How did you get started with SCCA?

In the Fall of 1985 I read a magazine article praising SCCA’s success in its first year of competition with the purpose-built Spec Racer. I shared the article with a partner at work who also had an interest in cars. Our search led us to SCCA and their Customer Service Reps at Tracer Racing in  Modesto. We bought a car kit and joined SCCA.

While building the car the inevitable question arose. Who was going to drive?  We bought a second car! Then a stacking trailer, a dually to pull it and a motorhome for use as team headquarters while at the track. Gold Star Racing was born.

What is your current position?

Around 1991 I started getting interested in Stewarding followed by a desire to make things better. I was elected to the Board of Directors in 1998. In 2000 I became Regional Executive, a position I held until I was elected to the National Board of Directors in 2006. My first two years on the National Board I served as Vice-Chairman. The following two years I was elected to the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors. I termed out in 2011.

I returned to region politics in 2014 when I was elected to the region board once again, a position I hold currently. During all of this time I continued to volunteer as a steward both regionally and at the National Runoffs. The most fun was working as the Chief Pace Car Driver at the Runoffs.

What do you I like about the SCCA?

We all have choices in life and the freedom to use our discretionary time doing something we enjoy. Growing up as a “car guy” I found SCCA fulfilled that desire to do something fun and exciting. And like most of us, while it was the cars that drew us in, it is the wonderful like-minded people that have kept me doing it for some 30 plus years.

Why do you like volunteering?

First and foremost, SCCA is a club. The club is made up of people who enjoy motorsports. These are the folks that I enjoy being around and socializing with. As a leader in the club I feel an obligation of keeping the fun quotient high. There are times when I question my sanity. But as frustrating as I might feel at the end of the racing season, by the time driver’s school starts looming on the horizon, I find my enthusiasm being rejuvenated once again. This is the cycle of life I have chosen for myself and I can honestly say I have no regrets.

Thank You!

RJ thank you so much for all you do for the club whether it be stewarding at a local race or working on the National SCCA Board you have made a tremendous contribution to the club over the years.