Oregon Region at the 2019 Solo Nationals

Lacey Otis

Well another SCCA Nationals Solo Championship week has come and gone. The Oregon Region was able to send out a handful of racers to chase the elusive red jacket back in Lincoln, NE. With 1274 racers taking times during the week, obtaining that red jacket is a daunting task to be sure. Even coming home with a trophy in fields of over 50 drivers is a great feat. HOT, HOT weather greeted the driver as they arrived in Lincoln for the 4 day event. Temperatures in the mid 90’s, the racers took to two 60+ second courses there would test both man and machine. Tire maintenance would be a key element throughout the week, with many searching to find ways to keep the tires cool between runs.


In A-Street, Dan Bullis put down a blistering first run that would have him in the lead of the largest class at Nats, 71 cars strong. By the end of the first day, that time would hold up to have him standing in second place, just .183 back. On Day two, he was unable to find the speed necessary to stay on the podium, falling back to claim a well-earned 5th place. Trophy.


DS was posed a tough challenge as the Civic Type R seemed to be the car to have. Ryan Otis took on the open field of 53 drivers in his Focus RS. After a day one where fast times, and a tricky course would prove difficult for many racers, Ryan found himself mired back in the pack sitting 14th in class. A tire brand change overnight, and the car came to life allowing Ryan to put down a blistering quick day 2 time, notching him 4th place in the field. While on the ladies side, his lovely wife Lacey found the Type R Civic to be just as frustrating. Lacey though would find herself sitting in a great spot sitting second on day one, and was able to continue that momentum on day two holding off a tough field of ladies to keep her second place trophy, and a spot on the podium.


Street Mod saw an extremely fast group of racers take to the two courses. Our own Dallas Cutler in his SSB Designs Mitsubishi Evo secured a speedy co-driver to put in the car to warm tires for him, and the move looked to pay off. After day one, both SSB drivers found themselves sitting first and second with Dallas holding on to a narrow .167 lead. On day two, the script would flip as the hot shoe tire warming for Dallas would put down a time that proved too tough to beat. While it still being a SSB top two finish, Dallas would end up just .735 back to claim second on the podium.


CAM-C would find the final trophy winner for the region, James Paulson.  37 cars would take time in the Classic American Muscle field, comprised of mostly Mustangs, Camaros, and an oddball Cadillac. Day one saw James in a fairly under prepped Mustang, cling to tough second place with just .241. ON day tow, James was able to close that margin, but wound up falling short to the class campion by a scant .125.


All in all, it was a great week with many new memories being made by all who showed up. Lincoln possess a great challenge for those of us from the PNW. A surface we don’t see unless traveling to Cali, temperatures and humidity now commonly found locally, and a level of drivers and competition that is outstanding.  S0 a huge congratulation to all who showed up and made the region proud.


Driver and class finishes
AS- Dan Bullis – 5th , AS- Tom Kotzian – 55th ,  DS- Ryan Otis- 4th, DSL-Lacey Otis- 2nd, SSC- Andy Howe- 42nd, STX- Cassidy Coghlin- 31st, STX- Rio Rios- 34th, SM- Dallas Cutler- 2nd, CAM-C- James Paulson- 2nd, CAM-C- Danielle Paulson- 34th,

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James Paulson