Driving a 2007 Pontiac Solstice on Hoosier tires Mary Bahr navigated around and through her competition to emerge at the top to become the 2008 C Stock Ladies Solo National Champion. Mary is a proud member of the Milwaukee Region SCCA.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?
MB: No, I’ve been to five Nationals.
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
MB: It is my first “official� Championship. I ran two years ago in STUL. STU was not a recognized class, so I “won� the STUL class, but did not get fully recognized as a National Champion. Besides, I only had one other competitor who came from the STSL class so that STU made the “numbers� required for a class. So, I consider this my first National Championship.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
MB: My favorite memory was my third run of the second day. I had gone from 1st place on the first day to 3rd place on the second day, so it was all or nothing on my third run. My husband Dale told me I had to take 3rd gear across the back or I would lose….So I did. For whatever reason it just clicked. When I came across the finish….I knew I had had a better run…but was ecstatic about being back in first. My second favorite memory was then waiting with Dale while the final three C Stock ladies took their final runs. Dale had an ear set…so he could only tell me as they came in….It seemed to take forever until he said…. “Congratulations, you‘re a National Champion“. It meant so much to have Dale tell me I had won.
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
MB: A lot of seat time. Never quitting.
RR: Who has most influenced you?
MB: My husband Dale! He just pushes and pushes…and gives me confidence to keep trying! He coaches, he calms me down, he’s patient (when I am losing it!!). Even when I have a run that is “terrible�…he just says….on to next run, put that one behind you.
RR: Who inspires you?
MB: Dale of course again, for all the above reasons. But also the great people who have helped us! And there are a ton from Milwaukee, IL, and MN regions. There is no shortage of great “coaches� who aren’t afraid to share information and help…..even when they’re in the same competing class! The competition at Milwaukee has always been fierce and fun.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
MB: We usually go for a McDonalds breakfast (my daughter‘s request)!! I also have developed an annoying habit. I tend to “hold my breath� when I am running…so I am actually short of breath when I complete my runs….I actually scared someone once!!
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
MB: A LOT of course walks…an in car camera, and just this last year, the DL1 computer system. I don’t review the information like Dale does…it is amazing what he can glean from the information. I do like watching the tapes. We usually make the 3 hour drive home…pop a beer, and review the day‘s tapes. The in car camera “sees�…where you were looking (or not), how smooth you were…what your hands are doing on the steering wheel…and when you got back on the gas.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
MB: I don’t really know the competition. I tend to watch the best drivers in similar cars and see what they are doing…how they are reading the course.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
MB: A long time ago, we went to Bondurant in Arizona…when we knew nothing about auto crossing. We have also attended the EVO schools…and like to at least take one “redo� class each year.
RR: Describe your driving style.
MB: My mantra is “it’s not just how fast you go….it’s how you go fast…but I tend not to practice what I preach…..I’m too aggressive and I tend to go into the slow parts of the course “too fast�. I’m trying to learn to brake earlier…be smoother, more controlled…..it‘s more important to be on the gas early. Plus, the Solstice is a momentum car…so braking harder than you need to, or at the wrong time can really cost you time. I am getting a little more consistent….and think I’ve just improved from a lot of seat time and the great courses we have had to practice on.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
MB: My first autocross car was a Dodge Neon RT. My favorite: The WRX Sti was thrilling…it was just exciting fast. Launching off the start…the thrill of how it accelerated….but I am a better driver in the Solstice! I always felt the Sti was taking me “along for the ride“!!! But, one of my favorite memories ever, was running the Sti in STU (not STUL) in Milwaukee, and coming in first…beating everyone…I had the run of my life!!! But for the handling and the stability…the cornering…..I love the Solstice.
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
MB: This would be a good question for Dale…he follows SCCA closely, and reads all the forums. I just like to DRIVE……..!!!
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
MB: At the risk of being “sappy�…it would have to be Dale. He is committed to helping me do the very best I can, and to our daughter Anne, who drives a kart. He takes care of everything…the car…the cart, the hauling…the prepping. And he makes it fun…..and that’s most important.
Photos courtesy of www.getcone.com
For copies of photos email me at david @ evorticity.com
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