Back in the Game

A Mazda scholarship is helping Robert Carpenter get to the SCCA Solo Nationals after a year of not competing in autocross.

Robert Carpenter couldn't be happier that he won. He couldn't believe it.

Wait...won what?

Carpenter hadn't entered any contest, applied for any Mazda scholarship to compete at the SCCA Solo National Championships next week in Lincoln, Neb. As it turns out, his wife Kellye, did.

In her submission to claim a $1000 scholarship for a Mazda competitor at the Solo Nationals, Kellye explained that it had been a tough year, and Robert was facing his first time in many years not competing at the National Championships. That's a tough thing to face for a guy who has two national championships, finished second in E Street last year and competed in 35-plus events most years.