June 2018 Member Spotlight – John O’Donnell

June 2018 Member Spotlight – John O’Donnell

Name (yours not the car’s):
John O’Donnell

Car(s) presently owned (and their name[s]?):
2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue – The Rocinante (“MCRN Tachi”) from The Expanse.
2006 Ford Mustang Coupe in Screaming Yellow – “Old Yeller”.

Years Owned:
Subaru – Five months. I bought it with 23,900 miles on the odometer.
Mustang – Six Years.

Modifications (i.e.interior/exterior, engine, chassis):
I think I own the only unmodified BRZ in Portland.
BRZ Series Blue is a 1,000-vehicle limited edition model equipped with the STI body kit, 6-speed, blue leather trim, navigation, heated seats and the 17×7.0 black STI wheels with contrasting red brake calipers.
Installed a set of new Solo Spec Coupe (SSC) Falken 225/45 R17 Azenis RT615K+ tires which also works for DS, the Solo class I am in. Not quite the dry grip of class leader Potenza RE’71’s but I love the value pricing.

How long have you been racing, and what types of racing do you do?
Started Autocross at the last OR SCCA event of 2012 and enjoyed two summers (2012-2013) of NHRA team Bracket racing at the Woodburn Dragstrip in my Yellow ‘06 Ford Mustang 5-spd coupe. I have been active in Oregon Region SCCA Solo program, Oregon PCA Autocross, Willamette Motor Club and now this year, The Bridge City Autosport’s Autocross program.
I took a break from Solo events in 2017. Like the space program quote in Tom Wolfe’s Right Stuff book – “No Bucks, No Buck Rogers”; in my case, “No Bucks, No Cones”.

 

 

How did you get into autocross?
I saw a flyer for the Oregon Region SCCA Solo in 2012. I liked the concept of challenging myself with agility thru the cones and staying clean. The sport is accessible, generally inexpensive (as long as I stay away from the Mod side of the Solo Force) and the folks are very nice. Each Autocross event is like a mini car show with a few exotic cars coming out to play with the mortals.

How do you get focused before/during an event?
My check-list: Wash the car, ¼ tank the gas, torque wrench lugs to 89-lbs, apply correct magnetic numbers for the club, air the tires, raise the rearview mirror out of the way, walk the course three times. At every start: Traction off, a/c off, keep head up, eyes down course, hands apart at 10-2, no late braking on the Chicago boxes and try to keep smooth, small motions with my quick ratio steering wheel. Remember the Subaru is a scalpel, not a steak knife like my old Mustang. Smooth is fast. Carry momentum, modulate throttle, leave it in 2nd gear soon after my start and try not to forget everything I previously learned in the SCCA Starting Line and Evolution Performance Schools (did I forget anything Tom Kotzian?).

What future plans do you have for your racing career (new car, new mods, new types of racing, etc.)?
Continue to improve my driving skills and PAX rankings in DS. Very excited seeing the 2018 BCA event #4 PAX standings and achieving my first ever 9th PAX overall out of 65 drivers and only 1.400 seconds behind the #1 PAX driver John Juhring’s wicked STR Miata (yes – Miata is the answer to the Solo question).
After living through years of the SCCA Mod class route and a 2” binder full of part invoices and service receipts for the Mustang chasing STX (2012-2013), then ESP (2014), then STU (2015), then the new STP class (2016). I finally figured out I wanted a stock BRZ DS car and will leave Solo Spec Coupe (SSC) modifications to the future; and only after I win a $2,000 scratch-off ticket to fund those “inexpensive” SSC suspension parts at Tire Rack.
This year’s goal is to run all four local clubs and hit as many events as my schedule permits. No parts bought = more money for driver training, my new tires, and some Autocross season passes. I will strive to push myself to be a better driver each time out and improve my skills closer to ½ the capabilities of my stock BRZ.

Outside of racing:

Where are you from, and how did you end up in Oregon/Washington?
Raised in Cheney, WA. Both parents were Officer’s in the Air Force Strategic Air Command. I have lived and worked in Portland area since 1983. I currently reside near the Bridgeport Village Mall in Tigard, OR and work as an IT Operations Manager for the Bonneville Power Administration.

Do you have a favorite hobby outside of racing?
Movies and Music. I preview new movie screenings before release. Favorite TV shows: Billions, The Expanse, Animal Kingdom. Recent live rock concerts: Chicago, Don Henley, Elton John, Sting, Styx, Roger Waters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billy Idol, and Steely Dan.

What is/are your favorite food(s)?
Grilling on the BBQ – Swordfish, Chicken, Beef and Scallops or Shrimp wrapped in Bacon with grilled asparagus. I grill year-round. We also do wine tasting and are members of the Duck Pond Wineries.

The favorite car that you have owned?
My BRZ by far. My first car was a grey ‘72 Datsun 510 coupe my dad bought me at the tender age of 17, just 3 weeks before I left for college. It cost $500 and had a blown engine. We pulled an engine from a local salvage yard, installed it in our garage and then I drove it to college. This was a great experience with my Dad. I wish I had that Datsun 510 back or my second car, my 69’ Firebird 400/345 hp 4bbl ram air iv. w/ 4spd and hood tach.

Your dream car(s)?
2018 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS and a bonus class prepped Miata (the answer for Solo right?). If I wanted to be Steve McQueen cool, I’d take a 2019 Mustang Bullitt (in Highland Green of course).

Fact(s) that you are dying to share about you?
I have two children. My daughter is at University studying to be a Professional Opera singer and my son is a Commercial Pilot for Cape Air in Hyannis, MA.

Meaning of life:

If you could be any animal in the world, what animal would you be, and why?
No question, a greyhound. Our pet greyhound is a Kansas rescued racer turning three, named Cato. He is loyal, smart, sleek and handsomely dressed in tuxedo black with white. He can also run at 43 mph and turns on a dime. A perfect dog for Autocross.

What was the best thing before sliced bread?
I try to stay away from bread, but a 4K HDR TV and HDX streaming without commercials. Binge me up Scotty.

We hacked into your computer and downloaded your music list. I don’t want to be the one to spill your most embarrassing song, so why don’t you tell people what we found?
Duran-Duran “Rio” and my work out song Swedish House Mafia “Greyhound”.