Focus, Focus, Focus.

With the recent introduction of Beaux Barfield as the new Race Director and President of Competition for the IZOD IndyCar Series, it has brought me back to focus on the eye of the prize. To secure a position within the racing community. I have public relations, community relations and event management skills, as well as a passion in racing. I know and believe it will happen. Just will take time.... and how did I get here?

My Uncle Eddie Kuzma built midgets in Oregon just after World War II. His talent and artistry in building chassis took him from Oregon to the salt flats to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And in 2003 he was recognized posthumously for his work at IMS, with his induction into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.

I would suspect because my Grandpa opened Art Kuzma Motors in Vancouver, WA in 1936, that fueled more passion for autos within the family. Whether we were creating space by moving cars around on the car lot so we could run the go kart or watching the Daytona 500 on TV... everything seemed to revolve around racing in some form. I also have memories of my Grandpa, Dad and uncles racing local Pacific Northwest tracks in a stock car. Small circle tracks, like the now defunct Portland Speedway, captured my heart... but my passion has always remained with road racing.

Somewhere along the way, and most likely because I was in my 20's, I got away from being involved with racing... until I got in a major accident in 1999. After the accident, as I reflected on things that were important to me, I asked myself - Why did I get away from racing?

Thanks to Uncle Eddie's connections, I called Mario Andretti's shop, who in turn gave me Wally Dallenbach's home number. I am sure that Wally was none-too-happy that a young woman called him as he was recovering from a weekend of NASCAR racing, but he was extremely gracious. As I explained to Wally how I wanted to be a starter and pace car driver, he listened patiently and replied back, "Kim - connect to your local SCCA. Here's the people to talk to: Duck & Cheryl Allen. They're great people and can point you in the right direction." And in March 2001, I showed up to Portland International Raceway with hardly enough layers to keep me warm.... but it was what I had been looking for and I've never looked back. Currently, I am on the start team with Oregon Region SCCA, assistant chief starter with Cascade Sports Car Club and assistant chief starter with Team Continental. I've worked tracks and street circuits from Vancouver, BC to Long Beach, CA to Las Vegas, NV to Elkhart Lake, WI for SCCA, Champ Car World Series, American Le Mans, and NASCAR, just to name a few.

So now for that elusive career in racing... I will get there. A good friend, Jim Swintal, introduced me to a song by Mark Knopfler - "Speedway to Nazareth." Take a listen to understand. It's in my genes and there is nothing that will stop me from reaching my goal. If Beaux can do it, so can I.

Happy 2012 - Race Season is Almost Here!

Now that 2012 is here…. The days are getting longer and race season will be here before you know it.

As I reflected on 2011, I can say I am one lucky gal. While it’s true I have a blast every single race experience and weekend, these were my top six highlights…. And believe me, it was hard to pick just six!—

#6 – Team Continental races at Oregon Raceway Park (May 27-30, 2011). That was the weekend Jeff Clark attempted to take the starters stand out on the front straight. Luckily, I talked over “what if” scenarios with co-starter, Erin Ebelmesser, and we were ready for the impact. Not that we wanted it, but at least we were ready.

#5 – Rose Cup Races at Portland International Raceway (June 16-19, 2011). I tell you what… Not only am I part of an amazing starter team for the Oregon Region SCCA, but I also got my chance to sit 2^nd seat in the pace car with driver, Tim Stanley. His pace car?- A Porsche GT3 sponsored by Carrera Motors Porsche. That car handles amazing! And to have the Rose Cup Trophy grid bearing down on the back bumper… Let’s just say it was a rush.

#4 – Doernbecher Dash races at Portland International Raceway (August 12-14, 2011). This event is put on by Cascade Sports Car Club and is obviously an amazing event on several levels with proceeds benefiting Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Aside from all that, I had an AMAZING ride in an authentic Ford GT with driver, Gary Bockman. That was the fastest I have ever been down PIR’s front straight – EVER. I could feel the g-forces and I was shaking when I got out of the car. Needless to say, I’ll take that ride again any time.

#3 – Mason County Benefit Event at The Ridge Motorsports Park (December 11, 2011). While the track surface is laid down, there is not a whole heck much more out there currently. The track is a rush to drive, even at a 60-mph parade lap. Luckily for me, I secured a ride in Matt Crandall’s Porsche GT3 with driver, Andrew Foley. So I just mentioned the g-forces the Ford GT laid down? Ya, times that with the rollercoaster effect of hill climbs and descents. I was in awe with the agility of the car, as well as the pucker factor with each turn. Andrew said he was told to drive 7/10^th’s, but we were pushing 9/10^th’s easily… and thanks to Andrew’s nimbleness through the turns, I also had the ability to learn the racing line. We had the car on the track for approx. 10 laps (my mind went numb from euphoria) and once we were done, I could not easily stand up. Honestly, it was a culmination of all the senses and I could not wipe the smile off my face. If I smoked, I would have needed a cigarette after that ride!

#2 – Sports Car Club of America National Championship Runoffs at Road America (September 20-25, 2011). This was my third trip to the Runoffs and I plan on going again in 2012 and many years after. My traveling partner was Erin Ebelmesser and we had an amazing trip. There were so many highlights!- First, Erin and I were treating to outstanding hospitality from Level 5 Motorsports, courtesy of our guide Micah Dolim, driver Ed Zabinski and Ed’s amazing girlfriend Jenn White. Second, tons of our friends had podium finishes- Justin Pritchard (1^st Place, EP), Brian Novak (1^st Place, FB), John Black (1^st Place, GT3), Andrew Charbonneau (2^nd Place, SM), Ed Zabinski (3^rd Place, SSB), Ali Naimi (2^nd Place, SSC), and Scott Tucker (1^st Place, STO). And finally.. Siebkens Stop-In Tavern – Need say more?

#1 – ChumpCar World Series at Portland International Raceway (both weekends – April 9-10 & October 29-30, 2011). These two events warrant a tie and definitely ranks #1 in my book. Where else can teams bring a $500 crap can car and race it enduro-style? ChumpCar!! My team is Worker's Revenge and we were amazing at both events. The April event had approx. 70 entries; and the October event had approx. 85 entries. Our best finish was 12^th during the October weekend, even with ten driver changes (with one person needing pedal extensions!). This was our third year participating with ChumpCar and I am proud to say I am not only the team manager, but also a driver.

Ahhhhhh…. What will 2012 hold? I can hardly stand the wait!!!

Interesting where life takes you

So much for my commitment back in 2010!! The past 1.5 years have been spent getting laid off, working part-time and playing at the race track. Now that race season has ended, I've had time to reconnect with friends... one of which said, "Kim - you're a good writer. Start your blog back up. And for real this time." Okay Mary, you got it.

So here's my first post since 2010! My goal is to capture some amazing events over this past race season (pictures included) and to add some personal reflection. Some exciting things appear to be on the horizon for 2012, so that will add to the positive momentum.

It's been some time.....

Okay, it's been some time. I fell off the map for a bit due to some family issues. Primarily the loss of my brother Jon's 5-month old son Matteo Pierre on Saturday August 22, 2009. While I thought I could carry on with blog posts, it felt overwhelmingly tough.

Now that a new race season has begun, I have made a commitment to myself to catch this blog up on some great things that happened to me racing-wise in 2009. Primarily, how my driver's school went and the inaugural ChumpCar World Series event held at Portland International Raceway.

So stay tuned. I promise to write more in the coming weeks!!!

Doernbecher Dash this weekend at Portland Int'l Raceway!

It’s time for the 25th Annual Doernbecher Dash, an event put on by Cascade Sports Car Club that benefits OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. It will be another perfect weekend for racing with temps expected to reach in the low to mid 80’s.

Saturday September 12 will be a day full of practices and qualifying; and Sunday September 13 will be a day of more qualifying… and of course – afternoon races!! The races will start at 2pm on Sunday and will consist of various makes and models of cars. There will be race car rides available for purchase both Saturday and Sunday. A race memorabilia silent auction will take place both days with bidding closing at 12:30pm Sunday. The Doernbecher Kids Karavan will be held on Sunday during the lunch break.

I am not 100% sure of the entry fee to this event, but do know all proceeds benefit Doernbecher Children’s Hospital…. Which is always worth every penny.

Hope to see you there!

Kimmie SERIOUSLY Goes Racing!

I am so excited and anxious for tomorrow to get here. I am taking my first race car driving school tomorrow, August 14, at Portland International Raceway. While I've done hot laps in my own personal vehicle (VW Jetta GLX VR6), this opportunity was presented to me by my good friend and race car driver Joe Harlan.

It is a Nissan 240SX that happens to be Joe's favorite race car. I am honored and touched that he's allowing me the opportunity to drive it. It will be interesting for me to feel how this car navigates around PIR versus that of my Jetta. Should be quite the stark comparison!

And thanks to the generousity of race car driver Cindi Lux, I will have the best looking outfit at the track tomorrow! Take a look at that photo.... Cindi has never worn the suit because of sponsorship obligations, so it's fresh and clean. The helmet is one of her many personal helmets and I plan on guarding it with my life.

First things first though- Tonight is the obligated "ground school," which I will be attending with my race instructor Mark Schue. Another talented driver from the Portland, Oregon area. So tomorrow, bright and early at 7:45am, I will be out at PIR fine-tuning my racing skills. I will post how I do - good or bad.

Besides the drivers school I am participating in, this weekend is also the Cascade Sports Car Club races both Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16. So come on out!! If not for the Friday drivers school, then for part of the weekend full of races!

This Weekend!- SCCA Races

I cannot believe it is already August and the season is starting to wind down at Portland International Raceway. What's on tap for this weekend? SCCA regional and vintage races. Looking at the schedule, cars will be on course starting at 9am both Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9..... and there will be some sprint races both days.... Whahoo!

Extra bonus information--
Quite a few of the racers and teams are fans of the Grateful Dead and will be remembering Jerry Garcia on Sunday, the anniversary of his death. So don't be surprised to see extra tie-dye shirts through the paddock area that day.