National’s rookie Liz Lecky hails from Michigan and is a dual region member of both the Northwest Ohio Region SCCA and the Detroit Region SCCA. She competed at the 2008 Solo National Championship in the family Lotus Elise on Hoosier tires.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?
EL: Yes this was my first trip to Nationals, first championship
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
EL: Yes! We had not planned to compete at Nationals this past year, maybe just attend as spectators. This was our first year in the Elise and our first year on R-compound tires. My husband and I had thought that changing from a third generation MR2 on street tires (which really didn’t handle very well) to an Elise with sticky tires would be enough of a challenge. But those plans radically changed when Matthew Braun said he’d like to co-driver our car.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
EL: The entire Nationals/Pro Solo week is now one of my favorite memories!
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
EL: The key to my success was undoubtedly being in the right place at the right time. I must thank my competitor’s husband, Malcolm Lawson, for suggesting that Judith and I change from SSL to FPL.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
EL: No particular pre-race routines or superstitions other than course walks with the best and most experienced drivers or instructors I can find.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
EL: Remembering to turn off the traction control and turn on the video camera and Traqmate data logger.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
EL: I can’t imagine I do anything different than any other competitor. Having the camera in the car really made a difference at Nationals. I had DNF’d my first two runs the second day and didn’t realize it until after my second run. I had figured out which cone I had missed from the posting in grid but having Matthew review the video with me before my third run really helped.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
EL: We have attended at least one Evolution school a year for the past several years as a way to maximize seat time.
RR: Describe your driving style.
EL: I’ve been told that I’m smooth but need more aggression.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
EL: We started autocrossing in a 2003 Mini, great car and it’s still our daily driver. We then switched to a third generation MR2 for rear wheel drive. Now, very happily driving the Lotus Elise (my favorite).
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
EL: I’d love the see SCCA allow any factory seat (i.e., any Corvette seat in a Corvette, Lotus seat in a Lotus, etc) in stock classes.
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
EL: I’ve had so much support from my husband, co-driver, and all the other drivers and instructors that if I named names, the list would go on several pages. I’ve been amazed and most grateful for all the comments they have offered.
Photos courtesy of www.gotcone.com
For copies of photos email me at david @ evorticity.com
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