September 2020 President’s Message

I hope that we find you all well with this month’s dR. With heatwaves, fires, and continued health concerns and gathering restrictions due to the pandemic, it seems 2020 just continues to dish out challenges. Social distancing has not only made it more difficult to have our normal social interactions, it has made staying in touch in times of crisis more difficult too. If you have been or are currently being negatively impacted by all that is happening and need help…or just want someone to listen, as your club president, I would like to hear from you. By ourselves, troubles can seem insurmountable, but together we can meet any challenge; “many hands make light work.” Despite our current situationally necessitated “social distance”, you are never alone.

As I mentioned last month, I was looking forward to competing in Series 5 of PCA Sim Racing beginning on September 4th. I am happy to report that the season jumped off with a bang (pun intended) with race one at the virtual Laguna Seca, and race two just completed on September 11th at the virtual MoSport. I am competing in the PCA Sport class. The competition is fierce, the participants are fast…I mean like, humbling fast, and it is amazingly fun participating. I’ve learned so much in just two races, and can’t wait to gauge my improvement at the end of the season.

If you have any interest in racing as a participant or as a spectator, and have not yet checked out the PCA Sim Racing sessions, I urge you to do so. Their immersive nature just might surprise you. There are some easy ways for you participate as a spectator, even long after a race has concluded:

Race 1 @ Laguna Seca on September 4, 2020

Official Podium eSports YouTube Broadcast links:

PCA Challenge
PCA Sport
PCA Club
PCA Pro

Link to my “in-car” video of the race: https://youtu.be/qxoobmvpmYw

Race 2 @ MoSport on September 11, 2020

Official Podium eSports YouTube Broadcast links:

PCA Challenge
PCA Sport
PCA Club
PCA Pro

Link to my “in-car” video of the race: https://youtu.be/-AA5oMLV8E8

If you think you might be interested in participating, or at least exploring what it might take to get set up, please don’t be shy. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned, and to help you in any way I can. We need more Zone 7 folks competing, and as has been true with auto-cross in the past, Redwood Region has the capacity to lead the way!

Thank you, be well, and stay safe out there!