Trackside-Brandy
04-03-2015, 12:34 AM
For those that missed our recap on Facebook, we wanted to share a special story that took place at the March 2015 Goodguys Pleasanton Autocross.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_2679_zpsmxkvzymd-1.jpg
Many might know Geon McKenzie and his '73 primered Camaro. He can usually be found on a Goodguys autocross or Optima's Search for the Ultimate Street Car. Geon, who is in his early 20's, has come a long ways since his first autocross. He has an amazing support group including his father, who has encouraged Geon's racing since his first autocross a couple years back. When Geon rolled up in his Camaro Saturday morning, it was an inspiration for other young adults to get involved in our hobby. There are only a few young adults that consistently come out and race the pro-touring circuit. Geon is one of them. Geon's passion for our hobby continues to grow, but at a cost. After speaking with Geon's father, Karl, we were informed he sold his dirt bike to purchase tires for the Camaro to run the Pleasanton event. There's a lot of respect to be had for a kid with this much drive and passion for our sport.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4014_zpstrayi4ke-1.jpg
Unlike many others, Geon got the nerve to ask Al Unser Jr. to go with him as a passenger in his Camaro. Al Unser Jr. had taken several people for rides around the course, but it was a rare moment for him to be in the passenger seat.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4028_zpsfjogsvvj-1.jpg
As Geon hit the course, cones went flying. Now I need to state that Geon is a very good driver. He placed 20th out of 66 competitors in Pleasanton. It might have been the nerves of having a former professional Indy Car Driver in the passenger seat, it might have been the track, or maybe just a bad run, but Geon won the Cone Carnage award for the weekend.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4041_zpsbiwyq7kj-1.jpg
A cone had been lodge under the Camaro to the point of no return.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4035_zpspzyifegp-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4033_zpsfsti7zb2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4034_zpstyezr9kr-1.jpg
While Al Unser Jr. carried on a good laugh in the passenger seat, Geon exited the Camaro to help recover the cone under his car.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4039_zpsuvmmuqsl-1.jpg
Unfortunately the cone was not coming out. A jack was needed to get under the car and remove the cone.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4047_zpscfpzmide-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4048_zpsijzmfxrp-1.jpg
Needless to say the cone wasn't seeing another Goodguys Autocross Course ever again. Rob Phillips had witnessed the chain of events and asked if he could salvage the cone. He then approached Al Unser Jr. with the idea to sign the cone and present it to Geon as a token of their ride together. Al Unser Jr. was all in.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4183_zpsliaojycy-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4184_zpsenmpkuje-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4185_zpswuboq02p-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4186_zpslykqab5i-1.jpg
The cone was then presented to Geon. At first glance I think he was blushing and a little embarrassed.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4187_zpsr7bf5q6r-1.jpg
Memories like this one are made at each event, but most people don't get to read about them. We wanted to share this story with everyone because it was a special moment for one of our pro-touring.com members that he will always keep with him. We hope to capture more of these moments and encourage all of you to share special stories like these with us as well. We want to Congratulate Geon on a memorable run and thank Al Unser Jr. and Speedway Motors for creating memories that will last a lifetime.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_2679_zpsmxkvzymd-1.jpg
Many might know Geon McKenzie and his '73 primered Camaro. He can usually be found on a Goodguys autocross or Optima's Search for the Ultimate Street Car. Geon, who is in his early 20's, has come a long ways since his first autocross. He has an amazing support group including his father, who has encouraged Geon's racing since his first autocross a couple years back. When Geon rolled up in his Camaro Saturday morning, it was an inspiration for other young adults to get involved in our hobby. There are only a few young adults that consistently come out and race the pro-touring circuit. Geon is one of them. Geon's passion for our hobby continues to grow, but at a cost. After speaking with Geon's father, Karl, we were informed he sold his dirt bike to purchase tires for the Camaro to run the Pleasanton event. There's a lot of respect to be had for a kid with this much drive and passion for our sport.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4014_zpstrayi4ke-1.jpg
Unlike many others, Geon got the nerve to ask Al Unser Jr. to go with him as a passenger in his Camaro. Al Unser Jr. had taken several people for rides around the course, but it was a rare moment for him to be in the passenger seat.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4028_zpsfjogsvvj-1.jpg
As Geon hit the course, cones went flying. Now I need to state that Geon is a very good driver. He placed 20th out of 66 competitors in Pleasanton. It might have been the nerves of having a former professional Indy Car Driver in the passenger seat, it might have been the track, or maybe just a bad run, but Geon won the Cone Carnage award for the weekend.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4041_zpsbiwyq7kj-1.jpg
A cone had been lodge under the Camaro to the point of no return.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4035_zpspzyifegp-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4033_zpsfsti7zb2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4034_zpstyezr9kr-1.jpg
While Al Unser Jr. carried on a good laugh in the passenger seat, Geon exited the Camaro to help recover the cone under his car.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4039_zpsuvmmuqsl-1.jpg
Unfortunately the cone was not coming out. A jack was needed to get under the car and remove the cone.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4047_zpscfpzmide-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4048_zpsijzmfxrp-1.jpg
Needless to say the cone wasn't seeing another Goodguys Autocross Course ever again. Rob Phillips had witnessed the chain of events and asked if he could salvage the cone. He then approached Al Unser Jr. with the idea to sign the cone and present it to Geon as a token of their ride together. Al Unser Jr. was all in.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4183_zpsliaojycy-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4184_zpsenmpkuje-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4185_zpswuboq02p-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4186_zpslykqab5i-1.jpg
The cone was then presented to Geon. At first glance I think he was blushing and a little embarrassed.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/04/IMG_4187_zpsr7bf5q6r-1.jpg
Memories like this one are made at each event, but most people don't get to read about them. We wanted to share this story with everyone because it was a special moment for one of our pro-touring.com members that he will always keep with him. We hope to capture more of these moments and encourage all of you to share special stories like these with us as well. We want to Congratulate Geon on a memorable run and thank Al Unser Jr. and Speedway Motors for creating memories that will last a lifetime.