This article first appeared in the June, 2014 edition of SportsCar Magazine. SCCA members can read the current and past editions of SportCar digitally here after logging into their account; To become an SCCA member and get SportsCar mailed to your home address monthly in addition to the digital editions, click here.

Chris “Trent” Harvey
Brand Manager Brakes & Suspension at the Tire Rack
SCCA member since 1993, South Bend Region,

“Growing up in a small Iowa town, my exposure to auto racing was limited to television coverage of IndyCar and NASCAR races in the 1980s and early ’90s. The road racing discipline and the engineering behind the cars captured my attention from the beginning. Further stoking this interest was the opportunity to attend the Ruan Des Monies Grand Prix in 1989 with my father and brother. We watched in awe as the SCCA Trans Am teams did battle between the concrete barriers. A couple of years later, we made the trek to our first natural road course event, the IndyCar and Trans Am weekend at Road America. I vividly recall walking toward the track on our way to Canada Corner and hearing the IndyCar turbo V8s pounding through Thunder Valley. It’s a moment and sound I will never forget.
My college path led me to the Mankato State University’s Automotive Engineering Technology program, led by long time SCCA member Kirk Ready. There, I became involved with the SAE Club and ultimately the SCCA. Seeing my interest, a fellow student invited me along to a SCCA Solo event. This was my first exposure to SCCA Solo and the mythical “Alien Driver.” I recall multi-time Solo National Champ Russ Wiles drive a borrowed, 100,000-plus mile BMW 318i in H Stock to the fast time of the day while several Street Prepared cars were left in his wake. I was in disbelief that the driver alone could have that much influence on the course time.
As the years have gone by, I’ve come to appreciate the relationships I’ve made through SCCA. These relationships have opened the door to my nearly 14-year career at the Tire Rack, and many friendships with like-minded SCCA members from across the county. The opportunities my SCCA membership has provided have been truly priceless.”

Image Courtesy of Tire Rack