Editors Note:

By: David Brown

This issue is a tough one. For so many reasons I put this off as long as I could. Deep down I think I knew it would be better to get this over with all at once. In waiting a few weeks I was able to include one final obituary for the member who welcomed me into the club over 28 years ago. We’ve lost exceedingly great members and former members. I hope I never have to put an issue like this together again. Five obituaries are included here. Yes, five. I knew all of them. I’m still having a hard time coming up with words so I’ll let other speak here.

The 2023 Ohio Valley Region, SCCA Awards Banquet will be held Saturday February 3, 2024 at Villa Milano in Columbus. Registration details can be found HERE. WE would love to see everyone. Preregistration is REQUIRED.

While this event marked an end to the 2023 calendar, the solo schedule is already set for 2024. OVR will be returning to Fortress Obetz for more fun with cars, kicking off on April 14, 2024 with the annual Test & Tune Event.

Sam was a lifelong athlete who made his mark as a football player and star student at Bowling Green State University. For 50 years, he passionately pursued checkered flags under the banner of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). His legacy in racing is punctuated by remarkable achievements, including clinching the 2009 National Championship in the SCCA E-Production class, and back-to-back “Triumphs” at the Put-in-Bay Reunion race. Beyond his own victories, Sam generously shared his expertise with others, served as an instructor at the Mid-Ohio School, and was an active member of the Buckeye Triumph Club. In his spare time, he managed to carve out a long and successful career within the banking and title industries.

Sam is survived by his pit crew, loving wife Carol (Reed) Halkias of Westerville, OH; daughters Julia Halkias Keller of Hamilton, OH, and Samantha Halkias Bivenour (Brett) of Lewis Center, OH; Grandchildren Ashleigh Kastor, Marah Keller, Cole Keller, Marley Bivenour, Van Bivenour, and Shiloh Bivenour; Four Great Grandchildren; his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law; and an abundant number of nieces, nephews, and an exceptional number of wonderful friends.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents Samuel & Sophia Halkias, sister Penelope Avesian, and in-laws Robert & Agnes Reed.

Calling hours and service will be held at Snyder Funeral Home – Devore Chapel, 637 North St. Rt. 61 at S St. Rt. 3 in Sunbury, OH, with burial immediately following at Burnside Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects on Friday, August 25th from 11am- 1pm with the service beginning promptly at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Brain Aneurysm Foundation (www.bafound.org).

April 5, 1955 – September 9, 2023

OVR Member Donna Tonkin passed away in peace on September 9 , 2023.

Donna worked for many years and retired from the State of Ohio Dept of Job and Family Services.

Donna’s hobbies included al things nature; ni particular, a lover of growing tomatoes, flowers, and all of wildlife. She was introduced to road racing by her friend Scott, and from there became a follower of F1, IMSA, and SCCA Club Racing, traveling to many events al around the country and out of the country. But, her favorite hobby was baking and preparing al kinds of meals, baking for al who met her. Donna had a heart of gold. New and old friends always commented that she always wore a smile while
prepping and serving her meals and treats to her friends, why She loved preparing food for her friends.

Donna was known for her dinner parties, especially for Independence Day enjoying the Fireworks surrounding her property, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with friends.

A long-time member of Ohio Valley Region SCCA, Donna has been an asset to OVR that many of you don’t realize, and she always volunteered with a smile…

•She became a registrar and not just for the Runoffs and OVR’s club racing, worked for the Pro Racing events at Mid-Ohio for many years, with a smile.
•She served on OVR’s By-Laws Committee, with a smile.
•She proofed the Observer’s Stand in years of old, back when we had 36 to 44 pages of a magazine 10 issues a year… with a smile.
•She was a valuable contributor to the OVR Club Race Committee, suggesting new ideas, and also assisting with planning the menus, with a smile.
•She was one of the founders of the Infamous OVR “Turn One and a Half” parties held on Friday’s at the SCCA Runoffs.
•She also volunteered her time for the Runoffs working at Race Central at Mid-Ohio, with a smile.
•She volunteered her time for Driver Information for our club events at Mid-Ohio, with a smile.
•She volunteered her time working with our Tech Group, as she called it, “The Best time of her life, at the track was being a water girl, in particular the Super Tour Years”. Subsequently she
has donated her water wagon to the OVR tech group for ongoing
events.
•And using that same wagon, Donna delivered popsicles, hot chocolate, water, and ice through ALL KINDs of weather, everywhere she could at the track to keep our volunteers energized, with a smile.

Known in recent years, as “The Master Baker” or the “Cookie Lady” at Mid-Ohio. From the minute she entered the track, she was always prepared and sharing her made from scratch, “Fireman’s Cookies” or her “Carrot Cake Cupcakes” to all, starting
at Registration and Mid-Ohio’s Security Gate; and ALWAYS WITH A SMILE. We at OVR will miss her smile.

(submitted by Jude Summers-editor)

Philip Paul Alspach,  kicked of Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at 3:10pm. Born November 7, 1937, he was the son of Paul and Mae Alspach, and pretty much lived in Columbus, Ohio (only because he didn’t win the lottery), having
lived in Hollywood, Florida for 6months, and Lancaster, Ohio for approximately 22 years.

He leaves behind a beloved sister, Christine Mae Nixon, two sons, Steve of Buford, Georgia, and Jeff, with granddaughters, Jewel, and Jenna of Suwanee, Georgia; also remaining is his beloved pussy, Zooey, And, Phil leaves behind his best friend, Jude Summers and her loved one, Chico. In addition, he also leaves behind two ex-wives and several lovers, all who will or will not miss his wonderful personality greatly.

He was a 50 year member of Ohio Valley Region, Sports Car Club of America, having raced in G Production, Improved Touring B, Grand Touring 4, Showroom Stock C, D Sports Racing, STL, IT7, H Production, & E Production. Winning the Great Lakes Regional Championship three times, he won many races and autocrosses, having finished 2nd in E Prepared in the 1974 National Solo Championships, having competed in all 46 National Solo Championships, and finished 15 SCCA Road Racing National Championships (the Runoffs), won the 2016 American Road Race of Champions in E Production, and won many local autocross titles (In E Prepared, and A Modified), including Driver of the Year. In addition, he held many offices in OVR and SCCA. including Member of the National Solo Events Board, Central Division Solo Steward, Regional Executive, Treasurer, Director, Solo Chairman, Membership Chairman, and Race Chairman.

Phil worked as a Project Development Engineer for twenty-five years at Anchor-Hocking Glass at Lancaster, before they downsized and went down the toilet, and held a series of three year jobs, including working for “Satan and “Satan II”, having been downsized from all due to the rotten US economy and mismanagement of the various companies, and finally retired in 2009. He was happiest at Anchor hocking, and in his self-owned small business, TCR Group, a tire services company. He was a graduate of The Ohio State University (1960), where he partied too much, was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and didn’t learn enough, sometimes due to incomprehensible foreign Graduate Teaching Assistants from India.

He is to be cremated and his ashes to be spread at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Lexington, Ohio.

À message from Phil is “We are going to have fun, Good Racing”.

I just learned that Philip Paul Alspach passed away around 3:00 today, November 22, 2023.  He was at home with Hospice.

I met Phil back in 1985, the year I joined the Ohio Valley Region of the Sports Car Club of America.  I cared a lot about Phil, and even though we knew this was coming, I am taken aback by how hard this is hitting me.

Phil could be a royal pain in the ass.  He could be a hothead.  He could be ridiculously sure he was always right, but gracious if he learned otherwise.  He was a hard person to get to know, but if you were his friend, you could argue, fight, disagree, and he NEVER held a grudge.  Once something was out in the air, it was gone forever.

As somebody who spent a LOT of time working in the administrative end of OVR, including two years as Regional Executive, several years as registrar, and as editor of The Observers Stand (those positions were held at the same time, BTW!!!), I can say with absolute certainty that most people have absolutely no clue how much Phil Alspach did for the Region, for the general membership, and for the Club, in general — not even those who served on the Board.

There was no better steward of the Region’s funds.  He protected the Region’s money as if it were his own, and believe you me, that man squeezed pennies so hard, Lincoln screamed.  But, he helped recover funds we lost when we tried another treasurer, and he protected and built the treasury back up to levels where we didn’t have to worry about funding our events. 

He wasn’t the best writer, BUT he made sure he talked to everybody at autocrosses and road races.  His Race Trips From Hell always made mention of every single OVR member in attendance and even included a few tidbits about their races.

For most of the years I knew Phil, every vacation he took had to coincide with a race or Solo II Nationals, or the Runoffs.  His figure lumbering up and down pit lane was a familiar and comforting sight.

The last ten or so years of his life, he started taking trips, alone, to see this amazing country of ours.  He always put together a video of his Trips and shared those DVDs with his closest friends.  I was so thrilled when he started taking vacations that had nothing to do with racing.

I don’t know how many races he chaired, or how many conventions he attended (where he definitely let his opinions be known, and he ALWAYS advocated for the grassroots competitors).

He loved music and videos, and had an obscene collection of both.  We shared a fondness for The Alan Parsons Project, and he’d always tell me when Wal*Mart had music and video sales.

This Thanksgiving is going to be tough.  For several years, Phil, Jude Summers, Rusty Bell, and I were fixtures at Donna Tonkin’s Thanksgiving dinners, along with a cast of others who made the trip from time to time.  This year, there will be no hard boiled eggs, or laughter, or turkey in Donna’s kitchen, because Donna has left us too.

Thanksgiving will be different this year, but I will remember to be thankful for the friends who have passed through my life and shared their hugs and love with me, and those friends who still hang around (thank you, and bless you).

Phil, I’ll miss you, Old Fart.  But I promise, you will always have a piece of my heart. ❤️ Enjoy your Race Trips From Heaven.

(This was posted on Facebook by former OVR  Member, Director, and Regional Executive Kirsten Dell. Reprinted with permission. –editor)

• ➢  Club Racing Board (CRB) (8/1): As I was driving to Kansas City for the CRB and BoD meetings, I was not able to sit in on this meeting. The results of all of the CRB rules changes can be seen here.
• ➢  Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee (EVAC) (8/9): With a bit of a hiatus due to the BoD meeting, we reviewed our action items and plotted a course for moving forward during championship season.
• ➢  Board of Directors (BoD) (8/22): The BoD got an update from Heyward Wagner on the incident at the Hillclimb event that had a fatality.
• ➢  BoD (8/28): We had a short agenda as championship season is coming up and all programs are preparing for that. Our financials look fine. We are behind the curve a bit as YTD entries and sanction fees are down due to poor weather in the early part of the year.SCCA Events:

• ➢  CRB meeting (8/3): We discussed some of the long term, strategic topics that were brought up back atthe spring face to face meeting. How would the Runoffs change in the next few years? What classes would be involved? How would the Club Racing program differ from its current incarnation? We also chatted about more immediate issues like “halos” on formula cars, the SMX class, in car flagging systems, etc.
• ➢  BoD meeting (8/4, 8/5): The BoD meeting would last two days so we could cover the usual oversight items (financials, program status, Enterprises, etc.) but also work on our own governance (bylaws, term limits, etc.). It was an effective series of meetings, and we continue to lay the groundwork for future success. We have a very good set of Directors all working for the greater good of the Club.
• ➢  CAM Challenge @ Grissom AFB (8/12): Raliegh Boreen has invited me to CAM events for quite a while, but something was always in the way. This year I made it a priority to make sure that I attended one of these events.

While I’ve been to plenty of Solos and even participated in quite a few, I was not prepared for this event. Yes, I’d seen the CAM classes run at the Solo Nats last year but I didn’t get a chance to talk to the drivers too much. This was different. I walked amongst the grid and was able to chat with several of the drivers. And what a wide variety of drivers it was! There were many unique stories that led them to CAM. This set of classes has developed its own culture and there is a tight knit group of members participating. That spells success in the SCCA.

The on track action was neat too. The course was long and the competition was fierce. I was told by Velma Boreen that I would be passenger on one of her runs. What a blast! That gal knows what she’s doing behind the wheel. Then the rains came. I was lucky enough to not get soaked. It was interesting watching the big cars dash through the puddles.

• ➢  OVR Double Regional at Mid Ohio (8/13): After the Solo I drove over to Ohio , stayed the night and went to the Mid Ohio course for day two of a double regional held there by OVR. The car count was a bit depressed due to the fact that there was a race there two weeks earlier hosted by Cincy Region. The main reason I was there was to cheer on the HProd folks who were gathered en masse for the H Production Invitational. As this was my class back in the day, it was nice to see all the usual faces and cars as well as some new ones. Even my old steed was there piloted by a buddy of mine who bought her from me. Chris Schaafsma (defending HP Champion) ran away with the race but there were battles all through the field. It was quite a site to see 30 HP cars on track at once.
• ➢  Sam Halkias Memorial Service: I want to take a minute to write about the loss of a colleague to this Club. Sam Halkias was a long-time friend who was very supportive of me (and MANY others) when I was just starting out. He was always there with advice, tools and parts (we ran similar old British sports cars). He paid it forward for guys like me and made it easier for the next generation to get into the Club Racing game.He was the EP Champion in 2009 and I will NEVER forget that race. In a driving rainstorm, he piloted his TR6 to victory at Road America. Several of us watched from T3. We hustled up to the winners circle and I had the pleasure of being the first to shake his hand when he climbed out of his car. He was so happy. All the years of work and preparation had paid off in a title. Someone handed him a phone and he called his wife. He voiced cracked as he told her the good news. As he was a solitary guy at the track (no crew, no family), I had never met her until the service last Friday (8/25). It was heartening to see all the SCCA members who attended the service.I thought it so apropos that he was buried in his drivers suit with a checkered flag. He will be missed.==========
  Be sure and visit the GLDiv website for information about all of the SCCA programs within the division. We have schedules, official’s contact info, standings, etc. for all the SCCA programs.Please take a few minutes and make sure your contact information is accurate in the SCCA database. It’s important to have the correct information there so the club knows how to contact you. Log in to your my.scca.com page and check.

  As I mentioned previously, there is a new path to getting your annual waiver. You can now get it through the Member Account Portal (MAP). Follow this link to get the instructions. There is also a story about the program here. I’ve done it and it only takes a couple of minutes. Be prepared to upload a headshot picture of yourself.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have about any facet of the GLDiv. I want you to make the most of your membership and I will help out in any way possible to make that happen.

Dayle Frame
Area 4 Director
Great Lakes Division
517.889.1117 (h)
dframe@scca.com

As I mentioned in my last update, September was going to be another hectic month. I drove out to the Solo Nationals and spent five days there. It was quite an event. Next it was off to the Runoffs down in Virginia and another huge SCCA spectacle. Throw in a few Zoom meetings, a few phone calls on various topics and before you know it, the month is gone.

So, here’s what I did this past month…..

Video Conference Meetings:

• ➢  Club Racing Board (CRB) (9/5): As I was attending a function during the CRB meetings, I was not able to sit in on this meeting. The results of all of the CRB rules changes can be seen here.
• ➢  Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee (EVAC) (9/13): With the President’s update later that evening,we had a shortened EVAC meeting. We covered previous action items. We discussed roll cage requirements for heavier competition vehicles.
• ➢  Board of Directors (BoD) (9/25): With the Runoffs in progress, we cancelled the meeting for this month.SCCA Events:

➢ SCCA Solo Nationals (9/3-9/9): This was my second trip this the Solo Nationals. After having such a

great time last year, I just HAD to come to the 50th edition of the event this year. With over 1300 entrants, it was sure to be a special time for everyone involved.

I arrived on site Monday afternoon and got set up. Even though I had attended last year, this would still be a learning experience for me. I knew there were classes that I had to view and an agenda of folks I wanted to talk with during the week.

On Tuesday night, there was a dinner and museum trip scheduled. I’d never been to the Museum of American Speed but it is a fantastic place to visit. They have a HUGE section of cars and memorabilia there. I strongly suggest you visit the place next time you’re in Lincoln. You will not be disappointed. Wednesday, I was included in a meeting with the museum management to discuss cooperation on an SCCA display. We have entered a long term agreement with the museum and I look forward to a variety of SCCA cars being displayed.

As it is impossible to say “no” to Raleigh Boreen, I was talked into handing out trophies on Friday. How cool was this? I got to meet dozens of participants and give them hardware to honor their efforts.

All in all, a very good week for me, the Club and the Solo program.

➢ SCCA Runoffs (9/24-10/2): Other than 2008 in Topeka and 2018 out at Sonoma, I’ve been to every Runoffs since 1997. Whether it was as a driver, a worker, a photographer, crew or spectator, the event has it all. Competition, intrigue, charm, camaraderie…..and this year’s edition was no different. If you haven’t been to one, please consider coming out to next year’s event. It’s in our backyard at Road America for the next two years. You won’t regret it.

Now that I’m retired as a driver, I find a variety of diverse activities occupies my time while at the event. This year I had several different tasks on my agenda. I would flag corners on Wednesday (qualifying) and Saturday (races). Wednesday would be with Mike Cobb (SCCA President) and Clay Turner (Area 8 Director). We had a great time even though the weather was misty, cool and breezy. On Saturday, the races forced us to use ALL the available flags as there were lots of incidents that required tire wall repair, wreckers, etc. I don’t know if I’ve ever worked harder on a corner as we were constantly doing something. At the end of the day, I was wiped out. On Thursday, I sat in on a CRB meeting in which we discussed the future plans for data collection. On Sunday, I had volunteered to present the trophies for the podium finishers in H Production (HP) as it was the class in which I used to compete. Throw in some schmoozing (campaigning?) during some off hours, visiting with friends and the week went by pretty quickly.

==========
There’s a couple of extra items to bring up this month. As you may know, a BoD term lasts three years and this is the final year of my term. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I am being challenged for the position. Dan Hodge is running against me. He is a member of Ohio Valley Region and a Club Racing steward.

I urge all members to vote. You will receive an email from the SCCA outlining the voting process. The window for voting is from 10/15 to 11/15. You can do so electronically by logging into your my.scca.com account. If needed, you can also request a paper ballot there. Whether you vote for me or my opponent, please query us on your concerns and vote. This Club is member driven and it is a better organization when those members participate in the process.
==========
Be sure and visit the GLDiv website for information about all of the SCCA programs within the division. We have schedules, official’s contact info, standings, etc. for all the SCCA programs.

Please take a few minutes and make sure your contact information is accurate in the SCCA database. It’s important to have the correct information there so the club knows how to contact you. Log in to your my.scca.com page and check.

As I mentioned previously, there is a new path to getting your annual waiver. You can now get it through the Member Account Portal (MAP). Follow this link to get the instructions. There is also a story about the program here. I’ve done it and it only takes a couple of minutes. Be prepared to upload a headshot picture of yourself.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have about any facet of the GLDiv. I want you to make the most of your membership and I will help out in any way possible to make that happen.

Dayle Frame
Area 4 Director
Great Lakes Division
517.889.1117 (h)
dframe@scca.com

Area 4 Director Update for November 2023

First, please forgive the tardiness of this update.  After returning from the Runoffs down at VIR on 10/2, I had my left hip replaced on 10/5.   It’s been a pretty tough road back with all of the rehab exercise.  But things are slowly starting to get back to “normal” around here and just in time for the holidays and family visits, etc.

Second, I cannot proceed without mentioning the loss of another long time SCCA member that hits close to my home.  Jerry Shiloff passed away earlier this week.  As we were both from Michigan, I saw Jerry frequently over the years as he stewarded many events at tracks here in the state.  Whether I was a driver, worker or race administrator, Jerry was always there to offer guidance and support where needed.  He was a treasured resource on a wide variety of topics.  His wisdom and experience were highly valued.  Our condolences go out to Mary, his family and friends and the Detroit Region for their loss.  He will be sorely missed by the SCCA community.

So, here’s what I did this past month…..

Video Conference Meetings:

➢ Club Racing Board (CRB) (10/9):  This was rescheduled from 10/5 so as not to conflict with folks still returning from the Runoffs.  Unfortunately, there was a GLDiv Zoom call that same evening.  I had to choose so I sat in on the divisional meeting (see below).  The results of all of the CRB rules changes can be seen here.
➢ GLDiv BoD meeting (10/9): The aforementioned divisional meeting was our annual get together with the division’s REs so we could go over the past year’s budget, discuss aspects of the spring meeting,and review other divisional topics.  It was also an opportunity for me to answer questions from the attendees.

Our spring convention is scheduled for 3/2 in Fort Wayne, IN.  As usual, Val McCammon is coordinating the event and will have further details as they become available.

➢ Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee (EVAC) (10/11):  This month’s meeting was cancelled as I was in no shape to host the Zoom call so soon after my surgery.  We closed several action items via email thread.
➢ Board of Directors (BoD) (10/23):  Our year-to-date financials look pretty good considering the awful weather we had at the beginning of the year.  This quenched entry turnout and we’ve been playing catch up ever since.    The BoD expects to see a 2024 budget next month.  We got an update on the Club Spec concept from Heyward Wagner.  We will have two offerings in this arena.  Option packages are being developed for both vehicles.  There will be further details coming soon.  We got an update on the proposed Hillclimb Board as well.  We reviewed some proposed Operations Manual revisions for 2024.

SCCA Events:

None (I conveniently scheduled my surgery for the off season).  My next trip is to Kansas City for the December face to face meeting there.

==========

I will make one last appeal for your vote in the Area 4 Directorship election.  I have worked very hard to make sure that I represent the membership of the GLDiv and its regions on our BoD.  I also believe I have done enough to warrant your continued support in this election.

I urge all members to vote.  If you haven’t already, you will receive an email from the SCCA outlining the voting process.  The window for voting will close on 11/15 so you have another week or so to vote. You can do so electronically by logging into your my.scca.com account. Choose the “Member Resources” tab at the top of the page and then select “Surveys and Voting” and the bottom of that pull down menu.  If needed, you can also request a paper ballot there.  Whether you vote for me or my opponent, please query us on your concerns and vote.  This Club is member driven and it is a better organization when those members participate in the process.

==========

Be sure and visit the GLDiv website for information about all of the SCCA programs within the division.  We have schedules, official’s contact info, standings, etc. for all the SCCA programs.

Please take a few minutes and make sure your contact information is accurate in the SCCA database.  It’s important to have the correct information there so the club knows how to contact you.  Log in to your my.scca.com page and check.

As I mentioned previously, there is a new path to getting your annual waiver.  You can now get it through the Member Account Portal (MAP).  Follow this link to get the instructions.  There is also a story about the program here.  I’ve done it and it only takes a couple of minutes. Be prepared to upload a headshot picture of yourself.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments you may have about any facet of the GLDiv. I want you to make the most of your membership and I will help out in any way possible to make that happen.

Dayle Frame
Area 4 Director
Great Lakes Division
517.889.1117 (h)
dframe@scca.com