updated 7/14/08
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August is posted |
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Don Slevin, Pres. 845-510-4110 dslevin@fyscomputers.com |
June 2004
I picked Brian who is my co-driver and owner of the S2000 I currently drive, as his improvement over the last few years has gained him a few National event Trophies and someone to watch in the future. He is a great co-driver to work with, being the engineer that he is, he is always analyzing everything, and that helps us both..
I met Brian at a Porsche Club event as I was doing my usual walking around with my helmet looking for a ride. I walked up to him and just asked him if I could co-drive with you and I told him I would be easy on the car, he said "sure, no problem, it's just a car" So from that day on, we are now LJB Racing..........
Name: Brian Conners
Age: 38
City/State: Voorhees, NJ
Profession: President of Safe Disposal Systems
Scrap Processing / Refrigerant Recycling
- What year did you first get interested in (or start) autocrossing?
My first experience was in college with an
86 RX7. I went to one event in college and won a novice trophy my first time
out. I only went the one time but always wanted to go back. Then in 2001 I
bought an S2000 and after owning it for a couple of weeks I knew I needed an
outlet to have fun in this car. The street was just too dangerous. So I
searched out the SCCA and started autocrossing.
- What kind of car do you compete with, what class do you compete in, and what are its particular strong suits in your opinion?
I
compete in a Honda S2000 that has moved from AS to BS. I have limited
experience with other cars but the characteristics that impress me the most
are the S2000's initial turn in, ability to rotate, and braking. All three of
these strong suits can hurt you in competition before they can help you. Once
sorted out and under control the S2000 is an incredible car to drive.
- How much of the sport do you think is attributed to driver skill vs. car setup?
This
is a topic of much debate and really depends on a specific situation (stock
categories vs.. prepared) If a car is poorly setup and the driver has to
continually fight the car he cannot win. But, a well setup car cannot win
without superior driving skills. I
will say that the sport is heavily reliant on driver skills and without them
you will not win, even in the best car.
.
- What is it about autocrossing that keeps you interested?
There
are three things that keep me coming back. First it's the people. The
friendships and fun at an event are really something special in this sport.
Most sports become so competitive that the fun is driven out, it's different
with autocross. Secondly, is the extremely high level of competition at the
National level that never seems to reach the cutthroat level. Lastly its
the adrenalin rush. Coming back from a 45 second run and your hands are
trembling from the pucker factor is just plain addictive.
- Do you constantly critique yourself during your runs or after the event?
Every
time! I'm always looking at three things.
1.
Was I as fast as I could be in the fast parts
2. Was
I as slow as I should of been in the slow parts
3. Did
I take shortest route through the course.
- How do you feel after a fast, clean run ?
That the best 5 minutes in the world, then
Perry buries it by .5 second and it's all over. I'm working on that. Can you
hear my footsteps??
- Would you consider expanding your skills to wheel to wheel racing?
Its
sounds like fun and I might take a stab at Spec Miata but for now I'm
focused on Autocross.
- Have you ever tried to get a company to sponsor you? Were you successful?
I
don't think autocross offers great exposure for a corporation that doesn't
sell something directly to autocrossers, so I've never tried.
In a
way winning tires and money at ProSolo's and Tours is a sponsorship. So, LJB
Racing has Hoosier, Honda and Hawk as sponsors.
- Is it only the driving aspect that entices you to go autocrossing?
Absolutely not, if that was it I think wheel to wheel racing would be much
more appealing. Think about it, 6 minutes of racing over a weekend and
spending thousands of dollars a year. Its more than driving.
- What trophies or titles have you won?
Well,
its tough to win when you drag one of the best drivers in the country with you
to every event. But before I teamed up with Perry I won the PA State
Championship in AS in 2001 and finished 1st in Philly Region AS in 2001.
Those wins were more a factor of the lack of competition than driving skill.
My
best trophy to date was 03' DC tour. 4rth behind Mike Soloman, Pat Salerno
and Perry.
My
best run was the '02 National Championship North Course. Finished 9th that
day in front of some very talented drivers. Sad thing was I gave it all back
on the South Course.
- What is your primary goal for the 2004 season?
Two
goals this year.
1. Trophy at Nationals
2.
Beat Perry at a National event (coning all three runs doesn't count)
- If you could have ANY autocross ride imaginable, what would it be and why?
Lotus
Elise
There
are three aspects to autocross when it comes to cars.
1.
Acceleration
2. Handling
3.
Braking
When I
evaluate what I want in a car I would rate Handling first , braking second and
acceleration third. I think the Lotus Elise will be best performing stock
vehicle in handling and braking. The acceleration will be exceptional but
other cars will easily out accelerate an Elise (Anything with 400 hp and big
tires will win that race hands down)
If the
SAC and the SEB class the Lotus in SuperStock I think next year will be very
exciting. The Z06, C6 and Elise will make for great competition as they all
take a very different approach to making a sports car.