Triangle Chapter Report
Triangle Chapter Report – February 2015
New season! New faces! New plans by old friends! The first Triangle Chapter meeting of 2015 was abuzz with animated conversation and enthusiasm for the coming year’s events. New member Warren Lapham, a friend of Treasurer Steve Keadle from the Heart of Carolina Mustang Club, was there to meet the folks. And new to us, but not to the SCCA, John Snodgrass, a former driver and long-time volunteer in many different specialties, came as well. John is a Steward in training, or “SIT” as they are known, and he cannot wait to get started at our next event, the first weekend in March (March 7th & 8th). And Bob Stearns was there too. Bob’s not a member yet but he’s leaning that way. He’s looking for more venues and more types of events to run his ’65 Cobra. There was a moment of silent awe followed by a round of applause when Bob explained that while the motor wasn’t original, the chassis of his awesome ride was an original CSX Shelby. Should be a big hit at future autocrosses and hill climbs! Welcome to you all!
Triangle Chapter Report – December 2014
The year’s last meeting of the Triangle Chapter was short and sweet. Those attending seemed content just to eat, drink, and swap stories about earlier races and holiday plans. There wasn’t much to discuss, other than the upcoming Region elections and the awards dinner. For officers, we have a pretty full slate of candidates to choose from. And some were on hand to speak to us. The full list of candidates and their bios are available here, so I won’t repeat all that information, but rather just highlight what transpired at our meeting.
Triangle Chapter Report – November 2014
We had a great meeting of the Triangle Chapter on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Rodeo, in the Townridge Shopping Center. Lots of folks attended and we had some eager bench racing. Since the last two events of the racing season had just finished up, that’s about all we did, but we had a great time doing it!
The Chapter saluted our newest driver, William Wallace, on his inaugural outing at VIR. William joined up a year or so ago because he had a hot ‘69 Camaro that he wanted to get on track. The build had a ways to go and he enlisted the advice of the Region’s top tech guy, Buddy Matthews, before completing it. Now it runs in ITE. William finished his driver’s schools at Sebring this year but just got around to finishing the car in time for the Goblins Go. What a first go it was too, because the diff failed in his first race and he parked it at station 11. But in true SCCA fashion, William called an old friend who had a differential to spare, went and got it, and with the aid of his Air Force buddy and fellow new member, Kyle Jackson, they got the car back together about two in the morning. The race on Sunday was as smooth as the one on Saturday was bumpy, and William has a class win in ITE and a new competition license to prove it. Congratulations, man!
Triangle Chapter Report – October 2014
The October meeting of the Triangle Chapter was well-attended and came off in fine style. Everyone was eagerly anticipating our next 2 races, and many members had just come back from the SARRC Invitational Challenge at Daytona where the SEDIV championships were decided last weekend. Justin Deffenbaugh crewed for Steve Rose at Daytona and provided us with in-car video. It was exciting!
The situation in IT-7 was a repeat of last year. Steve was tied in points with his closest competitor for the championship. Whoever won the race would win the IT-7 SARRC Championship. Last year it was Steve who emerged victorious. Could he do it again? The tension was high as we rode along with Steve. But unfortunately we were witness to the spin that cost him the title. Oh man, so close! But second place in a competition that close is nothing to sneeze at. Good job, Steve! Thanks, Justin! That video will be on YouTube as soon as it’s edited, he said.
Triangle Chapter Report – September 2014
The Triangle Chapter meeting for September was fairly well attended, even though no one had any video to share. Hey guys! Are those GoPros broken? Don’t just tell us you won. Bring video!
One member who had no video brought the next best thing, a picture of himself and one of him in the car, participating in the Chasing the Dragon Hillclimb V, as shown in the latest issue of Grassroots Motorsports. Turn to page 66 of issue #6, volume 13, and you’ll see Marvin Fordham behind the wheel of his gorgeous British Racing Green BSP TR8! Marvin was one of four participants that GRM chose to profile in that article. Way to go Marvin! I’m guessing you’ll be a participant at Chasing the Dragon 7, coming up September 13 and 14th. The event is held twice a year near Robbinsville, NC and is hosted by Central Carolinas Region.
Triangle Chapter Report – August 2014
RALEIGH, NC (NCR SCCA) — The August meeting of the Triangle Chapter was a lively affair despite there being no new video to share. But we did have some new faces and several others who had not been around in some time. So we did round-robin introductions (or re-introductions) so we could learn what everyone had been up to.
Read MoreTriangle Chapter Report – July 2014
The Triangle Chapter met the Wednesday before July 4th as usual, but the turn-out was low. I guess people were already starting their holiday weekends, since there were no SARRC races scheduled for that weekend (How can that be?). But those of us who attended had a good time and there were a couple of interesting things to share. The first was that Mike Spencer brought his long-time family friend Marcie from upstate New York to meet us. She’s been down to visit before and even attended a race at VIR last year. We did round-robin introductions so she could get to know us all and feel more at home. Who knows? With a warm welcome from us and the weather, she might just relocate. Hey! Isn’t that what Cary stands for – “Containment Area for Relocated Yankees”? In any case, nice to meet you, Marcie! Welcome!
Triangle Chapter Report – June 2014
The June Triangle Chapter meeting was much better attended than the May meeting, since there wasn’t a huge race weekend brewing at VIR. But, our members have been busy. Before the meeting, and for some time afterward, Member-at-Large Sam Fouse was telling Brock Nicholson, James Echells, and me about his recent visit to the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, where they recently had a WWII fly-in, with dozens of old war birds on display both on the ground and in the air. Besides old cars, there’s nothing like old aircraft to get our guys enthused. Then Chuck Hines showed up with video of his last two races in his ITS RX-7. We saw in-car footage of the SARRC/MARRS double at VIR and the last race at CMP in Kershaw, South Carolina. Thanks, Chuck!
Triangle Chapter Report – May 2014
Despite it being just three days before the SARRC/MARRS event, the Triangle Chapter meeting on May 7th went surprisingly well, though lightly attended. James Echells brought in-car video of his EP Miata down in Savannah at the Jim Stark Memorial Double. This was our first Prod car video in a long time, and it was much appreciated by us all, but especially by our new member Allan Delisle. Allan is a not a new member to the SCCA by any means. He’s a racer with a career that goes back about 30 years. But he’s a Washington DC Region member who recently relocated to Cary from Maryland. He was very interested to see James’ in-car since he’s never raced at Roebling Road. Glad we could help broaden your horizons, Al. And welcome aboard!
Triangle Chapter Report – April 2014
The April meeting of the Triangle Chapter went off in fine style, despite the turn-out being a bit low for this time of year. Maybe it was Spring fever or perhaps folks are getting ready for the upcoming Majors event in two weeks. In any case, we had in-car video provided by Chuck Hines of his recent outing at CMP in Kershaw in the rain, where he finished 5th in ITS both days, driving his Miata. Yes, that’s the same Chuck Hines who just got his racing license back. He wasted no time getting back in the fray chasing those SARRC points. And yes, he drove a Miata in ITS. Seems you can race Mazda’s little roadster in that class too if you have a mind to. That must be irritating to the Camaro and Porsche boys who’ve taken to sporting the “Zoom Zoom my A**” stickers at the track lately. Well, they are about to be more irritated I think. According to Grassroots Motorsports, NASA has just certified a sports racer based on Gen 1 and Gen 2 Miata mechanicals. Can SCCA be far behind? Only time will tell. And I think Chuck will also improve his position as he spends more time on track. Thanks for sharing, big guy!