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The Squeal Newsletter

In this issue:  From the Editor's Desk  •  Celebrate!  •  Autocross Returns • Rallycross News  •  What do you say? — Road Rally & Club Tee Shirts  •  Regional Meeting & Minutes  • Motorsports, Susquehanna Style  • Puttering "Around" PA  •  Rallycross National Championship Registration  • Noble Tenders Resignation As SCCA President  •  Blue Mountain Region Paves Way  •  Tech Tips Tuesday: Hub Centric Rings

 

From the Editor's Desk

Hi, there — This month marks the 12th issue of the revamped Squeal newsletter for the region. And, you may have noticed there's something different. 

There's no member spotlight this month; partly because of low participation and lack of time on my part. But mostly because we lost a fellow (local) racing fanatic a few days ago after a seven-year battle with cancer, and I felt the space was better served paying tribute to him.

Todd Trump — although not an SCCA member — ran a few rallycrosses with the club back in 2014 and was very active in car shows, wrenching and motorsports over the years. If your paths ever crossed, you probably know that he was always willing to lend a hand or advice or — in my case — some spare STi parts for the WRX (don't worry, I'm still DS legal). 

I've known Todd's family for — we'll just say — more than 15 years. His perseverance is rivaled only by their strength, which continues to amaze me. The world lost one hell of a (car) guy this week. May he rest in peace. 

Until next time — Kristen Poole
Assistant Regional Executive & Editor, The Squeal

Photos by Jillian Knadler

 

CELEBRATE!

Please join me in congratulating Craig Bucher who celebrated his 30-year anniversary with SCCA this month!

 

AUTOCROSS RETURNS

Been awhile, hasn't it? It's finally time again, though. Susquehanna Region will hold it's next double-header event at the Farm Show building on Sunday, September 11.

As usual, the morning event is pre-registration only! Walk ups will be allowed at the afternoon event. Remember to bring your own numbers or means to make numbers! You can find all the nitty-gritty details at the link below. See you all in less than a month! 

 

Seeking a Volunteer

The rallycross co-chairs John Roscinski and Adam Moore are looking for someone to handle registration at future rallycross events. The person just needs to be at events when registration opens to accept walk-ups. If you'd be willing to chip in, please get in touch with John

RALLY #3 RECAP

Rallycross event #3 for 2016, held August 7, 2016 saw a huge turnout with 36 competitors with times. We look forward to seeing you all out at the next one, too (details next). 

  • Stock: Jonathan Zerbe in SA with a time of 635.933
  • Prepared: Jason Zerbe in PA with a time of 634.544
  • Modified: Andy Thomas in MF with a time of 704.593

UPCOMING EVENT

Rallycross event #4 is just over two weeks away!

We'll run once again on the Elmerton Lot in Harrisburg. If you've never run a rallycross but are curious, come out, take a ride along and see just how much fun you could have playing in the dirt. 

 

What do you say? 

Interested in Road Rally? 

At the last meeting, there was discussion about the possibility of holding a road rally/touring event (possibly) this fall in collaboration with other local car clubs. If you're interested — in helping coordinate or just in participating — please let us know on Facebook or via email

Club Tee Shirts

A couple of weeks ago, we posted on Facebook looking for some design ideas for club tee shirts. We've got a couple of designs to share later this week, so keep your eyes peeled and chime in with your favorite pick. We hope to have a small number available at the next autocross. 

 

Want to be featured on the website and newsletter?

We're running out of members to spotlight in the monthly newsletter and on the new website. If you enjoy seeing fellow members' photos and learning a bit about them, why not get your 15 minutes (or 30ish days) of fame? You know you want to!

 

August Regional Meeting

Tuesday, August 23 • 7:30 p.m.
Our next meeting will be held in the private dining room at Gilligan's Bar and Grill, 987 Eisenhower Boulevard, Harrisburg, PA 17111.  

The meeting agenda will be provided to members via email this weekend. All members are encouraged to attend. Come early for dinner (and a drink) with other members. 

July Meeting Minutes

Big thanks to Matt Elliott for stepping up to take the July meeting minutes in Ed's absence! You can find them on the Susquehanna Region website at the link below. 

 

Motorsports, Susquehanna Style

Contributions from Tracy Holmes (thank you!)

Steven Hirschtritt comes around turn two in his '65 Austin Healey Sprite at the 2016 Pagoda Hillclimb, Saturday June 25. Photo by Kristen Poole.

Polish Mountain Hillclimb

Susquehanna was well-represented at this year's Polish Mountain Hillclimb, August 6-7. A total of 8 members had a chance to run the hill, with one record-breaking run. Congrats on a job well done!

  • Shawn Mellinger — 1 out of 4 in BSP — Class Record: 61.575
  • Jason Fraley — 2 out of 4 in DSP
  • Brian Micciche — 1 out of 1 in SMX
  • Joe Whiteley — 1 out of 1 in HP
  • Don McLaughlin — 1 out of 2 in GTL
  • Tony Preston — 1 out of 1 in FF
  • Greg Hagan — 1 out of 1 in CF
  • KJ Taggart — 1 out of 1 in S1
 

Duryea Hillclimb

Eleven (if I counted right!) Susquehanna members are signed up for the Duryea  Hillclimb this weekend, August 20—21. If you get a chance, head out. The hill is a bit of a climb (pun intended), but it's awesome to watch the climbers from different corners.

If you go, make sure to get some photos! Good luck everyone!

Wilmington Championship Tour

Member Dewitt Payne was the lone participant in the Tire Rack Wilmington Championship Tour July 22—24. He ran his 2011 Ford Mustang GT Coup in CAMC. 

 

Wilmington Pro Solo

Derek Latshaw headed to Wilmington the week after Dewitt for the Wilmington Summer Pro Solo July 29–31. Derek ran a 1988 CRX Si under SSC Tint & Graphics sponsorship in STS. He trophied, coming in 5th out of 19 in his class. Congrats, Derek!

Headed to Nationals!

So far, six Susquehanna members are signed up to go to Solo Nationals September 5–9. Good luck to all who attend! 

  • Barbara Bielucki, STSL
  • Jason Felty, CP
  • Dennis Latshaw, CAMC
  • Derek Latshaw, CP
  • Melissa Anne Mauro, DSL
  • Rob Springer, DS
 

Puttering "Around" PA

Thinking of running in some events not held by the Susquehanna Region? Not sure what is going on around us? Below you'll find a small slice of some of the upcoming SCCA events in and around Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

  • 8/21: Philly Summer Solo Event #9, Warminster Community Park
  • 8/21–8/22: BMR Duryea Hillclimb, Reading PA
  • 8/21: STC Solo Event #5, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum PA
  • 8/21: WDCR Solo Event #5, FedEx Field, Greater Landover, MD
  • 8/28: CPR Solo Event #9, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology
  • 8/28: STC Solo Event #6, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum PA
  • 9/3–9/4: STC Fall Shenandoah Summit Point WV Track Trial
  • 9/3–9/4: WDCR Time Trials, Summit Point Motorsports Park, Summit Point, WV
  • 9/3–9/4: NEPA Time Trial Event #7, Fall Shenandoah Circuit, Summit Point, WV
  • 9/11: WDCR Rallycross Event #6, Frostburg, MD
  • 9/17–9/18: NEPA Time Trial Event #8, Fall Weatherly, Weatherly, PA
  • 9/17: NEPA Solo Event #9, Pocono Raceway
  • 9/18: NEPA Solo Event #10, Pocono Raceway
  • 9/18: STC Solo Event #7, Pittsburgh International Race Complex, Wampum PA
  • 9/18: Philly Summer Solo Event #10, Warminster Community Park
  • 9/24: Philly Summer Solo Event #11, Wells Fargo Center 
  • 9/25: CPR Solo Event #10, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology

Contribution from Tracy Holmes (thank you!)

 

News from SCCA

Rallycross National Championship Registration

August 11, 2016 — The 2016 SCCA RallyCross National Championship is coming up September 30 – October 2 at the National Balloon Classic venue in Indianola, Iowa. Time for down-and-dirty drivers to register for the upcoming event.

 

Blue Mountain Region
Paves Way

August 10, 2016 — The Blue Mountain Region, which organizes Reading Hillclimbs, got a pat on the back recently for some good work they’re doing in their community. BMR used part of the profits from annual hillclimbs to repave an 800-foot roadside path in town.  

Noble Tenders Resignation As SCCA President/CEO

August 10, 2016 — Lisa Noble has resigned as President and CEO of the Sports Car Club of America to pursue other challenges, the SCCA Board of Directors announced today. She been inthe President's role in October of 2013.

 

Tech Tips Tuesday: Hub Centric Rings

August 2, 2016 — If you’ve bought aftermarket wheels, you’ve probably used hub centric rings. They tend to inspire some extreme feelings among gearheads though. On All Cylinders, Summit’s Automotive Blog,investigated the when and why for using then.

 

——— Sponsors ———

Foster's Automotive
Auto Seat Covers Co.
 
SSC Tint & Graphics
 
Aircooled Racing
 

2016 Event Schedule

09/03/16: RX 4, Elmerton Lot
09/11/16: AX 7, Farm Show, AM
09/11/16: AX 8, Farm Show, PM
10/29/16: AX 9, Hershey Park
10/30/16: AX 10, Hershey Park

2016 Meeting Schedule

08/23/16: Regional Meeting, Gilligans
09/27/16: Regional Meeting, Gilligans
10/25/16: Regional Meeting, Gilligans
11/22/16: Regional Meeting, Gilligans

 

2016 Officers

Regional Exec: Steve Limbert
Assistant RE: Kristen Poole
Treasurer: Alan Lesher
Secretary: Ed Womer
Director 3 Yr: Geoff Craig
Director 2 Yr: Charlie Demmy
Director 1 Yr: Markus Houser

 

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Have suggestions for the type of articles or info you'd like to see in The Squeal? Feel free to email me with questions or content suggestions.