From Alta Loma, CA comes Tom Berry. A multiple National Champion Tom added one more trophy to the case in 2008 when he became a two in a row winner in B Street Prepared driving the family 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX on Hoosier tires. Tom is a member of the Cal Club Region SCCA.
RR: Is this your first attendance at Nationals? 
TB: No, I have been to Nationals sixteen times.
RR: Is this your first National Championship?
TB: No, this makes my sixth Championship. I won D Street Prepared in 1995 and 1996 driving a Mazda RX-3. In 2003 I won B Street Prepared driving my 1997 Corvette. I won B Street Prepared again in 2007 driving my 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX. And, of course I won in 2008 driving that same 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX.
RR: What was your favorite memory of the competition?
TB: Having my wife Theresa fly out and drive for the first time since 1994, and win her first National Championship. Also watching my oldest offspring Christine win her 2nd National Championship (in SML). Other memorable racing that I watched was Ken Motonishi winning A Street Prepared and Charlie Shelton winning D Prepared. I guess seeing Gary Thomason eek out Super Stock was pretty spectacular too. Getting together with friends from all over the country was great as always!
RR: What do you think was your key to success?
TB: At this National Championship event I think the keys were having a very well prepared car (thanks Marshall Grice) and lots of luck!
RR: Who has most influenced you?
TB: Wow, this is a tough one, but I think I would have to go with Bob Endicott who I watched at great length when I first started. Bob Tunnell who I have tried to emulate since the day I first met him. He probably doesn’t remember working on course with me at the San Diego National tour in 1993, but I pumped him for every tidbit of information I could….and then went out and did most of them, and I am still working on the rest.
RR: Who inspires you?
TB: My wife and best friend Theresa.
RR: Do you have any special pre-race routine, or any superstitions you follow?
TB: Ok….this is kind of silly, but just before I go out on course I clap my hands together several time to get the blood flowing in my fingers.
RR: Do you have any driving aids or tools you use to help you?
TB: We use a DL1 data acquisition system that is quite helpful, and a Chase Cam video system that is great!
RR: What do you think you do differently than your competition?
TB: Win? 
RR: Have you attended any driving school?
TB: I have instructed at lots of schools, but have never attended one.
RR: Describe your driving style.
TB: Smooth…. Maybe a little too smooth at times.
RR: What was your first –and favorite autocross car?
TB: My first was a 1986 Mitsubishi Starion. My favorite would be a toss up between my 1996 B Street Prepared Corvette and my 2006 Evo IX. Both are awesome cars!
RR: If you could change one Solo rule – either for your specific class or in general — what would it be?
TB: Can’t think of one.
RR: Who would you like to thank for your success?
TB: My wife, Theresa for letting me race more often that I probably should….and my three girls for racing with me as often as they can. My enjoyment of this sport went up tremendously when it went from “dad’s sport to a “family sport�. Oh… and Marshall Grice my co-driver for his incredible car set up expertise.
Pictures courtesy of www.gotcone.com & Tom Berry
For copies of photos email david @ evorticity.com
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