A lot of what has been published on this site to date are really just snippets and offer just a little glimpse into the life and thoughts of those profiled. At rogues-racing.com we believe it is the people that really make the sport interesting and our look into the Boreen’s, Roger E. Johnson and George and Dee Scheikle certainly fit into that mold. Another interesting person and one that perhaps ‘breaks the mold’ is Mike ‘Junior’ Johnson…
MH: He lives….the legend!
JR: No legend here. Just a guy who loves to drive…
MH: I was led to believe you’re the best!
JR: I like to run with the best, but the truth is anyone can beat anybody on any given day… I just hope it’s my day…
MH: Speaking of which, Ken Motonishi got you at the Solo Nationals.
JR: Ken is top notch. If you’re going to lose, it’s not as bad if the person is as great a person on the track as off, and Ken is just that. CLASS ACT!
MH: What seemed to be the difference for you coming up just a bit short?
JR: Well basically I spun on a flier, and that was all she wrote. The data showed that I was 1.1 seconds faster to the spin. Looking at the results, that would have put us pretty damn close, but hey, you can’t win them all…
MH: How did you first get involved with autocrossing?
JR: At 17 I worked at a grocery store, and had a little Honda CRX. This guy use to come in all of the time with a Prelude that was all hopped up and told me about this thing called autocrossing. The rest is history…
MH: So, the CRX was your 1st autocross car. Did you run it in stock?
JR: Yeah, I ran it stock, with an exhaust and 205/60/13 BFG’s. It barely had enough motor to turn them over.
MH: How long did you run the CRX? What was the next car?
JR: I ran the ‘84 for my first year, and then my mom helped me get a brand new 1988 CRX Si. I ran that until 1991 locally in the Richmond, VA area, where I did very well. Then I got a little bored of autocross, because I didn’t know what National level autocrossing was. So I bought a boat, wow, what a money pit. Lots of good times, but very expensive. Nobody ever wants to pay for the gas, food, drinks. Of course everybody brought beer, so at the time I figured it was a good trade off. Silly youths…
MH: What got you back into the game?
JR: In 1998 I had to get my ankle rebuilt, and my buddy Scott Hoffman and I went to an autocross to watch right before I went under the knife. That sparked some interest, so I picked up a Sports Car magazine at the local Books-a-Million, and it happened to be the 1998 Nationals issue with Mark and Wendy Allen on the cover. I started reading it, and realized that I knew a lot of the people in there, and told myself I should try this National level stuff out. So, once my ankle healed up I headed to an event with my friend Scott in his Neon. I think I finished like third or something. I figured that was pretty good since I hadn’t run in like eigh years, so I decided I should head back out.
MH: Did you run the Neon nationally? Or did you choose something else for 1999?
JR: Well I ran two locals, and figured that Scott wasn’t gonna want me to keep beating on his ride, so I bought another Honda (a 1999 Civic Si).
MH: What class did you run it in?
JR: Well that lasted through the 1999 season. I was lucky enough to win my first Pro Solo in it at Petersburg, VA. Back then GRM gave out a Rookie of the Event award, which I happened to win. While at the award ceremony at the end of the event, I happened to meet my now wife Diane. She and her buddy’s thought that one of their friends, Tim Dennison was going to win this GRM award, but I already knew I did. So I just kept talking with her, and when they announced the winner, I said I’ll be right back… It was a funny way to meet someone. Later that year I won the ES Pro Solo Championship, and had moved to NJ to be with her. She happened to own the 1999 F Stock National Championship winning car (1995 Camaro), which my now partner Pat Salerno won in. We decided that driving two cars around the country was crazy, so I started running the Camaro.
MH: Ok, so give me the laundry list of what you’ve driven from that point on and in what classes.
JR: Nationally I drove in F Stock in a 1995 Camaro from 2000-2004. During that time I ran a couple of events in Corvette Z06’s. I 
drove both to wins at Bremerton in Strelnieks car, and at Houston in Jerry Onks car. I was kindly asked to find my own car (hehehe), and then ran a Subaru STi for half of 2005 in E Street Prepared; the car was owned by Rod McGeorge. I drove it with Courtney Cormier and with the 2006 rule changes coming we decided to bail on it, and I ended up in an Lotus Elise in SS. At Nationals that year (2005) I coned away a .8 win, but did finish 4th with a 2 second penalty attached. To me, that was as good as a win. During the time I was driving the Elise, I had purchased my 2002 Z06. So at the end of 2005 I started to run A Street Prepared, and have been there ever since.
MH: Why the decision to run the Z06 in ASP? Why not Super Stock?
JR: It was already built to ASP trim. Danny Popp had built it for a Doctor in Cincinnati, and I had taught him at a school. The car was a clone of Danny’s car with softer spring rates. I’m no dummy, I’d seen plenty of Danny’s car, and knew what kind a rocket ship it was. I told the Doctor. if he ever got rid of it, I’d love to have it. He told me that his wife hated it, his dog hated it, and it was too damn fast for him anyway. So he said sure, it’s yours…
MH: Is that what you plan on driving for the foreseeable future?
JR: Not really, I’ve been contemplating selling it. I love the car, but I am lucky enough to have a couple of rides to choose from this year. Both C6 Z06’s, one is a SS car, and the other is Rod McGeorge’s ASP car. I’m positive that both cars are able to win Championships. I’m also going to be racing a Spec Miata this year with both NASA and SCCA. It’s gonna be a busy year for ole’ Jr…
MH: How many National Championships (Solo / Pro Solo) do you have?
JR: I have 4 Pro Solo Class Championships, and One Pro Solo Overall Championship. I’m also lucky enough to have three National titles. The classes range from E Stock, F Stock, and A Street Prepared. I also received the Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award, which was really a cool honor as well…
MH: What were the hardest aspects of autocross when you first started out?
JR: Car set up. I really didn’t know anything… Of course that was 1987, and I was 17 years old…
MH: What about the driving aspect?
JR: Looking back, I’d say that I drove off the hood. No one ever told me about looking ahead, so I was a reactive driver. I was just lucky enough to have good car control skills, so when things snuck up on me, I was able to still control it. Well, most of the time. I’ve been known to spin every now and again. Nowhere near as much as I use to, but that’s the beauty of autocross. You can drive over the limit and not have to worry about hitting something…
You’ll never know what the limit is unless you go beyond it…
In an autocross setting in my own car, I’ll push sometimes beyond the limit of what the car likes. This is mainly because I’m very comfortable in my own car, and want to get ever bit out of it. In cars that I’m not familiar with, I tend to do great. I very rarely drive over the limit in something I’m not familiar with.
MH: Describe your driving style.
JR: Aggressive, without over driving my entry. I think that is the key. You blow the entry to the corner and you’re done. You add distance and distance kills you…
MH: Do you left foot brake? Why? Do you notice a major performance increase?
JR: Nope, I’m a right foot braker. I think if done correctly left foot braking is probably a little faster, but most people aren’t very smooth at it, or they use it as a crutch.
MH: Do you prefer asphalt or concrete?
JR: Doesn’t really matter to me…
MH: Does car setup differ between surfaces?
JR: Car setup differs between every surface, although most people over compensate. I think most people when they go to street prepared, street touring, and street modified over spring their cars. Your suspension is supposed to work. To stiff just means that your tires are working harder. They work too hard, they go off…
MH: What are the primary differences in driving as it relates to autocross between a front wheel drive car, a rear wheel drive car, and an AWD car?
JR: Believe it or not, they really all drive the same. The principals are all the same. Slow in, fast out. The only big difference is mid corner and off. Too much gas in a rear wheel drive, and you’re loose. Too much gas in an AWD or FWD and you’re pushing. They all push if you go in too hot…
MH: Do you feel the best drivers are ones driving high hp cars or great hp to weight ratio?
JR: I think that the higher the horsepower the more you’ll learn, but I’m sure that there are low horsepower drivers that could do just fine. Great hp/weight ratios are just easy to drive, but having a well balanced car that’s light and powerful is the best way to go. Strelnieks RX-7 is a great example. Any Lotus Elise…
MH: Who are the best drivers in Solo right now?
JR: Wow, how many do you want??? Gary Thomason is always fast, Matt Braun, Pat Salerno, Sammy Strano, Eric Strelnieks, Jeff Cashmore, Andy McKee, Bob Tunnell, John Thomas, John Ames….I could go on and on…
MH: What makes them the best of the best?
JR: Consistency…
MH: Is being a National Champion a god given talent, an acquired skill set? A combination?
JR: Some people have god given talent, and others it’s a learned skill set. I have heard that Gary Thomason feels that he has acquired his talent over years of running. Then you have guys like Ryan Buetzer who were just fast from the start.
MH: I have aspirations of becoming a nationally competitive driver. How do I reach that goal?
JR: The Evolution Performance Driving School!!! We’ll cut your learning curve in half…
MH: Nice plug! Outside of seat time….what factors make the biggest impact?
JR: Not over driving… People tend to think to go fast; you have to “go fast.” This is not always the case. Just because your speed is the highest doesn’t mean you’ll be the fastest. Logical thinking and mental awareness are other parts of the equation as well.
MH: What have you learned about car setup other than spring weight?
JR: It’s funny you should say this. One thing folks don’t think about is their sway bars. Just this weekend while testing the Spec-Miata, we had a rear sway bar bound up. Man that car was loose!!! Alignments are key. I’ve got what works for me, and others have what works for them.
What I do know is this, make your car easy to drive and the rest will come. Just because one guy does it this way, doesn’t mean it’s the best way for you.
MH: What equipment have you found to be the best over the years? (tires, shocks, etc.)
JR: I feel that Hoosier tires are the way to go. You don’t have to hear anything about them being on a boat somewhere, and even when the S04’s were out, and not the best. Jeff Speer and Hoosier took notice, and answered our prayers.
I’ve also always been a fan of Koni Shocks, Lee Grimes and the folks at Koni are great at what they do, and their products are consistent, and dependable.
I’ve always been a fan of Randy Chase and Chase Cam as well. Randy’s a top notch guy, and he has always taken care of us.
Then our newest toy is Ed Lansinger’s MaxQData, wow, what an easy to use data product…
Another GREAT product is the CG-Lock. Imagine having support like a harness out of your own seat belt, and all for just $49…. No Brainer….
MH: You’re a big believer in data acquisition and video. How much has it helped? Does it help between runs or after an event?
JR: In between runs, it’s been great. As an example, two years ago at the DC Pro, I had my wife covered by 2 seconds, and while trying to help her out, I noticed that she was actually beating me in one segment by .5. So I made a change in my approach, and picked that .5 second up, and then got punched in the arm because I extended my lead on her.
As for video, it’s priceless, especially at Nationals. It’s amazing the amount of people over at the Evo garage watching different videos at the big show.
MH: How did you make “driving” your living?
JR: Well I was a contractor for 20 years, and my partners have jobs that pay well and are a little more stable. We came to the conclusion that, worse case scenario; I could always go back to being a carpenter. So in November I took this on full time…
MH: How did you become involved with Evolution?
JR: Well, I took the school in 2000, and it really changed everything. I became a much more consistent driver, and then was asked to become an instructor in 2001 at Nationals. So at the start of the 2002 season I started instructing.
MH: How did it change everything…leading you to consistency?
JR: I just started to “see” autocrossing much better. I started to look much further ahead than I ever thought was possible, which smoothed everything out. Then I started to put a plan of attack in motion, before I ever drove the course. I began to recognize the correct line quicker and really started to anticipate everything that needed to happen.
MH: What should a typical student expect to take away from a Phase I school? Phase II?
JR: The Phase I is the backbone of our entire program. We constantly refer back to it. In the morning we work on basic car placement for all of the different elements, as well as car control. In the afternoon, we concentrate solely on visualization, and how it relates to smoothness, as well as car control.
In the morning of the Phase II we do a little refresher of the Phase I, and then start to use some tricks to help you build that mental picture.
The tricks come in the afternoon of the Phase II…
MH: I couldn’t help but notice a pattern that most of the 2008 National Champs attended an Evolution school. What are the National Champions gaining by re-attending a school? Is there a more advanced program?
JR: We have a school called the Challenge School, which is a more advanced school, where we really push the students. The actual challenge comes in the last session where we actually take the students car out by ourselves and lay down a time for them to chase. You see in our other programs we try not to drive the students’ cars more than 85%, but in the Challenge School the gloves are off. We want the students to run up front.
This year we have also brought back our Phase Three program. This is a school based on how to read a course, and designed to show you the fastest way around it. This one uses many configurations. But the real answer to your question is this; everyone should continue to take schools. You will learn something every time. Even if it’s something as silly as, wow never do that. I love riding with people, and watching them. You wouldn’t believe how many people hold their breath. REALLY!!!
By the way the Phase III uses MaxQData to back up why one line is better than another.
MH: Would you recommend taking a Phase I and Phase II in the same weekend? Why or why not?
JR: Sure, I did. For some it’s a lot to take in, but for others it’s just a natural progression. If you’ve never autocrossed, it may be too much, but if you’re a fast learner, you’d be golden. I love teaching complete newbie’s. They learn with no bad habits. Try teaching a guy that’s done this for 30 years!
MH: Can you tell me a little bit of the history of the school? Has the program changed during the time you have been involved? How has it changed since it was founded by Jim McKammey?
JR: Jim started it back in 1993, and back then it only had two schools. When Jean Kinser owned it she added the Phase Three course analysis, and the Challenge school, as well as the Dial-In. All three were collaborations of the different instructors. What we have done is streamlined the schools so that we could run multiple cars on the course at a time, and have now started to bring in data with the help of MaxQData.
We also will be bringing out a Video and Data school later in the year. As well as do our first HPDE style school, with the help of the Poughkeepsie Sports Car Club. This is happening at Pocono Raceway in June and then again in August. We also have a program in the works for driver coaching at advanced level HPDE’s.
One other thing that we do is train the US Military’s Special Forces soldiers. We’ve been doing this for about five years now, and it’s a really rewarding experience.
MH: How did you become involved as an owner? Who are the other owners?
JR: Well, Jean was at a point that she wanted to get out, and we loved the school. It’s such a great program we’d be crazy to not want to continue it, and take it to the next level. My partners in the school are Pat Salerno from CT and Robert Puertas from Irvine, CA…
MH: Do you actively recruit instructors for the school? How many instructors are there? What qualifications do you look for in someone who instructs for the school?
JR: We don’t actively recruit instructors, but have brought on some new one this year. What we really like are past students that are really good communicators, and as an added bonus have some great results to back that up. Currently, we have approximately 35-40 to pull from.
MH: Why would someone want to enroll in one of your schools?
JR: They want to learn from the best.
MH: What three pieces of advice would you give to someone new to autocross?
JR: First don’t get frustrated, autocrossing is hard. Second, ride with as many people as you can, and have them ride with you. Third give it up early on entry, and you’ll always be better off.
MH: What do you love most about the sport of autocross?
JR: The friends that I have made. The people are what make it…
MH: What do you dislike about the sport of autocross?
JR: Not every car has a good class to play in.
MH: What is the appeal of driving a car around orange cones?
JR: Learning car control. I explain it like this, autocrossing is like billiards. Anyone can play pool, but not everyone is Minnesota Fatts.
MH: Who is / are your hero(s)?
JR: In autocross, Jason Saini. He’s the man because he chased his dream and took a big chance, and it sure looks like it paid off.
In life my grandfather, he’s a great man, and I’m lucky to have him. He was a sports writer for the AP who’s 88, and still covers basketball tournaments when they’re in town. He is a real hero in my life, who has always helped me, even when I may not have deserved it. Everyone should be so lucky, and have someone in his or her life that’s that good a person.
MH: Who have been some of the people along the way that have contributed to your success?
JR: Sammy Strano has helped me a ton with all of my cars. Pat Salerno has helped me with a little bit of everything cars, data, business, and life. The guy that we touched on earlier who got me into autocrossing, his name is Jay Mangan. Jay really helped me understand cars early on. How to be smooth, how to heal and toe, and then what it really takes to be successful. My wife, for keeping me in check, when I get a little too big for my britches.
HOT TOPICS
MH: Was HPT really that bad?
JR: No, just the paddock. The line was a little narrow though. OK very narrow.
MH: Did you feel the surface made the cream rise to the top?
JR: Somewhat. Those who couldn’t read it had problems for sure…
MH: What are your plans for 2009? (Car you plan to drive, National events you plan to attend)
JR: 2009 will find me running Spec-Miata, and hopefully a National Autocross or two in a C6Z06…
MH: So you plan on “scaling” back on Solo events?
JR: Well I haven’t run very many autocrosses over the last couple of years or so. Pretty much no local events, although I do go out and build their courses, and only enough Pros to qualify for the finale. I do teach a lot of schools though.
MH: What are your thoughts about Lincoln being the new home for the National Championships?
JR: I like it. The site is huge and we can have real courses again.
MH: Thinking now about just Pro Solo what changes would you make to improve the format, competition, etc?
JR: None really, I love Pros
MH: How can the SCCA do a better job of making autocross more appealing to the masses? I think a lot of young kids don’t see Solo as a ladder, but it’s proven to work.
JR: I think that programs like Mazda’s ladder system could work but we need to bring it down to the bottom rung of the ladder. I also think that focusing on the teen programs and introducing them to Solo would be good. We run our teen programs in conjunction with our autocross schools, and have had some good success aiming the kids at Solo for a safe place to play with their cars.
MH: If you were in charge of the SCCA for one day what would you change about how Solo is run?
JR: I think I’d aim my efforts at marketing. With 90,000 autocrossers last year, we’re big, and we have more influence than 43 NASCAR drivers. We just need to be noticed, through better marketing.
MH: Give me the behind the scenes play by play of the Andy Hollis Friday Banquet drama.
JR: No real drama at all actually. I was just asked to allow Andy to come up as he wanted to make a presentation. We did this without permission as we felt that it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission. He then did what I think was an honorable thing. I know Andy quite well, and he’s top notch. Anyone who thinks otherwise that’s their deal. What I know is Andy surely didn’t know about the situation going on with his motor, because he knew it was having the valve cover pulled off if he did well. So why would he do this knowing he was going to have to open it up, for all to see?
MH: I noticed you participated in a NASA-X after the 2008 Nationals. Is NASA-X something you plan on participating in? Is NASA-X a direct threat to Solo? Will it ever? Do you plan on competing at the NASA-X championships?
JR: I help the local NASA club out quite a bit. They’re a great group of people and really fun to hang with. I’ll be heading to their NASA-X Championships as I know where they’re going to be held, and am actually designing the courses. I really doubt that they will ever compete with the SCCA’s solo program. Now road racing, that’s a different story. To be clear, I love both clubs.
MH: What appeal does NASA-X have? Do you see SCCA competitors cross over and vice versa?
JR: They should, there’s really no difference. Just some classing changes although some people can’t get over that part. I run them for fun, which is really why I run any autocross.
MH: I hear the NASA-X Championship is planned for October. Are you going to disclose where?
JR: I’m not, as I’ve been sworn to secrecy… I’ll let you know when I’m allowed, how’s that?
MH: I keep hearing you were on a show on Speed called Setup. How did that come about?
JR: I put in my application, and was accepted right away. I’d like to think it was due to my three 2007 Championships, but I’m not sure…
MH: What exactly was the premise of Setup?
JR: Having 24 true amateur drivers compete to see who had what it takes to be a pro driver is what they claimed. I just wished that the rules were set in stone. Rules on the fly is a bad idea…
MH: How far did you make it? How were rules being set on the fly?
JR: To the end, and then was a little impatient. When I look back, I didn’t need to lead on lap 15 of 50. I should have just rode around and waited. Although I was so much faster than the leader, I just wanted to get out front and get away.
As for the rule changes, we were told driving in the dirt on exit was OK, then the next thing ya’ know you’re in for a penalty. Throwing yellow flags for no reason. All were full course cautions, what’s that in road racing….
Basically the show should have been on FOX not SPEED. Racers don’t want to watch, that. Everyday folks would. All in all, I had a blast and won a couple of races. I met a bunch of great people, and it fueled my desire to go road race. I ran some TT’s last year, and now have my Road Race License. So we’ll see what happens next…
MH: You had mentioned Jason Saini as one of your heroes. He rose up from the Solo ranks and made it to Pro Racing thru Spec Miata. Is that your goal?
JR: That’s the plan. I’ve got a long road ahead of me, but I’ve got some real good help, and definitely have the power.
MH: How have your skills on the autocross course translated to the race track?
JR: Autocrossing has allowed me to be very comfortable on the track. Once you’ve turned a few laps, you know where the track goes. In autocrossing, we only get a few runs so we are forced to really look for the line, and that line is hard to see, as everything is either asphalt or concrete, only marked by cones. On a road course, the line is pretty easy to see, and with as far as I’m used to looking ahead, the next corner seems miles away.
There’s another strange thing that I’ve found about the track stuff. Whether it’s a time trial or a race, I don’t seem to get as nervous as I do at a National level autocross. In an autocross, you only get three shots to get it right, and when I say get it right I mean you’ve got three shots at driving on the raged edge of disaster, without losing it, that’s hard. In racing, you can’t drive that close to the edge every lap. If you do, you’ll just use up your equipment, and towards the end, you’re done.
MH: There is now a competing autocross school. How will Evolution combat and compete? They appear to be competing largely on cost.
JR : I’m not really concerned with that. Both of those guys came through Evolution. I feel this way about Evolution, if you think that $225-$275 is too much money to spend on your education, I’m very sorry. Skip Barber and Bob Bondurant are charging $950 per day to teach you how to drive on the street, and that’s nothing like teaching you how to autocross.
What we have is a proven program, with national caliber instruction. We’ve had over half of all of the national trophy winners and National Champions come through our program. The SCCA has recognized us as the official school of the National Solo Program. I think Evolution speaks for itself.
MH: What was the biggest disappointment behind the wheel?
JR: Coning away two National Championships, I’m still not bitter.
MH: Which two?
JR: One in 2001 or 2002 in the Camaro, and one in the Lotus in 05. I never think about it, no really…..
MH: It sounds like you’re haunted! What is the biggest triumph behind the wheel?
JR: Not really haunted, more like taunted by Sammy and Salerno.
Winning the Pro Solo overall in 2007 was the best. It was a strange year as they only counted the finale for the overall winner. The crazy thing is I would have won it anyway, as I had done so well at all of the pros that year. Taking top four’s at each one I went to. It would have come down to Robert Carpenter, and myself, and he fell out early in the finale. It was a great feeling. Looking in the rule book at those names is like reading a who’s who in Solo. To be in that company is an honor. One I’ll never forget.
MH: Do you have any final thoughts?
JR: Yeah, I’m hungry! No really, I like what you’re doing. It’s kind of like a web based version of North American Pylon. Its good stuff and I hope that more people start to check it out. Thanks for having me.
Photos courtesy of www.teamwtf.org and Mike ‘Junior’ Johnson
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