May 2004

This month is going to be TWO special people. They have been racing together now for a few years and just recently they got Married. The are  great friends to me and to the whole Autox Community. Congratulations to Mr. Mike "Junior" Johnson and Mrs. Diane Johnson for being great friends and now May's driver of the Month.

Pictures from their Wedding

Diane from the 2002 Nationals.

Mike from the 2003 Nationals

Mike about to take his final run for the 2003 National Championship

Diane Congratulating Mike just after getting drenched for winning the 2003 FS National Championship

 Name:
 Diane Lap... Johnson
 Mike "Junior" Johnson

 Age:
 Diane -34
 Mike - 34 on May 27th

 City/State:
 As of May 27th Richmond, VA
  

 Profession:
 Diane - Nail Technician
 Mike - Residential Construction

  

 • What year did you first get interested in (or start) autocrossing?
 Diane - 1997
 Mike - 1987

 • What kind of car do you compete with, what class do you compete
in,
 and what are its particular strong suits in your opinion?
 Diane -1995 Z-28 in F/S
 Mike - 1995 Z-28 in F/S.  The strong suits are really attributed to
 the bow tie upon the nose... And its ability to leave two black
tracks
 at will......

 • How much of the sport do you think is attributed to driver skill
 vs. car setup?
 Diane - I feel that the sport is really more about skill than set-up.
 Mike - I definitely think that this sport is more about talent than
 car set up.  Having a car that is set up well is awesome, but many
 people just don't know how to do it.  They'll keep messing with the
 car, throwing thousands of dollars at it.  When the only real thing
 the car needs is for someone to tighten the loose nut behind the
 wheel.  The best thing that any autocrosser can do is take an
 Evolution School.  You'll learn more in one day, than in a whole
 season by yourself.

 • What is it about autocrossing that keeps you interested?
 Diane - FRIENDS, FRIENDS, FRIENDS.
 Mike - The Challenge of competition.  I love to try classes that I
 don't normally run in.

 • Do you constantly critique yourself during your runs or after the
 event?
 Diane - Always.
 Mike - Yes, I'll talk to people about them, ask some of my friends
for
 advice.  Most of the time I talk to myself while I'm taking the run.

 • How do you feel after a fast, clean run?
 Diane - Shakey , like a big adrenaline rush.
 Mike - After a good fast CLEAN run, I feel like Bill Murray in Caddy
 Shack.  IT'S IN THE WHOLE!!!!!!!!!

 • Would you consider expanding your skills to wheel to wheel racing?
 Diane - Absolutely not
  Mike - Sure, I'd consider it, but it's to expensive.

 • Have you ever tried to get a company to sponsor you? Were you
 successful?
 Diane - No
 Mike - Not really, I did have an import shop do all of my tire work
 for free when I ran my Civic in 1999.

 • Is it only the driving aspect that entices you to go autocrossing?
 Diane - No, the friend are great, and the Margaritas........
 Mike - No, the friends that I have made autocrossing and teaching are
 awesome.  I look forward to going to every event that I can.  I just
 wish that I could go more often...

 • What trophies or titles have you won? 
 Diane - A couple of Pro Solo class wins, a Third place over-all in
Pro
 Solo L1 in 2002, and the 2003 FSL National Champion
 Mike - I've won quite a few Pro Solo's and National Tours.  Most of
 them in FS, but I've also won in ES and SS.  In 1999 I won a Pro Solo
 Championship in ES*, and the most meaningful title is the 2003 FS
 National Championship.  That was an awesome feeling!!!

 • What is your primary goal for the 2004 season?
 Diane - Hopefully repeat as the FSL National Champion
 Mike - To hopefully repeat as the FS National Champion, and maybe
play
 in some other classes.

 • If you could have ANY autocross ride imaginable, what would it be
 and why?
 Diane - A 2004 anniversary edition Z06.  Cause it's one bad
 bow-tie.....
  Mike - A Z06, cause they are the baddest cars on the planet.  For
the
 money there is nothing like it, and I've been very successful in
 them......

 • What is your official source for all things autocross in the
 Northeast?
 Diane - AUTOX4U.COM
 Mike - AUTOX4U.COM