NASA Southeast had a record number of racers for its second Competition School of 2013 at Road Atlanta. Fifteen students attended the classes and took to the track in efforts to get their NASA Provisional Racing License. The class was taught by Randy Suddreth, lead instructor and Darrel Hamilton, instructor and Thunder Roadsters director.
Suddreth and Hamilton are seasoned veterans, great drivers, and they brought a high level of professionalism and knowledge to the anxious attendees. Ron Rigdon, instructor and Honda Challenge Director and Carl Eckert 2012 Thunder Roadster Champion assisted them in the classroom and track exercises. There were also several instructors and drivers that assisted with the mock races. The on-track instructors placed the student in race-simulated situations like three wide, drafting and close door to door racing making sure they were competent driver and ready for racing.
It was a full day for everyone, with six classroom sessions, three on-track exercises plus two mock races. Some of the demanding track exercises included running off line and a wheel-to-wheel switch at every corner, preparing them to become competent racers. Each of the drivers were strategically gridded for the each of the mock races experiencing a double file standing start and rolling start plus a single file restart. It was a very demanding day that came off without a single incident in perfect fall weather, a great start to the weekend of racing.
“It was one of the best classes ever,” Suddreth said. “This group of students had lots of previous experience and seat time.”
It was one of the largest classes where everybody passed and received their provisional license. In attendance were: Hector Rainey – BMW E30; John Gutleber – Chevrolet Corvette; David Isabel – Honda Civic; David Lee Serrano – Honda S2000; Casey Hooper – Porsche 944; Danny Parkhurst – BMW 325; John Banai – BMW M3; Devin Cazin – Nissan 350Z; Reginald Dodd – Mustang Boss302; Roger Spittle – Mazda Miata; Jeff Whitney – Factory Five; John Putnam – BMW 325; Scott Lanford – Thunder Roadster; William Miller – Thunder Roadster; and Chris Harkins – BMW 325. Congratulations for a job well done and welcome to NASA Pro Racing.
