From the Editor's Desk

Hi, there — 

Another quick one from me this month for a few reasons.  First, I'm the Member Spotlight this month, so I won't overload you with too much of myself!  Second, I work for a payroll company, and we have 25,000 W2s to get out by the end of the month (needless to say, I'm a little busy this time of the year).  And third, as you're reading this, I will be in Las Vegas at the SCCA National Convention.  So, I'll have much to report in a month!

Keep it Classy Susquehanna - Melissa Mauro
Editor, The Squeal

Note from the RE

We’re here at the National SCCA Convention where Susquehanna Region was awarded 2017 Region of the Year. I may have gotten this fancy jacket...

...but this is not my award. It goes to every one of our board members, program chairs, committee members and every volunteer who made the 2017 season a success. It seriously takes a village, and we’ve got the best one around thanks to each and every one of you. Congratulations, Susquehanna Region!

2018 Annual Tech Day

Attention Drivers!

Last month I wrote:  The Susquehanna Region is in the planning stages for an annual technical inspection day to be held Saturday, February. 24, 2018, with Saturday March 3 as the foul-weather make up day.  Annual tech will be available for GCR/Road Race and PHA/Hillclimb cars.  The e-board is working on a plan to provide an annual tech for Autocross cars. The event will be held at Auto Seat Cover Co. in Harrisburg, Pa.

It is a go,  and here are some more details.  The hours will be 10:00  am to 3:00 pm.  The GCR/Road Race and PHA/Hillclimb cars will probably be trailer-ed.  Autocross cars may be trailer-ed. Be prepared to unload if directed to do so.  All cars must be presented in competition condition.  This includes numbers and graphics.  Road racers & hillclimbers have been through this before; and this will be a normal, annual tech.  Autocross drivers should keep in mind that this will be an expanded version of an event inspection and my require removing a wheel.  Bring your jacks and tools as if you were at an autocross.  Autocross drivers:  if you are driving to the tech day and must drive on non-competition tires, BRING YOUR MOUNTED COMPETITION TIRES.   All Drivers:  bring your drivers gear!  There will be another reminder in the Feb. SQUEAL and an e-mail blast, if possible.  If possible, the region will set up a registration page on MotorsportReg so we can judge how many will be attending.  I hope this annual tech day works for everyone, it should further streamline the autocross series.  Start planning now! The season isn't as far away as you may think!

Alan Lesher for the e-board

2017 Year End Banquet

by Doug Austin
What a year it’s been! I can’t think of any way I would have wanted to celebrate it other than a party like we had at the Sheraton on January 13th, 2018. Many of the 122 guests in attendance received outstanding awards, door prizes, and raffle prizes along with an exquisite dinner. Of course, the bar service kept the night interesting as well!

I want to take a moment to thank all of those who helped me put together this year’s banquet. It was a large change from past years and took significantly more work to throw together, so those who helped make that happen definitely deserve the recognition. Kristen Poole helped tremendously with providing the design for our new competition plaques as well as the compilation of photographs, presentation, and the wonderful programs. Bryan Roper was able to get us a generous sponsorship donation of Lucas oil products as well as Melissa and Kristen tirelessly gathering supplies for door prizes and raffle items. I would also like to thank Steve Lower for his help making our custom embroidered jackets a reality this year.

It’s been a pleasure and I look forward to the opportunities another year will provide us to celebrate, so keep an eye out for the next banquet date to celebrate the upcoming season!

by Alan Lesher

NEON back as a national contender.

From the mid 1990's to 2010, the NEON was a major force  in SCCA national road racing and solo  competition.  They scored national road racing championships in Showroom Stock B and C and in Touring 2.  There were many Solo championships in D Stock and E Stock, in both open and ladies divisions as well as Pro Solo competition. Time moved on, and other cars came to dominate.  However, 2017 showed a return of the NEON to national level competition in two SCCA activities.

At the 2017 Runoffs at Indianapolis, a NEON SRT4 earned the bronze medal for finishing 3rd in Super Touring U.  The driver is Mark Liller from Virginia.  Not bad for a 13 year old car.  This is a great example of a judicious application of rules, aftermarket parts and talent.

The 2017 DirtFish SCCA RX National Championship produced a fist-full of trophies for NEON.  As a front drive car, the NEON could compete in Stock Front, Prepared Front or Modified Front. Those 3 classes had a total of 11 trophies.  Five went to NEON drivers.  2nd a 4th place in Stock Front were NEON.  1st and 3rd place in Prepared Front were NEON.  3rd place in Modified Front was a NEON.  Way to go gang!

January Regional Meeting

Thursday, January 25th • 7:30 p.m.

Our next meeting will be held on the second floor at Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. All members are encouraged to attend. Come an hour early for dinner (and a drink) with other members.

Autocross:

• Update on decisions made in Facebook Committee Group - Benfer
• Venue update and discussion surrounding a venue search committee - Poole & All

Rallycross: 

• Update on any progress of new venue search - Roscinski

Club administration: 

• Schedule February planning meeting - All
• Bylaw review and discussion on accepting/amending - All

Old Business: 

• Update from Truck Committee on progress - Houser 
• Review of banquet - Austin & All

New Business: 

• Review National Convention participation - Poole, Austin, Roscinski, Mauro
• Discussion on bylaws and motion to approve/amend - All
• An Executive Board Meeting and combined autocross and rallycross meeting will be held in February to address the following and other issues. A preliminary discussion of these items at this region meeting would be useful: 
  • Determine the number of autocross & rallycross events
  • Determine the schedule for or autocross and rallycross programs
  • Revisions that should be made to autocross and rallycross supplementals
  • Discussion on type of awards for this season

SCCA Releases 2018 Schedules

Just when you think there is nothing else race-related to look forward to in 2017, SCCA National announces next year's schedule!  So far, they've just released the AutoCross schedules, but I'll be sure to update everyone as more are released.

If you haven't participated in a National-level event, you should really consider giving it a shot!  The events have complex courses, and more rules than you'll see at local events, but that also brings some amazing cars and talented driver to watch during the events!  The Match Tour Events and Pro Solo Events are different than normal AutoCross events, and offer different elements for more seat time and experience.

Listed below are details on how the events work and run, and the schedules for next year.

News from SCCA

2017 Rules