February 2005

Name: Chang Ho Kim
Age: 39
City/State:  Maynard, MA
Profession:  Automobile repair shop owner
Children:  KimSoo Gopnik, born 1/12/03

What year did you first start autocrossing? And what car was it? 

1990, 87 Ford Thunderbird Turbocoupe, GS

What is your current daily driver?

90 Civic GSR, revalve Koni, Ground Control

What kind of car did you compete with in 2004, what class , and what
are its particular strong suits in your opinion? 

Two cars, 91 Civic Si, HS, 89 Civic Si, STX.  Reliable and bullet proof.

What will you be competing with in the ’05 season? 

89 Civic Si, STX

What tire will you be using in ’05, and why? 

Kumho Ecsta MX, they are supporting the sport with contingency

What SCCA National Event’s do your prefer, National Tours or Pro
Solo’s? 

Pro Solo are my thing

Would you like to see the National’s in Topeka on Asphalt, or Concrete?
Why? 

Asphalt would be good since that is what we run on locally.

How much of the sport do you think is attributed to driver skill vs.
car setup? 

Both are important.  You cant win unless you have the right setup and the right skills.

What is it about autocrossing that keeps you interested? 

The people that I meet and the challenge of a new course at every event.

Do you constantly critique yourself during your runs, after each run or
after the event? 

Usually after each run to figure out where I went too fast and where I went too slow.

Do you see yourself looking ahead enough during a run; do you talk out
loud in your car during the run? 

I usually don’t look far enough ahead, definitely something I am working on.

How do you feel after a fast, clean run? 

The adrenaline is pumping and I feel great.

Would you consider expanding your skills to wheel to wheel racing? 

No

What techniques do you use to memorize the course? 

I chunk the course into segments.

What trophies or titles have you won? And in what car were they in? 

6th, 85 CRX Si, ES, 1998 Solo II Nationals
4th, 88 CRX Si,  DS, 2001 Solo II Nationals
9th, 89 Civic Si, STX, 2004 Solo II Nationals
1st, 91 Civic Si, HS, 2004 NEDivs
1st, 91 Civic Si, HS, 2003 ProSolo Finale

What is your primary goal for the 2005 season?

Have fun in STX

If you could have ANY autocross ride imaginable, what would it be and
why? 

AM, it would be fun to fly a wing.

What do you enjoy doing when not racing? 

Spending time with my wife and daughter and working at my shop is a close second.

Have you attended any Evolution Driving School? If YES, what Phase, and
what mostly did you learn that you keep practicing?

Phase I and II, looking ahead.

What is your favorite-

Food-  icecream

Drink-  water

TV Show-  West Wing

Movie-  Top Gun

Music/band-  Boston

Car-  Honda S2000

Sport-   Autocrossing

Autox Site-  Devens in Ayer, MA