In 1997 I began helping car builder Don Seivenpiper with his formula ford race cars.  Don designs, engineers and fabricates some of the most elegant race cars used for formula Ford, formula continental and F1000 – in SCCA racing.  Don’s team, his driver and his car were all top notch and it opened my eyes to a modern racing program.  As I witnessed, their efforts culminated to “back to back” National championships in 2001-2002.  At the end of the 2003 season Don gave me an opportunity to test in his car.  He was testing new drivers and said that if there was time remaining at the end of the day, that he would put me in the car.  Without a functioning clutch and in five laps, I ran the quickest time of the day,  I was hooked.

Even though there were numerous obstacles to overcome, I managed to find the time and funds to make ownership a reality.  In 2004 I finalized the purchase of a Piper Formula Ford located in California, it was one of Seivenpiper’s early cars.  The car was designed as a formula Continental and had never been assembled.  When it arrived, the car was completely unassembled in boxes. With the support from Don and crew chief, Paul DesCoteaux, we built the car, from the ground up as a Formula Ford.  Every nut and bolt had to be specified and fit.  Many parts were custom fabricated to improve on an already fast and proven Piper chassis.  It took one year but the end result was a very light and competitive car.

The 2005 season was met with many trials and tribulations.  Paul and I finished the car on a Thursday in late April, loaded up and headed to Blackhawk Farms Raceway for a double SCCA, Sports Car Club of America, school weekend, and our first race.  The 2005 season was all about getting the car to perform.  You see, building a car is very different then getting the car to run.  Many hours of testing and tuning of the chassis, suspension and drive train is where races are won.

By the end of 2006 season we had reworked many of the systems on the car and by a lot of hard work and energy we educated ourselves on just what it takes to be fast and stay fast. These efforts brought us the 2006 East West challenge championship.

My dedication to staying current with our Formula Ford program has brought me in contact with many of the countries top, current and past, drivers, engine builders, tuners, and crew chiefs.  It is through these collaborative relationships that I have found the greatest enjoyment and my true passion – racing.

We finished 5th in the country for 2007 and won central division champion for 2008.  We currently hold the Formula Ford track record at Road America with a 2:22.056.

I have committed myself to a full National program for 2009.  This program will bring us to the most heavily attended events that the SCCA puts on.  The Piper will be trailered all over the Midwest in our quest to win the 2009 season championship.

Contact Kautz Racing at  t.kautz@euroquipe.com