A Proposal for Some Unused Asphalt

By Trevor Alexander Hermance
This article was first published in PitTalk, September/October 2012.

New England Region routinely doubles up (or quadruples-up, with Racing Against Leukemia) on events at that asphalt mecca on Route 106 North, New Hampshire Motor Speedway. And yet, despite the Solo and Club Racing crowds driving their hearts out mere feet away from each other, a common quandary of those trying to keep the club thriving and growing is the lack of crossover between the two strong programs, with other companies and groups attracting all the “inbetweeners” who don’t necessarily have a race car but want a taste of the triple-digits.

Meanwhile, we let precious useful tarmac at one of our other favorite playgrounds go untouched when we’re at Lime Rock Park for the weekend. Huge demand for dates there by the same trackday groups has “allowed” LRP to raise prices to nearly insufferable levels for our racing-only events. On top of that, the inherent nature of a volunteer workforce requires Club Racing to leave the track dormant for a valuable hour each day. I think it would be worth pursuing opportunities in the young and highly customizable Time Trials framework to expand the scope of our activities at these race tracks, and thus broaden the appeal of membership in NER.

Personal experience with Lime Rock and the Skip Barber Racing School in particular leads me to believe that a safe and fun event on the infield autocross courses at LRP is something NER could feasibly campaign alongside the traditional race weekend there. Past attempts at single-day Performance Driving Experiences (SCCA’s non-competitive program intended to provide seat time to inexperienced and developing track drivers like those available from other clubs) have not performed well due to established, experienced competition from other organizations and Club Racing-sourced organizers that were stretched thin and furthermore entering foreign territory.

My concept would employ a few volunteers to coordinate a group of 25 to 35 participants in a couple of activities, without having to meet some of the GCR’s stringent personnel requirements. Likewise, the rudimentary mini circuits available don’t have to be subjected to the racers’ certification but have still proven safe enough for novices (or exuberant race car drivers looking for some low-speed drifting kicks). Piggybacking this Club Trials event alongside the school and races means Club Racing has already covered the costs of medical and track staff which have made the previous full-day-on-the-big-track PDX’s unprofitable. My concept doesn’t allow for nearly as many entries but exposes the region to significantly less financial risk. Plus, running one of the coveted unmuffled weekends could prove an attraction for any drivers whose cars have been shooshed out of the track over the years giving us an advantage over the other renters. I’ve brainstormed the following;

• Solo-style free runs of 3-5 laps on the 1400 ft. Autocross Courses (there are two which can be connected) in the morning, two cars at a time; instructors rotate through right seat duties (with novices who require them) and outside observation with the others who are waiting to drive

• A Skid Pad exercise (an expanse of wet pavement with no nearby obstacles is always a fun and insightful learning opportunity), one car at a time with instructor

• A migration of the group down to the full track during Club Racing’s midday break (a couple of non-instructor volunteers will need to provide line of sight course coverage from 4/5 corner stations while F&C is at lunch) for two sessions – maybe lead-follow exercises for the novices or right-seat rides by instructors, should there be enough of them – followed by lunch

• Full .45 mi. autocross practice in the afternoon, 3-4 cars at a time, followed by timed competition (the course even has its own transponder loop, so if rentals could be procured, Club Racing’s now-spare decoder could be put to use)

• To finish, a couple of awards are presented and the group can then partake in the social aspects (aka beer party) of the race weekend with all the others

• Volunteers who come out of the woodwork to help get the thing kickstarted could be rewarded with credit for an entry in the program after contributing 2/3/x days

Why make it a Club Trials event with competitive timing? Well, I see it as a way to make it something worth getting excited about, rather than some obscure driving exercise that is riding backseat to the Club Racers. Also, the participants won’t feel that the event’s climax arrived well before the end-of-day with the track time forced into the only free slot at noontime. Nothing would be more dramatic than a trophy chase to cap off the day!

So, these are all a few rough concepts with some overthought details thrown in that have come to me after witnessing numerous clubs’ events and learning about Time Trials at the National Convention. The thousand-dollar selling point of some driving school curriculums is just a small chunk of time on a real, authentic race track. We won’t charge that much and won’t have to invest much at all. It would be a small start that could draw some Solo drivers to a place they may never have driven, some Club Racers who want to try something different, and, of course, some new people from outside the region. The whole thing could be translated to NHMS as well, I’ve only applied this concept to LRP due to familiarity. After a couple small projects like this, we could be ready for a more substantial Time Trials program.

Obviously this would need development and, most importantly, a small handful of people who would want to contribute a little time and effort to bring something new and unique to the region. Let me know; what do you think, and will you help?

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Racing Against Leukemia Recap –

– by Doug Fisher

RAL/NER Charities Weekend as a huge success and was a great example of the generosity and enthusiasm of many NER members for our annual fundraising endeavor. The accounting of all monies raised is not totally finished, but it is clear that the combined (Solo, Club Racing, Rally/RallyX) funds raised will be over $17K this year, which trounces the $14K figure from last year.

Many thanks goes out to the NER Charities Committee, that started planning for this event back in May, and to team of members who did a superb job selling raffle tickets at the event. The committee members were Linda Kogan (co-chair), Jody Fisher (co-chair), Danielle Moehring, Wiley Cox, Kathy Moody, Dave Maynard and Peter Perrault. This year, in addition to our core charity, UMass Medical Center, the committee decided to expand our mission and devote a portion of the fund raising dollars to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Thanks also go out to the following companies who sponsored items and supported the event:

Flatout Motorsports
Veloz Media
Team LTD
Graffitti Works
ITS Inc.
Aggressive Graphics
Berkshire Brewery
Wachusett Brewing.

For the raffle(s) there were many firms (eg. In Control, Team O’Neil, SCDA) and club members (eg Tom Kelly, Deb Maynard) who contributed pricey items and gift certificates that put smiles on the faces of a lot of raffle winners. New this year, we had arranged for specific gift baskets from Solo, RallyX, and Club Racing.

Surely, the most unique raffle item and the high point of the raffle, was Jerry Rigoli’s “silver” goatee, which was offered-up by those clever folks from Flynn-Casaro Racing. Obviously this was not Jerry’s idea, but the bounty price was jacked-up by auctioneers Nick Leverone and Andy Bettencourt to a loaftee $1160, so how could Jerry refuse with a 100+ on-lookers cheering.

After the raffle we had a little more delicious lasagna, a cannoli and headed over to the movie (World’s Fastest Indian) presented by our film expert, Dudley Foster. Simultaneously folks participating in the Rally started arriving for their final leg around NHMS, in the dark. They finished up back at the garage, had a nice pizza party and helped finish off the keg and snacks.

Sunday was another fine day of road racing and Solo, with the addition of Rally-X activities. It was special to have Danielle and Manfred Moehring with us throughout the weekend. As most know, it was Danielle’s battle with leukemia, which started some 24 years ago, that inspired NER to devote a weekend of racing each year to raise money for cancer research.

For members who could not attend, you should put this event on your calendar for next year. On Sunday, following the party Saturday night, it was heard that “if they could only do one race a year, “RAL Weekend” would be the one”. Fortunately, the weather was in our favor throughout the weekend, until the last two race groups on Sunday afternoon when the skies opened up and we all got a soaking whether we wanted it or not.

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New England Region to Host Racing Against Leukemia/NER Charities Weekend August 4 & 5

With August fast approaching it’s time to start thinking about how we can raise the most money possible for the charities we are supporting. The Aug. 4-5 weekend should give everyone plenty of choices.

There will be Road Racing, Rally and Solo. All groups will be selling RAL 2012 decals, Breast Cancer decals and cozy’s and Raffle tickets. Look for them at registration and throughout the weekend.

We are also offering the much in demand Hot Laps on the track during lunch Sat. & hopefully Sun.

Time permitting, there will be track rides at day’s end Sat.

For all those Solo drivers and anyone else interested, who want to swap rides, don’t forget the Jeff Gordon Challenge on Saturday, followed by a points event on Sunday.

Saturday afternoon will also feature Round 1 of the DoubleCross, a combined Solo/RallyCross event that concludes on Sunday Morning.

Rally will be running their TSD rally Saturday night and their RallyCross on Sunday.

The on-line first giving site to donate for childhood leukemia research is open at www.firstgiving.com/ummf/nerrace.

In order to make this Raffle the best ever please contact Linda Kogan at lkogan@charter.net or Nick Leverone at Flatout Motorsports if you have any merchandize or services to donate

This is our only fund raising event of the year, so please help us make it a Great Success!

Be sure to check out Danelle Moehring’s letter to the region about the origins of RAL, and of course the Region’s Racing Against Leukemia Page.

Thank you all and we are hoping for a large turnout for the weekend!

The NER Charity Committee

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Racing Against Leukemia 2012 – a letter from Danielle Moehring

Hi ! My name is Danielle Moehring and I welcome you to a fantastic weekend of Racing against Leukemia.

I was diagnosed with Leukemia in 1989 at 3 years of age and was treated at UMass Medical Center in Worcester Massachusetts and Boston’s Children’s Hospital.

Members of Yankee Sports Car Club along with COM, SCCA and Indoor Model Racing as well as Polar Racing raised money in my time of need. It was decided by my family that this money be used for Leukemia research and bone marrow donor recruiting. RAL (Racing Against Leukemia) was formed in the winter of 1990 by the dedicated efforts of SCCA New England Region drivers Ed Funk, Ed Warkulewicz, Eric Strobe and AMA motorcycle racer John Crowley along with my father Manfred Moehring to benefit childhood Leukemia research at UMass Medical Center.

I am now cured of Leukemia and graduated from college in 2009 with a biology degree and currently working for Seven Hills Foundation of Worcester, MA supporting mentally disabled adults.

RAL is geared toward raising funds for UMass Medical Center in hope of finding a cure for childhood cancer.

Thank you to all who are attending and special thanks for all who have worked over the years for the continued success of RAL weekends. Good luck and may the drivers be protected. May you all be blessed this weekend and days to come. Please feel free during the weekend to talk to me or ask me questions, or if you would like, you may contact me through email dkmoehring@gmail.com.

Danielle Moehring - RAL.JPG

Danielle standing next to her dad’s car.

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Memorial Day Weekend Message from NER Director

Message from NER Director:I would like to wish all NER SCCA members an enjoyable and safe Memorial Day Weekend. Special thanks go out our members who have or are serving in the Armed Forces. We should also honor many SCCA members who were Veterans and have passed on and now occupy our history books. I feel that SCCA has deep roots with the military. Our “GIs” returning from WWII were enamored with sports cars from Europe and beckoned to air bases looking weekend business. Many of our fabricating and safety specifications are derived from military sources. Memorial Day Weekend is filled with racing events like the Indy 500, the Grand Prix at Monaco and the NASCAR Coca Cola 600. For NER members who opt for live action, there is road racing action at NHMS this weekend…that’s where I will be. Whatever is on your agenda, I hope you have a great weekend, and please join me remembering those who put their life on the line for our country.

Doug Fisher, RE

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2012 SCCA GCR Rulebooks Are Now Available

The 2012 SCCA GCR rulebooks are now available. To request a copy, mail a check to NER, SCCA for $30.00 (includes shipping) to

Donna Stevens
PO Box 1122
Merrimack, NH 03054
Phone: 603-566-2774
Email: donstev311@gmail.com

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Message from RE (Regional Exec)

Dear Members,

While Rally and Rally Cross programs are off and running, others are focused on race prep and our NER staff have been engaged in key meetings which set the stage for 2012. At least 15 NER members attended the National Convention in Las Vegas (March, 1-3).

The theme this year was “embracing change and facilitating transition”. Two new racing series will run this year (The BFGoodrich Super Tour and the “Majors” pilot series), there is a heightened push on growing membership, the Runoffs format is under review, a marketing firm has been hired to enhance the SCCA “brand”, increased emphasis on local solo and rally programs, and administrative streamlining of event policy and procedures. I feel it is important that you know about the dedicated efforts and initiatives underway to make SCCA better and to tackle issues that bog us down.I expect the slides and material for the meeting will be up on the SCCA.com website in the near future.

This past weekend a number of NER members attended the Northeast Division Roundtable in Pocono, PA. This meeting, involving some 20 SCCA regions in the northeast and attended by about 130 members focuses on training and regional program coordination. The following NER experts led workshops: Scott Beliveau –Rally-X, Kathy Barnes- Solo Safety Training, Peter Villaume – Emergency Services, Peter Perrault – Sound Control and Denise Patten – Timing and Scoring. This provides the opportunity for regions to exchange best practices and offer workers and Stewards additional training.

At the local level keep your eye out on our (re-designed) website for preseason events. Paul Zahornasky, Bob Beaulieu and Neil Schelly are working hard on Region communications. The nice weather is giving us a “jump-start” on things and hints of good weather for upcoming events (March 31 Cape Cod Rally, April 7 Solo at Devens and Club Racing May 21-22 at NHMS). Looking forward to see you! Feel free to contact me at fisherdo1@cox.net

Doug Fisher, RE

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NER Member Eric Heinrich wins the Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year Award

On the strength of his third place finish at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs in the STU Class, New England Region member Eric Heinrich was awarded the prestigious Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year Award at this year’s National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“This is an incredibly humbling honor and incredibly encouraging at the same time, Heinrich said. “To be able to participate at this level of competition and to be successful is incredible. I never got the chance to meet Jim Fitzgerald, but from what I understand he won over 350 races in 30 years. I can only hope to achieve that level of success and inspire that many people down the road.”

The award is presented to the SCCA club racing driver showing the greatest promise; it is based on driving ability demonstrated during the first season of national competition. The winner is selected by the club racing board based on nominations submitted by the executive stewards.

The following is an email interview conducted with Eric:

New England Region: What were your season accomplishments on track?

Eric Heinrich This was a exciting year – in my first year of running with the SCCA, in five races I was able to put the car on the pole position four times, set three track records, finish third in the Divisional points championship, finish third at my first ever visit to the Runoffs. The car was one of the Black Magic Shine best appearing car award winners and to cap it all off, I was awarded with the Jim Fitzgerald Rookie of the Year Award!

Heinrich with SCCA President/CEO Jeff Dahnert.

NER: Which one meant the most to you?

EH: The Rookie of the Year Award has got to be it – the podium at the Runoffs was pretty awesome too, but to be honored with the Jim Fitzgerald award was fantastic.

NER: How did you get started with the SCCA?

EH: SoloII !!!! OK it actually goes back to the BMW Car Club. I started autocrossing with them and met a bunch of the SCCA autocross hot shoes. After participating in an Evolution Autocross School, I was hooked!

NER: Who do you want to thank?

EH: For starters my wife Beth who shared towing duties, made travel arrangements, hopped over the wall. Also Marc Feinstein at German Performance Service in Brighton MA. Marc is my race engineer and has a ton of knowledge and experience and put together a great race car for me.

BF Goodrich for helping with tire support and contingencies and VelozMedia.tv for helping get the word out about what we were doing, and elephantmotorsports.com.

NER: What are your plans for 2012?

EH: Win the Runoffs, the Super Sweep, obtain favorable press coverage repeatedly for my sponsors while assisting in the growth of the Super Touring Category by serving on the Super Touring Advisory Committee.

NER: What are your long term goals?

EH: Hmm, I guess it depends how you define long term. The big dream goal for me would be to race in the 24 Hueres du Mans, and along the way race in Grand Am, World Challenge, ALMS, win a Solo II National Championship at some point.

Photo credits: David Haueter (Cars) Reece White (Heinrich/Dahnert)

Parts of this article taken from official press releases.

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NER Member Elivan Goulart wins SCCA President’s Cup

SHELTON, CONN. (March 6, 2012) – When the calendar moved from 2011 to 2012, 31-year-old Elivan Goulart wondered how any racing season could top the one he’d just had: 3 victories in 6 starts in SCCA competition, a National Championship award in Spec Miata, SCCA Northeast Driver of the Year honors , and a thrilling cap to his season – a championship trophy at the NASA 25 hours of Thunderhill. Never in his wildest dreams did he consider he would be added to a list of drivers that includes names like Roger Penske, Bobby Rahal, Skip Barber, Paul Newman, and Jim Hall. But sometimes, wild dreams come true, and at the SCCA Annual Awards banquet on March 4 in Las Vegas, Goulart became a permanent addition to the roster of recipients of the SCCA President’s Cup.

The SCCA President’s Cup is presented to the driver demonstrating ability, competitiveness and success at the National Championship Runoffs. It has been awarded since 1954.

“What a humbling way to cap off an amazing year,” Goulart said. “To even be listed alongside drivers like Penske, Skip Barber and Jim Hall – what an honor.”

Hall, who was at the banquet to receive recognition for being added to the Hall of Fame, made quite an impression on Goulart.

“It was very exciting to meet Jim at the banquet, and he truly was an inspiration to talk with and listen to.”

Goulart paid special attention to thanking the people who he said were responsible for getting him to this place in his career.

“I would like to thank my wife and my family for their unwavering support, especially my father for being there through it all when we started racing what seems like so long ago.

Goulart with SCCA President/CEO Jeff Dahnert.

“Also, I have to thank Michael Quadrini for giving me the opportunity to showcase his Invader Formula 500 race cars and bring home two SCCA National Championships in 2001 and 2002. Also James Elder and Bob Berman for the same opportunity to showcase their FSCCA open wheel car to a pro championship in 2004.

“And of course, a big thank you to Chris Maybury for giving me the opportunity to drive his Spec Miata built my father and Savings Auto Center Racing to a 2011 National Championship,” he said.

“I also want to thank SCCA, it’s officials, corner workers, and all other volunteers that make this club a place that welcomes and provides racers a path to their dreams,” Goulart added.

And for Goulart, dreams, no matter how wild, have an exciting way of coming true.

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SCCA and the New England Region mourn the passing of Jan Poor.

Jan Poor was an SCCA member long before my time, but I have come to appreciate her rich history with the club. Jan’s husband, Jim, served as our RE quite a few years ago. The whole Poor family was deeply involved with SCCA and are a good example how SCCA often becomes a family affair where everyone shares in the fun. I would have to go through the club archives to learn all the roles Jan served, but its safe to say there were many. For myself, I could plan on seeing her at all the major club activities and would turn to her for historical input. She knew all the racing characters from the past and had great stories about them. Jan had an incredible passion and love for the club. She will certainly be missed. On behalf of the New England Region I extend sincere condolences to Jim and the Poor Family.Doug Fisher, RE

Note – Jan’s obituary can be found here:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=janice-…

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Pit Talk Opt Out Program

You may have seen a blurb in Pit Talk. Maybe you saw something in the forums or just heard it word of mouth.

But, in case you hadn’t – the region now gives you the option of receiving your PitTalk electronically instead of through the US Post Office.

The benefits for the region are obvious, we save money on printing costs and mailing costs.

Electronic delivery has benefits to our members as well. Those that receive it electronically get it sooner than those who receive the print copy. They also receive it in full color instead of black and white.

Finally, for those that don’t keep their PitTalks forever, it’s one less thing that gets put into the recycling bin.

How to do it:

Go to: https://ner.org/region/pit-talk and click on the link to edit your profile. You will need to enter your membership number and your name as it appears on your SCCA card.

Alternately, you could also send an email to Paul Krysiak (pkrys0kb@snet.net) asking to opt out of the mailed PitTalk.