INTERVIEW WITH A SOLO NATIONALS “100 PERCENTER”

by NICK LINDSAY

What is a “100 Percenter?” If you’ve attended all 51 SCCA Solo Nationals events, you’re in a rare and esteemed club. You’re a “100 Percenter.” At the 2024 (51st) Solo Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska, our own Solo autocross enthusiast and ALSCCA Autocross Program Manager, Nick Lindsay, had the opportunity to interview one of the “100 Percenters” to gain his perspective on the history of the sport and how the competition has evolved over the past 51 years of avoiding the cones and having some fun with cars.

Q: How big was Solo Nationals when it all started?
A: It was less than 400 participants and until 1984 it was only a 2-day event like a national tour is now. Before the SCCA took over Solo Nationals, Kansas City would put on Solo Nationals and make it an open invitation to the country to try and come beat their fastest drivers. It was like a divisional event but they wanted everyone to come have a piece of what Kansas City had to offer.

Q: How many classes were there initially?
A: Many less than now, LESS THAN HALF the number of classes!

Q: What do you think about the amount of classes in competition now?
A: So long as the classes are catering to what people want to drive and thus have more turnout they are FINE. I think there will one day need to be a true EV class. The Teslas are cool! They just look so fast and smooth out there.

Q: Would you like to see fewer or more classes?

A: The more classes the merrier, as long as it means more turnout.

Q: What qualities of a class have you found to be the most attractive through the years?
A: Classes that had cars that had more handling than power. Back then courses were much slower and power didn't matter. Most of the courses took place in mall parking lots and you didn't really leave first gear speeds. Interesting note: There were 5 clubs other than SCCA putting on Solo events in Kansas City back in the day. The SCCA events were the worst of them ALL. As time went on, the SCCA got a lot better.

Q: Have you noticed a direct correlation in the performance of cars vs expense, or has it always been expensive to be truly competitive?
A: Technology of a modern car trumps the old cars by far. As time progressed you unfortunately would EVENTUALLY have to upgrade to a newer car to stay competitive.

Q: What trends have you noticed at Solo Nationals through the years? (If any like OPR shaving, themes etc.)
A: Themed events for Solo Nationals started about 10 years ago. The presence of OPR is not new and people shaving the OPR between runs isn't new either. As far as when people trended to shave OPR or not has been circumstantial. Sometimes it's just not that bad, and other times it's terrible.

Q: Are there any trends you find particularly alarming or simply theatre?
A: My perception is that the modern 200 treadwear DOT tires (used in the popular street classes) made OPR worse!

Q: If you could send a message to your younger self, at year one Solo Nationals, what would it be?
A: Have FUN! Nobody stayed on site at the first Solo Nationals. We had hotel parties! After my first year to Solo Nationals, I paid every penny I had for this RV you see behind you so I could stay in the paddock ALL THE TIME! I recommend staying in the paddock at Solo Nationals so you can make new friends and see some friends you haven't seen since last year. ***Takes a drink of his beer he has also shared with the interviewer outside of his RV that is set up in the Paddock at 9pm when it's dark.***

Q: If you had a message to the future generation What would it be?
A: HAVE FUN! Engage in the festivities! GO TO YOUR LOCAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS! Kansas City put on four National Championships before having to use drivers as workers. The local region had the course workers! SCCA only took over Solo Nationals in 1985 and Omaha region secured the site in Lincoln! The city of Lincoln loves Solo Nationals and the economic impact it brings! We should work harder to prepare the city for the arrival for this event. SCCA should advertise the event to the local city by maybe passing out flyers to all of the local businesses a few weeks before the event. I've been to Solo Nationals 51 times and the damn ice keeps running out at the local businesses! I always have to drive decently far away to find ice for my coolers.

Q: If you could keep one specific dynamic of the old world of the early Solo Nationals and seamlessly incorporate it into the current event, what would it be?
A: I would change... NOTHING! THEY GET BETTER EVER YEAR! Enjoyment value hasn't gone down a bit! The first ten years of Solo Nationals had their challenges but they only continued to be fun and get better. Tire Rack was the best thing to happen to the club and is the best sponsor ever!

Q: Any thing else you'd really like to share?
A: This is THE BEST Solo event. You should always attend every year you can!

Q: Who is your favorite all time Formula 1 driver?

A: Max Verstappen, you know, I've seen a lot of these guys, right? Well, he is just really good. He seems to just get more out of a car than anybody else on the track. I really do enjoy watching him race!