St. Louis R.E.
Cesare Venegoni accepts the
2011 MiDiv
Rallycross Program
of the Year Award
at the MiDiv ConventionTed Haines photo.
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Wheelspin
St. Louis Region SCCA
Edited by Eileen Waters |
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R.E.'s Column
March 1st, 2012
The St Louis Region is fast approaching it's racing season. Plans are being made. Goals are being set. Schedules have been set and are getting posted. Equipment is being readied and both drivers and volunteers are preparing for their respective 1st events. By the time you read this some of us will have attended the MiDiv Convention in Springfield Mo and the SCCA National Convention in Las Vegas. Others will be deep in their car preparations. Chiefs from every discipline and racing program will be contacting their volunteers and looking for help. There will have been a track cleanup day at Gateway Motorsports Park on March 3rd, and we will have visited with a lot of racing enthusiasts at the Gateway Kickoff & Open House on March 10th. What comes next? What happens at the end of March? RACING!
Where, When and Who? You'll have to check out webpage www.stlscca.org to find that out.
Contacts this year are:
Bryon Prokopf Club Racing
Jan Rick Solo
Jose Hernandez PDX
Brian Schwantner Rally Cross
Your name here Road Rally
Chuck Deprow Safety Street Survival
Recently at a company sales meeting in Springfield, IL, a fellow worker asked me "Just what is an RE in the SCCA? What do you do and who do you do it for?" I explained that "RE" meant "Regional Executive", and that the position I held was more or less that of the Region's President or CEO. I told him I had been elected by the Club's general membership and how our Board and Committees worked. We spoke a little bit about the various racing programs, membership, cars, etc., and I invited him to a PDX. Then we went back to our meetings. It was on the drive back home that I got to thinking about "Just what do you do?" Here are a few of my thoughts.
The RE, Region Board Members and the various Program Committees all pretty much share the same duties and responsibilities. Most of the time, we are a combination of several things, but ultimately we put on good events for our members.
BUT to do this we must be : Managers, Organizers, Spokespeople, Leaders, Planners and Accountants. We must also deal with SCCA National policies and procedures.
At other times, I find that we have to be Listeners, Mediators, Cheerleaders and Communicators. A positive attitude is a MUST. We have to know how to delegate and learn how to say both "Yes" and "No". RE's, BoD, and Committee Members can't lose their tempers or get mad, patience is a MUST as well.
"Thank you", "Please", and "Can you help me?" are all magical words when you work with volunteers. NOTHING gets done without saying these three things.
Being appreciative for the help and support you are given is also essential. All your efforts are for the Region. It's all about helping your fellow Club members have a good time and enjoy their racing.
It's not hard or involved, but fun and rewarding, and every member should try it at least once. If you are interested, please let me know.
Cesare
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That's a Winner!
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Congratulations to the MiDiv Award Winners!
The Midwest Division of the SCCA held their annual awards banquet on Saturday, February 4 in Springfield, MO during the MiDiv Annual Convention. Here's a few photos and our congratulations to the winners for your dedication and commitment. Now, the envelope please and the winner is....
England-Stipe Award
The 2010 winner Vicki Jarecke presents the award to the 2011 winner Frank Diringer of the Wichita Region. This is the highest honored awarded by the Midwest Division and is presented for the most outstanding, long term contribution to the club/sport. The award is named in memory of two licensed race workers, Margaret England and Mary Stipe. Past St. Louis Region winners are Carol Cohn and Jim Heine. Ted Haines photo.
Worker of the Year
The 2011 Worker of the Year recipient Vicki Jarecke, of the Ozark Mountain Region, is presented her award by last year's winner Jerry Doctor, of the Nebraska Region. Jarecke is the Vroom Chair and has spearheaded the two most recent Midwest Division Conventions. The award is presented for outstanding contributions to Midwest Division events. Past St. Louis Region recipients are Diane Prokopf and Dave Whitworth.
Ted Haines photo.
Mid-Am Driver of the Year
Chris Albin is the 2011 winner of the Mid-Am Driver of the Year Award. The award was first presented in 1972 and since 1995 Albin has earned it 12 times! A dual region member (he's also the R.E. of the Southern IL Region) Albin is just one of a half dozen St. Louis Region members who have won this award. Also having received this honor are Mark Andrews, Michael Eby, Dustin Hodges, Dennis Schneider, and Mark Weber. Ted Haines photo.
Corner Workers Choice Award
The award this year went to Charles McAbee, Jr. of the Kansas Region and driver of the KBS Cyclone F500 car. Past St. Louis Region winners are Chris Albin (five times), John McMurray and Dennis Schneider.
RallyCross Program of the YearThe Midwest Division's RallyCross Program of the Year was awarded to St. Louis Region and Brian Schwantner our Program Chair. R.E. Cesare Venegoni accepted on the Region's behalf (see the photo at the beginning of this newsletter).
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News from the Board of Directors
and Program Chairs
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From Your Board
Our Facebook page continues to grow with 20 new "likes" this month. Please join the excitement by stopping by the StLSCCA Facebook page to post a picture, share a thought, or give us a like!
Membership is currently stable at 495. With the new season and reopening of Gateway Motorsports Park (GMP), we expect big growth over the next few months. If you're new to St. Louis Region or coming back after an absence - whatever you do - don't pay full price! All new members, and those memberships that have been expired for more than six months, can receive a $15 discount by entering any current member's membership number as a referral when they join. Plus the "referring member" gets a discount toward their next membership renewal as well. You can find, at this link, a There are also special discounts available to club race volunteers - including deeply discounted membership rates and substantial renewal discounts for existing members who work four or more race days a year. For more info on these programs contact, at this link, SCCA member services or call them at 1-800-770-2055 or contact St. Louis Region Registrar Sheila Burkett. The BOD has begun work toward consolidating the various region websites to one hosting environment and a single region-wide look and feel. Assistant R.E. Matt Osmoe is leading this effort. It's budget time, and the 2012 budget is complete. Given the return of Club Racing and PDX, we expect a positive change to the bottom line, but we are being cautious given the uncertainty surrounding the restart of these programs. We are, however, optimistic that we will be able to net a small gain this year and begin rebuilding our coffers. Rally Chair Ron Ferris will be traveling the nation this year in search of a national title and won't be able to hold local events. If you would like to take charge and help build up the region rally program please contact R.E. Cesare Venegoni. We're long overdue in getting road rally fired up again - be part of it! We're taking another crack at the By-Law revisions. Thanks to member Carla Russo who has volunteered to help us coordinate this effort. Last time we tried it, we bit off too much at one time, and couldn't get it done. But there are logical inconsistencies and flat out errors in the By-Laws that really need to be fixed, and of course opportunities for improvements as well. The goal is to make a series of smaller independent changes, each subject to separate votes.
Club Racing Report By Bryon Prokopf Club Racing is getting ready for the race season to begin. Several Region members helped with the GMP Cleanup day on March 3 to get the track ready for the upcoming racing season. Club Racing was represented at the Gateway Kickoff on March 10 and we provided annual techs. Club Racing will be having a drawing for 50% off an entry to either of our region's club races this year for every driver who brought their car out to the kickoff event. The winner will be drawn at the general membership meeting on March 19.
If you didn't make it to the Kickoff we hope to see you at our races on May 19-20 or in July. We are always looking for more help at our races. If you would like more info, you may contact Bryon Prokopf or 618-660-6174.
2012 Club Racing Chiefs:
Course Marshal - Bob Burnham
EV (Emergency Vehicles) - Paul Nittel
Flagging/Communications (F&C) - Diane Prokopf
Food Coordinator - Charlene Lain
Grid/Pits - Dave Bohler and Cesare Venegoni
Hospitality - Michelle Oder
Pace Car - Ken Robertson
Radio Tech - Bob Bentzinger
Registrar - Sheila Burkett
Starter - Daryl Tryson
Sound - Alex Furla
Tech - Mike Wolf
Timing/Scoring (T&S) - Bryon Prokopf
A reminder - if you are looking to go racing, we now have a buddy program of seasoned racers in all sorts of cars. Contact Steve Burkett and he'll put you in touch with a local racer who can help you get started. There's still plenty of time to go racing in 2012!
Seeking 2012 Club Racing Sponsors By Steve Burkett
For 2012, the Club Racing Committee has developed a special benefits program aimed at race drivers and is also seeking traditional title sponsors.
Racer/Backers: the Club Racing Committee and I would like to invite you to become a "Backer" of the 2012 racing program. For a one time contribution of $1000 you receive:
- Entry in each of the two 2012 St. Louis club races at no additional charge
- VIP registration (no waiting in line)
- Reserved paddock space
- Recognition for you (or your company) in printed race materials
- Two tickets to the annual awards banquet
I will personally be joining this program and I hope you will too. Your participation will help ensure we get our newly revived club racing program off to a strong start.
Please don't hesitate to email Steve Burkett or call me at 314-541-7485 if you have any questions or to sign up!
Title Sponsors: We are also now seeking "Title Sponsors" for our 2012 race program. An exclusive title sponsorship is available for each race, for $2500. All communication, electronic or printed, any memorabilia (t-shirts, etc.) and all trophies will bear the sponsor's name following the race name, for example, the May race would become "Meet Me in St. Louis, presented by Joe's Widgets" or similar, subject to sponsor approval. Sponsor-provided signage will be displayed at registration, lunch and at the Saturday night party, and the sponsor will be recognized at the region awards banquet and receive two tickets to same. We are open to negotiating additional perquisites including reserved paddock space at the races, or similar.
Our friends and fellow SCCA members in the Mid-South Region (Memphis) sent along this flyer and would appreciate our help. If you can volunteer or participate please visit their event listing on MotorsportReg and sign up.
RallyCross Report
By Brian Schwantner
The RallyCross program is looking for SA2000 and SA2005 helmet donations to use as loaner helmets at RallyCross events. If you have a helmet you'd like to donate please contact the Program Chair Brian Schwantner. Check our website, St. Louis RallyCross, for updates on the 2012 RallyCross program. Our first event of the year is Sunday, March 25 in Salem, MO. The entry fee is $30 per driver with a valid SCCA membership. Weekend memberships are available.
Solo Report By Jan Rick
The Solo Program is in organize mode! The Committee and chiefs are all getting organized for the start of the season on April 1 at Gateway Motorsports Park.
The theme this year is MORE SEAT TIME FOR ALL! We want to offer each entrant five runs at every event! In order to do that we need everyone on board to help us minimize down time and delays.
The chiefs met on Saturday, February 11 and had a great brainstorming session, with each chief trying to squeeze more minutes out of their specialties downtime to meet our MORE SEAT TIME goal!
The 2012 schedule, supps, contacts, expense form, etc., are posted on the www.stlsolo.org website. Registration will be open soon. We are currently working on the event time schedule and that will be completed soon. As soon as it it finished we will get it posted.
The Top 20 Index winners from 2011 get to use their winning place from last year as their car number in 2012. Numbers 1-20 are restricted to the index winners so no one else can use them in any class. So when you see car number 2 running this year, go say congratulations to Tom Sotiropoulus on finishing second in our Top 20 Index last year.
Again, the goal for 2012 is MORE SEAT TIME FOR ALL, and we wish to have everyone on board to help reach the goal.
Check the Solo website for all the latest information at www.stlsolo.org.
The Solo Committee sends our thanks to Air-Comm and Solo Performance Specialties (SPS) for partnering with us in donating two Titan radios to the raffle held at the Gateway Kickoff. These radios are the exact models used by the St. Louis Region Solo Program and the National SCCA Solo Tour and Pro-Solo events.
If you have comments or suggestions for the Board they may be reached at BOD@stlscca.org.
Was there something you wanted to see in WHEELSPIN, but didn't find it.? Submissions for WHEELSPIN may be sent to wheelspin@stlscca.org.
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Gateway Motorsports Park
Cleanup Party
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Track Cleanup Party
By Steve Burkett
What started as a few SCCA folks getting together to tidy up the tire walls, with the support and promotion of GMP staff and numerous local clubs, grew into an amazing event that will likely become an annual occurrence.
The numbers tell the story. Over 100 volunteers descended on GMP March 3, including fans and racers from SCCA, DriftStL, NASA, NHRA, MCRA (road racing motorcycles) FSAE, Audi, BMW, Buick and more. We went through 200 gallons of paint and covered over two miles of wall with roller and brush. We filled a 30 yard rolloff 10 feet high with yard waste. A half-mile of infield tire wall has been rebuilt and truckloads of equipment, including a (literal) ton of oil dry, were relocated.
Thanks to our sponsors Spry Digital, the St. Louis Audi Club and GMP, we ate over 50 pounds of burgers and brats, 20 pounds of potato salad and slaw, plus cookies and more, and still had room for a cold beer and a well deserved rest at the end of the day.
It was hard work, but also a genuinely fun time, and a great opportunity for cross-club bench racing and getting to know one another. It was also great press for GMP and the local enthusiast community - our efforts were covered by KSDK Channel 5, Explore Collinsville, The Alton Telegraph, and other media outlets.
Thanks to all!
Repainting
the inside wall at
Gateway Motorsports Park
Ted Haines (in yellow ball cap), DriftStL volunteer (in green hoodie), and new Gateway owner Curtis Francois painting during the March 3 Gateway Cleanup day.
Mark Weber photo.
Shall Rise Again and Race
By Mike Byington
Yesterday (March 3) at the "work party", I was allowed to paint a small piece of the oval wall, driver's right, just down stream of Start/Finish. In 2010 after seeing the last races there, the "staff" painted the words "Farewell Gateway" and under it "RIP", and all the fans were encouraged to come down and sign the wall themselves. My duties didn't end until most everyone had gone home and as we went over to see the result, I couldn't find one place that didn't echo the sentiments of what the staff had written. Everything said "goodbye" and "sad to see you go", etc.. As someone who has worked as a volunteer for at least a couple of thousand hours for the major events since the beginning, and been involved as a volunteer and worker for many other events, it really hurt to think it was going to end - and that so many people didn't have any hope. So, in the middle of the "Farewell Gateway, RIP" I wrote "NOT gone, Not forgotten, SHALL rise again and RACE". It was that thought that was behind all my thoughts ever since. I have slung a lot of paint in my life, but none that was more satisfying then the 30 seconds it took to cover over the "RIP"! I had been waiting over 16 months to do that, and I hope no one saw a tear, but Curtis (Francois, the new owner of GMP), THANK YOU.
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100 Acre Wood
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Steve Kempf photo.
The 2012 Rally in the 100 Acre Wood overall winner Ken Block and Alessandro Gelsomino on Special Stage 13, Floyd Tower. Block and Gelsomino have teamed up to win six of the past seven Rally in the 100 Acre Wood performance rallies. The event is sanctioned by Rally America.
There was a record 65 teams entered in the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood this year. This is the largest entry in the history of the event which dates back to 1977. There was a record entry of "local" teams as well. Here's photos of two of those teams.
 Chuck Surdyke and Kim DeMotte competed in the Light class of the 2012 edition of the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood. DeMotte, the creator of this legendary performance rally, sat in the co-drivers seat while Surdyke handled the driving duties. Surdyke is relatively new to the sport and DeMotte brings a Rally America National Championship, 40 plus years of experience, and the 2011 St. Louis Region, SCCA RallyCross Driver of the Year title to his navigating skills.
Tim Williams photo.
Team Schwantner, brothers Brian (behind the wheel) and David (as the co-driver/navigator) competed in the Group 2 class. Brian is the RallyCross Program Chair for St. Louis Region.
Tim Williams photo.
Also competing in the Light class were Kevin Young/James Dallman and Matthew Conte/Ron Erickson. "Locals" in the Group 2 class included the Salem, MO (the rally's HQ) brother duo of Zach & Kyle Williams, James Haas/Misha Avrushenko and Micah Nickelson/Tyler Ptacek.
Lou Fusz Subaru sponsored the second annual Honey Jar Challenge for All Wheel Drive competitors. Picking up the win, the Honey Jar trophies and the big bucks were Justin Pritchard and Ryan Scott, both of Ohio. Pritchard won his fourth SCCA National Club Racing title last fall.
The event was welcomed and hosted by the communities of Salem, Steelville, Potosi, and Viburnum and the counties of Dent, Crawford, Iron, and Washington.
Be certain to visit the 100 Acre Wood website for links to a complete set of results, a ton of photos, and videos from this year (and previous years) events.
Congratulations to Team Huebbe!
 Mark and John Huebbe won their 2WD Rally America class at Rally Mexico on March 11. You can follow all of their fun south of the border at Huebbe Rally, Rally Mexico, on Facebook at Huebbe RallyeSport, on Twitter at rallybug, or on YouTube at Huebberally.Here's their VW Bug and the trophies they won at Rally Mexico.
Team Huebbe photo.
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St. Louis Region Calendar
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Editor's note: This is not a complete listing of the Region's 2012 events. St. Louis Region Solo Advisory Committee (SAC) meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month, the St. Louis Region board meetings are held the second Monday of the month and general membership meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at Spazio's in Westport Plaza.
● Monday, March 19, 2012 - general membership meeting at Spazio's Westport
● Sunday, March 25, 2012 - RallyCross #1 in Salem, MO.
● Sunday, April 1, 2012 - Solo event #1 at Gateway Motorsports Park.
● Sunday, April 15, 2012 - Solo event #2 at Family Arena.
● Monday, April 16, 2012 - general membership meeting at Spazio's Westport
● Saturday, May 5, 2012 - Street Survival School at Gateway Motorsports Park.
● Sunday, May 6, 2012 - Solo event #3 at Gateway Motorsports Park.
● Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - PDX at Gateway Motorsports Park.
● Saturday-Sunday May 19-20, 2012 - Regional/National/IT Club Racing at Gateway Motorsports Park.
● Sunday, May 20, 2012 - Solo event #4 at Gateway Motorsports Park.
● Monday, May 21, 2012 - general membership meeting at Spazio's Westport
● Sunday, June 17, 2012 - Solo Evo School at Gateway Motorsports Park
● Monday, June 18, 2012 general membership meeting at Spazio's Westport
● Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - PDX at Gateway Motorsport Park
● Saturday, June 23, 2012 - Solo Novice School at Family Arena
● Sunday, June 24, 2012 - Solo event #5 at Family Arena
This calendar is abbreviated this month to bring you all you need to know about Solo. A complete calendar of events can be found on the Region's website.
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Gateway Kickoff
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The Gateway Motorsports Kickoff, held March 10, was a rousing success with over 1000 racing enthusiasts stopping by for SCCA annual tech, NHRA Chassis Certification, info on how to become more involved, and the general checking out of all the cool cars, motorcycles and go-karts.
This is the 57 Chevy Bel-Air of Mike Vance of St. Peters, MO. The NHRA drag racers were on hand for Chassis Certifications. Due to the demand for these certifications appointments filled up both Saturday and Sunday.
Kevin Pyles Photo.
St. Louis Region member Larry Kronemeyer is seen here teching a Solo car during the Gateway Kickoff at Gateway Motorsports Park on March 10.
Kevin Pyles photo.
 
The Midwest Cafe Racing Association (MCRA - road racing motorcycles) and Margay Racing (go-karts) were also on hand at the Gateway Kickoff. You'll find both MCRA and karting events on the 2012 calendar at Gateway Motorsports Park. Members from the Porsche, Audi, BMW, Viper, Corvette, Mustang and DriftStL Clubs also brought their cars our for display. Photos by Kevin Pyles.
St. Louis Region member Rich Wiese is showing off his Club Racing Spec Racer Ford (SRF) to a group of enthusiasts at the Gateway Kickoff.
Kevin Pyles photo.
Several raffles and a 50/50 were held at the Gateway Kickoff. The winners were: (listed by donor, prize, and winner)
100 Acre Wood - 2012 autographed 100 Acre Wood poster - 3 year old Logan Deck
Autowerks - Bell helmet - Mike Toolen
St. Louis Region - SCCA membership - Doug Sauceman
St. Louis Region Solo - tire clock - Dan Govero
St. Louis Region Solo - Dad's Auto Repair alignment (2 winners) - Willie Rivers & David Done
St. Louis Region Solo/AiR COMM/Solo Performance Specialties - a pair of Titan Radios ($498 value) - Chuck DeProw
50/50 - Kyle Mertens
The donations from the food and the other 50% of the 50/50 went to the St. Louis Backstoppers (an organizations that supports injured firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders and their families).
The winner of the 50% off their entry fee for one of the two SCCA Club Racing events at Gateway Motorsports Park in 2012 will be drawn at the March 19th membership meeting.
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Solo Special Edition
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Editor's Note: This special edition of Wheelspin is meant to help you get ready for Solo/Autocrossing be it at the new Gateway Motorsports Park or Family Arena or any other solo course around the country. Thanks to all the Region members who took the time to help put this guide together for you.
Getting Started in Solo
By Kyle Mertens
Have you always wanted to get involved with racing, but you're not sure where to start? Autocross is the perfect format for a novice looking for a controlled environment to learn his/her car or a seasoned veteran to find those last few 1/10ths on the course. All you need to race your first event is yourself and a car (or a generous friend's car).
You'll need to sign a SCCA insurance waiver when you first enter the event site. Here two experienced Solo competitors, 2-time National Champion Martha Lou Haddon and Andy Hohl hand clipboards to the drivers and their passengers to sign.
Mike Mertens photo.
Classing and Pre-Registration:
The first step when registering for an event is to figure out what class your car falls into. There are 43 classes ranging in categories: Stock, Street Touring, Street Prepared, Prepared, Modified, and Formula. The rulebook can get pretty extensive; check the 2012 SCCA Solo Rules for all the class info. So, for your first event I, Kyle Mertens, would be more than happy to help you determine where your car belongs. Now that we've determined your class, it's time to head over to MotorsportReg and pre-register for your first event.
What to bring:
When you show up to race, you'll need a helmet and numbers for your car. If you don't already have these one of our sponsors, SPS, is at most of our events with helmets and numbers available for purchase. Helmets must be Snell SA2005 certified or newer and numbers must be at least eight inches tall and in a contrasting color to your car. If you're not ready to invest just yet, SCCA Solo has an array of loaner helmets and tape to mark your number and class at no cost (assuming you return them at the end of the day).
When you arrive:
Once you arrive there are 4 easy steps to take before it's time to race. The first step is to head over to the registration trailer so we know you've arrived. The second step is to have your car looked over by Tech. The third will be to get your worker assignment. Finally, head out to the course to do your course walks.
If you didn't preregister at MotorsportReg no worries! The registration trailer takes walk up registrations until 8:30 am. When you first show up, go to the Help Tent and they'll get you started. You'll need your SCCA card (if you're a member) and a valid driver's license. A weekend membership is also offered for $15 and (up to two) can be used toward your SCCA membership. If you preregistered at MotorsportReg, hint, hint, you can skip the Help Tent and we can have you in and out of this step in a matter of seconds.
Before visiting Tech you'll want to remove any loose items and leave them in the Paddock. This includes, but is not limited to: coolers, snacks, chairs, jacks, tire gauges, spare wheels, and anything else loose that could fly around the car and become a distraction/hazard. Tech will look over your car and mark your registration card and send you to receive a worker assignment.
 Once you receive your worker assignment for the day, it's time to check out the course. When you begin your first course walk, there are plenty of people that would be glad to give tips and advice for navigating the course, notably our Chief of Novices, Tom Sotiropoulos. Tom (carrying the umbrella in the picture) performs a novice walk before every event and gives his personal tips for navigating the course as quickly as possible (he was 2011's PAX Runner Up. So listen to what he has to say!). (Mike Mertens photo)
It's highly recommended to have the top drivers ride along and critique your driving abilities. This season, the top 20 drivers have the option of running their PAX number on their car. So, spotting the top drivers should be a very easy thing to do. If you have the opportunity, try and ride with a few of them to see how St Louis' best get it done.
If you're at an event and have any questions, the white Help Tent at the front of the lot is setup to assist anyone throughout the day. Also, all our chiefs wear "ask me" name tags to make them easily identifiable.
Vicky Moellenbeck (in the orange shirt) staffing the Help Tent.
Mike Mertens photo.
Hope to see some new faces out in 2012!
Solo Video
Here's a video to help acquaint you with Solo (AKA Autocross) produced by the St. Louis Region. It is always available at the St. Louis Region's Solo website, www.stlsolo.org.
 | | St. Louis Region SCCA Solo Club |
You'll also find a helpful document regarding Solo Etiquette on the Region's website. Registration By Aimie Ruth At a solo event the order of registration depends on whether or not you pre-registered for the event. To pre-register for an event, you go to MotorsportReg, select the event and fill out the forms online. When registering online you would go ahead and select the proper class and an available car number. Numbers 1-20 are unique numbers assigned to the region's top 20 index drivers from the prior season. All other numbers are available as unique numbers per class, excluding numbers 100-199 these numbers are reserved for co-drivers on a car. This is done to allow competitors to add a number one to the car and take it off again for the other driver. However, this number is not reserved unless you co-drive the same car again (it is reserved for co-drivers of cars in each class). 
Those that pre-register for an event will head straight to the pre-registered side of the registration trailer. They will then pull your card and mark you checked in. If you have any changes to make to your entry you will go to the person running the computer and have those changes entered into the system. If no changes need to be made with your card, head over to tech. Before going to tech you will first need to make sure your car is fully cleaned out and have proper numbers displayed on the vehicle. (Mike Mertens photo.)
 Bruce Stephens is checking a helmet of a competitor to see if it passes Tech. You'll also find PDX Program Chair Jose Hernandez (in the white shirt above the Tech sign) and the Tire Rack Street Survival Chair Chuck DeProw (to Jose's left) in the photo. All of the cars being teched are parked in front of one of the Solo Programs sponsors, Solo Performance Specialties (SPS). Mike Mertens photo. If you did not pre-register, when you arrive to the event you will start at the welcome tent, where you will be given a registration card. You will then proceed to the registration trailer to the non-pre-registered side of the trailer. The process starts with your payment being taken, then the person running the computer will enter you into the system, assign you a number, and answer any questions you may have. After that you will proceed to tech and then to worker assignments.
James Poeling and Aimie Ruth are seen working the on-site registration side of the Solo trailer. While this line is shorter the process will take longer than if you pre-registered. Mike Mertens photo. Any later questions may be directed to the welcome tent. All Novices are required to attend a novice walk thru, which will include the novice driver's meeting.
That's registration in at a glance, we look forward to seeing you compete in the 2012 season!
Dean Rhodes is setting up the course by placing the cones/pylons. Course workers will be needed to stand the cones back up when a car runs over one. The right photo are cars waiting in grid for the action to begin. Some are "daily drivers" others are purpose built race cars. Both photos by Mike Mertens. Timing & Scoring By Tom DeYoung You've probably been to an autocross and noticed a few things that no one really takes the time to explain. You may have asked yourself, "Who are those people inside the bus?" or "Who keeps track of all our run times?" or maybe even "Is that God the corner captain is talking to through the radio?" Well, you may not realize that all these questions share a common answer: Timing & Scoring. 
The inside of the Timing and Scoring section of the bus in the middle of it being set up for a Solo event. Mike Mertens photo. Timing and Scoring (T&S) has the primary goal of ensuring a fair and competitive autocross event and compiling accurate results. This is achieved by a team of people working together both inside and outside of the bus. The member of this group you come into contact the most is the starter. Yep, that's the person at the starting line telling you when to take off like a bat out of Hades. The starter's job is to keep the event moving along at a quick, yet safe, pace. If the starter sends cars too slow, the event takes a long time to finish and the course workers wear out. If cars are sent too close to each other, course workers don't have enough time to reset hit cones and get out of the way of the next car. So next time you see a starter, give him a hug, because he's looking out for you. The next part of the T&S team are that mysterious group of people hidden behind the tinted windows of the bus. These are the people keeping track of all the times/penalties and putting together results. The first person in this group is in charge of course control. The course controller is the voice on the other end of the radios. Course control's role is to run the event once a heat becomes active. This ranges from taking penalties called in from corner captains to telling the grid workers someone gets a rerun. They also have the power to start and stop the event temporarily if an issue arises. Also in the bus are three other workers: computer log, master log, and audit. The computer logger inputs the order in which cars come to the start line so the timing software can keep track of your times. They also input any penalties you may have accumulated during your run. Sitting next to the computer log is the master logger. The master logger manually writes down every car's number/class, time, and penalties as a back up to the computer log. If you ever poke your head inside the bus, this is the person intensely staring at a digital timer and not saying a word. The final person inside the bus is the auditor. The auditor checks a printout of the results stored in the computer against those written down by the master logger to make sure there are no discrepancies. Once everything has been checked out, the auditor posts updated results on the side of the bus for all to see and enjoy (or detest, depending on one's performance that day). 
The 2011 Solo Program Chair April Schnardthorst is seen here calling all of the competitors to the drivers meeting. Mike Mertens photo. The final member of the T&S team is one everyone is familiar with, the announcer. This usually upbeat person has one job: to keep everyone updated with the latest information. The announcer always has a computer showing instant updates of everyone's results. They also keep our sponsors happy by acknowledging them throughout the day. Along with all this, they provide entertaining commentary that reminds everyone that we're all out there to have a great time! So that's the lowdown on timing & scoring. I hope you gained some insight into what we do. If you're interested in becoming trained to work one of the positions described above, please contact the Chief of Timing & Scoring, Tom DeYoung (that's me) at tgdeyoung@gmail.com. 
Chief Stewards By Jan Rick This position was created to oversee that the event rules are adhered to, much like SCCA Club Racing. But I doubt you will rarely, if ever, talk to the Chief Steward at a Solo. The Chief Steward works with the Event Chairman to keep the event running on schedule and to help with any problems. The Chief Steward makes sure the event is operated in accordance with the Solo Rules, the Series Supplemental Regulations, and most importantly that everyone has FUN. Rules should be applied equally to all in order for each driver to have a FAIR, but SAFE competition event and FUN in the process. You shouldn't have any problems (or need to see the Chief Steward) as long as there are no problems with your car, you participate safely, and don't break the rules. However, if those things happen or you refuse to listen you can get disqualified and sometimes for more than just that event. If you'd like to read the specific duties as outlined in the 2012 St. Louis Supplemental Regulations check out the Rules and Docs page of the St. Louis Solo website. You'll also find on that page the following documents: Event Chair, Walkie Script, Solo Safety Plan, Family Arena drawing, SAC Mission Statement, Course Design, and the 2012 Supps (Supplemental Regulations).
St. Louis Region 2012 Solo Calendar
StL Solo
- April 1st, Autocross Event #1 (Gateway)
- April 15th, Autocross Event #2 (Family Arena)
- May 6th, Autocross Event #3 (Gateway)
- May 20th, Autocross Event #4 (Gateway)
- June 17th, Evo School (Gateway)
- June 23rd, Novice School (Family Arena)
- June 24th, Autocross Event #5 (Family Arena)
- July 8th, Autocross Event #6 (Family Arena)
- July 22nd, Autocross Event #7 (Gateway)
- August 12th, Autocross Event #8 (Family Arena)
- August 19th, Test and Tune (Gateway)
- September 16th, Autocross Event #9 (Family Arena)
- September 30th, Autocross Event #10 (Family Arena)
- October 27th, Autocross #11 (Blytheville)
- October 28th, Autocross #12 (Blytheville)
- November 9-11, Solo Track Tour (Gateway)
You can also find the latest updates on their Facebook page, StLSolo.
R and S Racing and Solo Performance
MiDiv 2012 Solo Calendar
MiDiv Solo
- May 26-27 - Lincoln Airpark
- July 7-8 - Heartland Park Topeka
- Aug 4-5 -- East Crawford, Salina
- Sept 22-23 - Metropolitan Community College Driving Center, Independence
Just another one of the really cool cars you can see up close and in person when you attend a St. Louis Region Solo event. This Lotus Exige Club Racer is driven by Jean-Paul Montupet, David Schnardthorst and April Schnardthorst.
Mike Mertens photo.
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| Special thanks to the photographers who supplied photos for this edition of Wheelspin: Ted Haines, Steve Kempf, Mike Mertens, Kevin Pyles, Team Huebbe, Mark Weber and Tim Williams.
Wheelspin is sent on behalf of the Board of Directors of the St. Louis Region Sports Car Club of America. You are receiving this because you are a member of the region, or have expressed an interest in the region and SCCA. If you don't wish to receive e-mail from the region in the future, please follow the unsubscribe link below. Past issues of Wheelspin can be viewed by visiting www.stlscca.org.
Thank you for reading, and our thanks to each of you for your support of the St. Louis Region SCCA!
Sincerely,
2012 BoD
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