Page 1: 2011 - Work Travel vs Racing, Championship?
Page 2: 2010 - The Double Comeback
Page 3: 2009 - The New Beginning
Page 4: 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...
concluding in....
Ha! We salvaged a 2nd in the NASA Northeast GTS-2 Championship with a strong 2nd half of the 2010 season even though we only made it to 4 race weekends (work getting in the way of play :-( )
SEASON RESULTS:
RACES: 7
(NJMP Lightning, Pocono, Watkins Glen, NJMP Thunderbolt)
Wins: 3
(Watkins Glen, NJMP Thunderbolt)
2nd Place: 4
(NJMP Lightning, Pocono North, Watkins Glen)
Lap Records: 1
(New Jersey Motorsports Park (NJMP) Thunderbolt Course 1:32.447)
Cheers!
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;
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October 29-31, 2010:
NASA Northeast SEASON FINALE Race Weekend
New Jersey Motorsports Park - Thunderbolt Raceway
Crazy action, way TOO MANY race cars, debris, 2 WINS, and a TRACK RECORD! :-) !
The weekend of October 29, 30, and 31st saw the season-ending NASA Northeast event at Thunderbolt Raceway in New Jersey Motorsports Park. It was set to be a record breaking weekend across many fronts, but most notably, having ONE race group with over 72 cars on Saturday at the same time in the modestly long, narrow track. In typical privateer racer fashion, I arrived at the track Thursday (Friday) at about 3 AM for waht should have been open practice on Friday. Having never raced here or ever even been in this car at this track, I was looking forward to it.
Friday comes, and by the time I make it to the track, I have missed the first 2 sessions. Perhaps a good thing given the many skidmarks pointing in all sorts of different directions surely being helped by the sub 40 temperatures. I go out on my 3rd session on the same tires I had on for Watkins Glen with no lines left on the rears and barely visible in the front. I feel like I am on ice out there... The flaggers and fellow drivers enjoyed the many drifting skills displays at pretty much all turns.... Tanner Faust would have been proud. I blamed it on everything but the tires. Unfortunately, I did put 2 off at the infamous Octopus turn complex and the front left must have started losing air. By the time the 1 hour session ended, it was fully corded and about to disintegrate on the outside edge. Not having but an unmounted set of used Hoosiers I bought for $300, I was out for the day as it took me a few hours to get the used R6s mounted in all 4 corners. Somehow, I did manage to post a 1.33 somewhere in the session which in retrospective was not too shabby I guess..
So thinking the car was just not set-up right for the conditions, I went soft around in the setting damping and sway bars for morning practice on Saturday. But after I am all dressed and ready to go out for Practice, guess what!? I dont have s steering wheel!!!!! I always take it off and take it with me in the evenings. well, It was in the truck with my significat other at the hotel.... It was funny to see me standing there while everyone drove by asking me why was not on grid... Pitiful...
Qualifying comes around. CRAZY TALK! 72 cars, all at the same time, trying to get a good lap. Between record breaking offs, contact, pieces flying, and bumpers lying around where there used to be cones, we survived the session and I ended up qualifying 2nd in class and 3rd in group for the split start with all my 71 racing friends. Now that the car had grip, it was way too soft and that hurt me in qualifying.... The 1:34.277 kind of showed. So I re-baselined the suspension settings after talking to Pete, and out to the race we go with about 5 GTS2 competitors all closely lined up around me ready to roll over me on drop of the green....
Lots of flying debris everywhere from the time the green flew.. 72 cars, 1 race group, split start. I had a great start that allow me to run down the inside and go from 3rd to the front with an inside pass at Turn 1. The pole sitter (Super Cup racer) sets me up and is taking me back on the inside at Turn 4. While this is happening, an insect somehow makes it inside my helmet and sets himself on the inside of the visor. Good view for him, terrible for me. Needless to say, T4 was a mess, T5 I barely made it, but got the insect out and I was still on track barely hanging on for 2nd in group while still leading the class. So after releasing the insect by opening visor I decide to tuck behind the Supercup 944 (El Doctore Frank Celenza) and be faster that way together. A bit later got a scrape on the side of my nose from a maniac Honda Challenge driver… Splitter survived. Many yellows in 1st half. Double yellow just after mid-point. Bad crash between a GTS4 M3 and a fellow GTS2 968 racer. The 968 will be back.... Yellow checkered. I take 1st in class and the new GTS2 track record with a 1:32.447 
. Dynoed the car a 204.4. Race end weight of 2999 (with me in it). Had about 26 pounds of fuel to spare given the almost 1/2 race under yellow.
http://youtu.be/RiMSNtdFans
Here is the Video from the 2nd Place GTS2 M3 http://www.vimeo.com/16359219
Here is the video from the Super Cup and Group Pole sitting 944 (Dr. Frank Celenza) http://youtu.be/W5xEO7jyEHU
For Sunday, bumped up damping some more and full hard on sway bars. Practiced. Car felt as good, maybe a tad better. I was slower though. But pretty much everyone was. Dropped my phone in toilet. Smelly but functional, and I had steering wheel which matter the most! Qualified 1st in class and 17th out of my now 55 surviving friends. Lots of pieces flying all the time in qualifying, again. But wait… 1 race group, no split start. 55 of my best friends together again riding high on testosterone… with many high HP metal behind me.
Somehow survived start. Fought to keep the lead in class through heavy traffic. No insects inside helmet. Multiple yellows. Several re-starts. Final Green flag with one lap to go. Had competition hounding me all race. Stayed in lead through lap, turn into front straight, somewhat surprised by seeing checkered ahead, get excited, shift from 4th to 3rd looking for 5th, lose one position to a GTS3 car, AND.... the fire breathing Mid-atlantic GTS2 M3 is blowing by as we cross the line. Winner unknown for an hour. Engine somehow not blown. Win by .066 seconds…. My Saturday record stood....
Here is the Video for Sunday from the same M3 http://www.vimeo.com/16435412
I have no video of Sunday as I ran out of time to even put the camera in the car..... 
All in all, a good racing weekend. Motor will have to get extra checked and likely some bent valves and head fixed.
I am not sure yet, but the three wins in a row coupled with the previous 4 2nd place finishes may have yielded us the 2nd spot in the NASA Northeast GTS2 Championship.... I'll keep you posted.....
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October 1-3, 2010:
NASA Northeast Race Weekend
Watkins Glen International - Long Course
What an AWESOME place to be racing and hanging out!
#75 was locked and loaded again. We did not have a wing, but Pete and Max at RS Barn hooked me up with a RS Barn Designed Gurney Flap of sorts attached to the factory spoiler that helped a little, but definitely not as much as need to eliminate the front splitter induced oversteering inbalance. The car was still fast nonetheless, albeit definitely not to her full potential.
After torrential rain for 2 days leading into Friday practice, the rain stopped as the sun rose. I sat out a super slippery but drying track until the two afternoon. Once out, I started slowly getting up to speed and re-learning the track. Only had been there twice before, but never in a race car. It is an unforgiving track to say the least, but with a world class design, fast, technical, and a true drivers' track. I love this place. So far, without a doubt my favorite track of all I have visited (not that many I have to say.. LOL...)
This was NASA Northeast's now famous Yankees vs. Rebels War at The Glen. A bunch of racers from NASA Southeast and Mid-Atlantic come up to do battle with us. We had over 100 racers in our usual two groups.
For Saturday, I dropped the rear height 2 turns on the Motons and made some other minor adjustments as I fought the oversteer in a few key sections. This weekend I was all about discipline and sticking to the plan with a very kool head. On that posture I staged first for qualifying and it paid off. Qualified with a 2:14.170 in first full lap before traffic and full course yellows started to become an issue. Left the car untouched and raced starting 2nd in GTS2, 3rd overall on the inside of the 2nd row.
Offtrack Drama: A GTS3 BMW showed up from Mid-Atlantic NASA "adjusted" to run the slower GTS2 class. Car may of may have not been legal, without a dyno we could not prove either way.
Had a good start and finished in exact same order after one restart mid race. My fastest lap was a 2:13.487 on Lap 2. The questionable GTS2 winner M3 laid a, check this out, 2:11.285. That would turn out to be the fastest lap of the weekend in Lightning Race group. Northeast veteran Stephan Laputka in his 230hp, 3,150lbs Porsche 944 Turbo SuperCup took the overall win with a best lap of 2:11.253. My only real mistake was going into the bus-stop and shifting from 5th to 6th while trying to find 4th…!! right after the race started… oops… This triggered some door to door action with Jonathan Vasquez (for position in class and overall) as he slipped right inside. We raced door to door for what seem and eternity, but I finally pulled going into Turn 8. He is a great guy and super fast driver. We left each other room and had some good racing. Had a few “drifting” exhibitions in the carrousel, but all good…
For Sunday practice I moved the sway bar full hard and backed off one click on the compression damping on rear. In the process I discovered that the driver side was one click higher than the other side, which was the reason for twitching the car left on super heavy braking… In practice it felt better overall but really could not tell as the track was cold and I played it safe at 8/10ths for the session. But twitch was gone! LOL.. at least I stumbled on the solution even though it was really just an annoyance. ABS were put through its paces all weekend though….
At this stage on Sunday morning the inside line on both rear Hoosiers were gone. Fronts tires looked great. Evenly worn and obviously being put to the test by the splitter showing much more sign of “melting” than the rears. The curiously fast GTS2 BMW got moved to GTS3. Sunday Qualifying I again staged 1st, and laid down a time of 2:13.373 in Lap 2. Better by .1 from previous day… But the track was colder and almost everyone seemed to go slower than Saturday so I think I actually improved overall more than the .1 showed. Car felt much better. Stephan laid down a 2:12.837. I closed the gap but still ½ second off his fast SuperCup Turbo 944.
With the inside of the rear tires seriously into their last stretch, I started the race on the outside front row… Yikes! Had a good start (the new shifter is mac daddy) and fell in-line behind Stephan as he pulled away up through the esses and into the bus stop. And what do I do again, yup... downshift on to 6th! I had learned my lesson from Saturday, and defended from a fast as hell S2000 (running in Honda Challenge 1) at the carrousel and into the boot with the inside and middle lines respectively. I could catch Stephan in the technical back sections but he would pull on the front part of the track (Turn 11 through 6). My rear end started getting happy again (tires finally going away) so I backed off as I had the lead on GTS2 and it was not worth trying to take the overall lead against the fast out of class veteran.
Ended up laying a 2:12.998 in the race!!! Yeah baby! Broke into the 12s… Just .35 seconds lower than Stephan’s best lap in the race in what should be a theoretically faster car. So I was elated with the lap time, the GTS2 win, and the 2nd Overall.
Once we put the wing on it, we can re-tune the rear springs, compression, and bar. The car will be FAST.
My wonderful, and only crew member, showed up to help with a tire rotation... she could not figure out why the lug nuts were not taking the impact wrench socket... LOL... look closely :-)
GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!
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September 4-5, 2010:
NASA Northeast Race Weekend
Pocono Raceway - North Course
I finally make it to a race weekend!
#75 was locked and loaded! Sporting a super MAC DADDY front splitter on a custom installation by fellow racer (American Iron) Adam "AJ" Hartman. This kid rocks... And if you need any race custom install or custom race bodywork related work, call him! He does amazing work! Adam J Hartman, adam_hartman@hotmail.com, or call him at (609) 217-8079. He is in New Jersey just East of Philadelphia.
With the new splitter in place and looking fast, I was ready to shake off some of them April demons and get back on the saddle for a weekend filled with some wheel-to-wheel racing. Loaded up and made it to the track late afternoon Friday.
Saturday was good. We qualified 2nd in class. The driver was a bit rusty and the new splitter rocked, but rocked too much! I did not realize their effect was so noticeable! The car's front end stuck EVERYWHERE! I have driven at least 3 968 race cars in Pocono North, and they all push in a few of the turns... regardless of the line. But not with this new splitter! It was awesome, but so awesome, that it make the car lose! Turn 1, which is normally pretty flat out, was no more.. I was losing 1/2 second there... So I need a wing... And the car will rock... For now, I'll work with the rear suspension to dial out some of the tail-happy moves...
Not a terribly bad weekend, but not the winner I was hoping it to be. 2nd spot on the podium both days.... I'll take that along with no scratches or dents! :-) Hopefully we'll snatch that top spot in Watkins Glen coming up...
July 23, 2010:
2010 PIRELLI ULTIMATE TRACK CAR CHALLENGE
Virginia International Raceway - Full Course
Driving the RS Barn Porsche 968 Firehawk, we become the 2010 Shop JV Champions!!!
Thanks for all the love (& starz) on the 2010 GRM UTCC Rating. We were indeed invited to VIR on July 23rd; and,
please see below Pictures and Video of the newly crowned:
2010 PIRELLI ULTIMATE TRACK CAR CHALLENGE
SHOP JUNIOR VARSITY CHAMPION!!
VIDEOS
Session 1 of 3
http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?video_id=rfSt8TUlOEw&ns=1
Please join me to congratulate RS Barn for taking the top podium in class at the 2010 Pirelli Ultimate Track Car Challenge at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) on July 23, 2010.
Piloted by yours truly 
, the RS Barn Porsche 968 Firehawk performed flawlessly and very, very strongly. Taking severe abuse in conditions that had many race cars not making it through the day, the 968 never missed a step. In temperatures that consistently hovered to 107 for what seemed the entire day, the Porsche successfully battled through 1 warm-up session, 2 practice runs, and 3 official Time Trial sessions. Small adjustments to tire pressures, damping, and a few other items was all it took to keep it perfectly balanced in the corners, and unbeatable at the top-end. Stint after stint, the engine pulled stronger than any 968 I have driven in every single visit to 7k rpm.
The 1st place finish came after edging the consistently top podium finisher 240 hp 2,400 pound Carbotech sponsored Integra Type R masterfully driven by John Whitaker (a sportsman and a gentleman). The .4 second victory advantage did not come easy around the 3.27 mile highly demanding VIR Full Circuit. With the driver a bit rusty off the gates at a track where only few full-out laps had ever been run, we managed to improve times deep into the late afternoon as track conditions worsen and a set of Hoosier R6s struggled to not melt away. The final session saw most all the 17 JV competitors throw everything they had at it pulling all the stops. We somehow drifted, slipped, and sliced our way with our best, and winning, time of the day in this final session. On the very LAST LAP that counted! Our time was also 2nd best across all JV (door slamming) competitors.
Kudos to Scott Good (NASA Great Lakes GTS2 Champ) are also a must. He put on an incredible display of driving talent and skill, in his first visit to VIR, to take the final step on the podium in Independent JV to put a Porsche on the board (944S2) in class.
Congratulations RS Barn! Thank you Pete for offering me the awesome ride and for being on the phone with me after each and every session tweaking the setup, suspension, and the multiple Chips with computer boxes you made available for me. That last custom RS Barn programmed chip definitely did the trick.
Also thanks to Max for all the support day in and day out. Your flawless work every day at the shop showed session after session with everything staying together during a long tough racing day with plenty of unrelentless abuse in punishing conditions.
Lastly, my infinite and most sincere gratitude to good friend Will Triol (also at 2008 UTCC in Buttonwillow California) for all the hard work, positive energy, prayers, and motivation that not even the 107 degree temperatures could tame. A bigger heart and better soul arguably do not exist.
Lastly, and with much love, a huge THANK YOU to patient, understanding, soothing, and supporting "Team Manager" and dear Fiance Martha Zapata. She kept us going through the grueling conditions across all fronts with a big smile.... most of the day :-).
SOME MORE (BETTER) PICTURES
May 28-29, 2010:
2nd NASA Northeast Race Weekend
New Jersey Motorsports Park - Lightning Course
Work and other commitments trump it all!!! :-((
#75 was fixed, dynoed, corner balanced, aligned, and sporting a spify new RS Barn windshield banner. Set on go with the game face ON! Better than when we showed up for the 1st weekend. Except she is wearing the "less than straight" fender and bumper. They look a bit wrinkled with some mismatched colors but not too bad. Max worked some serious magic at RS Barn. I guess it adds character.... Once I find a bumper, I'll install the red fender I have waiting, and #75 will be back in tip-top cosmetic shape...
We fixed some timing issues, and tuned it all up nicely getting her ready for dome pulls. She dynoed and pulled some great numbers at 212 rwhp on a Dynojet 248. Very nice for a stock motor that only has an original Firehawk Chip and a funky Catback. So we had to detune for 200 rwhp and add some more ballast. Now we are up to 171 pounds of ballast on the passenger's side floorboard. the good news is that we "should" be competitive in GTS2.
Unfortunately, work and travel commitments in Washington DC during this Memorial Day weekend were enough to deny us the 2nd NASA racing weekend of the year. This means that even if I make every single race this season from now on, I will still be short points for one race (everyone gets to drop the worst 2 races from the points tally).
Nonetheless, we are planning to be back at full force and looking forward to a good incident free racing weekend at Pocono as part of the NASA Northeast Grand Slam events on July 16th through the 18th....
APRIL 16-18, 2010:
1st NASA Northeast Race Weekend
New Jersey Motorsports Park - Lightning Course
Made it to qualifying with just a few minutes to spare but overall, a weekend cut short in dramatic fashion.
Girlfriend and I made it to the track on Friday mid-day after thrashing on Thursday afternoon and evening (into morning hours) to get the car back together (mainly interior and miscellaneous). Friday was Open Track, so when I was supposed to be out practicing, sorting out the car, and getting some seat time, I was frantically trying to finish the car so it could be teched and logbooke for the 2010 season. Needless to say, I did not get it done in time and car did not make it to tech.
Saturday, we made it to the track early and I started the final touches preparing for tech. But like it seems to be with all things racing, everything took double the time. Finally got it teched (thanks Dave Deerson!) and ready for the track. Nonetheless, I managed to miss race practice in the process.
An hour later, my professional looking crew helped as I got ready for the Qualifying Session. What would be my first ever drive in the new (to me) race car, with many key differences from my old 2008 #68 and Pete's (RS Barn's) Firehawk 968. And my first time back on track since 2009 Grassroots Motorsports Hankook Ultimate Track Car Challenge at Virginia International Raceway (VIR) in July 2009. Oh! And pretty much my first time at the track (outside a few laps in the Firehawk early 2009).
So I had a fairly decent qualifying session. Trying to learn the car and feeling my way through the setup, breaks, slightly different seating position, and heavier weight/ballast for GTS2, etc. Outside of a few rusty minor mistakes, it was a good drive. The shifter was the stock one and I was having just a bit of trouble finding some gears as I was used to my nice Kokeln shifter I never had time to install in this car.
So you are not going to believe it....! As I am checking the car out and making a slight adjustment to the rebound damping in all four corners, a buddy cruises-by and starts giving me crap about being such a winer. Like the school kid that complained to have failed the test only to later find out he aced it.... I find out I took the POLE and... with a new GTS2 track record! I was shocked! But certainly stoked! LOL... Awesome. By the way, the Motons rocked (and that is with air in them as I could not find any nitrogen)...
The afternoon came and we get ready for the race. First time ever starting on Pole!
It was pretty funny... I did not go where to go and what to do being on pole. The NASA guys had to hold my hand all the way to the front grid position. The green flag drops and I get a good start. I had one of the best 944 Cup drivers on the outside of the front row, Steve Katz. He is truly and awesome driver. I kind o expected him to probably stay on the outside through T1, T2, and T3 to probably take me into T4 left hander, but I unfdortunately made it easier for him...
As I go to grab 4th, I did not nail it and it took me an extra second to slide it in. That was all it took to have Steve on the left with a nose ahead, and the 2nd GTS2 car (a mean 968) to my right going through T1 and getting through. While still trying to catch momentum and staying clean not pushing the issue, they get by. But by T2 I also let slip a Lotus Elise that I did not see on the inside I left open. So the darn shifter started a train that cost me 3 spots.
I was trying to be conservative and just drive my race to catch the guys up front, but the Lotus (different class) would not let me by. And I really did not force the issue until a full course yellow trigger a restart with 2 laps to go. This is when things got ugly....
I'll make it short. Restart had me in the front running group with a few miatas in between we had started to lap. Green flag drops, I get an awesome jump. Lotus goes right around the Miata, I go left. I had about a 1 1/2 car widths between the Miata and the grass on the left in the front straight heading to T1. The Miata sees the Lotus passing on the right and moves to the left. The problem is, he had still not seen me as I was passing. Seeing him moving left, and already side-by-side I put two wheels off trying to avoid teh collission. But even with that, the Miata and I hit, my rear right with his front left as I passed. Hit was enough to send me sideways approaching T1. Crossing in front of the Miata, guess who's coming on the other side...? Yup, the Lotus... So I barely hit his left rear fender, but since those things are fiberglass, his rear left tire catches under my front bumper on the right side and catapults me up in the air 4-5 feet!!!!
So I am flying, 4 wheels in the air "a la Formula 1". Do a 270 and land right side down on the grass after effectively driving over the Lotus while airborne. Crazy, crazy ride. I actually stayed very calm through the entire thing and was definitely grateful to have landed right side up.
When everything was said and done, the Lotus had the most visible damage. The Miata had a scraped up wheel and bent toe link. I needed a bumber, fender, wheel, oil cooler, power steering cooler, and frame bench work to bring the front right to specks as it was pointing a bit higher from the incident after the Lotus' tire picked the entire car up from the right front corner. The frame work also fixed Charles Geer's 2007 incident induced out of spec driver side tower.
The Miata driver is a great guy and fantastic racer. Even though no fault was attributed, he did accept he never saw me. On my side, maybe I should have not tried an outside pass going into T1 in a tight space. But all in all, we both got cleared of the contact by Race Control as a "Racing Incident" and moved forward.
I still took 2nd in the race, but had to miss Sunday. So the NASA GTS2 Championship I wanted to pursue is not starting off well.. :-(
I'll try to post the video soon.
FEBRUARY - APRIL 2010:
Some Progress but Still Sooooooo Behind...
Cage work came out great. But not cheap. Paint work could have not possibly been any worse.
Mistake No. 1 was to not force a price quote from the cage upgrade guy. 25% higher than the max I was expecting. Mistake No. 2 was to take it to Maaco. Lets just say that I would have done better with a can of spray. They did not sand or even vacuum clean before spraying. Not to mention they sprayed everything inclusive of glass. Taping was a joke. They must have truly had a 6 year old do it. But... like Pete says; its a race car and I have to get it ready with like NO TIME to work on it before the 1st race weekend and missing 80% of what I need to complete it....
JANUARY 2010:
The Prep Work Goes On... Painful.
Slowly but surely, progress is made stripping, removing, pre-assembling...
Getting it ready for cage upgrade, bodywork, and some paint here and there. Lots of slow grinding work.
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
Driving RS Barn's (Pete Fitzpatricks's)
1994 Porsche 968 (ex Firehawk Series Race Car)
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