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Still run as a Supplementary class Formula SAE has nevertheless shown an increase in participation. Heavily promoted by Professor Bob Woods of the University of Texas, Arlington the class is poised to become a fixture of the SCCA. With a second consecutive Championship Hailing from Texas Region SCCA driving the UTA FSAE car on Hoosier tires Eric Leichtle has shown that he is an able student of mentor and advisor Bob Woods.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?
EL: No, this was my second time to attend Nationals.
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
EL: No, I won my first National Championship last year, also in FSAE.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
EL: On the first day, the 2008 car I was driving broke while my co-driver Alejandro was in it. Fortunately the SCCA let us make the rest of our runs by doubling up in the 2007 car. For my last run I had to wait the mandated 5 minutes from the last drive in that car. So, I was sitting at the line for almost 5 minutes, all the course workers are ready to be done, and I’m just sitting there waiting and trying to calm down. When the five minutes was up, I went out and clinched 1st in my class.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
EL: Practice, and learning how to relax. The single best thing I can do for myself before driving is to relax. Runs that feel slow are almost always the fastest.
RR: Who has most influenced you?
EL: My Dad, and my co-driver and best friend Alejandro.
RR: Who inspires you?
EL: Anybody who works hard to make their dreams a reality.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
EL: Check tire pressures, make sure the car has gas, study the track map, then joke around and relax.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
EL: Live For Speed- a computer racing simulator. I’ve broken more bad habits racing on the computer than in real life. On the computer you can make a conscious effort to see if you’re lifting the throttle, or braking too late, or whatever. It’s a perfect opportunity to train yourself to drive better.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
EL: I’m not very good at walking the track, so I always take a relatively easy first run to familiarize myself with the track. I find that if I try and go 100% my first time out, I usually mess up, and then spend my second run trying to learn the track.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
EL: The Dr. Bob Woods driving class at UTA.
RR: Describe your driving style.
EL: Slow in, fast out. It’s far quicker to be in control during corner entry and set up a proper line, than to get the last little bit of braking performance out of the car.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
EL: I have only ever autocrossed the UTA Formula SAE cars, so I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for all of them. My first winged car I ever drove was the 2004 car, but I’d have to say that my favorite is the 2008 car, AKA the Italian Stallion. It’s powered by an Aprilia SXV-550 with 2 cylinders named Hellfire and Vengeance.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
EL: FSAE winners would get a National Champion jacket as well!
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
EL: Everyone at UTA who makes Formula SAE possible, especially the team members who help design and build the car. My family for always being there to cheer me on and help turn a wrench when something breaks. My best friend Alejandro, who constantly pushes me to be better and faster. And of course, my girlfriend Tracy for putting up with me paying more attention to race cars than to her!
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