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    1. #1
      Join Date
      Nov 2012
      Posts
      296
      Country Flag: United States

      Behind the Wheel with Mark Allen Powered by Optima Batteries



      Making Each Day Count
      Mark Allen- A Behind the Wheel Feature Powered by optima batteries
      Written By Brandy Phillips
      Photos By Terry Lysak, Brandy Phillips, Mark Allen & Natalie Allen




      Eustress
      /eu·stress/
      noun
      a positive form of stress having a beneficial effect on health, motivation, performance, and emotional well-being



      Many of you might be asking why I am starting with a vocabulary lesson. Some may have heard of the word above, but
      as for myself, I have never heard this word used before. I had recently Googled the effects of engaging in a hobby on
      one’s life. I had come across this word and felt it was an appropriate term that could be correlated with our pro-touring
      community. For many, wrenching on cars, racing them and even building them could easily be considered a eustress.
      Though some may argue that building a car or prepping for a race is not a positive effect on one’s health; that is up for
      debate. When you talk with someone who has been through a great amount of distress in their life, building cars,
      regardless the troubles, and racing them, regardless the results, is arguably a eustress.





      Life has a funny way of guiding people in one direction or another. For Mark Allen, he got a second chance at life and is
      making the most out of it. Mark has been a longtime member of the pro-touring community, but his passion for cars did
      not start there. Mark has embraced several forms of motorsports over the years starting with drag racing then venturing
      into off road racing. He even joined an off road team in the late 80’ and early 90’s that ran SCORE.





      As the pro-touring scene started to grow, it sparked Mark’s interest, making him rethink his plans for a complete original
      restoration on his 1967 Camaro. Mark liked the idea of a pro-touring Camaro, which allowed him to keep that traditional
      look, but make the car handle like a newer vehicle.





      Mark and his wife Jenny purchased their 1967 Camaro back in 1998. After a minor accident in the car that same year,
      Mark and Jenny decided to restore the car back to its original state. Seven years after the purchase of the Camaro, Mark
      started to put money aside to make some mechanical and drivability changes. Unfortunately, life had a way of telling Mark
      it was not the right time to focus on his Camaro. In September of 2006, Mark was hospitalized while undergoing an
      operation to put nine stints into two of the major arteries feeding his heart. The money that had been set aside for the
      Camaro was used to pay his medical bills. The dream of restoring the ’67 Camaro quickly slipped away as Mark fought for
      his life.





      While in the hospital, Mark was approached by some family and friends who wanted to do something special for him. The
      idea was presented to “overhaul” Mark’s ’67 Camaro. Though Mark could not do any physical labor on the car, changes
      made to the Camaro would still be under his direction. The next three years were difficult for Mark. He was in and out of
      the hospital with continuous heart problems, unable to do much work on the Camaro himself. Family and friends continued
      to make Mark’s dream a reality, as they worked diligently to get the project done so Mark could drive the car.





      Now this is where I would like to pause for a moment and return back to our vocabulary lesson. You may have caught on
      to how Mark Allen and the term eustress go hand-in-hand. See, Mark suffered a great distress. After 34 years in
      construction, he retired with the dream of enjoying the rest of his life. Unfortunately, Mark’s health took a turn for the
      worse, leaving his family and friends questioning if there would be a positive outcome.





      When I see Mark at an event and something happens to his car, Mark handles it very well. When Mark did not make it
      into the Goodguys Duel in the Desert Shootout last year, he was bummed, but not overly upset. He took advantage of
      being disqualified and entered the Camaro into the show, winning the Pros Pic Award. Regardless what happens, Mark
      makes sure that his automotive hobby remains a eustress. Yes, Mark has to take it easy when racing due to his heart
      condition and sometimes he pushes beyond his physical limits, but the concept of engaging in a hobby is a positive
      influence in Mark’s life.





      Though it can be very frustrating working on a car and extremely stressful to prepare for an upcoming race, no one is
      getting paid a ridiculous amount of money at the end of the day. We engage in the pro-touring community and attend
      pro-touring race events because we enjoy doing so. In a sense, Mark’s participation has most likely helped his health in
      some ways.





      When I asked Mark what advice he would give to those looking to join our community and come out to race, his first
      comment was “there is no need to be talented or have a car that is capable.” As a spectator, many would say this is
      absolutely not true. As a driver who has been racing Goodguys events for nine years, I can remember when most of the
      participants were not all that great of drivers with cars that weren’t capable of a whole lot, especially when you compare
      it to today’s group of people are cars. Don’t get me wrong, some of those drivers who helped start the pro-touring race
      scene had a great amount of experience in other forms of racing, but put them on an autocross track and we all looked
      ridiculous, knocking down a bunch of cones while our cars pushed like crazy around the track. It took time to learn about
      autocross and years to expand product lines that offered competitive parts for pro-touring racers. I could agree that it is
      hard for spectators to come out and participate in an almost stock vehicle with little-to-no autocross experience, especially
      when they watch some of these competitive drivers come out and dominate the event. Yet look at Mark Allen and his 1967
      Camaro. Mark is an extremely talented driver with a beautiful and well equipped car, but he does not come to these race
      events with only one goal, to win. He comes out because he loves seeing his friends, meeting new people and occupying
      his time at the autocross rather than sitting beside his car in a grassy field for three days.





      Mark followed his previous comment with another word of advice. “Just a love of cars and the desire to have fun is all you
      need to start racing. After all, that’s where I started. All involved will assist you on achieving whatever level you can push
      yourself to.” (Mark) While at a Goodguys event, Mark is usually surrounded by friends and family. If you come across
      Mark in the pits, he almost always has a smile on his face and spends a good amount of his time talking to anyone that
      will listen (which is not a bad thing). He goes out to a Goodguys events, tries his best and makes the most out of his time
      there. Mark embodies the true passion for the community and the sport and it shows, especially at these events.





      I was lucky enough to have dinner with Mark, Jenny, their daughter Natalie and soon-to-be son-in-law Chris. Unlike
      Goodguys Del Mar, there was no huge crowd, big buffet or cornhole boards scattered in the RV lot. I can truly say that it
      was one of the best evenings I have had in a very long time. None of our vehicles were working properly and the day
      hadn’t gone as planned, but we were able to get together regardless the circumstances and have an amazing evening
      laughing, sharing memories and telling old stories. Personally I would rather have spent my evening with the Allen family
      than wrenching on my truck to get it to go faster. When you think about it, isn’t that what this sport is truly about?





      I asked Mark who he would like to thank. Mark’s family was first on his list. It is amazing to watch the support that Jenny,
      Natalie and Chris give Mark during a Goodguys autocross. At times the whole family would venture over to the C10R to
      check how I was doing during the Scottsdale event. More often than not, I was overly frustrated with the truck and not be
      in the best of moods. Their positive energy would rub off, helping me acknowledge my negative attitude. Have you ever
      tried to stay mad while surrounded by positive people? It is extremely hard to maintain that negative attitude, especially
      around Mark Allen and his family. Mark also recognized his friends and the pro-touring community. The opportunity to
      meet new people, make new friends and enjoy life is important to Mark. After all he has been through, making the most
      out of the time left is Mark’s ultimate goal.





      Mark has been part of the pro-touring community long before most others started to race at these Goodguys events. He
      has seen the evolution of the sport over the years and can probably remember a time when there were only about a dozen
      cars at Goodguys Scottsdale lined up against the back fence ready to hit the autocross. Though the sport has evolved and
      much has changed, Mark continues to participate in these events, regardless if he wins or if he has the fastest car out on
      track. He simply comes out because he enjoys this hobby and loves being surrounded by family and friends.





      So in the end, I think Mark is on to something that many of us need to remember. Maybe it isn’t all about winning or who
      was faster or how well we did. Though many of us may be focused only on the race, making changes to go faster or
      constantly checking who is in first place, spectators are watching whether we acknowledge it or not. They can see if we
      are having fun, if we are struggling and frustrated or when we are having a bad day. Our emotions as drivers influence
      those around us.





      Unfortunately, this is not NASCAR and most of us are not famous race car drivers. Our races are typically not televised
      and there’s not a big paycheck at the end of the day. Our sport allows for anyone to join, regardless their level of expertise
      or their vehicle. That is what sets us apart from other types of motorsports. What we do is a hobby and it is a passion.
      Those like Mark Allen remind me of that everyday. As I struggled to fix my truck and get a faster in Scottsdale, Mark was
      a good reminder to stop, relax and enjoy what was around me. Sometimes life has different plans for us, so enjoy what
      you are doing today and look forward to the opportunities of tomorrow. If you forget this, as I have done in the past, I
      don’t think Mark will mind if you use him as a reminder of what this sport it truly about.





      After 20 stints and a lot of hospital visits, Mark is still going strong and continues to race at the local Goodguys Scottsdale
      autocross events. We look forward to watching Mark continue his automotive and racing passion and can’t wait to see him
      out at the next Goodguys Scottsdale show.








      1967 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS

      ENGINE: 540 C.I.


      ENGINE DETAILS: Shafiroff built with a Merlin block, Dart pro series heads breathing through an Edlebrock air gap
      intake with a Demon 1,050 CFM carb. Lemon’s built headers expel the gases while MSD distributor with a 6AL box provide
      the fire.


      HORSEPOWER / TORQUE: 730 Horse - 728 ft lbs


      TRANSMISSION: D&D built Tremec 6 speed built to Viper specs


      CLUTCH: 11” McCleod


      EXHAUST: 3” exhaust passes through MagnaFlow mufflers


      DIFFERENTIAL: DSE built fab 9 narrowed 2” from stock with 3.73 posi. DSE sub frame connectors with their mini tub
      kit and 3” drop leaf springs round up the rear end.


      BRAKES: DSE front sub frame no.3 with Baer disc brakes front and rear. ABS Power Brakes supplied the electric assisted
      power master cylinder and booster.


      WHEELS: Boze Forged with 17” x 9 in front and 18” x 11.5 rear with custom SS center caps.


      TIRES: BFG G-Force Rival 245-40-R17 Front / 315-30-R18 Rear


      BODY / PAINT: Completed by Matt Myers with Kandy Shop Creations in Mesa, Arizona. Done is House of Kolor True Blue
      Pearl with custom blended gray/silver accents.


      INTERIOR: Completed by Tooter Weaver Upholstery in Mesa, Arizona. Done in a gray pleather with blue accents.


      GAUGES: Autometer installed into modified stock locations.


      SEATS: Modified originals


      OTHER MODIFICATIONS: Stereo installed by KarTunes in Tempe, Arizona. Sony deck with JIL amps, Memphis speakers
      including an 8” sub woofer mounted in the trunk.


      AWARDS:
      2010 Super Chevy Gold win
      2010 Goodguys March Scottsdale Street Machine win
      2010 Goodguys Colorado Finalist for Muscle Machine of the Year
      2013 Goodguys Southwest Nationals Cool Camaro Award
      2014 Goodguys Duel in the Desert Finalist
      2015 Goodguys Scottsdale Pros Pic win






      Mark Allen's 1967 Camaro in 2008



      1967 Camaro during the 2009 Show/ Race Season



      Mark Allen's 1967 Camaro in 2010



      2015 Duel in the Desert Shootout qualifying laps



      2016- As Mark Allen's 1967 Camaro sits today








      Brandy Morrow Phillips
      Site Contributor

      WWW.PRO-TOURING.COM

      Follow me for the latest event news on Pro-Touring.com

    2. #2
      Join Date
      Mar 2010
      Location
      Gilbert Az
      Posts
      8
      Country Flag: United States
      You are so awesome Brandy as a writer a mother a driver and a friend. Thank you so much for wonderful words and for letting us crash yours and Robs party when we come over unannounced. I love the article.

    3. #3
      Join Date
      Nov 2008
      Location
      Lawrenceburg, TN
      Posts
      4,083
      Country Flag: United States
      great write up about a awesome dude I'm just lucky to know!

    4. #4
      Join Date
      Jun 2005
      Location
      Surprise, AZ
      Posts
      168
      Country Flag: UK
      Great write up Brandy, about a great man and great family, its an honor to call you guys friends.

      68 Firebird 400, 325 cfm Edelbrock heads, .628" solid roller, TKO 600 w/3.73's, Ridetech TruTurn and 4 link with HQ coil overs, Hotchkis Swaybars, Guldstrand mod, Baer 12" PBR 4wdb, Detroit Speed Subframe Connectors, 18x9.5 & 18x12 Apex EC-7's.

    5. #5
      Join Date
      May 2015
      Location
      Nashville, TN
      Posts
      99
      Country Flag: United States
      Great story! Mark is an amazing friend and competitor who brings so much to our community.

    6. #6
      Join Date
      Aug 2012
      Location
      Peoria, AZ
      Posts
      1,758
      Country Flag: United States
      I have never met Mark before but I now feel like I know him at least a little from reading Brandy's story. Would love to meet and get to know you better in person some day Mark.
      Lance
      1985 Monte Carlo SS Street Car

    7. #7
      Join Date
      Aug 2010
      Location
      now In Dandridge, Tn.
      Posts
      1,301
      Country Flag: United States
      Great guy, with a wonderful and supporting family. I have to tell a little story to shed some more light on marks passion for cars and life. A few years ago in Scottsdale we were in the campground area and met Mark and his family. He really welcomed us into his group of friends. Later that weekend I was helping him with the Camaro on the Auto-x track and after some runs and watching him run, I went for a ride with him. To say that a 650 + HP big block is a handfull on the track is an understatement, and the throttle pedal he had made it even harder. At the end of the run we stopped in the box, and Mark reached into the ashtray and pulled out a pill bottle and put a nitro tab under his tongue. - this kinda freaked me out - "Wow, that gets me really excited" he said. He must have been more alive at that moment than most of us ever get to be. The smile never leaves his face all day, and no matter what obstacle is blocking his progress, he just calmly works around it. I did drive the car a few times, and learned that Mark has some pretty good skills wheeling all that torque. Thanks Brandy for doing this story on such a deserving family. Hope to see you soon Mark.

    8. #8
      Join Date
      Mar 2010
      Location
      Gilbert Az
      Posts
      8
      Country Flag: United States
      Thank you Lance looking forward to meeting you someday. Love your car

    9. #9
      Join Date
      Mar 2010
      Location
      Gilbert Az
      Posts
      8
      Country Flag: United States
      Thank you so much Rob.that was a great weekend and I can not thank you enough for all your wonderful advice. BTW not sure if you heard Crosby now is working on our Nomax.

    10. #10
      Join Date
      Nov 2013
      Location
      Casa Grande, Az
      Posts
      98
      Country Flag: United States
      Congratulations Mark! Great write up Brandi. Great talking to you both at Goodguys. I hope to see you at more events.

      Mike







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