Duncan del Toro - 42 T STU
I was born in Managua, Nicaragua to American parents. Soon after I was born the Sandinista's took control of the country so my first flight was on a Hercules C-130 military transport as we got evacuated by the US Military. Since then, I have lived pretty much all over the US since I was 3 months old, from Puerto Rico to New Hampshire, California, Florida, New York and now Texas.
Most of my childhood I grew up in Redlands, CA and then during the 6th grade we moved to Orlando, FL. It was in Orlando that I got my first taste of SCCA, as a spectator. A friend of mine's father was into SCCA Pro racing and raced a 70's Porsche 911, and later on a Porsche 914. I got to go see him race a couple of times out at Sebring International Raceway. I was quite interested in racing at this point in my life, but having no funds and not having a clue about Auto-X I never got into actual racing. After that college took over and I was definatly broke.
In 2006 I got my first real job and I decided to buy my first car. I ended up going with an 05 Acura RSX Type S and the racing itch started coming back. Unfortunatly for me I had no idea that there was any sort of racing in El Paso and because of this I never got into it.
I moved from El Paso to Irvine, CA in 2006 and then in 2007 I decided to trade in my Acura for my current car, my 06 Evolution IX, and I have been in love with it ever since.
When I moved back to El Paso a friend (Rafael Segovia) at work asked me if I planned on racing my car. Since I had no idea that there was any legitimate racing here (other than drag racing, which has never really caught my attention), I told him that I wasn't, since I was not interested in dragging. He mentioned autocrossing to me, and invited me out to an event.
I finally made it out to the event and instantly started feeling the need to autocross. I remember seeing one of the competitors at that event in a red Evo 8 take off from the line hard and scream through the course. After the driver finished and hearing the times I remember thinking "That guy is a fast driver." Boy was I surprised when none other than Susan Love got out of the car, so I had to ammend my statement to "That lady is a fast driver!". I spoke to a couple of the guys, including Rob Love during that event and I came out for my very first autocross the next time.
Since then I don't think I've made almost every event and I am totally hooked. The people I have met from the SCCA have been some of the best people I have ever had the pleasure to know. I am extremely grateful that I got to be a part of this club, and I hope to continue to be a member for many years to come.
1. How long have you been a member of SCCA?
I joined the SCCA in April, 2008.
2. What was your first car?
The first car I ever drove, was a '92 Mercury Cougar V8, however what I consider to be my first car was the first car I bought, a 06 Acura RSX Type S in Burnt Orange.
3. What was/is your favorite car?
Well this is a complex question. I would say I have many cars that I like in different categories. I would say my 'insane never going to happen' car would be a Lexus LFA. That car is just extremely sexy and the noise it makes is just so amazing I don't think there is much else outside a F1 V10 engine that compares. As far as my more 'realistic dream car' I would have to say the current model Nissan GT-R. AWD twin turbo, you can't go wrong there, not to mention it outperforms that are far more expensive than it, which I think is pretty cool. And as far as my real favorite car I'd have to say is my current car, a Mitsubishi Evolution IX. I have to tip my hats to Mitsubishi, they created an extremely impressive platform that is both quite good stock, and is highly moddable. The only negative I have with it is that they somewhat stuck it to the US model and skipped a few corners to keep the price down since they had to add several things to it to ma.
What is your favorite racing memory?
I would have to say my favorite racing memories would be watching Michael Schumacher driving his Formula 1 car and just decimating his competition in the wet. It was incredible watching him go around the track in very wet conditions and making it look like he was doing it in the dry.
Who is the racer you admire or respect the most?
I have a couple, but overall I'd have to say The Stig! Ok, well not really but he is pretty cool.
Tommi Makinen would have to be my favorite racer of all time. This guy was incredible to watch. He was always impressive to watch, and I remember wishing back then that I could get an Evo like his. Thankfully they finally did come to the states.
Also I would have to say Tanner Foust. I have to give him high praise for what he make his cars do on both loose surfaces and tarmac. Watching him race always makes that adrenaline pump even more.
How do you rank the following: Driver, Car, Car Preparation?
I would say it has to be a synergy of all 3 to be effective. Different cars have different driving styles and depending on your driving style the car will react better or worse. Also (in AutoX) car preparation is extremely important as that is how cars are placed in different categories.
If I had to choose though, I would almost certanly have to place Driver as the top position. You can put a crappy driver in an exceptional car and they will go no where. At the same point you can put an excellent driver in a fairly bad car and see him do miracles.
In second place, I am a bit torn, but I would have to say Car Preparation would be the next most important thing in autocross. If you car is not prepared to the fullest of the class you are penalizing yourself. That being said, you can only polish a horrid car so much. Some cars respond better than others, especially in autocross to modifications, a prime example would be the Miata.
In last place would be the car, even though I think it is almost as important as car preparation.
Ideally you would get the ideal car for a class and then fully prepare it after you prepare yourself.
What makes you successful?
My family. I would have to say that without the support of my wife Celina, and my daughter Jocy I would not be where I am today in both my professional career, as well as my two hobbies: racing and carpentry. I owe everything to them.
