Charlie Shelton hails from the Utah Region SCCA. He competed this year in D-Prepared driving a 1999 Mazda Miata using what he describes as “The best autocross tire on the planet! Hoosier Racing Tires�.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals? Â 
CS: No, I was the “wrench man� for Rod Derrick and his BSP Corvette in 1990. It was my learning/observation year that solidified my need to attend the following years. My first year at Nationals was 1991 in Salina, KS.
RR: How many times have you attended?
CS: I’ve attended 16 times since then and only missed two; 1992 and 1997 due to job conflicts.
RR: Is this your first national championship?
CS: YES, Finally!
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
CS: Wow, there are so many… Watching Liz Dranow drop her time on the second day by two seconds in DPL. The overwhelming support from 1100 plus friends that attended Nationals. Watching Ryan Johnson get stuck in the grass/mud in the paddock while parking our trailer and having to be towed out (3 times). After my first run on Tuesday I stopped the car in grid, looked at my co-driver/car-owner and said “I don’t know where I’ll go any faster, I didn’t make any mistakesâ€?. The battery in the car failed during my last run on Tuesday (no alternator) that required four hours to replace rather than walking Wednesday’s course. Watching the video of my only course walk Tuesday evening, in my hotel room. The excitement after my last run Wednesday knowing I’d finally won a championship. The impound process of validating the legality of the top five finishers engines and the professionalism everyone displayed. Running out of fuel 100 feet out of the impound area. Walking across the stage at the awards banquet. But I believe the most significant memory is the phone call with my wife on Wednesday morning stating my son Adam had said a special prayer for me Tuesday night asking God for his help that I would win.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
CS: A well prepared car, tremendous support from my family and friends, arriving with no expectations other than having fun, and using the advice from a very dear friend, Chris Lindberg; Just Drive!
RR: Who has most influenced you?
CS: Chris Lindberg.
RR: Who inspires you?
CS: Tom Berry.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
CS: My only pre-race routine is walking the course alone at least once. Superstitions have failed me so I don’t have any.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
CS: I’ve tried some of the coolest tools on the market and always return to the simplest, a video camera.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
CS: If I knew, I wouldn’t tell 
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
CS: Yes, starting back in the early 90’s with the Yokohama series. One Jim McKammey class which improved my driving. Many times in the Evolution phase 1, 2, 3 classes that changed my mental approach to the sport and greatly improved my abilities.
RR: Describe your driving style.
CS: Just over the edge as I push the car to the limit.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
CS: My first was a 1969 Z28 Camaro running F Stock. I have two favorites; 1968 BSP Corvette that Linda won her National Championship in, and the DP Miata I just won in.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
CS: None I can think of.
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
CS: Linda, Adam, and Kristie for putting up with my obsession and allowing me the latitude to be the best I can in this sport. Gary & Liz Dranow (Modern Solo Racing) for their unwavering confidence and continued support that got me to Nationals this year. Ron & Paula Baker for always being there as friends and competitors providing car setup advice and encouraging support. Ray Carrier for introducing me to this sport in 1983. Rod Derrick for teaching me how to drive a Corvette and always being a positive influence. Danny Popp (Mr. Corvette) who proved that good can come from bad, and has been a friend ever since. Jerry Hodge whom I shared more than one car with over the years and constantly makes me laugh. Tom Berry who always has time, advice, and space for my family & me. Ray Chiang at Wheel Werks (SLC), Ryan Johnson, John Yorkey, Scotty White, Jeff Speer, Guy Ankeny, Kevin Youngers, Marcus Merideth, Cal & Karen Craner, the entire Utah Region for 20+ years of friendship, understanding, and putting up with me. And Hoosier Tire for developing the absolute best autocross tire available.
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