A Year In Review- The 2015 Goodguys Season

[Trackside-Brandy]

A Year In Review- The 2015 Goodguys Season
Written By: Brandy Phillips
Photos By Brandy Phillips & Terry Lysak



When you say “I race (insert a muscle car here)” people automatically think drag racing. When you tell them no, then
they move on to land speed, circle track or dirt. The sport of autocross is still a small segment in the world of racing.
Though most of you reading this are familiar with the details of the sport, many are still clueless to what we do. I can’t
begin to tell you the looks I get when telling someone that I race around a course of traffic cones that are set up in a
parking lot. Even after explaining it many still walk away with a puzzled look on their face.





It would be right to say that Goodguys was the first to start the pro-touring autocross movement. Their integration of
autocross tracks at Goodguys Car Shows was the first of it’s kind. Of course SCCA had been doing it for years, but not
too many muscle cars participated in the SCCA series. For those who owned muscle cars this was a new opportunity that
would revolutionize the automotive aftermarket industry forever.





The growth of the Goodguys Autocross brought both positive and negative feedback. The SCCA groups protested the
safety of the series. At the time Goodguys was still in the process of refining their events. As any new event, trial and
error along with modifications throughout the years took place. Though SCCA frowned on the series, the Goodguys
Autocross continued to grow. It was a new outlet for many. Plus it was something to do instead of sitting beside your
vehicle at a car show. It’s been eleven years since Goodguys held it’s first autocross at the Goodguys Nashville,
Tennessee Show. Over the course of eleven years the participants have grown in mass numbers and the competition
has evolved year after year. Several companies have transformed their business to make products particularly for these
racing applications. Several new products are introduced yearly in order for autocross participants to keep up with new
competition.





The 2015 season was a great year. Several new cars were built, tested and debuted at a Goodguys Autocross. These
vehicles were tested against some tough competition including several regulars on the Goodguys Autocross Circuit. Some
new faces also joined the Goodguys Autocross, making a big impact in the sport. It was also encouraging to see a handful
of younger faces racing at these Goodguys events. Overall 2015 was a memorable year for the Goodguys Autocross Series.


Now it is time to look at a year in review starting with the first 2015 Goodguys event, the 6^th Spring Nationals in
Scottsdale, Arizona.





After a three-month break, many cannot wait for the first Goodguys Autocross event to kick-off in Scottsdale. This is also
a time when people get to see old friends, catch-up with each other and show off any new modifications they made to
their vehicle over the winter. Goodguys Scottsdale brought out a handful of drivers including people like Kyle Tucker of
Detroit Speed and Engineering, Richard Trujillo, Chris Hall and Mark Allen (to name a few).







Robbie and Al Unser Jr. were also present both racing in the Speedway 1965 Nova. For many competitors and spectators
this was the first chance to meet Al Unser Jr. There was a crowd surrounding the Speedway pit area all weekend, but the
Unsers had little time to chat. They spent most of their time trying to dial-in the Nova and work out the kinks before the
next Goodguys event. Though they struggled during Scottsdale it would not take Robbie and Al long before the Nova was
sorted and they would add a new vehicle to the Speedway team for the upcoming Goodguys and SCCA season.





Photos from Goodguys Scottsdale March 2015





Immediately following the Goodguys Scottsdale opener was the Goodguys Texas event. Goodguys held two events in Fort
Worth, Texas this year, the 5^th Spring Lone Star Nationals in March and the 23^rd Lone Star Nationals in October. The
saying that everything is bigger in Texas also includes the Goodguys autocross track. This is probably one of the largest
tracks at a Goodguys event. If the weather is good this event is quite large compared to the rest. Over the years the Texas
show has grown in size. Several of the people who were part of the original group of competitors in Texas are no more,
but those like Bret Voelkel of ridetech, the Leisingers, Mike Dusold and Kyle Tucker still come out to play in Texas.





There are also several not so familiar faces at the Goodguys Texas Autocross. The event continues to grow each year as
people continue to join in on the autocross fun. Several of the cars that compete at Texas are not all tricked out with the
latest and greatest equipment. This allows for exhibiting manufactures to meet these newcomers and educate them on
what is needed to make their car and or trucks handle better. New competitors = new customers = the continuation of
pro-touring racing including Goodguys Autocross events.




Photos from Goodguys Texas Oct 2015





Now we head back to the West Coast to the home of Goodguys Rod and Custom Association. Goodguys Pleasanton is
always a sought after event since it is the hometown to Goodguys. The autocross course is somewhat smaller than the
rest and much tighter. It is hard enough getting a C2 Vette around the track yet struggle to maneuver a second gen
Camaro or an El Camino around the track. I will be honest; this is one of the most difficult and discouraging tracks out
of all the Goodguys autocross events across the country. The track conditions are terrible each morning. As I tried to
describe to a spectator “it feels as if you are a hockey puck. The ground feels like ice, you have no traction and the car
(or truck in my case) just slides around the track without you having much control. You just hope to get to the finish line
in one piece.” So why am I telling you this? Though the track conditions stink first thing in the morning and the track is
way too small for bigger vehicles, the track is one of the most challenging to master. I feel it is also one of the most
rewarding tracks. Once the track starts to get hot and rubber is down it’s a fun course. Improving your time on this
course is a huge accomplishment within itself.





Faces like Mary Pozzi, Mike Maier, Brian Hobaugh, and Scott Fraser can typically be found at these Pleasanton events.
This is hometown or near home for many of these drivers. If you’re lucky you might be able to catch a ride with one of
them, take a few notes and even have them ride along with you in your own vehicle. Since all of the Pleasanton autocross
events are all American there are a handful of people and vehicles racing that would not normally attend a Goodguys
Autocross event. This also means more competitors, larger spectator crowds and a whole lot of cheering in the stands.
Pleasanton is definitely one autocross you have to do at least once, especially since it’s the home of Goodguys Rod and
Custom Association.





Photo from Goodguys Pleasanton March 2015





Photos From Goodguys Pleasanton May 2015





The most anticipated Goodguys event (racing and non-racing) would have to be the Goodguys Nationals in Columbus,
Ohio. Not only is this the largest Goodguys event all year, some of the best builds attend this show in hopes of getting
nominated for an award. In addition to the car show, the autocross has also grown at this event. What was once an
autocross with a couple dozen cars has now turned into a pit filled with 100+ competitor vehicles.





Columbus is also the home of the Goodguys Autocross Vendor Shootout. Each autocross sponsor chooses one vehicle to
represent their company in the shootout. These drivers are usually the best-of-the-best. Names like Danny Popp, Mike
Maier, Al and Robbie Unser, Josh and Jarred Leisinger and several others were in attendance at this past years Sponsor
Shootout. The Sponsor Shootout is set-up just like the Duel in the Dessert Shootout. The eliminations are similar to that
of a bracket race. Qualifying starts Saturday morning at 9am leading into the official shootout at 11am. Danny Popp was
the talk of the event. Typically when Danny Popp’s name is on the roster there is a good chance he will be taking home
the trophy for that weekend. The Columbus shootout was Popp’s first Goodguys event for the 2015 season. Though
Popp had not raced at any Goodguys autocross this season before Columbus, this did not pose as a problem. He
hopped in the car as he had always done and got the job done taking home first place for Lingenfelter in his 1972
Corvette.





Photos from Goodguys Columbus Nationals 2015



After all the hype of Goodguys Nationals settles, there are several other Goodguys events throughout the remaining of
the year. Some of these events revisit locations from earlier in the year while others are held at new locations. When
looking at all the Goodguys Autocross events, Goodguys Loveland, Colorado sticks out. This event is more like a hidden
gem. Not too many people attend the event, though it has grown quite a bit in the last five years.





I have been lucky enough to attend Goodguys Loveland back in 2011. Since then the venue has grown, but the number
of autocross participants is still lower than most other Goodguys autocross events throughout the year. This is a huge
benefit for those who attend the event. This year brought an unusual crowd to the Goodguys Loveland Show. Coincidently
the show took place immediately following the SCCA Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska. Several of the SCCA competitors
were driving back to California and decided to stop in Loveland to participate in the Goodguys autocross for a day or two.
These people included Mary Pozzi, the Unsers and Richard Trujillo.





Regulars like Roger Burman were also in attendance at the Goodguys Loveland Show this past year. Burman has attended
these events since the very beginning. Back in 2011 he was sorting out the Crusher Camaro that is currently owned by
the Leisinger family. This year he brought out a 1963 Dodge Dart, which did exceptionally well. This vehicle then followed
the Goodguys circuit ending its tour at the Goodguys Scottsdale Shootout this past November.

Goodguys Loveland is not only a great venue to get some extra seat time; the spectator numbers are some of the best all
year. The crowds that surround the autocross are several rows deep. I said the same about Goodguys Pleasanton, but the
spectator area is a fraction of the size of the Loveland spectator area. People cover the hills that surround the autocross
watching and cheering as each vehicle hits the course. Many of the spectators will admit that they love to watch, but could
never participate in the autocross. It is still fairly new to this area and there’s plenty of room for autocross and its
participants to grow over the upcoming years.





Photos from Goodguys Colorado 2015




By the time November comes around either people are exhausted from SEMA or eager to get one last event in before the
end of the year. Goodguys Scottsdale marks the last event of the year. This event also includes the popular Duel in the
Desert Shootout that started a few years back. There are a couple different ways competitors can win a spot to compete
in the Duel in the Desert Shootout throughout the 2015 season. If you are declared the overall winner at any Goodguys
Autocross event throughout the year you are automatically entered in the shootout. Have a spot, but win another event
throughout the year as the overall winner? The spot gets passed down to the runner-up. Pro Class drivers also have the
opportunity to earn points throughout the year. The more events you attend and the higher you place can all have an
impact on your overall points throughout the year. Earn enough points and you might get a spot at the shootout.





Then there are your last minute entries. Drivers from across the country come out the Friday during the final Scottsdale
event to compete against each other for a spot at the last couple entries into the shootout. Once the final competitors race
their way in Saturday morning, the shootout begins. The format is that of a bracket race where one driver goes up against
another. Honestly this has to be the most nerve-racking races of the year. One little mistake, one cone, one slip could
mean the win.





The finals came down to Danny Popp and Mike Junior Johnson. Both have a strong racing background, both brought out
C3 Corvettes and both put up a great fight with little to no mistakes during each run. Each driver continued to get faster
as it came down to these final last runs. Just when you thought both Mike Jr and Danny Popp couldn’t get any faster,
they did. Danny Popp finally took the lead by 2/10ths taking home first while Mike Jr Johnson placed second.

Now I normally do not highlight late model vehicles since this is a pro-touring forum, but I wanted to include a couple
highlights from the Goodguys Scottsdale event during the All American Sunday. Danny Popp parked his 1972 Corvette
and brought out his C5 Vette alongside Todd Rumpke who came out with his C6 Vette. These two close friends raced for
first during the all American Sunday Autocross. Though Rumpke put up a good fight, Popp took home the win on Sunday
in addition to the shootout and the overall win for the weekend.





One of the youngest drivers also came out during the Goodguys Scottsdale All American Sunday in a Ford Flex. Andy
Voelkel navigated the ridetech Ford Flex around the autocross while getting tips from his father Bret Voelkel. Andy had
some seat time before coming out to the Goodguys Scottsdale event and it showed. He did exceptionally well and we can’t
wait to see what he can do throughout the next year.




Photos from Goodguys Scottsdale and the Duel in the Desert Shootout November 2015


Looking back I question what happened to 2015? The year flew by in a hurry with each Goodguys event becoming just a
memory. Before we knew it November was here, the last Goodguys event was about the be wrapped up and the holiday
season was upon us. Like any other race series there were incidents, frustration and improvements to be had, but the
series has come a long way since it’s beginning eleven years ago. Here’s to 2016 and all the new Goodguys memories to
be made with great friends and family in the pro-touring community!

For those interested in the Goodguys Autocross series I encourage you to come out and just watch an event. Talk to
some of the drivers; maybe even get a ride from one or two of them. The more information you can obtain before
hopping in the drivers seat and going out for your first lap, the better equipped you’ll be and the more fun you’ll have.
Plus don’t forget, everyone gets discouraged at one time or another, but the point of a Goodguys Autocross is to have
fun, make new friends and form new memories.

The new Goodguys Event Schedule is now up on our forum in the Goodguys Section. The official Pro-Touring.com
Calendar will be updated as of the first of the year.

Feel free to visit the link below for further information and constant updates:
https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/118760-Goodguys-2016-Schedule-Rules-and-Further-Info





In loving memory of Gary Meadors; Founder of the Goodguys Rod and Custom Association, 1939-2015

[camaroblue]

Thank you Brandy for another well written article. All who are involved with autocross events around the country are very fortunate to have such a great group helping and letting us know how all the events are playing out. Thank you to all the staff at protouring.com