Trevor Alexander - 20 STX-T
I spent most of my childhood in Indiana and attended Indiana University. I commissioned with the IU ROTC program and moved to El Paso in 2007 after being stationed at Ft. Bliss. It was fantastic to find an active and accessible autocross venue in El Paso, as I'd had interest in autocross during college, but found the events far away, costly, and on tiny courses.
1. How long have you been a member of SCCA?
I joined the SCCA 3 years ago.
2. What was your first car?
My first car was a 1987 Chevrolet Cavalier RS which had been in more than a few wrecks before I acquired it during high school for $200, spending another $100 or so to get it running. It was the worst car I've ever driven, though it was mostly reliable for the 2 years I drove it. For reference, when I moved on to a 1994 Dodge Grand Caravan, the Caravan was a significant performance upgrade over the Cavalier.
3. What was/is your favorite car?
While I have long been a Subaru fanboy, my favorite cars tend to be the most impractical. Tiny, lightweight road-legal vehicles with little use outside of the track appeal to me, such as the Lotus Exige, Ariel Atom, and various Caterhams.
What is your favorite racing memory?
My favorite live racing memory was the 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix which I was fortunate enough to be able to attend. It's impossible for even the best home theater systems to really demonstrate how insane the noise of the cars are, even when you're wearing hearing protection. My favorite racing I was not able to attend was the recently ended 2011 WRC championship. It had a lot of drama, including fierce intra-team competition between Sebastian Loeb and Sebastian Ogier as well as Mikko Hirvonen posing a serious threat to Sebastian Loeb's ultimate victory.
Who is the racer you admire or respect the most?
I'm a big fan of Mikko Hirvonen. He is extremely competitive without losing his cool and has proven over the past few years that he is fully capable of becoming a WRC champion in the near future, having very nearly beaten Sebastian Loeb who has been the undisputed best WRC driver for the last 8 years.
How do you rank the following: Driver, Car, Car Preparation?
Driver, Car Prep, Car. While a car and its preparation ultimately have a physical limit, a great driver can find strengths and weaknesses and exploit the machine to its full potential. Car Prep is, in my opinion, more important than the car, because small, simple changes to the vehicle can have extreme effects on the car's driving characteristics.
What makes you successful?
I always have fun driving, which is the most important goal you can have. Sure, there are days you do better or worse than expected and that can affect your mood, but I never let competitive spirit get in the way of enjoyment. Second, at the expense of tenths or seconds on the track, I do not let this hobby become more expensive than it has to be. I would hate to one day think "I cannot afford to autocross" and the best way I can ensure that I enjoy myself and continue to autocross is to make sure it isn't a moneysink. If I spend only a little bit of money and do poorly, I can go home content. If I spend a big chunk of money and do poorly, I will likely stop enjoying the sport.
