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In this issue: Elections! • Autocross Recap • Rallycross Recap • Meeting Minutes & Information • Member Spotlight: Kristen Poole • September Member Moments • News from SCCA
From the Editor's Desk
Hi, there —
I'll keep this short and sweet this month! Here we are at the end of September already... tough to believe the summer is gone. From the looks of the results and stories below, many of our members have been very busy this season!
Please take special note of the item about upcoming elections. If you're interested in getting more involved with the club, I'd love to hear from you!
Until next time — Kristen Poole
Assistant Regional Executive & Editor, The Squeal
ELECTIONS!
It's almost election time for the Susquehanna Region. Nominations will be taken at the October and November meetings. If you're interested in getting involved, we'd love to have you join us. Simply reply to this email to learn more.
AUTOCROSS RECAP
Vince Bray tosses his '98 BMW M3 around the course. Photo courtesy of Lane Coyle.
Susquehanna Region slid back into autocross with a double header at the Farm Show lot on Sunday, September 11th. We had a total of 115 drivers in the morning for event #7, and 90 in the afternoon for event #8 of the 2016 season. Admittedly, the event had some hiccups, but many competitors described the course as one of the most fun they've run this year. I would have to agree!
Autocross returns once more this season for the final two events of 2016 at the end of October. We'll be running on the Hershey Park lot. Watch for registration to open at the end of September.
RALLYCROSS RECAP
Photos courtesy of Amanda Chilcote (thanks, Amanda!)
Susquehanna Region wrapped up rallycross for the 2016 season with our 4th and final event of the season on Saturday, September 3rd. Participation was a bit lower than the prior events due to the holiday weekend, so competitors got a whopping 14 runs each to close out the season. Below is a recap of the top times of the day.
- Stock: Aleksandr Bakhturin in SA with a time of 1065.063
- Prepared: Chris Gilman in PA with a time of 1057.964
- Modified: Rick Landis in MA with a time of 959.127
- Exhibition: Markus Houser with a time of 1035.831
A big thanks to all who joined us for our rallycross program this year! You can find the final season points at the link below, and we will look forward to seeing you out again in the 2017 season!
September Regional Meeting
Tuesday, September 27 • 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.
August Meeting Minutes
Meeting minutes are now posted in the News section of the Susquehanna Region website. View them using the button below.
Member Spotlight
Name: Kristen Poole
From: New Cumberland, PA
Runs: Autocross, Vintage Road Racing
Drives: You've probably seen me out in DS at autocross in my 2009 WRX hatch, but I also road race a 1970 Porsche 914/6.
Member since: 2015
Other:
2016 Assistant Regional Executive, autocross registration chief, region safety steward, editor of the Squeal, webmaster
If you've come through autocross registration this year — or joined us at a regional meeting — you've probably already met me. I knew I wanted to race when my dad bought a 1967 Porsche 911 and started racing about 15 years ago. I always enjoyed going to the races with him, especially when I could take a ride along on the track. I started autocrossing in 2014, and this year I finally got my chance to race the Porsche with my dad. Nothing beats 150mph down the front straight into turn one... and I do mean nothing.
September Member Moments
Fall Shenandoah Level 3 Time Trials
Dennis Williams hitting a straight away on the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point in his '01 BMW M3.
Photos courtesy of Kristen Poole.
by Alan Lesher
Labor day weekend saw a large contingency of Susquehanna Region drivers take part in the first PHA (Pennsylvania Hillclimb Association) event at Summit Point's Shenandoah circuit. It is a 2.2 mile track that has been there for 12 years. In the past, PHA used the Jefferson track for both Memorial day and Labor Day.
Don McLaughlin heads for the bowl on the Shenandoah Circuit in his '82 Renault 5.
This year, they decided to try the longer Shenandoah track. The weekend weather was a delightful break from the hot and humid summer of 2016; high 50's over night with sun and mid 80's in the daytime. Since this was the first ever PHA event, all drivers were "rookies" and all class winners set a new track record.
The track management provided great support all weekend with a classroom track talk both Saturday and Sunday morning. In addition, there was an on track familiarization session Saturday morning for all drivers. Saturday evening included a guided track walk with the Summit Point track manager. There was a second guided track walk Sunday between 11am and noon. That time is always "quiet time" at Shenandoah because there is a church adjacent to the track property. This kind of hands-on learning experience would cost at least $500 anywhere else, but it was included at Summit Point. These people take customer service to a lever unheard of at most racetracks. Thank you Summit Point!
Brian Micciche comes around the bowl in his '73 Porsche 914-V8.
- Geoff Craig — 1st out of 2, Class Record: 107.340
- JK Eikenberg — 1st out of 1 in S1, Course Record: 95.838
- Jason Fraley — 1st out of 6 in DSP, Class Record: 103.558
- Greg Hagan — 1st out of 1 in CF, Class Record: 103.684
- Donald McLaughlin — 1st out of 1 in GTL, Class Record: 125.823
- Shawn Mellinger — 1st out of 3 in BSP, Class Record: 100.522
- Brian Micciche — 1st out of 3 in SMX, Class Record: 101.331
- Kenneth Taggart Sr. — 1st out of 4 in S2, Class Record: 99.471
- Ursula Whisler — 1st out of 3 in FSP, Class Record: 115.035
- Tony Preston — 1st out of 1 in FF, Class Record: 125.731
- Donald DeHart — 2nd out of 3 in FSP
- Joe Whitely — 2nd out of 2 in HP
- Matt Williams — 2nd out of 3 in BSP
- Alan Lesher — 3rd out of 3 in FP
- Richard Shortuse — 3rd out of 3 in FSP
- Dennis Williams — 3rd out of 3 in FSP
- Timothy March — 5th out of 6 in CP
Duryea Hillclimb
Susquehanna was well-represented at this year's Duryea Hillclimb, August 20-21. A total of 17 members had a chance to run the hill, with one record-breaking run. Congrats on a job well done!
- Shawn Mellinger — 1st out of 6 in BSP — Class Record: 121.778
- JK Eikenberg — 1st out of 1 in S1
- Greg Hagan — 1st out of 1 in CF
- Steven Hirschrtritt — 1st out of 5 in H4
- Tony Preston — 1st out of 1 in FF
- Kenneth Taggart Sr. — 1st out of 1 in S2
- Craig Bucher — 2nd out of 3 in FP
- Geoff Craig — 2nd out of 2 in HP
- Jason Fraley — 2nd out of 4 in DSP
- James Guerin — 2nd out of 3 in SSM
- Dave Miller — 2nd out of 3 in EP
- Ursula Whisler — 2nd out of 4 in FSP
- Matt Williams — 2nd out of 6 in BSP
- Vince Gladfelter — 3rd out of 4 in FSP
- Brian Micciche — 3rd out of 4 in SMX
- Dennis Williams — 3rd out of 6 in BSP
- Donal DeHart — 4th out of 4 in FSP
Nationals
September 6–9, 2016 Tire Rack Solo Nationals
- Denise Kugler — 1st out of 1 in EPL
- Barbara Bielucki — 7th out of 7 in STSL
- Derek Latshaw — 14th out of 40 in CP
- Dennis Latshaw — 15th out of 27 in CAM-C
- Jason Felty — 16th out of 40 in CP
- Rob Springer — 17th out of 31 in DS
Washington DC Rallycross
- Stephen Hyatt — 1st out of 1 in SF
Trophy - Bryan Roper — 2nd out of 14 in PA
Trophy
Nearby Autocrosses
Washington DC
Two of your fellow Susquehanna members joined the Washington DC Region Solo event #5 held August 21.
- Ryan Shumberger — 1st out of 5 in ES — Trophy
- Chris Benfer — 6th out of 14 in CS
Philly
Also held August 21 was Philly Summer Solo Event #9 at Warminster. Seven Susquehanna members were in attendance with two bringing home trophies!
- Rob Springer — 1st out of 4 in DS —
Trophy - Robert Myers — 1st out of 2 in BSP
Trophy - Denise Kugler — 2nd out of 2 in EP
- Carl Ramsey — 2nd out of 2 in FS
- Darian Taggart — 3rd out of 4 in SMF
- Danny Oyler — 3rd out of 3 in STF
- Melissa Mauro — 4th out of 4 in DS
Northern New Jersey
On August 27, Rob Springer took home another trophy at the NNJR Solo Event #6, placing 1st in DS.
Central PA
All three Susquehanna members participating in the CPR Solo Event #9 held on August 28 brought home trophies in their classes. Nice job, guys!
- Ryan Mearkle — 1st out of 1 in STF
- Mark Rosson — 1st out of 1 in ESP
- Jeremy Condon — 1st out of 3 in GS
News from SCCA
Tire Rack Solo Nats Sets Another Record
Sept. 14, 2016 — The 2016 Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals, presented by Garmin VIRB, has set a new attendance record. Officially, a total of 1,305 drivers crossed the timing lights September 5-9 at Lincoln Airpark this year in Lincoln, Nebraska. That makes the 2016 event the largest in Sports Car Club of America history, and most likely the largest annual motorsports event on Earth.
Fastest Lap Ever at Mid-Ohio Runoffs Qualifying
Sept. 20, 2015 — While temperatures early Tuesday morning started out in the low 60s for the second day of qualifying at the 53rd SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB, the heat jumped up quick at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. In turn, that made Formula Atlantic driver Keith Grant really, really quick.
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2016 Event Schedule
10/29/16: AX 9, Hershey Park
10/30/16: AX 10, Hershey Park
2016 Meeting Schedule
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
Contributions:
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.