What will somebody find in Howell, Michigan? Lorien Feighner, that’s who. Lorien had to make one more spot in the family trophy case to add her trophy for the 2008 E Street Prepared Ladies Solo Championship trophy. She proudly calls the Saginaw Valley Region SCCA home. She competed this year as she has in past years in the family 1995 Ford Mustang Cobra R on Hoosier tires.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?
LF: No. I’m not sure exactly how many times I have been to Nationals but it has been at least ten times.
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
LF: No. I have three other Championships all in E Street Prepared Ladies. For some reason we tend to stick with driving Mustangs. 
I won in 2001 (one day event), 2006 and 2007.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
LF: Not sure there was a favorite memory. Our class drove in the first heat, first set of days. The course was all gritty and slick – it would have been nice to try the courses later in the day or week.  I enjoy supporting my friends and other region members that are competing at Nationals.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
LF: Being cautious and not hitting any cones on the East course. Since it was cooler in the morning, I used tire bags borrowed from Detroit Region member Al Chan to try to keep the tires warm (this has worked for me the last three years).
RR: Who has most influenced you?
LF: In Autocross, there have been a variety of people over the years. In our early involvement of autocross, Mike Burke (Detroit Region) and Raleigh & Velma Boreen took us under their wings, providing support & encouragement – getting us hooked on this addicting sport. When I want advice on how to drive a course or a particular corner, I typically turn to Al Chan. He gives great feedback and advice. In FSL and ESPL, I’ve had a lot of great competitors – many of whom are great friends too. Eileen Lindberg was always encouraging and tons of fun to compete with.
RR: Who inspires you?
LF: For his amazing driving style – Danny Popp.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
LF: I tend to put on my helmet on in a special way so that my hair gets pulled back into the helmet and doesn’t get in my eyes. When I’m at the starting line, I tighten my shoulder belts a little more, crack my knuckles, take a deep breathe and exhale.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
LF: We bought the Race Technology DL1 in 2008. But we aren’t very good about or good at analyzing our data after events. We’ll have to work on this more in 2009 to help us improve.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
LF: I don’t know that I do anything differently. For the past couple of years, most of the National Level competition in my class is located within the Great Lakes Division or Central Division. We race against each other a lot. Most of us regularly drive in the open class, so it pushes us to driver the car to its limits.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
LF: Many years ago I took the Evolution Driving School.
RR: Describe your driving style.
LF: Smooth. I know where I want to place the car. My weakness tends to be not being aggressive enough and not trusting the car (especially when it is loose).
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
LF: Our first autocross car was an 84 Ford Mustang GT Turbo (like an SVO). I’ve driven various Mustangs throughout the years, but have occasionally driven other people’s cars. I would love to be able to drive a 3rd Generation Mazda RX-7, a street prepared BMW or a Corvette.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
LF: I can’t think of one right now.
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
LF: My husband Dave for maintaining the car, giving me feedback and putting up with me. Also, thanks to Al Chan for the use of the “National Champion� tire warmers.
Pictures courtesy of www.gotcone.com and Lorien Feighner
For copies of photos email david @ evorticity.com
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