January 2022

I have taken pictures of Joe’s RX7 since 2002. Joe has been running his RX7 car since his first event, this car still looks as it came out of the showroom today. It’s great to see people like Joe who loves to autox and doesn’t get tired of running his beautiful RX7.

Name: Joe Caffey

Age: Classified

City/State: Blue Bell, PA

Profession: retired lawyer and former USAF fighter pilot (27 years in the Air National Guard based at Wilow Grove NAS)

Daily Driver: 2016 Audi A3 convertible (when my wife lets me) and 2008 Mazda6 V6

Are you the original owner of the RX7? Yes. The first mod was adjustable shocks. The car has 185,000 miles on it but installed a remanufactured 1990 motor and turbo at 156,000 miles. The rotors in 1990 were slightly lighter, producing an extra 20 horsepower.

What made you choose to buy the RX7? Drove a friend’s 1979 model (new at the time) and immediately fell in love with it . Bought my first RX in 1980.

Why #43? Was a big fan of Richard Petty.

Have you ever run it in Stock form? Yes. The first couple of years I started autocrossing I ran in A stock.

How did you get started in Autox? I was working as general counsel for a startup company and we had a guy who had a mobile oil change business. He thought I would enjoy it being an old fighter pilot.

When was your first event in the RX7 and where? 1998 at Camden. After the race, announced to my wife who was with me that I thought I had a problem i.e. I was hooked. How many different classes has it run in? AS, ASP, BSP, and BP.

What was your first exposure to motorsports and at what age? Grand National (now Nascar) racing at the old Langhorne speedway. I was 16.

What do you wish someone had told you when you started? Always look ahead!

The scariest moment as a driver? Never had one but quite a few flying fighters. (We would love to hear these)

Do you use a data logger/Video? No

If you could pick anyone’s AutoX car to run locally with Philly SCCA next year for one event? My friend (Bob Gill) a fellow competitor’s M3

What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of motorsports?  lifting weights and driving a school bus

What would be your ultimate autox Car? I’m driving it. A classic car for an antique driver.

Favorite:

Food?Drink (alcoholic)? Martini – “shakened not stirred”

Vacation Spot? Cape May

Philly AutoX Site you have run? All but Philly Mills. Camden was the best (big and nearby), Wells Fargo is my current favorite. Warminster (UGH!) so monotonous.

PS: Tell Simmons it’s not for sale, “not yet”