2017 Tire Rack Devens Championship Tour: Tune-In

The 2017 Solo season is in full swing with just one week for drivers to recover from a Toledo hangover before heading to Ayer, MA for the 2017 Devens Champ Tour.  With the NJ and Toledo ProSolos only recently over, even the most hardcore competitors will be struggling to stay in top form transitioning to the Tour style format.  Will that give the edge to the locals of the New England Region, or will those braving the trek into the North-Eastern-most Tour location be able to steal some hardware?

If you’ve been on social media recently, you might have noticed a trend of autocrossers buying Corvette Z06’s.  It seems like every other week there’s another post about a C5 or C6 purchase of the Z06 variety, and that might explain the 11-car all-Corvette A Street class.  It’s probably no surprise that Mark Daddio is the incoming favorite, but there’s no lack in talent for the remainder of the class, so he’ll have to be sure to bag a couple quick and clean runs to come out on top. 

Down in B Street we have a different narrative, with a number of makes and models representing the class.  From AWD Subarus and Mitsubishis to mid-engine Porsches and front-engine Hondas and BMW’s, you’ve got 3 drivetrains and manufacturers from 3 continents in the mix.  It’s anyone’s pick between local favorites Rachel Baker and Fedja Jeleskovic, and also a few Ford Focus drivers.  This one will be interesting to watch!

MPG isn’t the only big thing about H Street, with 12 cars they’re one of the biggest classes.  Ford Fiestas have been the top car recently, but the right course might give some older Hondas the edge. 

Ben Wagstaff has been the top gun for Street Touring Sport in recent years, but some new blood has come into the class with Eric Chiang and Ryan Field having proven themselves in other classes.  More roadster action comes in Street Touring R with the 10-car class comprised of Honda S2000s and Mazda Miatas.  Will Koscielny and Mark Dudek will be representing the ND’s against Tim Kong and Josh Brockman in S2000s and Evan Clavijo in his NC.

A forecast of rain looms over the weekend and could really shake things up, but with New England you never know if it’ll stick.  Perhaps we should take a cue from Toledo and have everyone do their anti-rain dance this week!  Either way it should be a great time with lots of competition ahead!