10/21/2003 - Reflections on the 2003 season
This has been a great year to be racing a Saturn! In nearly every aspect of motorsports, Saturn cars are coming out on top - winning championships and setting new records. Saturn drivers reached several milestones during the 2003 season:
1) A Saturn Ion demolishes the previous top speed record in the G/BALT class on the Bonneville Salt Flats by setting an average 212 mph speed run. The previous record held by a Honda Civic was 183 mph. For pictures and more, check out SaturnFans Forums or The Auto Channel.
212 miles per hour!! Buh bye, Honda!
2) A Saturn SC2 takes top honors in the SCCA's Showroom Stock C class. Mike Kramer and the Thundersport Racing team dominated this year's Runoffs and managed to score a first ever National title for a Saturn in Showroom Stock C. While Saturn was viewed by some as not being competitive for the class, Mike's victory certainly showcased the true potential of the platform. Check out the Thundersport Racing website for more on the team and their record-breaking season.
3) Lisa Kubo and Saturn Motorsports break new ground in the Drag Racing World. By running an 8.03 et in the quarter mile, Lisa Kubo and the Saturn Motorsports Team are raising eyebrows in the typically Honda-dominated drag world. We knew big things would be coming from Lisa and the team but they have definitely hit the ground running. Take a look at the details HERE from Saturn Motorsports.
4) Jamin Cummings and Dale Seeley win the compact class in One Lap of America in a '97 SC2. Take a car with almost 200,000 miles on it, drive it 3000 miles across the country in one week's time, and stop along the way to compete at a dozen or so racetracks. And all the while - spraying an ENORMOUS amount of nitrous oxide. The race is a test of longevity, durability, and sleep deprivation - and Jamin & Dale drove the SC2 to victory. This is the third year in a row that a Saturn has taken first place in this very competitive class. Visit Jamin's website and read about their One Lap experience.
5) Team scR scores 9 podium finishes! In an
impressive season, the combined efforts of James Walker, John Comeskey and Mark Rushbrook
managed to rack up
quite an array of fine finishes for the 2003 season. They overcame chasis setbacks,
uninvited on-track contact, and a few mechanical gremlins to put together one heck of a
racing season! Check out Team scR's fall newsletter for details on their 2003 season
HERE.
6) The club's very own Saturn SC2 takes top honors in the SCCA's CENDIV Improved Touring A class. The SPC / GF Racing Team's season may be over but the heady feel of victory is still with us. After top-to-bottom preparation solely by SPC volunteers, we managed to score a victory in our maiden race. Immediately backing that up with 3 more victories and two second place finishes allowed us to finish at the top of the CENDIV points race for the 2003 season. Another first for a Saturn in the CENDIV ITA world. Racing a Saturn in the Improved Touring class is no easy feat, as others who do so will attest. Racing and winning 4 times and taking 2nd place twice over the course of our team's first season is an accomplishment that any multi-car team would be happy with. Our single car entry has managed to tally this fantastic record through the hard work, dedication, and preparation of all its team members and volunteers. Check out this site's Racing section for full details on the car and the our club's racing program, and click HERE for the full final points standings.
We'd like to take some time to thank those who have supported us this year:
The folks from Hoosier Tire know that without great tires you're going nowhere fast. Their tires have performed very well; and their generous contingency has netted us several free tires and partial credit for a few more. Thanks to Hoosier for the skins!
SPS in Dayton, OH has also helped satisfy our quest for the driveline and powertrain parts that made our car a championship contender. A big thanks to John C. and his team of Saturn performance experts who were gracious enough to help us out, even though we are competitors once the green flag drops.
The SPC Volunteer Corp ruled. Without the help of countless volunteers, this project would never have been possible. For everybody who has turned a nut, scraped tarry goo, applied decals, washed & waxed, taken tire temperatures, or just stood around in the garage providing moral support, a huge THANK YOU. An additional THANK YOU goes to the collective group of wives, girlfriends, husbands, and boyfriends who allowed us all to go the racetrack and play with cars.
In nearly every form, from 124 horsepower SCCA Showroom Stock motors to 1000+ horsepower drag racing motors, and through every generation, 94 SC2, 97 SC2 and 02 Ion; the Saturn platform has shown itself to be not only competitive, but of championiship caliber. From road racing to drag racing and top speed runs, Saturns are quickly picking up accolades. To those of you out there who aren't sure if you should get into motorsports, let these examples be your guide. You can take your car, compete with it, and win.
2004 is also looking to be an even bigger year! The Bonneville Salt Flats team are looking for that extra mile an hour or two to raise the bar even higher. Mike Kramer and Thundersport Racing are looking to back up their national title. The SPC / GF Racing Team will be even faster next year and looking to back up their CENDIV title. Lisa Kubo wants to break into the 7's and will be the first Saturn to ever do so! Team scR is hungry for more podium finishes and will certainly be looking to give the SPC / GF Team a good run for our money next year. Check back in the future for details on 2004 season preparation and our upcoming schedule. If you are interested in helping us either at the track or in the garage please drop us an e-mail.
Thanks again to everybody for a great racing season.
The SPC
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