Grassroots Motorsports
Issue link: http://grassrootsmotorsports.epubxp.com/i/397024
Grassroots Motorsports 151 E ach year, the Solo Nationals week opens with the Pro Solo Finale, where participants from all over the country convene to settle class and overall points champion- ships. A record 284 entrants competed, with many more on the waiting list…dem- onstrating the continued draw of head-to- head mirror-image drag-start autocross- ing. From that entry pool, only two names would enjoy the ultimate victory. 1. "Welcome to the club" – Pro Solo Finale winner Paul Russell (T Nick Barbato (Honda S2000) after Russell prevailed in the fnal round of the Super Challenge, earning him the points needed to secure the coveted Johnson- Clark-Johnson Cup for the Overall Championship. It was a ftting conclusion, as Barbato is the outgoing champ…but the in the semi-fnal round when Russell came up against incom- ing points leader Erik Strelnieks (Mazda RX7). Whoever won that round would take the cup. It was close, but Strelnieks would had to settle for the runner . 2. Kim Whitener (Honda Civic Si) pulled off the three-peat win of the Fletcher Cup with a march to the top step of the podium in the Ladies Challenge. As it was in the Super Challenge, a head- title came in the semi-fnal round against Jocelin Huang (Porsche GT3), with Whitener taking the win leaving Huang second for . She now joins an elite group of women to have won three season championships in a row. ProSolo to the End SCCA ProSolo Finale WHERE: Lincoln Airpark, Lincoln, Nebraska WHEN: August 31-September 1 story by andy hollis • photos by the author unless otherwise credited eric hyman photo EVENTS: SCCA SOLO NATIONALS OUR WEEK AT NATIONALS Not content to merely snap photos and socialize, we put our Street Touring Ultra-prepped 350Z in the fray against the best in the nation. While our mid-pack fnish was lower than we hoped for (please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to our offces for a complete list of excuses), the truth is that even a good car (which we believe we have) with a good driver (which we also feel was present) can be outclassed by the insane levels of preparation and talent at an event like Solo Nationals. Still, our Z made the entire 3000-plus-mile round-trip drive on the same tires and in the same condition it competed in, we did unload the computer gear and ramen noodles for our runs. When you can drive to the event and be reasonably competitive, that's always a win. Thanks: BFGoodrich Tires, OSGiken, Exedy, Whiteline, ISC Suspension, TSW Wheels, Hawk Performance, Specialty Products Corporation. 1 2 eric hyman photo perry bennett photo perry bennett photo perry bennett photo