If anyone is still questioning whether the Junior Kart Program instituted by the SCCA was a good idea or not it should be clear to all that tomorrows champions will have their roots in that program. Exhibit A is the 2008 Street Mod Ladies Solo Champion Christine Berry. Driving the family Mitsubishi Evo IX on Hoosier tires she added another trophy to be proudly displayed. Christine is a member of the Cal Club Region SCCA.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?  
CB: No, I have attended six times now beginning in 2003.
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
CB:Â No, I have one more in B Street Prepared Ladies in 2007.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
CB: Watching my Mom and Dad win their classes. I will also never forget how much rain came down during the ProSolo finale. That was amazing.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
CB: Starting at an early age. I’ve been walking courses since I was 7 and I’ve been driving since I turned 12.
RR: Who has most influenced you?
CB: My Mom and Dad!
RR: Who inspires you?
CB: Again, my Mom and Dad.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
CB: I used to blast rock music in the BSP 96 corvette (that car had a good bass speaker) but now I drive a car that has no radio. For the most part I walk through the course one time in my head while I’m in the car in grid. Then after I am on the starting line I just take one deep breath, let it out slowly and then just drive.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
CB: We use a DL1 and a Chase cam. When we first got the DL1 we learned a lot about the differences in driving styles of Dad, Marshall and Me. The DL1 data is always interesting to look at but I think that’s just the engineer in me. The camera is good for laughing at your own mistakes.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
CB: For ProSolo I use the e-brake for the launches, I know a lot of the ladies don’t do that.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
CB: I have a personal instructor. I call him Dad!
RR: Describe your driving style.
CB: Very focused on lines and setup. Smooth. I am occasionally tentative but working on fixing that.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
CB: First autocross car: Formula Jr. Kart with a Briggs and Stratton Raptor motor. Favorite autocross car: 99 ASP Corvette. That car did really cool things.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
CB: Something about the fact that if you put an aftermarket clutch in a car you are automatically in SP has always bothered me but I’m not sure how you could fix that without having people buy really expensive clutches.
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
CB: Mom and Dad of course. Marshall has been really helpful and has taught me a lot about my driving in the last couple of years. Howard Duncan for pushing to make the Jr. karting program a reality.
Photos courtesy of www.gotcone.com & Christine Berry
For copies of photos email david @ evorticity.com
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