-8032 Offi ce & Fax [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.nasatx.com www.nasamidwest.com NASA CENTRAL GREAT LAKES CHAMPIONSHIPS NASA Central Motorsports LLC Dave Royce presented by Toyo Tires PO Box 46797 5250 Grand Avenue September 7-9. Kansas City, MO 64188 Suite 14-387 Gurnee, IL 60031 Mid Ohio Race Track, Ph 816-808-1340 Ph 847-574-8032 Lexingtion Ohio [email protected] [email protected] www.midohio.com [email protected] http://racenasa.nasamidwest.com www.drivenasacentral.com

Director of Business Ops. National Event Medical Director: Sponsorship: Manager: Manager: Greg Greenbaum Jeremy Croiset Dave Ho Will Faules 21 AROUND THE REGIONS

New Comp Schools in Florida! New for 2012 NASA Florida will be offer- ing Competition Evaluation Schools at each event. This is how you get your license and go racing NASA style! Please click here ( http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic. php?f=22&t=52951 ) for details and email your driving history to Jon Felton for consid- NASA Florida will tentatively utilize the eration. [email protected] “Pro Course” confi guration at Homestead on March 10-11! This is the same layout NEW PARTICIPANT SPECIAL: Grand-Am will be using for their race week- We have a limited number of “$75 off” cou- end later this spring. The T3/T4 NASCAR pon codes for new participants! You must banking promises to deliver a new chal- be entirely new to NASA, although you don’t lenge, as well as new opportunities for lap need to be a novice - the discount is good records. Please join us, details and registra- for any run group, but is only good for $75 tion are at http://www.drivenasafl .com off a full weekend registration and a NASA NASA Florida is proud to host the BMW membership when purchased simultane- Car Club of America’s fi rst Club Race of the ously. Please contact Jon Felton ASAP to get season at Sebring on March 31-April 1! We your coupon code, supplies are limited. are looking forward to sharing good times both on the track and in the paddock with REFERRAL SPECIAL: a fi ne group of BMW racers. Please join us, Bring 5 new participants to NASA FL, get a details and registration are at http://www. free weekend entry! For current members/ drivenasafl .com SN participants in any group, bring us 5 new participants (membership plus full weekend registration, listing your name in the “spon- sor” fi eld) and you will get one free HPDE/TT/roadracing weekend in the future (up to a $429 value!) We will also have a competition to see who can bring the most new participants this sea- son, with a nice prize TBA. Please contact Jon Felton for more information.

22 Kansas City - NASA Central Winter Gathering: A Huge Success!

NASA Central Region’s Win- ter Gathering on February 4 at The Peanut in Kansas City was a huge success with 45 people from 4 different states attending. Friends new and old came together for good food and great conversation. The best part of the event was the large number of new NASA enthusiasts that came out to learn what we have to offer. Great things are ahead for NASA Central in 2012! Doug Low of Service Automo- 14-15. Event sign up can be tive in Wichita, KS and Jesse found at http://www.nasap- “ I could not be Prather of Jesse Prather Mo- roracing.com/event/1426. torsports in Topeka KS. They Contact us at www.DriveNA- happier with the were able to meet with driv- SAcentral.com. SN ers, discuss what they have new enthusiasts to offer and enjoy some seri- and old friends ous bench racing. REGION DIRECTORS Region Director Todd Smith Matt Rivard and their excite- said, “I could not be happier Region Director with the new enthusiasts and ment about what old friends and their excite- Todd Smith ment about what we have in Region Director we have in store store for 2012. We continue for 2012.” to grow and bring new drivers CONTACT: into the sport, which is what Bryan Cohn NASA is all about.” Chief of Driver Operations NASA Central Region’s 2012 season kicks off with Also in attendance were NASA Central a crossover event with the three owners of NASA Cen- bryancohn@ NASA Mid South Region at tral Tech Shops, Greg Smith drivenasacentral.com the newly reopened Gateway and David Long of Santa Fe 316 440 2955 Motorsports Park on April Garage in Independence, MO,

23 AROUND THE REGIONS

NASA Texas-2011 Special Awards and 2011 Champions The 2011 Awards Party sional Time Trial participant’s was held on Saturday eve- passenger seat for an evalu- 2011 NASA TEXAS ning during the MSR Hous- ation ride. As time permits, SEASON CHAMPIONS ton season opening event. he still manages to jump into NASA Texas took a gamble his own car to compete in 944Spec - Kevin Webb on the weather and had an the TTD and TTE categories. American Iron - outside dinner and party. Ken’s dedication at track and Marshall Mosty Due to clear skies and toler- between events helping our American Iron Extreme - able temperatures, the crowd competitors have the best Casey Holdway of 250 or so enjoyed a ca- experience they can possibly tered dinner under the stars. have is a perfect example of CMC - Nicholas Runyon In addition to the trophies what we value in our staff. CMC2 - Michael Mosty presented to the 2011 series The base and support- podium fi nishers, NASA ing structure of any NASA GTS2 - Jake Hennig Texas was proud to present regional organization is an GTS3 - Kevin Mixon three special awards. excellent HPDE program. The Rookie of the Year was NASA HPDE Instructor is one GTS4 - Jay Matus awarded to SpecMiata racer of the folks out on the front GTS5 - Buck Floyd Steven Farrell. Steven’s fi rst line and are arguably one rookie race wasn’t until April, of the most visible faces of GTSU - Michael Mills but his consistent top fi n- NASA. Being brand new in Legends - James Spann ishes resulted in a season an HPDE program can some- end position of 6th place in a times be overwhelming and PTB - Mike Ledinski fi eld of nearly 70 SpecMiata the HPDE Instructor has a PTD - Wyatt Brennan racers. Being that Steven is huge effect in the experience still in college, he has a long someone comes away with. PTF - Tony Lee career in front of him and The ideal NASA Instructor is SSM - Mike Bell will be challenging for those friendly, outgoing, helpful top championship spots for and has great feedback from SpecMiata - Brett Gabriel many years to come. their students. While there NASA Texas Staff Mem- were so many to choose from Super Touring 1 - ber of the Year went to Ken in 2011 making it a very hard Jose Carreras Brewer, the region’s Assis- decision, NASA Texas Re- Super Touring 2 - tant Time Trial Director. Ken gional Directors felt that Joe Rene Molina is a staple of any NASA event Woodhead rose to the top of and can usually be found the list. Joe was named In- Super Unlimited - Eric Purcell running from Driver Info to structor of the Year SN grid and then back to a provi-

24 Sportscar Performance to Provide Tire Service and Sales at NASA Texas Events

NASA Texas is pleased any event. “My understand- to remind everyone that they to announce that Sportscar ing of chassis dynamics al- are there for all participants. Performance of Arlington,TX lows me to help my custom- Dave Balingit, Regional Direc- will be providing tire service ers get the most performance tor for NASA Texas added, for the major NASA Texas from their tire choices. I am “Regardless of the tire brand events in 2012. The 40 foot really looking forward to of- you are running and whether transporter of Sportscar Per- fering our service at NASA you are a new HPDE driver formance will be a welcome events in 2012”, says Sauce. or an experienced racer or sight at NASA events. Sportscar Performance is TT competitor, Mike will be The owner of Sportscar the appointed Hoosier and there for all your tire service Performance is Mike Sauce, Goodyear racing tire sales needs.” SN a long time racer in the Texas and service dealer for Texas. area. His 25 year background In addition to supporting Sportscar Performance of supplying and servicing the many cars running these 317 West Division Street race tires combined with his brand of tires in NASA’s Su- Arlington, TX 76011 own racing successes makes per Touring, GTS and Time Tri- 817-860-1985 him a valuable resource at als classifi cations, they want [email protected]

NASA Northeast has their 2011 Awards Banquet 145 guests had a great sports, Turner Motorsports, munity. Dave said “without time catching up and sharing Monticello Motor Club, and his hard work, guidance and the racing stories from the On Track Insurance. perseverance this organiza- past season at the Avenue In addition to the race tion wouldn’t be where it is A club in Newark NJ. Awards trophies Joe Casella was pre- today”. The trophy was made were presented to all class sented a special honor from from one of Dave’s H.R.E. winners and door prizes were Dave Hary of SMAX Inter- wheels from his winning Nis- donated by: Hawk Brakes, coolers in recognition for his san Silvia. SN Stable Energies, VAC Motor- dedication to the race com-

25 AROUND THE REGIONS

NASA SoCal 2011 Champions

Over 165 NASA SoCal drivers, friends, and family celebrated the 2011 season champions at Santa Anita Raceway in Arcadia, CA. The picturesque clear winter day with horse racing served as a fi tting backdrop to look back at the previous season and rec- ognize individual achievements. Our 2011 Season Champions can be found here: http://socal. drivenasa.com/points/ but spe- cial mention should go to those that do not always grace the racing charts. These are people that focus on making sure people have an excellent experience at a NASA event. Regional Director Ryan Flaherty honored the fol- lowing people for making special contributions to the region. SN

SPECIAL AWARDS

TC McNett Memo Gomez Role Model

Shawn Meze Offi cial of the Year

Corey Weber Director’s Choice

Joshua Allan Instructor of the Year

26 NASA Mid-Atlantic At their fi rst race of 2012 NASA Mid-Atlantic celebrated their 2011 Champions along with special awards in the categories of Spirit, Rookie, Worker, Dedication, Good Samaritan, Purist, and Director SN

2011 NASA MID-ATLANTIC CLASS CHAMPIONS AND FINAL POINTS:

AI SPEC 3 Chris Cobetto 1183 Anders Skandsen 1085 Beau Dunnivant 916 Michael D’Abreu 1030 Robert Korzen 872 Jon McAvoy 1015 CMC2 E 30 Team Odie’s 1162 Robert Grace 1185 Al Wheatley 1133 Robert Gagliardo 1030 Bill Purdy 1108 Andrew Zimmerman 891 GTS1 SM David Gibson 980 Adam Molaver 945 Madison Whittle 913 Brian Coates 762 Willian Repass 865 Alan Olson 758 GTS2 SSM Donald Weymer 935 Timmy Tyrrell 1155 Jim Khoury 785 Glenn Evans 1025 Jason Crist 733 Joe Pattarozzi 796 GTS3 PTE Joshua Smith 1100 Stephen Harpe 1125 Jeffrey Curtis 950 Wade Jackson 985 Kyle Bacon 750 Xavier Calderon 924

SPECIAL AWARDS

2011 NASA Mid-Atlantic , Rookie of the Year 2011 NASA Mid-Atlantic , Directors Award Anders Skandsen James and Elyse Politi 2011 NASA Mid-Atlantic, Spirit of NASA 2011 NASA Mid-Atlantic, Good Samaritan Award Justin and Casey Gallamore Mike Tharpe 2011 NASA Mid-Atlantic, Worker of the Year 2011 NASA Mid-Atlantic , Purist Award Sacha Elliott Jon Felton 2011 NASA Mid-Atlantic , Dedication Award James “JJ” Johnson

27 AROUND THE REGIONS

NorCal 2012 Annual Banquet

It was that time of year again, a start of a new racing season and time for Nor Cal Region to celebrate 2011 and kick off 2012 with their annual Banquet, which took place February 11th at Infi neon Raceway. The Nor Cal Region knows how to celebrate, and did so with a fantastic showcase of food paired with beverage ser- vice of all sorts. Nor Cal Region is very much like a giant family. To great misfortune they lost one of their closest, Ralph Alexander in the latter part of 2011. His son, Jon Alex- ander, took time to share stories about his father, great memories they had together and how Ralph would for- ever be remembered in the region as a generous con- tributor of his own time, his heartfelt dedication, and his friendship. Earlier in the day Nor Cal took time to run several memorial laps dedicated to Ralph, with his son Jon leading the group in his father’s RX-7 race car. In addition to 2011 Championship awards, Nor Cal

28 presented a number of handcrafted awards to offi cials and volunteers of special achievement. While Jerry Kunzman did much of the speaking, he too was presented with a gener- ous gift signed by everyone in the Nor Cal family. Much of the banquet was not only to present awards, recognize achievement and dedication of service, but also to bring drivers and offi cials together in a casual setting (without the roar of race engines.) It was a fantastic event to be certain and a great way to kick start the 2012 season. SN

Jerry gives Safety Worker Christine Cooley a hug.

29 REBIRTH By MichaelOF Dearstyne - A SERIESNASA-SE 944 Spec Series Director etting started in NASA of HPDE, friendships were anything without the bless- was the beginning of made with likeminded people ings of the local and national a great adventure. It who also enjoyed driving a directors, the plan was set in was also becoming 944. As our track group grew action. I approached NASA-SE apparent that by to 5 by the end of November, Regional Director Jim Pantas choosing a 944 it 2011 we began to plan our with our proposal to make 944 Gwould be the start of a very rebuilding of the 944 Spec Spec viable again and he was lonely adventure. 944 Spec series in the NASA-SE region. all for it. Jim put me in touch in the Southeast was for all As the only licensed driver with the 944 Spec national Di- practical purposes dead. with a legal car I was made rector Eric Kuhns. Eric was ex- However as my progression our unoffi cial leader. cited to see the renewed inter- was made through the ranks Knowing we could not do ested in the Southeast. I was 30 “ The main focus was, as always, our singular purpose - grow our series..”

offi cially named the NASA-SE events and what we wanted to $100 discount coupons to fi rst 944 Spec series Director in De- accomplish. While the initial time racers. cember of 2011. purpose was to rebuild a mo- Throughout the day, stories The next step was to get tor and gut the donor car, that were told as we worked on more people interested in our became secondary. The main parts of the car. At the end series again. We felt if people focus was, as always, our of the day, we opened some could see us as a group that singular purpose - grow our beers and celebrated the suc- was enthusiastic and support- series. cess. We had succeeded in ive then maybe they would Saturday morning came promoting our series and by all want to join the fun. Having early and we all headed to the accounts have increased our followed the 944spec.org Chicken Shack not really know- numbers by at least 3 that day. forums we liked how some ing how many would show up Our group now has the poten- of the other regions would and if there were any really tial of reaching 10+ licensed hold build parties to help get interested. By the end of the drivers and cars by 2013. a racer ready. So what better build day, we were all excited While it is a great start, we way to launch the new series that the day turned out to be are not resting. A new build then to hold a build party. We so productive. We did pull the party is in the works for our purchased a project car and engine out, rebuild it and rein- project car as well as another even installed a lift in our club stall within the same day and member’s car the weekend of house (a converted chicken also gutted the interior. New Feb. 25-26. We also have some house we call The Chicken friendships were formed and track promotions planned for Shack) to further help us pull new potential racers joined the March Road Atlanta race. people together and establish our group aided by the bevy of If you are interested in the 944 a foundation. giveaways supplied by Jim & Spec series please feel free to The Friday night before Julie Pantas. NASA-SE had gra- get ahold of me at 944Spec@ the big day our small group ciously given us hats, decals, nasa-se.com. SN planned out the next day’s schedule magnets and even 31 SPRINT VS ENDURO fl ag wave. It feels good to Endurance races give drivers Why you should try cross the fi nish line and put from 3-hours up to 25-hours a race behind you. But once of seat time. Just one 3-hour to spend more time on the adrenaline leaves your enduro is more green fl ag veins, you realize it’s over. You race time than six sprint races — by Rob Krider the racetrack. towed for three hours to get combined. to the track, worked on the Besides the obvious benefi t f you’re a NASA road racer, car for a week, and after 25 of tons of seat time, endur- over time you’ve probably minutes it’s done. An episode ance racing also brings other refi ned your qualifying of Modern Family lasts longer advantages, like car sharing, methods and your rolling/ than that. What if there was a cost sharing, teamwork, driver standing start skills. You way for you to get more seat skill evaluation, new racing know exactly how much time, more bang for your buck, experiences and camaraderie Igas to put into your tank to and more moments drifting with the endurance racing fi nish a 25-minute sprint race. around corners with a smile community. If you’ve seen You enjoy going out, laying on your face? Good news, those cars cruising around in down some quick aggressive there is, it’s called endurance the paddock with the insane laps, making a few passes racing and NASA already has headlamp setups and always and seeing the checkered a class that your car will fi t in. wondered what it would be

GOTBLUEMILK

32 like to run an endurance event can make your car marginally eyes open) that I have had the here are a few reasons why faster, but I have found that pleasure of racing endurance you should give it a try. the cheapest part to make events with. faster in a racecar is the Sharing Costs: driver. Inherently, racecar New Racing Experiences: Running a racecar is drivers are egomaniacs that Endurance racing gives drivers expensive and nobody think that nobody can drive the opportunity to experience is trying to convince you their car faster than they things that are generally otherwise. If you liked cheap can. Wanna bet? One of the unavailable to sprint racers hobbies you would play best things I ever got from like dynamic pit stops and Frisbee golf. But you like endurance racing was sharing night racing. Even as a road the smell of race gas over a car on the same day, in the racer doing sprint races I patchouli oil, so it’s off to same conditions, on the same didn’t know what it was like the racetrack for you. But just track with other drivers on my to pull into a pit stall for a getting to an event is pricey. team. What did I learn? Well, tire change like a NASCAR And it isn’t just the renewable it turns out I’m not the fastest driver or race at night like items like tires, brake pads, thing that ever happened the teams at the 24 Hours rotors and race fuel. It is to the automobile like I had of Daytona. After one NASA expensive to just make it to previously thought. But once endurance event I had the the track with car trailers, I came to the earth shattering chance to do both and I had motorhomes, and bologna conclusion that I wasn’t a whole new respect for each sandwiches. Endurance “the greatest,” I started to discipline. It would take two racing, as opposed to sprint communicate with my team novels to explain what night racing, takes multiple drivers and ask questions like: “What racing is like. Some people and multiple drivers equal gear are you in at the end of love it, some people hate it. multiple wallets. I have found the straight?” “What line are Most endurance races have a I could make it to a lot more you taking for Turn 3?” “Can daylight and nighttime stint events while sharing the costs you tell me why I suck?” so different drivers on a team with a few friends. Plus, we Ken Myers, from I/O Port can decide who hates racing also shared the workload on Racing Supplies, installed a at night the least. Pit stops a single car. It is a lot easier TraqMate in our car at the 25 are fun and bring a whole to complete all of the tasks Hours of Thunderhill and then new competitive component a racecar needs and balance there was no debate about to the race. I have found a personal and professional who was faster and where. We it’s easier to bring friends life when there are two to looked at the data and I made to a race to “help” during a six guys are working on the the adjustments necessary weekend if they get to go over car, as opposed to staying so that during the race I was the wall and really be a part up all night wrenching in able to improve. Without the of something. It is exciting the freezing cold garage by experience of driving on an for them and they get to go yourself. endurance team I never would home and talk about how they have gleaned the knowledge pit crewed for a racing team. Driving Technique: that I needed to improve. I Driver swaps, fueling, and Stop spending all of your tax didn’t get that insight until adding lights are hectic and refund on a bigger sway bar, I compared my driving style dramatic moments in racing. a lighter battery or a hotter (foot down, eyes closed) to This is something that sprint ECU tune. Sure, these things that of better drivers (smooth, racers just don’t get a chance 33 >> To go endurance Glowing brake rotors and racing you need bright headlights are to have friends. a staple of night rac- I’m not talking ing. From this photo we about your Face- learned our back brakes book friends, real were cold, which means friends, ones who they DON’T DO JACK! cc>> are willing to jump over the wall and smell like gasoline.

ROB KRIDER

<< NASA classes like Honda Chal- lenge and Spec E30 are perfect candidates to roll into NASA endurance racing class E3. Just add lights.

GOTBLUEMILK VANHAP PHOTOGRAPHY

to try. The only catch here is from Sampson Racing in my hand and Shawn began you need to have friends. It Communication in his Mazda to quickly walk toward me. For helps if those friends are as Miata. I think we were both a second I was nervous, I had crazy as you are about cars gunning for something really committed some questionable and racing. Good news, there important like fi fth place out passing maneuvers out in the are a hundred of them running of six cars in class. Regardless, dark and I wasn’t sure how HPDE during the day. A lot of we were dicing through the he took to that sort of stupid our crew were HPDE guys who darkness, passing each other, driving. Were we going to stayed after their sessions and running off the race surface be besties or was he going worked on the pit crew with and dusting each other. This to start shouting at me? He us. They were stoked to be went on for over an hour and approached me with a big part of a “real” race team and it was epic. My team was smile and said, “That was we were glad to have the help. on my radio (coincidentally awesome!” I knew right then purchased from Sampson) and there we’d be friends for Camaraderie: screaming at me, “Stop racing a long time and that NASA One of my favorite endurance this guy so hard. Don’t wreck endurance racing had a great race memories was a NASA the car!” Somehow Shawn group of folks to play with. WERC series night event at and I (as well as our cars) If you’ve been on the fence Buttonwillow where I had survived the event and we on trying an endurance race, an epic night battle while each took the checker. Shortly don’t hesitate, it’s a blast and driving a Nissan Sentra SE-R after, I was strolling through the people are fantastic. against Shawn Sampson the paddock with a cold beer

34 >> Troy Lindstrom enjoys a victory shot with his crew after win- ning overall at a “ Endurance rac- 3-hour enduro at Buttonwillow Raceway. Smiles ing gives drivers are abundant after fi nishing a hard the opportunity to night race. experience things VANHAP PHOTOGRAPHY that are generally unavailable to << It’s not all Spec Miatas and Spec sprint racers .” E30s, prototypes come out and play too in the ESR class. Historically they are wicked fast but struggle with making it to the fi n- ish of a long race.

VANHAP PHOTOGRAPHY

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT WWESTERNESTERN EENDURANCENDURANCE RACINGRACING CHAMPIONSHIPCHAMPIONSHIP ATAT BUTTON-BUTTON- WWILLIOWILLIOW RACEWAYRACEWAY PPARKARK JJUNEUNE 225,5, 22011011

35 National Auto Sport Association (NASA) Western Endurance Racing Championship (WERC):

NASA runs an endurance racing points famous Infi neon) with 6 different classes: championship on the West Coast with ESR, ES, EO, E1, E2, and E3. Most cars the season fi nishing at the longest running NASA sprint races fall right into closed course road race in existence, the endurance classes and need little to The 25 Hours of Thunderhill presented no modifi cation to run an endurance race by the United States Air Force. For the other than lights for night events. If you 2012 season the WERC series will have 7 don’t want to invest in lights, try a daytime events at 3 different challenging courses enduro and see what you think. My money (Thunderhill, Buttonwillow and the world says you will love it. SN

NASA WERC SERIES March 11, 2012 Infi neon Raceway 4-hour enduro (day) April 21, 2012 Buttonwillow Raceway Park 3-hour enduro (day/night) May 20, 2012 Thunderhill Raceway Park 4-hour enduro (day) June 23, 2012 Buttonwillow Raceway Park 3-hour enduro (day/night) September 30, 2012 Infi neon Raceway 3-hour enduro (day) October 13, 2012 Buttonwillow Raceway Park 3-hour enduro (day/night) December 7-9, 2012 Thunderhill Raceway Park 25-Hours of Thunderhill (day/night)

36 Endurance Racing across the NASA Regions

WESTERN ENDURANCE RACE CHAMPIONSHIP GREAT LAKES / MIDWEST ENDURANCE • March 11, 2012, 4hr day, Infi neon Raceway • April 20, 2012 - Autobahn CC, 3 hr • April 21, 2012, 3hr day/night, Buttonwillow • May 11, 2012 - Putnam Park, 3 hr Raceway • July 13, 2012- Autobahn CC 3 hr • May 20, 2012, 4hr day, Thunderhill Raceway • September 14, 2012 - Autobahn CC • June 23, 2012, 3hr day/night, Buttonwillow 4.5 hr into the night Raceway • October 26, 2012 - Autobahn CC TBD hr • September 30, 2012, 3hr day, Infi neon (6-8) Raceway October 13, 2012, 3hr day/night Buttonwillow • TEXAS ENDURANCE Raceway • April 27, 2012 3hr Texas World Speedway • October 7, 2012 2hr ERC USAF 25 HOURS OF THUNDERHILL RACEWAY • November 9, 2012 4hr NOLA • December 7-9, 2012 NORTHEAST SOUTHEAST ENDURANCE • May 25 2hr at Thunderbolt, NJMP • Friday March 9, 2012 - 3 hrs - Road Atlanta • Friday October 26 ta NJMP • Friday June 15, 2012 - 3 hrs - Road Atlanta • Friday Nov 30, 2012 - 8 hrs - Road Atlanta UTAH • March 31st: 3 hour enduro ARIZONA ENDURANCE (MMP Outer Course) • December 1, 2012 3hr - Chuckwalla Valley • October 27th: 3 hour enduro Raceway (MMP Outer Course)

37 By Mark Milazzo Operations Manager World Speed Inc. OPEN OPPORTUNITY How To: Getting Started in Open Wheel Competition

The Formula Car Challenge racecar (www.formulaspeed. presented by Goodyear is a us), and promotes an open BUT FIRST! stepping stone series for up- wheel racing series. (www. and-coming racers as well FormulaCarChallenge.com) CAN I GO OPEN WHEEL RACING as a race series for serious As such, I am a big propo- WITH NASA? Yes you can... enthusiasts. Graduates have nent of our products as they won the Sebring 12 Hour, the were developed specifi cally The Formula Car Challenge Star Mazda Championship, because our company sees presented by Goodyear is a and competed in Indy Lights. the value in their underlying multiple-region series with philosophies. Your mileage an annual NASA sanctioned MY BIASED OPINION: may vary... national championship. The GRAIN OF SALT REQUIRED series features a multi-class The company I work for SELECTING A RACECAR: format. All classes are pow- owns a professional race team SPEC OR OPEN? ered by Mazda and equipped (www.worldspeed.com), man- There are many types and with Goodyear Racing tires. ufactures a spec open wheel classes of open wheel race-

BRETT CROWLEY-CRAWFORD

38 BRETT CROWLEY-CRAWFORD cars on the market and a vari- should be done. ety of sanctioning bodies that If you decide to do it on handle them. You should ask your own you can save a rea- yourself, is my goal to race in sonable amount of money competitive equipment or do once you get past the capital I enjoy tinkering even more expenses of tools and an ap- than the actual racing? propriate transport rig. Some If you enjoy tinkering even Mark Milazzo - Operations drivers really enjoy doing all of more than racing you will want Manager World Speed Inc. their own work. If this is you, to investigate some classes then you should consider a car that allow for tinkering. The ity up,” notes Standing Start that is simple to work on, as Formula 1000 class and For- Driver Coach Scott Bradley. you will be both the mechanic mula Atlantic classes are fairly “Seat time is critical to both and driver on the weekends. open and you can invent all the developing driver and the While it may be fun to work kinds of things to make them driver looking to have fun on on your racecar at home in faster. The thing you should the weekend. With reliable preparation for the weekend, be aware of is that your com- engines and proper prepara- it will be highly stressful to be petitors also have that op- tion the drivers are spending wrenching on your car in be- portunity and soon you are their time on the track and not tween sessions if the work re- either in an uncompetitive car in the garage area waiting for quired is time consuming and or you are buying the engine their car to be repaired.” the time between sessions or aero kit of the week. If you is short. We have all seen or always want to be in competi- WORK WITH A TEAM? been these guys; they are the tive equipment, you should OR DO IT YOURSELF? drivers that are buttoning up consider a spec car. What is the car and their driver’s suit A professional open wheel a ‘spec car’? It is a car that al- at the last second on the grid. team will certainly make your lows for adjustments and tun- If you are considering doing life easier and let you focus ing but very few if any chang- it all yourself due to budget- on driving. Another benefi t of es to the stock parts that the ary constraints, you could working with a team is their car was delivered with. Being consider a hybrid program. Is knowledge base of the cars, spec does not mean the car there a professional team that tracks, and logistics. If pos- is slow. As a matter of fact, can do the car preparation sible, it would be best to work some of the fastest cars in and transport for you and you with a team your fi rst season racing are spec cars. The Indy can handle the at track work? so that you can at least get a Lights series utilizes spec cars Or maybe a professional can fi rst hand view on how things and those cars are faster than be hired to assist you on the most of us are com- weekends and you fortable going! can handle all the “Spec cars are work at home. Ask ideal for both around, talk to driv- driver development ers and teams and and racing as the see if you can fi nd nature of the cars an appropriate deal helps keeps costs for your goals and down and reliabil- budget. 39 SELECTING A SERIES: savings. A typical open wheel a full season sponsor and racer who does it all them- start shotgunning informa- REGIONAL OR NATIONAL? selves in a spec class will tion packets out to every big Drivers looking to make spend around $25k per sea- company they’ve heard of. I a career in motorsports can son and approximately $50k if have never seen a deal like participate in a series like the they have a team take care of this turn into anything. It does Star Mazda Championship everything. If they really want usually make the local print presented by Goodyear and to spend $400k in their de- shop owner happy though. race in front of the IndyCar Se- velopment seasons they can Use your current contacts ries crowds every single week- race in a regional series AND to your advantage: We all end. The series travels all over do over 100 test days. Do you know people that are either North America and a typical think that would be a good working at a business or own budget for the season is about investment in improving their a business. I make a list of $400k. An open wheel career open wheel skills? these people and put them minded driver would eventu- into a priority order based on ally want to be at this level, SPONSOR PROCUREMENT – my current relationship with but should consider develop- YOU CAN DO THIS! them. Then I rate them based ing their skills in a regional This is important to work on on where they are in the com- series that will get them more if you are ANY type of racer. pany. The last rating is how track time at a considerable Most racers start looking for big of a company the target is.

VIDEO SPOTLIGHT GGOPROOPRO FORMULAFORMULA CARCAR CCHALLENGEHALLENGE PPRESENTEDRESENTED BBYY GGOODYEAROODYEAR GGRANDRAND PPRIXRIX AASS TTHEYHEY RRACEACE ININ FFRONTRONT OOFF TTHEHE IIZODZOD IINDYCARNDYCAR SSERIESERIES DDURINGURING TTHEHE 22011011 GGRANDRAND PPRIXRIX OOFF SSONOMA.ONOMA.

40 40 Ask yourself, “what does this be fi ne tuning your network- SPONSORSHIP: company need, and how could ing and salesmanship skills. Be creative and I help them?” Move up your contact ladder, Now what do WE need to go and see what you can come keep in mind that racing? up with. Be creative and keep in mind that every deal should every deal should START SMALL AND BUILD be great for you AND your be great for you MOMENTUM: sponsor. Let’s start with a low cost By the way, I only used the AND your sponsor. need and work up from there. word sponsor for this section I know for a race weekend I to get your attention. When website/newsletter/blog to need coffee (secret is that I you are looking for fi nancial give them additional expo- need it when it isn’t a race help with your racing program sure. Check in with them to weekend too.) Could I get you should refer to it as and see if they would like you to the local insurance guy that I treat it as a PARTNERSHIP. bring the racecar out to their spend THOUSANDS of dollars business for a special event with every year to commit to MARKETING PARTNERSHIP or sale. Even if they don’t a $100 Starbucks Gift Cer- CARE – DON’T TAKE THE take you up on any of your of- tifi cate every month? I’m sure I could and I know you can MONEY AND RUN! fers they will appreciate that too. We’ll that just put $1200 Here is what you should you are WORKING to get them in our pocket for the season! do for your sponsors in addi- more exposure. Ask him for a handful of his tion to what is in the contract. I have seen many lucra- business cards and see if you Firstly, keep them informed tive sponsor deals die in year can’t get 2 or 3 of your other during the season. A quick two as the driver took the contacts to switch over to his update 3 or 4 times per sea- funds and went racing. Twelve company. Maybe you could son that lets them know what months later they called the come up with an additional you are doing to promote sponsor to request money commission for any new busi- their products or services again. The sponsor is not your ness. Once you do 2 or 3 of goes a long way. Invite them personal bank, they are your these smaller deals, you will to events, and maybe do a business partner. Treat them fi nd it addicting and you will feature article or ad on your as such. SN

For more information about the World Speed Motorsports visit: www.WorldSpeed.com

41 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Karen applied her mind fi rst Her teaching skills were to a career in the U.S. Air quickly recognized and she Force working on B-52s and became a NASA driving in- KC-135 aircraft. Her service structor in addition to regular took her to Japan and the racing and campaigning. As Philippines. Upon comple- an educator and racer she tion of 8 years in the Air loves developing drivers’ Force she used the GI Bill to confi dence. secure her college educa- Karen has amassed over DR. KAREN tion. She holds a Bachelor 200 fi rst place fi nishes. SALVAGGIO degree, a Masters degree in This past year in 2011 she Owner/Driver: education and earned a Doc- exceeded her 2010 multiple Team Thunder Valley Racing torate degree in organiza- championship-winning sea- Race Series: Western tional leadership. Today she son, driving her Factory Five Endurance Racing serves as Superintendent of Racing Type-65 Coupe in 2, Challenge (WERC); the Wright School District in 3, and 6 hour endurance rac- Factory Five Santa Rosa, CA. es. She and her Thunder Val- Challenge Series (NASA FFR) Concurrent with her edu- ley Racing team secured the cational career and ongoing 2011 NASA Western Endur- Editor in Chief: studies she began racing in ance Racing Championship. Thunder Valley Racing racing in 1985 at NASCAR She also races in the NASA dirt track events in Califor- Time Trial series, competing Day Job: School District in TTA, TTS and TTU. Superintendent. nia, she excelled earning a Most improved Driver award, Karen received the NASA Personal Motto: and top fi ve fi nishes before Driver Instructor of the year Dream big, Work hard. crossing over to road racing. in 2009. She is the four-time She campaigned a 59’ Cor- recipient of the West Coast vette in endurance and night Regional Championship for Dr. Karen Salvaggio is races. Her passion and per- the National Council of Cor- an amazing combination of formance lead her to racing vette Clubs (NCCC), winner of passionate racer, devoted late model Corvettes in high the Gardei Memorial Overall educator and student of life. and low speed club events. Competitor Award (Firebird When she spoke to Speed Her racing resume even Raceway), and secured News she answered the nor- includes the American Le mal how did you get started Mans and National Hot in racing, and when did you Rod Association series. join NASA questions before In the late 1990s Karen asking her own questions joined NASA. She was about Speed News and the attracted to the ease of author. She embodies the entrance, the quality of expression “a questioning the racing and the spirit mind is an intelligent mind”. behind the organization.

42 Top Eliminator honors at started school, but Karen the Pomona Drags in 1999. knows you never stop learn- She holds track records at ing and a great teacher never Infi neon Raceway and But- stops teaching. tonwillow Raceway Park, Karen is grateful for the She received the prestigious support of her loving fam- the 2011 Factory Five Rac- ily, professional colleagues, ing Legacy Award as well as and many racing friends the 2011 Robert Fedderson who believed in her and Memorial Award for her con- have helped her follow her tributions within the Factory dreams. Five Racing Community. Racing website: www. In addition to her driving thundervalleyracing.com SN duties Karen is owner and Editor-in-Chief of Thunder Valley Racing, and travels nationally to support women in racing efforts. Her long term goals include raising the awareness of endurance racing across the country, serving her teammates at Thunder Valley Racing, and teaching her daughter’s two children early racing skills. Granted the kids haven’t

43 SANDBLAST Cheraw, SC 2/4/2012 RALLY By Anders Green

ally. The very name and the day wound up around in the day. Piloted this go conjures up the idea 6:30 pm in Cheraw, South around by Mainiax Motor- of amazing cars in Carolina. The nature of rally, sports Michael Reilly with exotic locales and with one racer leaving each navigator Joshua Benthien then those same cars minute, means that while and sporting the #14, the car get destroyed, and yet there are hundreds of people came away with the win this somehow, manage to and vehicles involved in the time too. This beast, whose keep racing, as the event, each team experiences magnesium A-arms reportedly Rdrivers hurl the machines a different story, and no one is weigh about as much as a golf down insane forest roads, in the same place at the same club, is now fi nally out of re- over blind crests, threading time. NASA Rally Sport runs tirement. It has been carefully through tight gates, with a both cars and motorcycles, maintained in a museum style level of commitement that just like Dakar does, so the garage for nearly a decade seems unbelievable. experience can vary wildly. by WeeGee Smith, waiting for From all accounts, that’s Let’s take a look at some of the day when someone would pretty much exactly what hap- the amazing stories from the commit to getting it back on pened at the Sandblast Rally weekend. stage all in one piece. Naviga- early in February. A full day of Check out the former Carl tor Josh added “This race was racing started with the fi rst Merrill WRC-style all-wheel- our fi rst race, and in reality racer leaving at 8:31 am from drive Ford Escort which stole our fi rst sustained seat time Chesterfi eld, South Carolina national championships back in the car and there were a

44 STOLE THE SHOT While there are number of ‘getting to know a LOT louder during Stage 4. you’ moments. The most frus- hundreds of Abrero said “All of the sudden trating for Mike was getting to it sounded like we had lost know the new 7 speed dog leg people and the exhaust entirely. It broke gear box with a reverse shift clean right below the exhaust pattern. Being our fi rst time vehicles involved manifold when we bottomed at Sandblast, we learned the in the event, each out with the broken piece hard way that sand doesn’t just resting on the skid plate. mix well with a radiator and team experiences a Since we had no service team intercooler. The last two and no way to fi x it, we decid- stages, we were forced to different story. ed to just keep going and see shut down anti-lag early in the what would happen. We man- stage and the ECU was limit- aged to fi nish our fi rst rally, ing power by the end of both we discovered some teething although the broken exhaust stages. At the fi nish Parc Fer- problems with the new parts. threw off the oxygen sensor me, we realized that the over- The fi rst fi ve miles of the fi rst and created signifi cant hesita- heating was worse than we stage was very enjoyable at tion on acceleration.” realized and if there had been full speed…. while it lasted. an 8th stage, I am not sure we Cruising the last two miles of Joe Warner, Motorcycle # could have fi nished.” Go out the stage at ten miles an hour 106, tells this story: “Picture on top, that’s the sure story. with the hazard lights on is an empty beach, and the zone They won the Open AWD never a fun way to go through of sand right between the Heavy class for all-wheel-drive a stage. We called the service crashing waves and the soft, driver cars with turbos. crew to the end of the stage, pillowy area where everyone took the DNF and fi xed the sets up their beach towels Joseph Burke brought Bren- problem back at service in or- and umbrellas. The fi rm, com- dan McCabe over from Ireland der to still get some seat time. pact sand, constantly wiped to navigate for him. Their Unfortunately, it was just not smooth by the ebbing tide weapon: the #80 Mitsubish our weekend and something leaves behind perhaps the Evo that had taken a podium in the bottom end of the en- ultimate consistency for speed just a week earlier. Fitted with gine decided to let go just and control of a motorcycle. In a new sequential gearbox, it four miles into the third stage. that zone, there’s little need was one of the earliest cau- It was defi nitely over a good for long travel suspension to sualties. The shifting mecha- bit over a minute before the combat energy sapping ruts nism, just installed, had an next car, the eventual stage and bumps. Instead, the tires adapter that was off by just a winner, came so I know we bite and hold, yet sink just few millimeters. Driver Burke would have had a good time enough to allow you to bend had this to say: “Sandblast on the stage. Looking forward the bike into a corner and was our fi rst event with some to coming back next year with hold it in a glorious, throttle new parts on the car. If you some proven parts to fi nish on controlled power slide. Sand- want to test the strength of top of the podium. blast 2012 delivered those a part, run it through a rally conditions this year. On the with some deep sand. Un- ”For #73 Sebastian Go- very fastest stages, long, arc- fortunately we didn’t make it mez Abero and James Clark, ing sweepers allowed for 80 very far into the event before their Mazda Protege became - 90 mph drifts, this meant 45 holding the throttle open enthusiastic and capable as 450cc, a light, responsive, “forever” through the apex competitors, and it was one quick little ride, that’s more only to reveal the opposite fantastic event.” my speed for this 180 mile 7 arc of the next bend. Simply Rally is so addictive. Can stage craziness. altering weight on the foot you imagine prepping your Friday preparation puts us pegs and staying hard on the machine for months, driving into a several hour newcomer throttle gracefully shifted the 1000 miles to get to the race, course attended by a number powerslide to the other direc- making it only a few miles of seasoned riders and driv- tion and the joy continued. in, and still be stoked about ers. Then its off to tech in- The wide open straights were your adventure? That’s what spection, termed ‘scrutineer- faster than ever before - triple frames motorcycle #137 Tom ing’... where the most fun was digits easily attained and Bergh‘s story. viewing other pilots wrenching held... and held... and held... “It was a thousand mile their various forms of rolling long enough for your brain to drive down from Maine to hardware into operational rac- process the speed, acclimate the sandy, friendly warmth ers. Late afternoon its out to and ask for more! It was an of South Carolina. The Sand- the tree covered sands. We unforgettable experience. blast Rally has again attracted unload again for a ‘shake- Sure we had the “ruts and the Max BMW team which down’, a short 2 mile sprint bumps” sections, even a cou- showed up a dozen strong. that gets more fun with each ple of mudholes and slippery Many were going to ride big run. Maybe this will be ok. clay, but every rally needs an bad burly twins that spit out Rally day, we head to down- element of endurance. Add in way too much torque for me to town Chesterfi eld for an 0815 that the Rally stayed close to try on my fi rst Sandblast. On riders meeting and start at schedule, volunteers were as the track we worship that tire one minute intervals. The tearing power to rocket off a fi rst transit section is a 14 turn. Down here in the sand, mile navigation around the there’s only a few crazy men countryside, which settles who want to turn up the wick the nerves before beginning on a big twin in deep sand the fi rst special stage a go-as- at 100 miles an hour. Luckily fast-as-you-dare over closed I’m aboard a single cylinder back roads with deep sand

46 ANDREW PHILLIPS turns lined with tall pines. Despite all the best prep, my bike encounters fueling problems after a couple of miles. Oh no, will it clear? Full on, full off, it’ll only run at idle or near redline. A solid launch at the start in the loss stuff is fun, but 30+ times on one section is more like work. Running this event on time requires a precision timed orchestration of hundreds of moving vehicles, marshals, stewards and spectators. I’m starting to get nervous about the cars that are soon to start as clearly they’ll be solidly into three digits. Slowly, fi - nally, the fi nish. Bike dies a couple more times. I push the darn thing over the fi nish, just as another biker rolls in from getting lost. I’m 20 minutes off the standard. So I with- draw, happy that I didn’t delay that stage any longer. Guess I might need to drive back down next February to continue this brand of South- ern hospitality!“

Dan Spalinger is sporting #54 on the side of his beauti- ful Nissan truck. He recalls a particularly deep and soft Hawk Performance Products Group is a leading supplier of severe duty and high performance products for the stage, the infamous “Ham- motorsports and performance automotive aftermarket. burger Hill” section of a stage Decades of experience developing friction materials for Aerospace, Industrial, Military, Automotive and named Sand Trap Reverse. Motorsports applications give us an advantage over “On the Sand Trap stage we the competition. From NASCAR to the weekend racer, were going along quite nicely our products provide a true competitive edge. and really in a good rhythm... that is until we got to the hill HAWKPERFORMANCE.COM where the deep sand would eventually trap so many com- Follow us on petitors. There in the middle 47 MAEGAN CLEMENTS LEA ANNE JOHN BARNES

of the hill, buried up to its some time! We didn’t get lost, his trusty codriver. Fortunate- frame was the #22 Mitsubishi I didn’t get us any penalties, ly, no mechanical problems Mighty Max of Michael Hall. and we placed very well.” or crashing problems showed Darting to my right I thought up during the day. “After be- I should have just enough Jason Adams, motorcycle ing out of the car since Sand- room to get by without hit- #102 has many rallies un- blast 2011, I started off a little ting the other vehicle, that is der his belt but knows that hesitant. Having rusty driving until I noticed the driver of the doesn’t mean anything to the skills on fast fun roads gets #22 was out of his truck and rally gods. “Every rally some- my undivided attention. We furiously digging away like a thing memorable happens. spent the day locked in battle mad badger on the passenger This time everything looked with the other two wheel side of his truck, trying to un- like it was going to go smooth- drive cars keeping all of us earth it.” Spalinger narrowly ly until somewhere during focused and on the gas. We avoided the hazard himself the fi rst stage, it felt like the had a great day of racing with and the prerunner style truck shifter pedal had gone soft. I Andrew Frick, with Andrew did marvelously the rest of the kept riding normally until the ultimately prevailing. Upon day. His codriver, David Den- fi nish when I tried to shift into returning to the pits my crew nis, certainly got a trial by fi re neutral and idle to get my time chief commented ‘All the “Sandblast was my fi rst ever card. That’s when I noticed bumpers are still on the car, stage rally. After reading the that I couldn’t shift. Turns out clearly you aren’t trying hard rules about all these confus- I had broken the classic ten enough!’” ing check-in and check-out cent part, or for want of the times, and fi nding out that nail, the kingdom was lost. Brandon Childers had never Dan Spalinger’s Nissan Titan A shift return pawl spring, a put race numbers on his bike rally truck I would be co-driv- simple spring had come un- before. He got several “136” ing did not have an odometer, done, and there was no fi xing on yellow ovals at registra- I was a little nervous (the fact it without a gearbox teardown. tion and the madness began. that the tow vehicle carrying Since the bike was still able to Here’s his story. “RallyMoto the truck broke down on the start from a stop, I decided to isn’t for everybody but I think way didn’t help, either). But press on, and I ended up fi n- it could be for you! When it the group of people who race ishing the rally- I did the entire comes to racing there are with NASA Rally Sport are a day in third gear.” more spectators than com- great bunch, and all of my petitors that’s for sure. It’s questions were answered, and Brad Morris in the #36 Mit- just human nature. But the it didn’t seem too scary. Then subishi was back after a year time may come for you to test on Saturday, I had an awe- hiatus, teamed up again with yourself in a way you never 48 JOHN BARNES JOHN BARNES VIDEO SPOTLIGHT

SARAH ROTH RULES THE concern. Throughout SS1 and I turned on reserve with no dif- ROOST AS THE MOST BAD- SS2 I had my small bore 250 ference. Less than a mile from ASS CHICK IN RALLYMOTO. screaming at 13,000 rpms. In time control for SS3 the big end transit to SS3 my bike’s power bearing in my engine self de- Here’s some chest-cam video was cutting out. I thought my structs, effectively ending my of her getting tossed off her bike was running out of gas so run for Sandblast 2012.” bike and thrown forty feet down the road on Stage 2. Watch the slow-mo replay and you’ll catch 48 mph on the speedo! Without miss- ing a beat she runs back to bike and takes off! Even so, entirely unrelated mechanical problems lay ahead: “At the end of SS2 I hit a washout go- ing 48 mph and went over the handlebars, immediately get- ting back up and running to my bike to fi nish out the stage with lost time being my only

49 STOLE THE SHOT STOLE THE SHOT have before. I’ve ridden mo- yourself and live in the mo- Mike Bradway was the torcycles since I was 7 years ment in a way that many will 2007 East Coast enduro old (22 years) but SandBlast never experience. It’s hard to champion. For the car crowd, 2012 was my fi rst offi cial put a price on this opportunity that means the “threading moto race so up until now I’ve and all the great stories and your bike through tight trees always been a spectator and relationships that follow but and through streams” kind of recreational rider. I’ve been rest assured that it’s less than racing. So he has a serious in competition in the boxing the cost of admission to just racing pedigree, but had never ring and on the baseball and one RallyMoto event. tackled this kind of terrain football fi elds but not on my before. After the rally, he said bike. As I come to enjoy riding Should you go racing? Yes. “I could never have predicted more and more I think it’s only my feeling of elation from be- natureal to want to get better. Should you bring friends? Yes. ing able to just unleash on My advice to those who want the open course like that and to ride more and ride better: If they don’t get it and decide go wide open as fast as the RACE. not to come should you show bike could go. To quickly tap Even though this was my up anyway? Yes. out my KTM 690 enduro was fi rst event I became friends a surprise as I thought it had with riders from areas I never You’ll get all the support more than enough top speed ride and now have invites to you need to get through the and horsepower. I think I blew ride race tracks, private land, race and you’ll meet some a head gasket or something, and group outings all across like-minded people that have but made it back OK. It was North America. You don’t have ridden at the highest level my fi rst trip to the Sandblast to be the fastest guy out there of motorsports and in the Rally and I never expected it to have a GREAT time and process you’ll learn from the to be so unbelievably fun!” when the starting fl ag drops best. Closed roads. Flat out Strong words from a man who you get the chance to test racing. And you! (and me too)” is a champion back on his

RALLY CUP RESULTS Place # Entrant Class Vehicle Total 1 14 Michael Reilly Joshua Benthien AWD Ford Escort Cosworth 1:08:15 2 4 Charles Sherrill Wilson Von Kessler AWD Mitsubishi EVO IV 1:09:32 3 2 Eric Wages Sarah Montplaisir AWD Subaru Impreza WRX 1:16:47 4 9 Andrew Frick Matthew Rhoads 2WD Ford Focus ZX3 1:18:24 5 36 Bradley Morris Douglas Nagy 2WD Mitsubishi Lancer 1:19:38 6 3 Simon Wright Kieran Wright 2WD Ford Focus ZX3 1:26:24

RALLY MOTO CUP RESULTS Place # Entrant Class Vehicle Total 1 122 Bill Conger Motorcycle Dakar Husqvarna TE 449 1:10:03 2 108 Aaron Gibson Motorcycle Heavy KTM Super Enduro 1:11:21 3 133 Robert Wooldridge Motorcycle Dakar BMW G450X 1:12:11

50 native turf. Not only that, but Bradway managed to have the highest average speed of the rally, even besting the cars by several miles per hour!

Andrew Phillips on the #128 bike knows the feeling of standing in the shadow of giants. One amazing aspect of rally is being able to com- pete against amazing talent STOLE THE SHOT on the very same day on the same course. “I had a great Sandblast Rally experience this year. Everything went re- ally well from the drive to and from Cheraw from and to New Hampshire-the stages, the people, the operation of the rally. All went well. Even the weather more or less cooper- ated. My bike had a couple mi- nor issues. Stage 5, it stalled and would not restart just as JOHN BARNES the starter was counting me down to begin the stage. Two a great time at RallyMoto to not continue and save the riders started past me as I events and will continue to engine if we couldn’t sort it tried to get the bike going. It participate.” out. We ended realizing the was resolved by releasing the #1 spark plug melted away fuel fi ller cap, and then the Paulo Ferreira drove the (no ceramic on it to be found!) bike started up and I took off #58 Honda Civic, but wasn’t and took a plug out of Paul’s on stage. I lost over 2 minutes able to pull out a fi nish. Ozgur mothers Yaris. On Stage 3 there. That’s the way it goes. Simsek, his codriver, tells we passed Simon again. I There was a great atmosphere the tale. “On fi rst stage we do have to admit Simon and around the rally and everyone made up a minute on Simon, Kieran were true sports- enjoyed it. There was one passed him and fi nished I man as they let us pass by rider new to Sandblast that believe a minute thirty sec- without losing much time on said it was the most fun he onds faster. After having an stage and we swapped in a had ever had on a bike. As for issue with the engine cutting time control at start of Stage me, my goal is always to fi nish out we pulled over with in- 4. On Stage 5 we snapped safely within a speed that is tense fuel smell to realize the both axles only to realize the right for me. The faster guys fuel rail popped off. Paul put passenger side was broken do some amazing things that it back together and we lost after we fi xed the driver side I will never quite achieve, nor 8-9mins and got right back in (which Paul felt snap) leaving do I need to. I always have the car. At service we decided service. That ended our day!” 51 Nicholas Martinez had tri- gain momentum and make it Brad Morris, and Simon als as well. They came to a up the section with ease and Wright in 2WD; and Bill Con- head on the Sand Trap stage, lost about 14 minutes. We lost ger, Aaron Gibson, and Bobby the same one that caught out a bunch of time but we made Wooldridge on the bikes. Their Mike Hall and others. “On it past a big hurdle so I was stories have a common thread the third stage there were a happy. The same kind of thing of unending speed, near per- couple cars that became stuck happened on stage 4 but Se- fect execution, and mile after on a deep sand uphill sec- bastien with his Subaru kindly mile of machinery besting tion. The road was completely pulled us and 2 other cars out environment. We congratulate blocked so now we became of the bad section. He really the winners and celebrate all the third car to be stuck. After didn’t need to do that and I’m of the adventurers who didn’t thinking that was it for the extremely grateful. Again we make the podium! day somebody said “lets push lost more time but I have no And that’s just a third of the all the cars down the hill and regrets!” stories. The other racers have try again”. Light bulb went on It would be remiss to end more and even the volunteers and we went into action. I was our story and not mention themselves make up half of fi rst, then another, and the the winners: Michael Reilly, the adventure! SN fi rst car we actually pushed up Charles Sherrill, and Eric over the hill. We were able to Wages in AWD; Andrew Frick,

52 ANDREW PHILLIPS

The Secret— Story and Photos by Rob Krider Behind Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Engines

n life, they say the only two throw a 14 millimeter wrench too much space in your living things you can’t avoid are into your toolbox like it’s a room. death and taxes. In rac- fastball, or kick the dog or Quitting is not an option, ing, the only two things maybe blame your girlfriend especially if you’re in the you can’t avoid is having (as if she is the one that ran middle of a season and you to buy a new helmet every the motor up to eight thou- are chasing championship Ifi ve years and the inevitable sand RPMs). Eventually you points. Your last name isn’t replacement of your racecar’s Andretti, so you don’t have a engine. I say “inevitable” wheel barrow fi lled with cash because if you spend any as a racing budget. You don’t amount of time with your lead look good in a bikini, so you foot planted on top of the “ In racing, the only haven’t scored a GoDaddy. happy pedal, sooner or later two things you can’t com sponsorship. You need (hopefully later) the inside of a new engine, but you can’t your engine will end up on the avoid is having to spend a ton of money at a ma- outside. This is a bad thing. chine shop or wait for them First and foremost, when this buy a new helmet to “get around” to fi xing your goes down, do your racing engine. What now? compatriots a favor and get every fi ve years If you drive a Japanese off of the racing line. Your manufactured car you are day is over, I hate to tell you and the inevitable in luck! Chances are there but… you aren’t going to win replacement of your is a very low mileage engine the race. But in order to stay sitting in a warehouse just in the good graces of the racecar’s engine...” waiting for you to toss it into people you are going to want the back of your your pickup to borrow a cherry picker from or the trunk of your Mom’s later, don’t oil down the entire Buick to get you back out on length of the racecourse. It’s will calm down and make the track. Don’t forget to bring just bad manners. peace with the fact that your your credit card, of course, After you get towed in with racecar, without an engine, but the price of these turn-key disappointment and rage could fetch maybe $500 on motors is less than you prob- swelling in your competitive Craig’s List. You have more ably think. You have probably heart, you will probably have than that invested in your PS3 heard the term JDM, which a small, but public, hissy fi t in Gran Turismo driving simula- is the acronym for Japanese the paddock. Maybe you will tor package proudly taking up Domestic Market. The reason

54 we here in the United States have access to engines pulled from low mileage Yup, that is Japanese cars is due to the a connecting rod on the stringent vehicle inspection “outside” of regulations and taxes levied the block. on Japanese car owners. There isn’t enough JB It breaks down like this. Weld on the After someone buys a car in planet to fi x this problem. Japan from a dealer, for the Game over fi rst three years of the car’s for the life the dealer warranties ev- race and the engine erything on the car and pays block. the taxes and inspection fees on the car. After that the owner is on his or her own for maintenance and inspection and registration fees. Unlike in the United When a hood States, where the older a car is up on a gets, the less it costs to reg- racecar and there is a ister the vehicle, the Japa- large group nese registration costs are standing the opposite. It costs more around and nobody has to keep an older vehicle. If a wrench in the car owner does decide their hand, to keep his or her three- this is a bad sign. year-old car, before the car can get back onto the road in Japan it needs to have an inspection sticker. In or- der to earn this inspection sticker the owner has to get A cornucopia the car through a very strin- of engines gent inspection process at a await you at government run center. Just All Engine Distributing. the inspection alone, if they With a don’t fi nd any issues, will portable gas cost approximately $2,500. tank and a battery, A lot of owners choose to some “recycle” the car, so the mo- engines can tor and transaxle are pulled actually be test started and exported while the rest right on of the vehicle is shredded the fl oor. with the leftover mate- rial recycled to make a new 55 car. This process keeps the wife does anyway. So in the looking to score a quick fi x to roadways of Japan fi lled with country where they build cars the hole in his or her engine. nearly brand new cars and in capable of lasting hundreds I recently found myself turn stimulates their economy of thousands of miles, they owning a car with a destroyed since everyone who is driving rip the “perfectly good” en- power plant after grenading is essentially buying a new car gines out of them and send an engine in my Nissan Sen- every three years. The ironic the cars through a shredder tra SE-R. Someone told me part about all of this is that before they would even be that the SR20DE engines in the Japanese build the most considered a “used car” here these cars are “bullet proof.” reliable cars on the planet. in the United States. The gov- I took that as a dare of sorts In America we commonly ernment regulations that take and promptly went out and drive Japanese cars beyond a perfectly good commuter lunched my motor at Mazda 200,000 miles without even car off the road in Japan is Laguna Seca. No, I didn’t changing the oil –well, my the gain of a NASA road racer win the race, but I did prove

It’s not just engines; transaxles are stacked to the sky. It helps to know which ones have LSD and the best gear ratios. Bring your nerdy friend who remembers that kind of stuff.

The motors are shipped on crates for ease of transport. Labels on the engines certify compression ratios and engine codes. Bring photos of your “blown” engine and make sure your accessories will bolt up.

56 Once I bought my turn-key bolt on with ease. JDM engine for less than it Prices on these compo- “ Quitting is not an costs to have a valve job done, nents vary from different I decided to go through it just distributors and recently the option, especially to make sure everything was decline of the American dollar perfect. I let T.E.M. Machine in comparison to the yen has if you’re in the Shop in Napa, California, tear hit us racers in the wallet a it down. A few days later, I got middle of a bit. Engines that used to cost a phone call that asked, “Why $500 are now $800. However, season and you did you want me to take this motor apart? There’s nothing regardless of the spike in pric- are chasing wrong with it.” My response ing, it is still a great deal to was a stupid, “Uh, okay… get you back out on track, and championship good to know. Put it back to- you might even pick up a few points.” gether please.” horsepower in the process, Besides engines, transaxles which is something we are are also exported from Japan. all looking for. Once you have The trick to picking the right your “new” used JDM engine, that these things aren’t bul- transaxle or transmission all that’s left to do is the all let proof. In fact my engine is to have a good idea what night thrash on the car to get can be swapped with what. looked like someone shot it back to the track. Don’t for- As model years progress, it with a tank. Searching for get to tighten those oil lines a solution to the “hole in changes are made and usu- or you will be making another the engine block” problem ally there is the “sweet” year trip to All Engine Distributing I had, I realized I needed a where a gear ratio is optimal and doing this job all over whole new engine. I went to for racing or an LSD system is All Engine Distributing (www. tougher than another. Doing again. SN allengine.com) centrally lo- your homework will certainly cated in Fresno, California and help because the engines and asked if they had any SR20DE transaxles are just sitting in engines. The response I got a warehouse and many times “ Once you have was, “We have ten of them, you won’t know what car the which one do you want?” My components originally came your “new” used response, of course, was, “I out of. You may have to hope JDM engine, want the fast one.” One of you are getting the “R” ver- the advantages of the JDM en- sion, unless you know what all that’s left to gines is oftentimes they have to look for specifi cally. A more horsepower out of the nice trick to avoid buying the do is the all night box than their smogged down wrong engine or transaxle is American cousins. The en- to bring detailed digital pho- thrash on the car gines for sale have the com- tos of your blown up parts pression ratios labeled on the and make sure important bolt to get it back to valve cover so you can choose holes are in the correct places the track.” which engine would be the so your accessories, clutch best for your car. cables, and other items will 57 Industry Profi le Sampson Car Off Turn 9, Racing Communications

Story:Story: By RoRobb KriderKri Clear Right PPhoto:hoto: VanHaVanHapp PPhotography ventually every off the track, DUST FLYING, to the push-to-talk button racecar driver will brace for impact, and then… and wrapped it around the have a moment on nothing. “Whew!” Somehow steering column six or seven the track where they I missed everything and came times until it broke. My team fi nd themselves in a to a stop in the infi eld. What had a three hour endurance “predicament.” This could have been a totaled race that was about to start Epredicament will cause their racecar turned out to be in just a couple of hours and adrenaline to spike and their nothing more than a story to my radio wires had “gone backsides to suck up the seat tell the boys that night in the to see the King.” There was cushion. Some racers refer to pits over some beers. I put certainly no time to get online, that moment as “Seeing Elvis” the car into gear and started order a replacement part, (for those not familiar with heading back onto the paved and then wait four to fi ve the term, Elvis is dead, and portion of the racecourse. I business days for the part to you aren’t, so you shouldn’t wanted to let the crew know I ship. I was screwed. I was be seeing each other, yet). was okay so I started to talk slowly driving through the For me, when I fi nally had over the in-car radio. The paddock, with a car covered in my “I saw Elvis” moment at only problem was the spotter dust, holding on to the frayed around 110 miles per hour, wasn’t acknowledging me. ends of a busted wire. I was it went something like this: That was when I realized I thinking about how the team “Whoops!” COUNTER-STEER, didn’t get out of my “Elvis was going to kill me, when nope, OVER-STEER, crap, moment” completely I saw something that made BOTH FEET IN (clutch-brake), unscathed. Somewhere along me smile: Sampson Racing stop breathing, ELBOWS the line of me grabbing at the Communication’s portable AND HANDS FLYING MADLY steering wheel like a lunatic, retail shop sitting in the AT THE STEERING WHEEL, I caught the electrical cord paddock. Score!

58 Luckily for me, Shawn of yesteryear, like Riverside customers appreciated his Sampson, owner of Sampson Raceway. Shawn eventually real-life experience input for Racing Communications, had started racing himself and the product. towed his trailer full of racing he and his wife were running There was a moment where radio goodies all the way from NASA’s Pro 7 series in the late Shawn realized that being at Ventura, California, up to But- ‘90s. Because they were both the track and supporting club tonwillow Raceway Park for driving their own Mazda RX- racers could be a viable busi- the NASA event. He traveled 7s, they needed a way to talk ness. Shawn’s Dad was a all that distance just in case with each other, to make sure salesman who handled road a racer like me did something the other one was okay, and racing and off-road racing stupid like I did, and needed warn each other of something products for Pennzoil/Gumout, a random part like a push-to- on the track while they were so as the son of a salesman, talk cord ABSOLUTELY IMME- racing together. Shawn began Shawn picked up a few tricks DIATELY. I pulled my car up to the process of putting together of the trade and began to sell his trailer, showed Shawn what a radio system for him and his radios. In 1998 Sampson Rac- a mess I had made, swiped wife to use. He didn’t have any ing Communications began my credit card, and I was back real background in electronics and fi lled a void in the market in action within ten minutes. (his college degree is in Geolo- to provide solid racing com- What could have been disas- gy and Natural Resources), but munications to the racing com- trous for my team (racing in a like a lot of club racers he was munity at a price racers could three hour night race with no a “do it yourself” kind of guy handle. “Back then a system spotter and no communication and he fi gured it out. His sys- from other suppliers started at with the pits) turned out to tem worked. In fact it worked around $2,000,” said Shawn. be nothing. I thanked Shawn so well his friends wanted a “I was able to put together a profusely for being there at the version. Then their friends great system that worked for track for us racers and his re- asked him to build them a set. less than half of that.” ply was, “This is why I’m here, Eventually he started selling Shawn has a lot of pride I’m a racer too, and I know a few radio systems here and in what he has created. “My what it’s like to need some- there out of his garage. Be- company is a business that thing right away.” It was good cause of his experience road happens to know the quality to know Shawn was around racing with NASA, he under- of the product that’s used be- and importantly it was also stood what teams needed and cause I use the product myself good to know that my credit card still worked. After the race I had the chance to talk with Shawn and ask him how he transitioned from competing on the track to supplying communication gear for race teams. We sat down, shared a few Mexican beers, and he laid it out for me. Shawn grew up in a rac- ing family, with Dad racing Formula Fords at the tracks 59 and I know how it’s supposed nity is the friendships I have I work hard to ensure that my to work. I think that racers made over the years.” products arrive before the like that type of technical sup- When he fi rst started SRC event when they need to.” port. They are getting advice Shawn tried to have his cake As of February 2012, Samp- from a guy who has done it.” and eat it too. He would go to son Racing Communications Sampson Racing Commu- a track to race and in-between has a retail store and an in- nications (SRC) has been the sessions he would sell and stallation center in Ventura, main communications suppli- install radios. Shawn talked CA. Vertex is Shawn’s biggest er for NASA since 2001. Each about the challenges of being supplier and his most often NASA region uses SRC radios at a racetrack and having to sold radio system. Beside to communicate all informa- do all the things a racer needs club road racing teams, SRC tion that is needed at a race- to do to prepare a car and co- supplies all of the radios for track from “yellow fl ag in Turn incidentally work his real job Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Two” and real important stuff by providing trackside racing and numerous circle track like “The lunch truck is head- communication equipment. teams. Additionally, some ing out to the corner workers.” “That was just too hard. I re- stores are dealers for SRC. Running SRC, Shawn has alized quickly that when I trav- However, Shawn is very picky had the opportunity to go to el to the track it’s to do radio about which companies can the 24 Hours of Daytona and stuff and not to race. Over the sell his product and added work for professional racing years I have hired employees that “I want to make sure any- teams. He has helped NAS- to come to the track to help one selling my radio system CAR teams, worked with Boris me out. Now, I only do a few is of good character. I don’t Said, and supplied radios to endurance races with NASA, want a situation where a race off-road teams at the Baja but I still travel to a lot of team is unhappy with the ser- 1000. “Regardless of whether events to support the teams, vice they get and my radios a team is racing NASCAR or especially the Nationals and are a part of a bad transac- a club race, their radios ab- the enduros. When I’m at the tion.” solutely have to work. That’s track, I’m there to concentrate Currently in road racing, my job to make sure they do,” on work. Even if I’m not rac- ninety percent of teams are said Shawn. But out of all of ing, the track is a great place using communication sys- the different types of motors- to spend your work day.” tems. When asked what the port venues his business has Shawn Sampson’s name is number one tech issue is for taken him too, his favorite on every radio he sells and teams using radios, Shawn event is NASA’s 25 Hours of he works hard to protect that answered without hesitation Thunderhill which he won the name. “I don’t want a bunch “Plug in your roof antenna!” E0 class driving a second gen- of racers sitting around talking So the next time you’re at eration Mazda RX-7 in 2005. about how my system didn’t the NASA Nationals or the 25 “I just like spending the end of work. I know what racers Hours of Thunderhill come the year at Thunderhill, where need and I know that getting by the Sampson Racing Com- all the teams get together a part from me on Monday is munications trailer and say from professional drivers to too late for a race on the previ- hi to Shawn. After you see amateur club drivers and I get ous Sunday. Because I have Elvis and destroy a radio wire, to see everybody in one place. been there and I know what chances are he has that very One of my favorite parts about it’s like to need a part, I know special part you need to get working in the racing commu- that time is key for race teams. you back in action. SN 60 61