We have spent a lot of time profiling the National Champions from both the 2008 Solo National Championship and 2008 Pro Solo Championship. While we think everyone finds these glimpses into the life and mind of the Champions useful and sometimes entertaining there are many more people who make up the sport of Solo. As in everything in life there is always someone who finds themselves on the bottom of the food chain. Yes, those among us who are DFL. Just to show everyone that rogues-racing.com has a sense of humor we are beginning this (hopefully) series with our own Mike Hearne. Mike earned this ‘honor’ by co-driving Dan Costello’s Honda CRX on Hoosier tires to last place in CSP at the 2008 Solo National Championship. He resides in Massillon, OH and is a member of the NEOHIO Region SCCA.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals?
MH: Yes, 2008 was a year of firsts. It was my first Tour, Divisional, and Nationals.
RR: Is this your first DFL?
MH: Yes, by a wide margin (18.251 seconds). Based on PAX 1037 out of 1058.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
MH: Meeting lots of great people. Being a part of the largest participant motorsports event in the world. Somehow Solo brings people together and it’s a rewarding, fun experience.
RR: What do you think was your key to your lack of success?
MH: The intention was to drive our Hearne EP CRX Tuesday/Wednesday by myself. My co-driver Scott (my father) was now co-driving Chris Raglin’s EP Civic. I managed 2 runs during the Sunday warm up and the car felt great. I was being touted as a tire warmer for hire, but a few competitors declined. Later on Sunday, my father had a conversation with Dan Costello and offered my services to Dan. I accepted his offer to drive his CRX in CSP. After my first run on Thursday it was clear that I was in over my head. The car was setup very differently than what I was used to. The lack of seat time coupled with the car’s willingness to snap hard from the rear had me doing donuts even Jimmy Johnson would have been envious of.
RR: Who has most influenced you?
MH: My father Scott without question. He’s been to every Solo Nationals since 1993. He truly runs to have fun and socialize. Seeing him have a chance to win the 2007 EP National Champion and ultimately finishing 4th (his best Nationals performance) was a great feeling.
RR: Who inspires you?
MH: This could be entirely separate conversation all together. Jason Saini, because he’s been so accessible, gracious, and he’s shown that you can succeed beyond the Solo ranks. Mike “Junior� Johnson, because he can drive anything, tells it like it is, and is a great guy. Chris Raglin has shown me it’s not all about money to win and watching him win his 1st jacket was special. Also, his knowledge about CRX / Civics is immense. Jason Tipple is another guy I look up to. Jay Storm is a mad scientist always trying to figure out ways to make his Subaru fast. Also, Raleigh and Velma Boreen, because they have the best interests of Solo as their top priority.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
MH: I try and get in the car and buckled in with plenty of time to spare. I hate being rushed, because it adds chaos before you even embark on the chaos on course.
Being an experienced golfer, I try to use the same visualization technique I use in golf to visualize how I want a particular golf shot to look and how I want it to end up.
In theory that sounds great, but what I’ve learned is that things happen way faster on course than your brain can visualize.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
MH: No, but I’m all for any help I can get. On the local level I want people to ride along and give me their pointers. I’ve seen how data loggers can be useful coupled with video. Hopefully, this year I will experiment with both.
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
MH: Spin, hit cones, go off course, hit more cones, miss shifts, drive offline, go too fast and go too slow, overcompensate due to my enormous ego, and just generally drive poorly.
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
MH: I attended an Akron Sports Car Club autocross school when I was 16. Also, I participated in the Mid-Ohio Teen Driving School. I still use the skills learned at that school on the roads today. I can not stress enough how important a school like that is for new teenage drivers.
RR: Describe your driving style.
MH: Raw, overly aggressive, slow, and DFL hunting.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
MH: A 1983 Civic S and I ran it one time. Next time out was in my 1999 Civic Si running in STS. Currently, and by far my favorite is the CRX that is in faux EP trim with the plan of converting to running GP.
It’s my favorite, because it’s fast and still hasn’t reached its potential. Oh and of course it’s a Honda!
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
MH: I really like Mr. Dahnert’s mantra of “Make it easy, Make it fun�. Whatever tweaking or writing of new rules that encourages new participants to enter the sport. Does that mean only single adjustable shocks in Stock? Allowing a choice of rear or front sway bars?
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
MH: Rogues-Racing.com of course. We’ve managed to create a close knit group of people. I’m hoping over the course of the year more people join the Rogues in our endeavors.
RR: What will you do differently for next year?
MH: The plan is to not suck as much. I call it my Mid Pack Attack. How will I do it?
- Run more than 4 events all year. I’m thinking 15 events and close to 100 runs.
- Go to school. An Evo Phase 1. I see all these winners swear by it, so it must work just like “Sex Panther�
- I’m currently in the process of shedding weight. I need all the help I can get.
RR: Will you be attending next year based on how you did in 2008?
MH: Absolutely! I have a lot to look forward to. Like losing by 9 seconds instead of 18. Seeing friends and making new ones.
RR: What was the reason for finishing last, and who do you blame the most?
MH: To me Dan’s car was setup to buck like a mechanical bull set on level 10. I couldn’t handle the beast.
On day 1 on my final run on the West Course, I was on a good lap until I missed a shift into 3rd right before the finish, which resulted in coasting across the line.
On day 2 on my final run on the East Course, I was entering the slalom from hell in fine form. I got into the first couple of gates, but I was late on the 3rd, and then wham. I was spinning off course. That sealed my fate as DFL.
The blame rests solely on my narrow shoulders. I drove like a total newbie out of his element. For sure I was disappointed, but I understand that even the best of the best were not awesome when they first started out.
Also, I got to meet Dan Costello. He’s a great guy I hope to see in Lincoln.
RR: Did you still enjoy yourself, even with the result?
MH: The Nationals experience is a great one. I wouldn’t change anything about the week other than driving better. I can’t wait for the new challenges that Lincoln will bring!
If you found this piece entertaining and informative and you have enough self worth to subject yourself to a good natured public confession and would like to participate, please contact mike@rogues-racing.com . We will be happy to send you a questionaire!
Photos courtesy of www.gotcone.com
For copies of photos email david @ evorticity.com
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