August 2016 Newsletter

 August 2016

Sports Car Club of America – Yellowstone Region 108

 Proof that even Z06 drivers can have a sense of humor!.
 
Black Hills Corvette Classic

By the Newsletter Editor

Region members Steve Gruver and J. Reuss recently attended the 45th annual Black Hills Corvette Classic in Spearfish, SD. The week-long event starts in Sioux Falls, SD, and then moves westward to enjoy a variety of Corvette-related activities in the Black Hills. On Friday morning, an autocross was held in a lot on the campus of Black Hills State University. There were three run groups and each driver had four timed runs.

 
 Steve won the C4 class and J. won the C5 class. A new feature debuted at this year’s event called the “Battle of the Pros” A professional driver from the Ron Fellows Corvette Driving School led off each run group and set a benchmark time to beat. Both Steve and J. beat the pro’s benchmark time, so they were eligible to race in the Battle of the Pros. A total of 10 drivers received another four runs each. Unfortunately, there were no “dial-in” times or other form of handicapping, so the supercharged C7s prevailed.
 
 Steve Gruver attempting to “side draft” a cone.
[youtube_sc url=”https://youtu.be/ZGjsChTPO0c”]
 
 
 MyT13B’s Corner

From the Regional Executive

The Region’s next event is Sunday, August 28th at the National Guard Armory on Gabel Road. On the preceding day, the Region will be co-sponsoring a car show at the same location. The principal sponsor is the Marine Reserves. The current plan is to park the timing trailer on site together with a few members’ cars. The Region participated in a car show at Rimrock Auto a number of years ago and it attracted quite a bit of interest.

Chris Brewer’s departure reduced the Region’s staff of Solo Safety Stewards (SSS) to just one. The potential problem that is created is the possible cancellation of an event if the SSS cannot attend. A more immediate problem is that the SSS cannot drive at an events without another SSS being in attendance. With our membership at an all-time high, I am hopeful that (at least) one or two members will “step up to the plate” and become Solo Safety Stewards (and Solo Safety Steward Instructors). Becoming a SSS does not take much time–an hour or two in a training session followed by a quiz. Thereafter, you assist a SSS at a few events before becoming a full-fledged SSS. I look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions or if you are interested!

D.W.J.

 
 
 Race Notes

From the Competition Chair

Assuming that everything goes well with the Region’s return to the National Guard Armory site in August, plans are being formulated to hold an autocross drivers’ school at the September event. The Region held a drivers’ school a number of years ago at the GM Petroleum site and by all accounts, it was well-received. The drivers’ school at GM Petroleum was held on Saturday evening. Neophyte cone chasers took their first runs with or without ride-along instructors and without a time clock running. Following a mid-event pizza party, the time clock was turned on and participants raced into the night under the lights! Dusk will arrive much sooner in late September, so headlights will probably be required. Many attendees entered the “regular” event the following day. This should be a great opportunity for spouses and friends to give the sport a try in a non-competitive environment.

T.M.S.

 
 
 The Finish Line

From the Webmaster

“Team Owner” and Region member Pat Reuss participated in the drag racing event at the Black Hills Corvette Classic. Races are held on a drag strip just east of Sturgis, SD. The high point of the event was Pat’s 0.0121 reaction time on her sixth pass. The low point was a red light on her seventh pass. Pat drowned her sorrows with a post-race “S’loonshine” at the newly-reopened Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis. Some of you may recall that the “World’s Largest Biker Bar” was reduced to ashes last year shortly after the 2015 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The site has been cleaned up to some degree, but new construction has not begun as of yet.

This is the 100th newsletter since I volunteered to take over the job at the September 2007 membership meeting.  (Time flies when you’re having fun?) I followed in the capable footsteps of prior newsletter editors such as Char Schultz, Kristi Gilliland, Bill Schaff, Lance Peterson, and Dick Hager. The earliest newsletter of which we have a copy is from February 1973. If you have some time and would like to take a stroll down the Region’s “memory lane,” click here for the Newsletter Archives.

J.

 
  Pat Reuss picking a fight with another Z06 (with 250 more hp!)
 
Next Monthly Meeting

September 6, 2016 (No meeting in August)
GH&R Law Firm
175 N. 27th Street, Suite 903
6:00 p.m.

 
 
 Steve Gruver live-tweeting from the Black Hills Corvette Classic.
 
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