New Spec E30 National Series Director

#1

Spec E30 Drivers,

Twelve years ago, I decided to start an amateur sports car racing series in North Carolina. After hearing that Mike Mills was forming a similar series in California, I contacted Mike and we agreed to keep our series separate, but to merge our efforts regarding the rules. After a short time, Mike asked to join Spec E30. Neither of us knew if it this new class would be successful but we wanted to give it our best. I then pitched the idea of a spec series for BMW’s popular E30 platform to several sanctioning bodies and the National Auto Sport Association agreed to accept Spec E30 as a national class.

With just three cars racing in NASA’s Mid Atlantic Region in 2003, Spec E30 immediately started turning heads. Now, Spec E30 is often the largest field at NASA race weekends, with over 350 cars built across the United States. With this impressive growth over the years, a significant amount of time is required for rules management. While Spec E30’s rules have been mostly stable, periodically, new issues and ideas, usually though social media and internet forums, must be promptly addressed. NASA and I agree that with normal family goings-on, new interests in my life, and my continuing to build our family business, I cannot devote the significant amount of time needed to effectively manage the Spec E30 Rules. With my agreement and support, NASA has chosen Shawn Meze to be the new NASA Spec E30 National Series Director. I have worked with Shawn, have confidence in his abilities and devotion to Spec E30, and most importantly, he and I agree on the core philosophies of Spec E30 – low cost and close racing, with a stable rules package. I will gladly help in any way possible with this transition.

As the founder of Spec E30 and as a racer, I will continue to be involved with the series and am excited about plans to visit more NASA regions, as an Ambassador for the series and as a Spec E30 racer. I look forward to racing with more NASA Regions, meeting more Spec E30 drivers and fans, shaking hands, and drinking a beer with Spec E30 racers and NASA Officials after racing has concluded for the day. I will also launch a new program this year that will benefit Spec E30 racers. I will post more details on this, later.

Spec E30 will continue to be the “best bang for the buck” in low-cost and close amateur sports car racing. It will continue to be a great series for all drivers, from the newest racer looking to hone his talents, to the seasoned veteran looking for a fun and safe racing experience, and for every other amateur sports car racer looking for close and exciting racing.

‘See you at the track.

Carter

#2

Thanks for a great ride Carter. I can still remember like yesterday the first time we went to Roebling Road to shake down the rough draft of our Spec E30 race car. After Daniel and I did a stint on old scrubs we put on some fresh rubber and had our eyes opened to the the amazing fun that was awaiting us. PR/LP were there that weekend as well. No long after that you, me, Daniel, Vic and ??Alex May went wheel to wheel at VIR in one of the first official Spec E30 races. That was 2003. Since then, thanks to your efforts, we opened a whole new chapter in our lives that I will always cherish. New friends, new challenges, and new ways to put a hole in my wallet! None of it would have been possible without your initiative, constant attention and steady leadership. Hope you have a great time as Spec E30 Director Emeritus!

#3

Thanks for all of your time and dedication Carter. Few people realize how much effort is required to make anything in motorsport run, let alone succeed. The second largest amateur racing class is no small feat!

#4

David, thank you for the memories. What is your latest race plan?

Carter Hunt, thank you for starting the Series!

David, as you wrote, I remember back in 2004 being at that Roebling Road event and learning of the new “Spec E30” series. At the time I was trying to make a decision where to race that it would not cost boatloads of money. The BMWCCA class K Stock had an appeal, but there were so many quirks that one had to do to keep the car “stock”. Catalytic converters don’t belong on a race car.

The move to K Prepared was too expensive.

Then along comes Carter with this idea of Spec E30. Carter, remember your first “Join Us” flyer with your car on bottlecap wheels? As it turned out, SE30 was right on!

And, owing to Carter’s fantastic idea and strong leadership throughout these many years the series is still right on!

Now 10 years later all you have to do is ask folks in the paddock, “Who is having the most fun?” They will point down the way at the SE30 guys and say “go listen to their stories.” Ditto if you ask who has the most competitive series.

The SE30 guys that were at the campfire this past weekend at CMP were having a blast. listen to their stories and you’ll know this was/is the best hobby with so many good friendships.

Again, wouldn’t be typing this without Carter Hunt and his vision that giving us all a format to compete and a leadership that has grown this series to great popularity.

Carter, we all owe you. A toast: Beer-thirty starts when you arrive at a SE event.

RP

#5

Carter, thanks for everything!! I had an absolutely blast racing SE30!

And congrats to Shawn!

#6

I first met Carter on my very first race, I had no clue what Spec E30 was all about, I had only met Rich B. a few month before and invited me to join the racing fun. Carter helped me get the right diff from the junkyard, met his family and have had some hard racing with him at VIR, going 2 wide all thru the “esses” gotta say was one of the most satisfying experiences.

Muchas Gracias Carter!

#7

Thanks, Sandro. Keep those stories coming. Always fun to read uplifting stories of races past.

RP

#8

Carter: Thank you for creating SE30. A few years ago, after moving through the DE and TT routine, I went ‘shopping’ for a race series. While it was RP and the SE group that sold me on E30, the concept and practices of SE30 made it possible for me to get started (and keep going): a strong platform, reasonable cost (for racing that is), easy to learn and maintain for the amateur mechanic, very fun to drive, and a group of great people. I made the right choice in 2006, but you set the stage for me and many others.

We met a few times, and I think you instructed my brother in DE once. But your influence is nationwide. You hit on a great idea, set up the series for success, and then guided us forward for many years. Thanks for all of your leadership!

Jon

#9

Called and talked to Carter today. With change there is often wonder about the behind-the-scenes story. Good news is that it is exactly as he posted, nothing to tell, just time to enjoy the racing without having to stay up with all the racer request. When was the last time someone called you about how to wire a kill switch in?

Bad example, but Carter did say that, as the schedule permits, he plans to visit different regions and do some racing.

RP

Again, Carter, many thanks.

#10

Thank You Carter for providing us a great series to race and hang out with some really awesome people. I only got to race with you at East Coast Nationals, but it was a pleasure to meet and speak with you. Hope to see you at VIR later this year.

cheers

#11

A well deserved promotion. Been racing under Mr. Méze’s [strike]reign of terror[/strike] esteemed leadership for four years now and I can say the SoCal crew is having more fun than the rest of the pits combined. Congrats!