I’ve covered the role of the National Events Committee several times, yet have never taken time to introduce the members (that’s ‘cuz I never thought of it until Peter Schneider gathered bios of RRB members). So, it’s time to meet the SCCA’s NEC!
A writer, editor, journalist, and photographer, as well as veteran Navigator and rally organizer, James H. (Jim) Heine has been rallying since the early 1970s. He began his rally career in a 1972 Chevrolet Vega GT, graduated to a Cosworth-Vega and then a Ford Fiesta and currently (when driving) pilots a Mazda Protégé 5. A past Midwest Division Rally Steward and recipient of the Robert V. Ridges Memorial Award, he has served on numerous committees, both for the RoadRally Board and the Midwest Division. At present, he is a member of the St. Louis Region Board of Directors and the Chairman of the United States Road Rally Challenge XXIV.
Chuck Larouere has been rallying since high school in 1967 and has been an SCCA member since 1985. He has won eight National Championships and has placed in the top five almost every year. He has also served as Rallymaster for numerous National and Divisional events over the last 20 years, winning three Gervais awards. He will continue to serve the Road Rally efforts in Western Pennsylvania and participate in National events.
Mike Thompson (that would be me) ran his first rally in 1969. He started his rally career as a Navigator but switched seats when he began competing in the National RoadRally Championship series in 1980. Mike has served as Rallymaster for OKTOBERALLY since 1975, and he plans to continue in that role for the foreseeable future. Mike is currently Chairman of the NEC.
Jim Wakeman and Richard Wetzel are also members of the NEC. They got a late notice from me on providing bios and as of this writing are away competing in Arizona Border Region’s Desert Sands and Foothills National Rallies in Tucson. Their bios will be in next months’ column.
That’s AZICIT
Mike Thompson, NEC Chairman
