SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA (July 10, 2017) – Michael Cuthbertson's success with his blue 1968 Camaro continues to turn heads but last month he achieved perhaps his biggest accomplishment yet. Utilizing the highly successful Speedtech ExtReme subframe perpared in partnership between Ron Sutton Race Technology and Speedtech, Cuthbertson became the first Classic Muscle division entry to win the Hotchkis Cup at an NCMA event.
The NCMA West Coast Nationals in Fontana in June included cars from multiple divisions with the Hotckis Cup awarded to the best overall average autocross time across two days of runs. Cuthbertson has led his class several times on individual days but has never steered his "killer smurf" to the overall best average.
"The Hotchkis Cup rewards consistency," Cutherbertson said. "With Ron's secret sauce valving on the rear shocks, it has more grip and it kept the car planted and stable. The word I would use is predictable."
Predictable was the key to leading the Hotckis standings after Saturday including an individual best time of 41.346 that was just .060 seconds better than the second highest best time set by a Modern Muscle entry. His average over TEN runs was 42.150 for a very consistent day!
"When rear end comes out in a corner, it is so much easier to recover (with the rear sway bar). I can say with almost 100% certainty I can save a car in most situations."
His Classic Muscle rival Chad Ryker ran in lockstep with him throughout the weekend to make it not just a first ever Classic Muscle 1-2, but also a 1968 Camaro 1-2.
"Modern Muscle has always won the Hotchkis Cup. This win kind of opened people's eyes to what modern geometry can do in a classic car," Cuthbertson said. "On social media I have people reaching out to me about the subframes and what we are doing to be so fast."
Cuthbertson had made many gains since implementing the ExtReme Subframe and Ron Sutton shock technology. But upgrading to Sutton's rear sway bar and Track-Star Secret Sauce valving was the key. The initial adjustment to the driver's understanding was the biggest roadblock, Cuthbertson explained.
"Before, I was running a lot lighter in the rear end. Ron's recommendations seemed counterintuitive to fixing a loose rear end. The key at first was gaining seat time and the driver is the biggest thing. I felt like I had that (driver) part maxed out until (working with Ron Sutton) took our performance to the next level."
After gaining an understanding and implementing the suggestions, the performance advantage was immediate. That leads Cuthertson to concluding that "anyone who wants to consistent and competitive" should consider working with Speedtech and Ron Sutton Race Technology.
Cuthbertson's busy season continues with the next NMCA event in September along with competing in an Optima Batteries Ultimate Street Car event in September as well.
For more information on Ron Sutton Race Technology, visit them online at http://www.ronsuttonracetechnology.com/
ABOUT RON SUTTON RACE TECHNOLOGY
Ron Sutton Race Technology is a one-stop resource for winning car building or improving performance for Autocross, Road Course Track Days & Pro Touring Cars. Ron offers suspension, brake & aerodynamic optimization services, complete chassis/suspension designs, cutting edge suspension packages, consulting services, books, workshops & an online store with 600 brands & over 90,000 parts.
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