Round three of our 2014 Solo Triad Award Winner round-up brings up SML winner, Laurie Hyman!
Laurie Hyman
Street Modified Ladies
Motorsports is a unique sport in that both man and machine, working together, is the recipe for success. During the season, Laurie Hyman, of Fall City, Washington, experienced the frustration that can happen when a race car has mechanical problems regardless of how much hard work is put in.
"This year has been a real challenge for us, as we have suffered a crazy amount of breakage to the GT-R," Hyman said. "The season started with the clutch having to be replaced, followed by a series of broken parts that included the front driveshaft, front differential, and center differential (FWD unit).
"We then had a fluke incident when all the rear wheel studs on the driver’s side sheared off, during a local event, causing some major cosmetic damage to the rear bumper. If that wasn't enough, the front differential broke again on day one of the Pro Solo Finale in Lincoln, which caused us to scramble to get the car back together in time for Solo Nationals. Thankfully, we had brought a spare and were able to get the car fixed.
"It has been frustrating to have to worry more about whether the car will survive during any given event this year without breaking, rather than being able to focus completely on my driving. But I am happy I was able to overcome all the craziness and finish strong."
Hyman began her march toward the 2014 Solo Triad after notching a class win at the Rocky Mountain Match Tour. Then, she took the win at the Packwood Championship Tour, before claiming the Street Modified Ladies National Championship.
"It is a great honor to win this award and be added to the list of incredibly talented and amazing drivers, many of whom I have looked up to for so many years," Hyman said. "Last year I won my first Solo National Championship, as well as my first Pro Solo Championship. We didn’t attend a Match Tour event because there were very limited options on the west coast, so I wasn’t able to qualify for the Triad Award. This year, it worked out that we could attend the Colorado Match Tour, so I really wanted to make it my goal this year to win this prestigious award.”
Hyman made sure to thank those who allowed her to have such a successful season behind the wheel.
"None of this would be possible without my amazing husband, Eric," Hyman said. "He has spent countless hours wrenching on the car and somehow making it possible for us to do all the events we did this year, despite all the crazy breakages. I am so grateful to him for building such a fun and amazing car! He has been my rock and my teacher, offering me praise and criticism when I needed it most. I wouldn't be where I am today, as a driver, if it weren't for him.
"I also want to thank Cobb Tuning for helping us to build the car, as well as Shep Trans for all their driveline and transmission parts assistance. Also, thank you to Hoosier Tire for having an awesome contingency program, Chase Race, for all the local assistance, Petrel Data, for providing excellent data acquisition software which has really helped me to analyze my driving, and all our amazing friends who have helped us with the car over the years.
"Finally, I would like to think all of my competitors, both in the Northwest Region and nationally. Thank you for your countless offers to let us drive your cars when we were broken, for your friendship both on the track and off, and for constantly pushing me to be a better driver. That’s what makes being part of the Solo community so special.”
Hyman also gave us a little insight into changes that are in the works for next year's run.
"I am very excited to have our 10-year-old son, Jared, join Team Hyman in 2015," Hyman said. "He will be driving a junior kart in FJB. It will be both fun and exciting to add that dynamic to our racing experience and I can’t wait for him to get to experience Solo competition."
