Page 1:  2010 - The Double Comeback
Page 2:  2009 - The New Beginning
Page 3:  2008 - The Beginning

2010
 

A New Racing Season;

The Acquisition of an Injured Racecar;

The Return of a Driver in Full Form,

and;

The Comeback Story of a Known Race Car and a Club Racer Together for the First Time

 

 THE RACE CAR: 

Porsche 968

(Originally raced by Charles Geer until sidelined due to a racing incident at NASA Nationals in October 2007 at Mid Ohio Sports Car Course)

 

 

THE DRIVER: 

Yours Truly

(Back from a 2007 season-ending ball-joint pin failure at Pocono Raceway, and only one 2009 race day at the 09 Hankook Ultimate Track Car Challenge)

 

 

THE 2010 RACING SEASON STORY: 

From Charles Geer Racing since 2003, to my 2010 season that started in December 2009, to today; 

 

 

DECEMBER 2009:
From Georgia to RS Barn (PA) - Through Greenville?? Huh!?
We Decide to Visit a Friends Stone House Deeeeep in the Mountain Woods

 I don't even remember the town.  It was so high up and deep in the woods we pulled our new race car rig through snow, gravel, and everythiung in between.  My poor Lincoln Aviator truck certainly got abused but we somehow made it to the house after navigating a 30% incline twisty narrow as hell gravel road to get to the top.  All in all, while less than 10 degrees outside...

Pictures don't make it justice.  Beautiful site.  Stunning views.  True old stone house.  After all was said and done, I am very glad we took the detour as we headed back enjoying the pull through the mountains (tough at times) but avoiding the DC traffic completely.  And above all, we got to see the stone house for the first time and spent time with my good friend and 2008 UTCC cross country adventure co-pilot and crew member, Will Triol.

 

PS:  Girlfriend Martha is looking at sponsorship opportunities to fund her new ride...

 

 

A LITTLE HISTORY (2004 - 2009):

 

 The Driver: Charles Geer

  Accomplished NASA and PCA road racer, Road Atlanta NASA GTS3 Lap Record setter, great guy, and even better father to his NASCAR anspiring 8 year old son, Austin Geer.

 

The Race Car: 1994 Porsche 968  

Original MO30 USA spec Porsche 968

DECEMBER 2009:
From Hoboken, NJ to Atlanta, GA; Charles and I Strike a Deal

 After several months of chatting and talking story, Charles and I agreed on a deal over the phone.  A week or so later I was on my way to Georgia pulling and empty trailer accompanied by girlfriend and copilot. 

Charles had been phenomenal, a true 968 enthusiast loyal to the Porsche brand and 968 community through thick and thin.  Through many conversations and communications that started early in the year, he sincerely expressed how he really wanted to get his podium winning race car under me, and get us both, car and driver, back on the racetrack. I can't thank Charles Geer enough for ultimately taking the path that saw me picking up his Road Atlanta lap record setting race car instead of taking the path down alternate options he certainly had. The motivation to keep the race car in the family and in capable hands (sorry for self ego stroking plug) spoke louder than anything else. Charles has been a loyal supporter since day one when I first joined the 968 Forums (www.968Forums.com) and rapidly moved down the slippery slope.

To put me back in business, Charles accepted a heavily discounted offer.  Even though the timing was ideal to support his son's 2010 Quarter Midget racing season as well as aspiring NASCAR Junior Teams participation soon, I look forward to someday certainly pass the same karma forward.  Today though, I look forward to stepping up to the plate and have her running up front again.

Above all, Charles, the devoted and determined father, sold me his beloved race car to support his son's NASCAR aspirations.  Racing since before he was 5 years old, Austin Geer has had fantastic racing season.  NASCAR scouts are currently looking at this young star and sponsors are already establishing relationships. The funds from the 968 sale will go to a brand new Quarter Midget to compete at the highest levels in the series as well to the acquisitions of a fully enclosed trailer that will also serve to take them around the country supporting karting events.

I am excited, and somewhat humbled, to have been a positive and facilitating influence on Austin's NASCAR racing career. I very much look forward to seeing him live soon, and getting some "Austin Geer Racing" decals for the 968 and my truck.

Below are a few bits and pieces of Austin's most recent accomplishments and successes...

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THE FUTURE NASCAR STAR:

AUSTIN GEER
Charles' 7 Year Old Son

2008 - 2009 QUARTER MIDGET WINNING SEASONS

Newbie News: Austin Geer Wins Candy Trophy at Halloween Classic

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/283689-newbie-news-austin-geer-wins-candy-trophy-at-halloween-classic

Seven year old Austin Geer not only took the checkered flag at The Halloween Classic, but he also won the top prize, two large bags of candy.  The win capped Geer's second season of quarter midget racing at his home track in Atlanta.

"It meant a lot to win this race because I want to be the points champion next year," said the young driver.  "This win makes me feel like I am going to win every race next year."

"What I like most about winning is driving around the track holding the checkered flag," Geer continued.  "It's hard to hold it if you drive too fast but I still do it anyway."

"Next year when I win,  I'm going to slide my car through the infield grass."

The Halloween Classic fielded drivers between the ages of 5 to 16 years old.  Geer, along with his race buddies actually had to help dry the track after a rain delay, grabbing leaf blowers and brooms to get the track ready for racing.

Once the track dried and the green flag flew, Geer was all business.  His father Charles shared that his son Austin was solely focused on getting "his two bags of candy."

Geer led early in the race, driving a perfect line and controlling his loose race car like a pro.  He was challenged only once for the lead with six laps to go, but refused to give up his position.

Geer and his challenger bumped through the turn and both cars began to spin.  But Geer was determined to hang on to his lead and saved the car, maintaining his lead and even beginning to lap the field.

When the checkered flag flew, the young winner beat his steering wheel in celebration.  His father advised that his son said, "I knew I had him once we got to lapped traffic because I never lift."

Geer celebrated his first year this season in the Junior Honda Division, which focuses on drivers between the ages of 6 and 8 years.  Geer's home track is a competitive one, known not only for being the track where Reed Sorenson grew up racing and but also for its history and stiff competition.

Geer's father Charles was most pleased with his son's performance at this competitive track.  "I enjoyed seeing my son get this win because Austin really works hard and this allows him to see his hard work pay off."

With the win under his belt, young Austin and his family will close out the racing season next week in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"I can't wait to race in North Carolina," Geer said.  "This is my first time going there."

Geer, who has nicknamed his car "Myrna" said, "Myrna likes cold weather and has been fast in the last four races.  Dad thinks he is going to make the car competitive for this race."

Geer will also be visiting family friends Charlie Langenstein, mechanical director for the No. 24 and No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports teams, and his racer son, also named Austin.  Geer will get a tour around the Hendrick shop, which the young racer is very much looking forward to seeing. 

Geer and his family will next visit with Ken Ragan of 600 Racing and will see the shop where they build the Bandolero and Legends cars.  The young racer, who loves to watch the "older kids" race, also plans to attend a race in Concord, North Carolina to watch Chase Elliott, Bill Elliott's son, race late models, as well as checking out Austin Langenstein run in the Bandoleros at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"I think we will be a little tired after that," shared Austin's parents.

On the completion of this racing season and their race visits, the Geers intend to take some family time off.  Their plans include mountain biking, fishing, and camping.

Geer will then get back to racing in 2010 with a new quarter midget chassis.  He looks forward to competing at the national championships at "Indy" and preparing his move to Bandoleros in the fall of 2010.

"He just loves being at the track all the time," Geer's proud parents said.  And Austin keeps telling anyone that will listen, "I want to be a race car driver when I grow up."

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Newbie News: Austin Geer—Little Kid, Big NASCAR Dreams

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/249912-newbie-news-austin-geer-little-kid-big-dreams

 

Austin Geer is admittedly just a kid. He is six years old, an only child, and lives with his family in Johns Creek, Ga.

But Austin has big dreams. Although young in age, he is totally focused on his dream to someday race in NASCAR's big leagues, the Sprint Cup Series. 

Austin's dreams are so big, in fact, that he often dreams about racing with the big boys. According to his parents, Charles and Shawndra, he even makes the noise of racecars in his sleep.

Charles believes that his son acquired his interest in racing while still in the womb. 

"I raced the amateur road course circuit for 10 years," he said. "When my wife was pregnant with Austin, she used to come to watch me race and we believe that's when Austin began his love of racing."

Much like Jeff Gordon and his daughter Ella, the Geers have pictures of young Austin climbing in and out of his father's race car when he was just a baby.

"When Austin was three years old, he asked me to get him a racecar for his fourth birthday," Charles said. "That's when I began looking into quarter midgets."

Austin started racing quarter midgets when he turned five. Of course, he had to have some alterations made on his racecar, including extra padding in the seat so he would at least be tall enough to see over the steering wheel.

Austin's father describes his son's first foray onto the race track, strapping the five-year-old into the racecar and showing him the gas and the brake pedals. His young son yelled, "Fire it up, Daddy," and he was off at full throttle.

Unfortunately, young Austin ran the car full out, forgetting where the brake pedal was located. While mom was cheering him on, dad's racer instincts told him that Austin instead needed to slow down.

"Austin tried to turn the car but plowed straight into the flexible soft wall," said papa Geer. "I knew my son was fine but we nearly had to take mom to the ER to be treated for shock."

Other than eating, breathing, and dreaming racing, Austin is just your normal six-year-old. He loves video games, watches the Disney Channel as much as he can, and enjoys playing with his new puppy, Ariel. 

Austin's favorite food is pizza, but according to his parents he also makes a mean, but admittedly very sloppy, peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

In the first grade, Austin stands taller than some of his other classmates. For that reason, he is often a favorite to be chosen by his friends for pickup teams, especially basketball.

But Austin's first love is racing, and as soon as he gets out of school, he heads home, does his homework, and begins his lament to his father, "Dad, are you ready to go?"

And with a kiss for mom and his puppy, Austin is off the garage to work on his racecar with his father. Or, better yet, he is off to the track for practice.

Austin would practice every day if he could, and he gets that opportunity with the long race season, from March to November, in the south. He and his dad race every weekend, often traveling to other states—including Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee—to participate in their regional events.

This past July, Austin participated in his first national championship event. He won his semifinal heat race.

Austin is quick to tell you that he races quarter midgets, a smaller version of the USAC Midget Sprint cars that Cup drivers like NASCAR's championship point leader Tony Stewart started his career driving.

Austin lets you know that because he intends to follow in Stewart's foosteps and take that same path in his own racing career. 

This little man indeed is looking forward to fulfilling his big NASCAR dreams, that of racing with his idols in the years to come.

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OCTOBER 2007:
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, NASA Pro Racing National Races, GTS2

Practice, qualifying...  A spinning Porsche 911, an oncoming Porsche 968, nowhere to go...  Front left damage, broken suspension components, ruined BBS wheel, bent sheetmetal, and a whole bunch of related ailments...  Race car sidelined for over 2 years.

 

APRIL 2005:
Roat Atlanta, PCA Races, F Class

 

FEBRUARY 2005:
Sebring International Raceway, PCA Races, F Class

 

JANUARY 2004:
Sebring International Raceway, PBOC Motorsports Winterfest Races