A Fabulous Father’s Day in Maine sounds like the title of a short story penned by humorist John Hodgman, but no, we’re talking about the June 14-16, 2024, experience that was the Tire Rack SCCA® Brunswick Solo® National Tour at Brunswick Executive Airport in Maine – which was the first time a Solo National Tour had been conducted at that specific locale.
This was, however, the second half of back-to-back Solo weekends in Brunswick hosted by SCCA’s New England Region, with the Weather Steward correcting the malfeasance that plagued the prior weekend’s Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo®. This time around, the weather was simply sublime. Thunderstorms stayed away until Friday evening, then blue skies ruled both competition days with temperatures settling in at the mid 70-degree range accompanied by a friendly breeze.
The result was that drivers had the chance to thoroughly explore the 50-plus second long courses designed by Will Koscielny that put the grippy, smooth concrete apron of the airport to effective use for an amazing #funwithcars experience.
Something a little different also occurred during the event as organizers opted to stray from the traditional Solo National Tour format. Saturday began as normal, with each competitor taking their three runs, then a course change was made as usual. The difference started at that point after Saturday’s lunch, which was served up on the go by New England Region. Drivers strapped back into their competition vehicles, and each took three more runs on the new course. Following that, attendees voted on which course would be run Sunday, and they got four runs on the final day before adding up their best run from each session and crowning the class winners.
Kathy Barnes, driving a 1985 Honda Civic, had an even more exceptional experience thanks to the SCCA Women on Track Driver Development Program. That initiative aids one randomly selected woman at each Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Tour and ProSolo Series event with an opportunity for a one-on-one, 30-minute virtual coaching session with a top-tier driver from the sport – which was Tamra Krystinik.
This level of coaching is aimed at helping drivers meet their performance driving goals, and Barnes put the coaching to good use, putting the pressure on co-driver and husband Paul Krysiak in the E Prepared class.
The Maine Action
Let’s get right down to business with a nailbiter, which was B Street. François Langelier, in a 2023 Toyota Corolla GR, got the victory by only 0.087sec over runner-up Will Koscielny driving a 2024 Honda Civic Type R.
In C Street, Andrew Pallotta and co-driver Chris Harp went toe-to-toe in a 2023 Mazda MX-5. Pallotta knew what to do as he amassed a 4.820sec advantage on Harp to claim victory when it was all said and done.
D Street had another teammate battle at the top amongst two Quebecers sharing a 2018 Honda Civic Type R. Carl Wener took the top trophy by 1.109sec over co-driver Bruno Lajoie.
Perhaps in homage to the House of the Dragon season premier Sunday, a 2000 Legrand Dragon SR1 was wielded by Tamra Krystinik and co-driver Andrew Krystinik in B Modified. The queen came out on top, slaying runner-up Andrew by 9.825sec.
Grant Reeve made the most of his Classic American Muscle Sport (CAM®-S) efforts by winning the class. Devin MacKenzie took the second and final trophy by 9.177sec off Reeve’s Superman-esque effort.
Street Touring® Roadster went for a ride behind Brad Fiore, who took the win by 6.431sec over co-driver Court Fiore with both sharing the seat of a 2017 Mazda Miata.
Want more? Additional coverage from Maine can be found at the Tire Rack SCCA National Solo Facebook page. A full rundown of all results from the event can be accessed by clicking the red button below.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Solo Time
SCCA’s Solo program next sets up camp at the I-X Center in Cleveland, OH, for back-to-back weekends where Soloists can experience adventure and #funwithcars not too far from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Lake Erie’s shoreline. First comes the June 21-23, 2024, Tire Rack SCCA Cleveland National Tour; followed by the June 28-30, 2024, Tire Rack SCCA Cleveland ProSolo®.
After that, it’s time to celebrate July 4 festivities with SCCA in Tennessee at Bristol Motor Speedway. That’s where the Tire Rack SCCA Bristol ProSolo takes July 3-5, 2024; followed by the July 5-7, 2024, Tire Rack SCCA Bristol National Tour.
Check out the rest of the 2024 Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Tour schedule by clicking here, or eyeball the 2024 Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo calendar here.
Photos by Andrew Benagh
