The winter months is time for “the big Rs” – you know… resting, repairing and wrenching. Unlike a lot of other Clubs, who go into hibernation from November through March, at GTM we’re always going full steam. And this winter – like others before it – did not disappoint. So if you’ve been getting more traditional R&R over the last 5 months, get caught up on what we’ve been up to… and make sure to join us for more exciting events as the season comes into full swing.
New Region-1 (DMV) Co-Chief
2020 officially welcomed Tom W as the replacement for John R who stepped down at the end of 2019 as co-chief of the DMV Region. Tom recently transferred to the DMV from our Southern States Region, and has hit the ground running. He’s worked to rejuvenate our VRL program and stepped up to design Series 11. He’s aided Mike C in organizing Dyno Day and as Tom rounds out the end of Q1, we look forward to more great work as the season progresses! Stay tuned for more DMV region events!
Pinewood Derby
Everyone’s Motorsports career needs to start somewhere! Learn about how one young ladies adventure into racing can remind us all, why we do this.
Virtual Racing League (VRL) – Series 11
If you ignore the long and drawn out Series 10, VRL has been on a hiatus, but with help and thanks to Tom W, we rekindled that fire with Series 11 “the Renunion Tour.” It was dynamic and challenging, and brought us back to our B-SPEC roots. S11 averaged 10 drivers each week and strong competition. Congrats to Jordan F for winning his first Series. We also wanted to congratulate Tania M for achieving the Forza Survivor Award this year. Of her 46 B-SPEC starts, she has completed and competed in 33 of those races (72%; which is more than double anyone else) with the same vehicle: her Eagle Talon, which she developed and tuned in Series 3 of VRL. To quote Tania “it might not be the best, but it’s consistent.”
Now that VRL has regained some much needed momentum, we’re already gearing up for S12, which promises to be the most competitive yet! (CHECK OUT THE SERIES 12 PROMO VIDEO HERE).
VRL Series 12 – “Spec Racers” – COMING SOON!
Rolex-24 hours viewing Party
We had yearned for so long to travel as a group to Rolex. In 2018, we did. In 2020, the Novacks hosted our first annual Rolex 24-hours viewing party. The race had its ups and downs. The C8, well, nvm. But in the end, it was about not watching it alone in your basement, but watching it with friends in someone else’s basement. LOL.
Ski Club
Our skiiers started off in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, ventured up to Maine, and split off to far away places like Tahoe and the Centennial State. And amidst all the shredding, curving, moguling and probably other #skiclub terms you might not know… Tania M was able to send us a review of the all-new 2020 VW Tiguan 4-Motion from the Mountains of Colorado.
DC Auto Show
Local Auto Shows can often be portrayed as “dealer shows” when there isn’t anything new or exciting to see. But the 2020 DC Auto Show was the perfect venue to be able to get up close and personal with vehicles like: the C8 Corvette, Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Toyota Supra. Check out the recap for all the details.
Simeone Foundation
It all started with a documentary. Ford v Ferrari added fuel to the fire. A new found interest in classic cars and recommendations from other club members provided the perfect recipe for a GTM field trip! This time our adventurers took to the Simeone Foundation in nearby Philadelphia, PA. Check out the review!
DIY Weekend
12 #wrenchturners, 2 days, 6 cars and 1 engine pull. Another epic DIY weekend goes down in the history books. Don’t wait to the last minute to prep your car for the season. Next time, enlist the help of fellow GTM club members! Stay tuned for a mid-season DIY weekend!
Dyno Day @ Autofab Racecars
Congrats to Dave V – “Dyno Queen” Award Winner – 1988 Ford “Foxbody” Mustang GT
Various other Spring Events
Unfortunately due to the outbreak of novel coronavirus, aka COVID-19, racing events around the country (Indy, NASCAR, IMSA, etc) were all forced to suspend their events. The next 3 F1 events were canned. Even in the mountains of Argentina… WRC was forced to halt. This also impacted our local area with all the major tracks closing down. SCCA Race & Instructor Schools were cancelled along with many HPDE events. In other news, COTA closed for the rest of the season, and may not reopen! – Stay safe out there.
More photos available in the Vault!
