Residing within easy driving distance of Peru, IN Daniel Stone calls the Indianapolis Region SCCA home. Competing again this year in his familiar Silver 2006 Pontiac Solstice on Hoosier tires Dan waged a hard-fought battle for the 2008 C Stock Pro Solo Championship that came down to the slimmest of margins!
RR:Â Is this your first attendance at Nationals? 
DS: No. This was my sixth consecutive year attending Nationals, always competing in C-stock.
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
DS: Yes! After earning a trophy position at Nationals in 2006 and 2007, the 2008 Pro Solo C-Stock Championship became my first National Championship.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
DS: The entire point’s series was memorable as Darrin DiSimo and I finished only one point apart.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
DS: I do not consider myself a natural talent. So if there is a key to my success, it is persistence and hard work. I autocross every weekend during the autocross season, taking advantage of the seat-time and advice from better drivers.
RR: Who has most influenced you?
DS: My driving has been most influenced by Clemens Burger who placed 2nd at the 2008 Nationals in B-Mod and by Jonathan Armstrong who placed 2nd at the 2005 Nationals in C-Stock driving my car.
RR: Who inspires you?
DS: As to inspiration, I am stunned by just watching all of the top National drivers, as they are so talented. Probably more than anyone else, Raleigh Boreen gives me that encouraging word in grid just when needed the most.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
DS: The only pre-race routine I have relates to Nationals. Each year I go on a crash diet and usually achieve a weight of 135 lbs just before Nationals.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
DS: In the past I have used video and GTech, but in 2008 transitioned to MaxQData. In this coming season I may return to video as an aid.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
DS: I don’t feel that I do anything significantly different than my competition, other than a few lingering bad habits.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
DS: In the interest of improvement I have attended both Phase I & II Evolution Schools.
RR: Describe your driving style.
DS: My driving style is aggressive and tends to go over the edge at times.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
DS: Peg and I first started autocrossing in 2001. Our first autocross car was a 1992 Miata. I then moved-on to a 2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder and later-on to a 2004 Toyota MR2 Spyder. Peg continued in the 1992 Miata until grandchildren came along and (they) became a priority over autocross. For the past three seasons I have been competing in a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. The interesting thing is that I purchased this car in December 2005 when it was forecast to be uncompetitive. The Z0K package (also known as the Club Sport package) was not even announced until months later. So my car is a non-Z0K car and also lacks ABS brakes. Nevertheless, my car became the first Solstice to be campaigned nationally and Koni NA used it as the beta car to develop the double adjustable Solstice application.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
DS: I’ve never really had an issue with them. Although not really feasible, I wouldn’t mind having four runs instead of three runs at National Tours and the National Championship. I don’t mind having to “get it done� in three, but it seems we drive all over the country for such few runs that having a couple of more would be nice.
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
DS: As far as thanking people, I have found that in my travels around the country that everyone is so helpful and kind. I would say that I owe a debt of gratitude to every participant, member, supplier or sponsor of the regions, divisions and the National office.
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