Name: Greg Swank

Hometown: West Richland, Washington

Occupation: Engineer of sorts (security systems)

Personal: Old single guy in his late 50's--ex-skydiver, pilot, white water kayaker and sports car road racer (can you say "adrenalin junkie?"). These days I autocross, do a little fishing, even if it is a bore, a little hunting, a little trap shooting and I love to snow ski but haven't done it in a few yearsÉ'cause I got no one to go with. I also used to be an avid runner and body builder but I am now just an old fat guy with a heavy right foot.

Autocrossing experience: Off and on for the last 20 years

Primary autocross vehicle and class: Well, let's see '98 Escort, '86 944 Porsche, Mitch Lewis' Miata, and now, beginning at Event #6, an '89 MR2 Supercharged. The MR2 hopefully will be THE CAR for the next few years.

Major modifications: The MR2 is currently stock with Koni single adjustable shocks. If everything works out right it will evolve into a street mod car over the winterÑsprings, sway bars, camber-caster plates and a little more power from the addition of an aftermarket exhaust and new pulleys for the supercharger.

Modifications that made the biggest difference: Experience tells me it is the wheel/tire package followed by (or in concert with) quality adjustable shocks. However, if you can't get the power down and the class rules allow it, then a limited slip differential is right up there with the wheel/tire package.

Modifications that made the least difference: Hummmm, never noticed. I guess it would be cosmetic stuff that adds weight and slows the car down.

Future modifications to help make your vehicle more competitive: I like the underdog role so I choose my cars based on their potential to be losers. That way I can never be disappointed and when I win it's all that much sweeter. Of course, I never win since Mikey and Mitch (M&M) showed up. We'll see how it goes with the MR2 and if it doesn't work out I'm going to buy a damn Miata, put on a set of sticky tires and call it good.

Other current or past autocross vehicles: In the late 80's I autocrossed my road race car, a '72 Datsun 240Z built to International Conference of Sports Car Clubs (ICSCC) production class rules. In 1990 I bought a '91 Mazda 323 coupe for a commuter car and it turned out to be a giant killer in the stock class. I raced the Mazda for a few years, sold it, and then raced a buddy's '71 Datsun 240Z (called the Clown Car for its rust and multicolored doors and fenders) off and on for a few yearsÉugly car but well set-up for autocrossing. In '98 I bought an Escort ZX2 Sport which I have been autocrossing and hillclimbing for the past few years. The Escort is a good little racer and would be very capable if it had a limited slip differential and, in spite of the open differential, it's still a good high speed car where the speed exceeds its capability to spin the tires. I have also autocrossed my '86 Porsche 944, but not enough to get to know the car.

Best thing about autocrossing: Inexpensive compared to other forms of racing.

Worst thing about autocrossing: No wheel-to-wheel racing; no beer at the track after the racing is done (not having beer induces a degree of honesty in racers that detracts from the quality of bench racing stories).

Best driving tips: Push the gas pedal all the way to the floor whenever you can keep traction; don't over-brake; remember that the less you turn the steering wheel the faster you go. Think ahead and coax the car to where you want it, but if ya' gotta' turn the wheel, then do it with authority; look ahead, always be looking ahead even if it's out the side window; apex late early squirrelly, late great, and work your way back to find that perfect line; keep your head upright; brace yourself in the car or use a supplemental belt to keep from sliding around in the seat; and if you can, left foot brake.

Best advice for a beginner: (1) It takes time to develop "cone vision" so run three or four autocrosses before throwing in the towel because you keep getting lost. (2) Start slower and work your way up to faster speeds. (3) Look at least one gate ahead but work on looking way ahead. (4) Sit up straight in the seat so you can see OVER the fenders; use a pillow if you need to; don't "lean into the turn."

My ideal car: NSX reliable and not so expensive that it couldn't be driven daily, and it's a little exotic, too.

Opinion of your current car for autocross use: It's a little early in the game to judge the MR2 so I'll just say it's cute. I expect that in stock form it will push a little too much to be really fast, thus the reason for going to street mod over the winter.

Awards/Wins/Accomplishments: Past SSSCC champion in several classes; once had the fast time of the day at a Yakima autocross; beat a Taurus SHO at the Deer Park (Spokane) high speed autocross with my Mazda 323 in an awesome race that saw the times go back and forth by the hundredths and thousandths of a second; instructed high performance driving at Portland International Raceway as a member of the Cascade Sports Car Club; had the honor to be a guest instructor for a couple years for the Northern California Datsun Club's annual track days at Thunderhill Raceway; senior driver in the ICSCC with several wins in production race classes (and a couple year-end trophies in E-production and GT-2); hold E-Stock record for the Blue Mountain and FreezeOut hill climbs, attained SCCA regional turn marshal status, worked CART, IMSA, SCCA, ICSCC, Vintage, Historic and other race venues in the US and Canada as a flagger-turn marshal/driver observer/instructor yada, yada yada.