It’s no secret that my personal preference is for rear drive American cars whether on the drag strip, road course, or autocross. With that said, it’s hard to deny the bad assery that is the Mitsubish EVO, and particularly when those EVO’s are RS Motors tuned. They are bad ass little cars. And during the 2015 Optima/USCA racing season the RS Motors team not only put on a show on the race track, but also exemplified what the term professional means. And I’m not talking about having the fanciest rig or newest tools. I’m talking about true professionalism. The kind that comes from clear focus, organization, drive, technique, skill, and confidence. The kind that comes from holding your head high and putting it all on the table. Team RS Motors did that in spades in 2015.
Ronnie Soliman, who is the RS in RS Motors, would seem to be the ringleader of this group of misfits but he’s certainly not alone or quick to take credit. This is a group that has become family, and like most families they rule by committee and are quick to pass credit on. This goes for Ronnie, Branden Ranvek, and Andy Smedegard who seem to share responsibilities, credit, and blame for most of what goes on with the team. In fact Ranvek and Smedegard are quick to point out that the RS actually stands for Ranvek Smedegard. Of course neither can say it and keep a straight face. Ronnie may be humble, but his team is quick to point out what he does for all of them, and what they’ll do for each other. There are plenty of RS Motors team members who are right there offering support and putting themselves in a position to win. And winning is why they are here, but they won’t sacrifice each other, their professionalism, or their team spirit to carry the trophy. Like the Three Musketeers mantra “All for one and one for all” these guys and girls work together and make things happen.
There are too many RS Motors team members, including family, friends, wives, girlfriends, kids, and even a Winston Churchill that all deserve congratulations for a great 2015. It was a pleasure being there with them week in and week out, I enjoyed the adventure.
If you want to live a little of what an Optima event is like, watch this.
