Kevin Hill - PanAm 7 CSP
I was raised in southern Indiana and some of my earliest memories were of going to stock car races with my dad.Lots of noise,dust and excitement! This was also the time when I was involved in karting, usually on the oval or road course tracks built on my uncles farm.Sometimes we would sneak out on the empty back roads and really fly! The Indy 500 time trials and races were also an annual family event. My dad sold his interest in a chain of NAPA auto parts stores and we moved to Granville Ohio for his new job.I was 15 years old and we were only 10 miles from National Trails Raceway and about an hour from one of the country's finest road courses, Mid-Ohio.Hot rods and the quarter mile were more interesting than little sports cars for awhile.Then college (Ohio State/Business) and other interests took over until I was able to save money and get my first sports car, and a year later join the SCCA.
1. How long have you been a member of SCCA?
I joined the Western Ohio Region SCCA in October,1979 so I've been a member for 31 years. I even kept my membership while living in Asia for almost 9 years.One of the first things I did upon returning to the US was look up my new region, PanAm.
2. What was your first car?
My first car was a 1964 Ford Fairlane, purchased when I was a junior in high school.That car went through a lot of changes in just 2 years; bigger wheels/tires, Holley carb, dual point distributor, air shocks, and later a change from automatic to 4 speed transmission.
3. What was/is your favorite car?
Like most people my favorite car has changed over the years.One of my favorites which I still have is the Datsun 280Z that I bought new when I got my first real job.Another favorite was a '92 Corvette that I ordered with the ZO7 suspension/brake option for autocrossing.At that time I had two other cars already set up for autocross so the Vette never made it to a single event (extra wheels and tires in 17" were expensive back then).Yet another favorite was a 87 RX7 because it was well set up and I was the most competitive in it (C-stock and then CSP).My current favorite is the Miata.Pure fun car although it is not prepared properly for CSP. (although it could be the lousy driver too).
What is your favorite racing memory?
I have many great racing memories, most as a spectator.Seeing the '60's and 70's racers like Parnelli Jones, Bobby & Al Unser, Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt.Seeing Danny Sullivan "spin & win" at the 1985 Indy 500.Watching John Buffam and Rod Millen tear through the Ohio forests in Pro Ralleys like Sunriser 400 and Tulip 200. Was able to get to many SCCA Runoffs, Road Atlanta & MidOhio. Going to the Malaysian and Shanghai F1 races was fabulous too.The best has to be going to the SCCA SOLO Nationals last September with Luis Moreno.A fun event and experience I won't forget.
Who is the racer you admire or respect the most?
Paul Newman is the driver I admire the most.He was a very gifted driver that truly loved the sport.I watched him win the 1979 SCCA Runoffs in C-Production, the first of his 4 SCCA Championships.Paul was also successful in IMSA. He could have been a great pro driver if his acting career had not gotten in the way! He raced until he was 82 years old, a year before he died.
How do you rank the following: Driver, Car, Car Preparation?
Definitely DRIVER! We've all probably seen a great driver in a so-so car do some amazing things with it. At a vintage car race at Steamboat Springs Colorado there was a new but talented driver in a early '60s Ford Falcon. It had a 260 V8, 2bbl. carb making maybe 150 HP. He had just purchased it, put in a roll cage, with few other mods. He was keeping up with and even passing some very good drivers with 300 to 400 HP.As far as specific car vs. car prep I think that depends a lot on the class. In stock classes obviously you need the "right" car. In prepared and modified classes prep is hugely important.
What makes you successful?
Any success I may have had can be credited to wonderful parents and a fabulous wife.
