by Chris Safranek
Published August 2005
Updated July 2008
"I just love cars in general. I want to be involved in some way." Candy Gerber joined NRSCCA in 1986 after hearing about Solo II while hanging out with a boyfriend on the Dodge Street dragstrip. She attended a Solo event at Lincoln East High School, took a ride around the course with Mark Ross, and was hooked.
Along the way, Candy got rid of the boyfriend, but kept SCCA. Now married to Jan Gerber for over a decade, she has continued her involvement in almost every aspect of SCCA.
She began driving in Solo II events in her 1979 Mercury Bobcat and has never looked back. An active and award-winning participant in the road rally program as both navigator and driver, she has eventmastered road rallys and has been one of the great rally teachers in Nebraska Region.
In 1989 she traveled to Heartland Park Topeka, and has worked in Timing & Scoring ever since - becoming Chief of Timing & Scoring at MVRG events in 2002 and Divisional Administrator in 2005 - holding a National license in Timing & Scoring and a Regional Flagging & Communications license. Working at pro races and the Runoffs, she has had the opportunity to become acquainted with several pro drivers - including Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder. (Ask her about the SCCA race car driver dolls!).
Over the years, Candy has been Nebraska Region's Race Worker Liaison and Secretary. She now serves us as a member of the NRSCCA Board of Governors and the MVRG Management Committee, along with taking on the positions of Assistant Regional Executive and Treasurer.
She also served several years as the Solo II Chief of Registration, and says that one of the worst changes in SCCA in recent years is the re-working of the Solo II rules as it used to be much easier to match car with class!
Expanding her driving career, she participated in a performance car driving event (now PDEs) at Heartland Park Topeka and fell in love with road racing. She and Jan purchased a 1995 Neon Showroom Stock C car in 2000, and began her road racing career in 2003.
One of her proudest moments was at the 2004 August race at MidAmerica Motorplex where she spent the entire race battling against another SSC car, finally winning the hard fought battle. She and Jan take turns racing and crewing, and says that one of her best memories was watching Jan finish his race at the 2004 SCCA Runoffs.
Candy's major influence in SCCA has been her husband Jan. Jan parked next to her at her first Solo II and helped her with tire pressures. They started talking, and since then have been having a great team. Spending time together at SCCA activities is a positive in their relationship as it keeps them from going in different directions and they are able to support each other in many positive ways.
Other influences throughout the years have been Bruce and Charlene Bettinger, who were influential in teaching her timing & scoring, and Frank and Chris Safranek, who reminded her that SCCA is supposed to be fun.
Candy's next aspiration is to drive in SCCA pro racing, and with her track record I can imagine that may happen someday. In the meantime, she remains a member of SCCA because of the fun times and the good friends - and she wouldn't "give that up for anything."
Update: Candy has been Regional Executive of Nebraska Region for the past 3 years. She served on the Nebraska Board of Governors for 6 years and is currently Chief of Timing for Solo and Rallycross.
For more about Candy, visit Jan and Candy's website: Mjolnir Motorsports!
