Updated Nov. 21, 2019
At our November 5th General Meeting we had our final “Call for Candidates,” and at the close of the meeting the candidate nominations were officially closed.
All current KC Region SCCA members are strongly encouraged to vote, and ballots must be cast by our Annual General Meeting on December 3rd at The Local Tap in Rosanna Square. [Map]
*Please review our candidate’s bios, then fill out the election form below.*
Paper ballots must be mailed to our Secretary, Lisa Kern, or delivered to our December Annual Meeting and will be entered into our electronic ballot system.
We would like to thank our outgoing Regional Executive, Paula Diehl, and our outgoing Assistant Regional Execustive, Tim Friest, for their 2 years of service.
Thanks for voting and we look forward to seeing you at our December 3rd meeting!
CANDIDATE BIOS
Click the + / – next to each name to show / hide their candidate statement.
Regional Executive
My name is Mike McGinley and I am running for Regional Executive. I have been a SCCA member since 2001 and have been actively involved in Club Racing since I joined. The Sunday race at Heartland Motorsports Park in July marked my 201st race with the club. Since I retired in 2016 I have become more involved in the club and in 2017 I was elected to our Board of Directors where I have served in 2018 and 2019. In early 2019 I helped our Region obtain a Grant from the SCCA to fund a website revision and helped initialize Constant Contact as an email tool to better communicate with club members AND bring back our Checkpoint Newsletter. I also became a Board Member for the Kaw Valley Race Group (KVRG) in late 2018 and I am now the Secretary/ Treasurer of that organization. The KVRG is a joint organization with our Region and the Kansas Region and we plan and organize all of the Club Racing and Time Trials programs. I have volunteered and worked nearly every Track Night in America event at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka since they started in 2017 and I speak to all participants in their Driver’s Meetings to pitch what our club has to offer car enthusiasts.
I have lived in KC most of my life, went to KU and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. I have had a successful 36 year career in the Auto Business, most recently being a partner with Rick Hendrick as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission. (1998-2016). I had the same roles at Hendrick Toyota and HUMMER of Kansas City during the same time period. I have had vast experience on Boards and Committees for Chevrolet, Toyota, and Hendrick Automotive Group with a good grasp of financial statements, marketing, and personnel. During my tenure at the store we sponsored the KC Region SCCA at every Club Racing event at Heartland Park in Topeka.
I feel I have the time to devote to help continue to increase the membership numbers and enthusiasm of our Region as we continue to have “Fun With Cars.”
Thank you for your consideration.
Assistant Regional Executive
I started my journey with the SCCA in 2014. I got the Fiat Abarth I’d wanted and it was time to have some fun with it! I took a chance on a rainy Sunday morning in April and attended my first Autocross. I instantly fell in love with the sport, the people and the club.
Since that important day I have grown in the region wearing many hats along the way. I learned from anyone that took time to teach and took pointers from my mentors on how to expand my contribution to the Kansas City Region and SCCA.
In my 5 years, I’ve worked as chief of registration, served on the board of directors and held a seat on the solo advisory committee. I strive to bring organization and assistance anywhere I can. I wear any hat that needs wearing when needed.
This year I am asking you to consider me for the solo advisory committee once again and to further entrust the future of our region by allowing me to serve as your assistant regional executive. I thank you for your consideration.
Secretary
Retired April 28th 2017 from Swiss Re as an IT Business Analyst. Prior to getting my position at SR 26 years ago I worked as an Automobile Technician, mechanic, for International Autosport for 19 years earning the ASE master technician, Alfa Romero Master Technician and being designated the number 2 Alfa Tech in North America in 1987.
I have been a member of the SCCA for the last six years. However, I have been familiar with the club since the 1970’s working crew at various races and participating in economy runs and Solo events.
During my first year as a member, I soloed a Mini Cooper in H Street and for then road raced a 84 Honda CRX in ITC earning my full competition license. For the last 3 year I moved to a GT Lite car and this year went to the runoffs at VIR. I have worked corners at Heartland race, track night America and at the vintage race in Garnett.
I now feel it is time give back to the club by providing my time and energy in moving us forward. I am looking for your support in voting for me as Secretary.
Treasurer
I have enjoyed racing with the Kansas City Region Solo group since 2013. I have had the privilege to serve as the KCR SCCA Treasurer for the past 2 years and as the KCR SCCA Secretary in 2015 and 2016. I have enjoyed assisting our Club in making financial decisions these past 2 years, making sure we can provide for events today and for many years to come. I would be honored to continue to serve the Members and am seeking re-election as your 2020 Treasurer so that I may build upon the knowledge I have gained and continue to help the Club grow and succeed. Thank you for trusting me to serve on the Board in the past, and for your consideration for re-election.
Director
Tim Friest has been a SCCA member since 2008, primarily competing in road racing events. Tim currently works as a software developer in Leavenworth. Tim went to college in Alaska and downhill ski raced as a teen. Tim is interested in growing awareness and participation of sports car racing and motorsports activities in the Midwest.
I was introduced to the SCCA for the first time back in 2014. I registered for my first Solo2 event after purchasing my Genesis Coupe. Starting at the tail end of that season, I was greeted so warmly that I could barely wait for spring. Everyone I connected with wanted to see me improve, and encourage my progress. I learned so much in just a few events. This greeting has stuck with me through my whole experience in the club.
2015 started, and I began seeking out other volunteer opportunities beyond just chasing cones. I did my best to learn grid, start, registration and T&S operations. The next year was more learning, improving and getting to know as many members in the club as I could connect with; gleaning and participating. Mid-way through summer 2016 I attended my first RallyCross event and was immediately hooked. Through the rest of the season I did both Solo2 and RX. In 2017 I jumped fully into the RallyCross program and attended both the National Challenge and Nationals events. At both events I worked timing and scoring with the national office and learned a lot about course logistics and operations. I ended up winning the 2017 Prepared Rear 1st place in KCR and was graciously awarded RallyCrosser of the Year. I love growing this program.
In 2018 I became part of the core that starts registration, timing, and setup for our local events. We held an exhibition RallyCross event at StoneGate Motorplaza that garnered hundreds of spectators. It was a resounding success garnering some new members and sparking interested novices to both the Solo and RX programs that day.
For the 2019 season I was elected to the RX advisory committee. We launched out of the gate with arguably the most successful single charity event the SCCA has ever partnered with in the KCR. The Unnaturally Aspirated Show & Shred raised nearly $3000 in just one afternoon. This event was one that I helped to orchestrate but was unable to attend. I was, however, able to call in through video from my hospital room and thank everyone who volunteered and attended, as their efforts had helped to support my family through the most difficult experience of my entire life. I was able to thank them with new breath and new lungs, I had received only 9 days prior.
I want to make this club as accessible and inviting to enthusiasts as I possibly can. I believe I bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the club that can continue to help us reach new audiences and cover a broader area than we ever have.
I literally breathe in-part because of the SCCA’s support.
I was welcomed with open arms to this club and I want to be an official part of the core team that does that for others. Thank you for your consideration for KCR Board of Directors.
RallyCross Advisory Committee
The RAC is the driving force behind the RallyCross program. They report to the Board. They meet to develop the RallyCross schedule and coordinate contracts with the various sites. They have successfully bid for the National Tour in the past and coordinated with National to host the event.
I’ve been involved with the SCCA for a little over a year, and it’s already one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. While I’ve only been racing for a year or so, I’ve been involved with cars as long as I can remember.
My background is primarily in automotive media, both writing and photography, so I would love to help grow the public face of the club. We all know how fun it is to throw cars around, but sometimes the regular public doesn’t know what we do, or how to get involved, so I’d like to show off some of our events and how easy it is to join in.
I am already trying to take a more active role within the club, and have assisted with working registration, timing, and grid at rallycross events.
Prior to working in media, I used to work with project improvement, so I’d also be able to come in as a relative newcomer and look at ways to make our events run more smoothly and efficiently.
I have been involved with the SCCA from 2013 to present. I started Rallycrossing at the first KC event in Oct of 2012 and have attended almost every KC RX over the last seven years. My experience includes more than 70 RX events in ten different regions, two national championships and one triplecross award. I have been involved in RX leadership in Kansas City for the last four years including RX safety steward, RAC, event chair and doing what I can to promote and support the sport in the Kansas City Region. In 2015 and 2016 I served on the RallyCross National Championship Planning Committee and I have been serving on the National RallyCross Board (RXB) from 2017 to present. I am interested in growing the sport locally and bringing in more new members through RX.
As an RAC member, I would strive to continue to promote this growing branch of the KCRSCCA family, working with venue owners to organize accessible events to KC region locals as well as friends from our neighbor regions. I also look forward to working with the Board of Directors to make sure the RallyCross program has the equipment and training we need to continue to run efficient, fun, and most importantly safe race days.
Solo Advisory Committee
The SAC focuses on the Solo Autocross program and schools. They report to the Board. They meet once per month on the first Tuesday of the month at 6:00 pm. They handle all of the planning of the Autocross events. They coordinate with MCC and the Kansas Region SCCA to schedule races at those sites, look into new sites, and make sure the Autocross program is running smoothly.
I’ve been a member of KCR since 2018. I’ve always been interested in cars, doing little upgrades to them here and there, but never really taken it any further than that till I started doing autocross. Two years ago I got my current car, a yellow 2017 Camaro, and decided I needed to do something more with it. Joining KCR and autocross was the solution and it has been great! I was nervous at first but everyone has been very helpful and friendly, making the whole experience very welcoming. I would like to continue the journey by getting more involved and help maintain KCR as a fun and welcoming club for everyone!
I am running for a position on the Advisory Committee because I really enjoy this club and would like to get more involved and improve the region with new ideas and a fresh perspective.
I am fairly new to the SCCA and autocross scene, with my first event being Starting Line back in July of 2018. I quickly fell in love with going fast and have attended every event at MCC since! Wanting to get more involved, I started attending the general meetings in July of this year.
I manage an automotive paint distributor in Independence and have been in the automotive industry for 13 years with an emphasis on paint the last 11 years. I have been around cars my whole life, but only recently purchased a car that I consider to be “race worthy”. You may know it as the “TEA WRX”.
My goals for the seat on the SAC is to continue the smooth operation already in place and keep my ear to the ground on things that are of a concern and we can improve on.
Thank you for your consideration!
After watching for a year, I finally took the leap and drove for the first time in our Mazda RX-7 and officially became a member of SCCA in 2017. I was instantly hooked. I’ve attended every event at MCC since then and have wanted to get more involved our region.
In 2018 I assisted with the Chief of Workers and during events I helped wherever was needed. I am willing to learn in any aspect to help expand my knowledge with the Kansas City Region and continue to make Kansas City Region a fun and inviting club for anyone to attend.
I started my journey with the SCCA in 2014. I got the Fiat Abarth I’d wanted and it was time to have some fun with it! I took a chance on a rainy Sunday morning in April and attended my first Autocross. I instantly fell in love with the sport, the people and the club.
Since that important day I have grown in the region wearing many hats along the way. I learned from anyone that took time to teach and took pointers from my mentors on how to expand my contribution to the Kansas City Region and SCCA.
In my 5 years, I’ve worked as chief of registration, served on the board of directors and held a seat on the solo advisory committee. I strive to bring organization and assistance anywhere I can. I wear any hat that needs wearing when needed.
This year I am asking you to consider me for the solo advisory committee once again and to further entrust the future of our region by allowing me to serve as your assistant regional executive. I thank you for your consideration.