Erik Strelneiks has long been associated with the national Solo scene. I remember first seeing Erik in Salina the first Nationals I had attended. I thought it unusual at the time that someone would be wearing a cast on their arm and competing… I’ll leave that story for another time. Erik now hails from Texas and is a member of the Lonestar Region. He competed this year in his wife Beth’s 3-rotor RX-7 on Hoosier tires.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?
ES: This year was my 19th year of attending the National Championship.
RR: Is this your first national championship?
ES: No. I won in 1995 driving a Dodge Neon in ES, 1999 driving a Mazda RX-7 in SS, 2002 and 2005 driving a Chevrolet Corvette Z0-6 in SS, 2007 driving the same RX7 in SM-2 I competed with this year.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
ES: Feeding the power and feeling the big G-forces in Roger’s (Roger Johnson, course designer -Ed) huge left hand sweeper.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
ES: Giving up some speed to be clean through Karen’s (Karen Baab, course designer – Ed) shoot the gap back stretch section.
RR: Who has most influenced you?
ES: My wife Beth. If I hadn’t married this beautiful and wonderful race driver, I don’t know if I would be traveling around the country year after year pursuing our shared passion of autocross competition. Can you believe she does 2/3rds of the driving?! J
RR: Who inspires you?
ES: John Ames. He is like the Michael Schumacher of autocross, and I hope to equal some of his records in Pro Solo and Solo competition.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
ES: Two deep relaxing breaths before leaving the line. Learned that one from Alan McConnell/McCrispin. Accomplishes 2 things, relaxation and pre-oxygenating for the times on course you are probably holding your breath.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
ES: MaxQData.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
ES: Evolution.
RR: Describe your driving style.
ES: Controlled Aggression.
RR: What was your first -and favorite autocross car?
ES: First-VW Rabbit CSP at the time. Current 3-Rotor RX7 is my favorite.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
ES: None. I think the rules-makers are doing a great job. 
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
ES: My wife Beth. She keeps me calm and focused when I start to get the “Nationals jitters”.
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