Ed's Note:
Danielle is a two-time National Solo II Champion, who is sponsored by KevTec Machine Services and Mid-Atlantic Motorsports
If I had to pick one autocrosser that has made a lasting impression on me as a racer, Brett Norgaard would be the guy.
A native Californian, Norgaard started autocrossing in April of 1992, after meeting a friend in college who was "really" into it. His first experience in competitive driving was at the Fresno, Calif. chapter, SCCA Solo School. He competed that entire season following the school, won his class series for the year and was awarded "Rookie of the Year" by the club. Norgaard considers his Rookie of the Year trophy his most valuable, because it represents his strong commitment and a new beginning of something really important in his life.
As if building cars and competing wasn't enough, Norgaard has given back to the sport he loves with his time, energy and other skills. Over the past six years, he's held positions with the Fresno chapter/San Francisco region SCCA as president, vice president, promotional coordinator, chief of course design and safety steward. He has also been a chief instructor for several Solo driving schools in Fresno and the San Francisco region. The Fresno chapter of the SCCA has hosted three Pro Solos with another on Memorial Day weekend in 2001 and Norgaard continues to be its chairman and chief course designer for these events. He is currently on the 2001 National SCCA Street Touring committee as well.
Norgaard has always been in Hondas, originally competing in his daily driven '89 Integra. Because of modifications he made to the car, it never fit into the Stock class category, but was classified as C Street Prepared (CSP). He competed in the Integra until '93, when the car was totalled by a drunk driver, then went to an '87 CRX Si. In his first season in the CRX, he won the local Fresno chapter series in CSP, which led to his decision to build the car to "national specs." Over time, he gradually pushed his CRX to the limits of the Street Prepared rules and even went from an '87 to an '84 shell for weight savings.
Now let's check out his 1984 CRX. To go racing, Norgaard's Honda had to be completely stripped of all accessories, hardware, glass and sound-deadening insulation. The tub was stripped of all paint and undercoating, then media blasted and the entire unibody was powdercoated white and exterior panels painted Corvette white. All undercoating and interior sound-deadening patches were then re-installed. The race-ready vehicle, with minimal fuel, weighs approximately 1,600 lbs.
By Danielle Engstrom
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