[Interview with Scott Abshire, driver of 13 STS, a 1990 Honda Civic SI and winner of STS at the Mar 6 event.]

Congratulations on winning STS this past weekend, Scott! There was
actually quite a gap between you and the baker's dozen of STS entrants.
How did you manage that?

Thank you. I can only attribute the gap to having all the numbers fall in place: 13 STS competitors, I drive 13 STS and if you were dyslexic I was in grid spot 13. Hmmm, maybe it was because I got to see the course at speed when we were lining the course with flour. 

This was one of the highest points you've scored, wasn't it?

Yes, this was my highest points total in the dry. I had a pretty good rain event a few years back, the heavy stuff came after our heat had run.

Did you make some driving style changes, or was the course just suited to you and your car?

I think the course was well suited for the Civic and myself, as I found the course to be very enjoyable. The course had many opportunities to try differing lines. I really enjoy courses that the line isn't completely defined. I also picked up some info when I overheard Lawrence Edwards talking to the novices, which helped me. Never be afraid to walk the course with the novice coaches. They have great info on lines and where to be looking. This program wasn't around when I started and I think I suffered for it.

Was there any particular area on the course that you think you really
nailed? I'm wondering in particular about the big offsets on the far
back row ... did you square them off, round them into big esses, etc?

I wouldn't say I really nailed any one area. I was picking up time each and every run. I did however feel as if I was really starting to understand the feel of driving with the throttle around the "Bus Stop" sweeper right after the start. I really tried to set the position of the steering wheel and use the throttle to keep the Civic on the inside of the turn. I believe it was David Fauth who introduced this concept to me at the Fast Forward school last year. As for the big offsets, I worked hard to be rotated and pointed in the right direction before I got to the apex cone. I think the last offset before the turn-around was key as it could be taken wide open with plenty of room to get inside and setup for the turn-around. 

Tell us a bit about your new car. I see a lot of folks are impressed
with it. Is it a lot different than your previous car? Have you had to
adapt your style to match this new car?

Well the new car is a 1990 Honda Civic Si. I wanted something that would be more competitive in the STS class and seeing that 38 of the 45 entrants at nationals chose 89-91 Si's, it was kind of easy to figure out what to get. I basically researched all I could find on what drivers were using nationally as well as here locally to help me prepare the car. Once I had determined the "recipe", I started taking the vehicle apart and about three months later, with some help from the guys at generic-racing.com, I was done. It is very different from the Focus, most significantly it weighs over 600 pounds less. Also it was built with very little compromise as it is not my daily driver. This was only my second event in the Civic so I wouldn't say I have adapted my driving style to it. I just feel I am more able to apply the concepts taught in the schools given in the combined CDR\CO regions.        

I noticed that generic-racing took first through 4th place in STS. Have
you guys found a secret breakfast cereal or what?

Yeah, that was pretty awesome, and we are pretty proud of it. The great folks at generic-racing.com are really committed to helping each other and our competitors. We discuss aspects of the course during the morning walks, during the heat, and afterwards trying to figure out what was fast so we can apply it next time. Plus I think Jesse has a whip, and has got us all scared and running fast.

Thanks, and congrats again. Anything else you'd like to add?

Again thank you for this opportunity, and get to know the folks you run with, competition is just that much better when its between friends.