There are times when one dreams of becoming a professional race car driver – especially in those drawn-out moments when were are sitting at a stop light or taking a sharp corner. Well, for one 15-year old teenager from Azle, TX, those dreams are quickly becoming his reality. This driving phenom, by the name of John Vining, is a truly impressive young man with a level of talent and dedication to the art of driving that even “seasoned pros” could learn from.
The rise of this driving star started with two brothers who are legends of automotive racing in their own right; Tommy and Bobby Archer, who have won multiple titles in SCCA, IMSA and World Challenge. The brothers have been a constant fixture in Victory Circle. After a hiatus, the Archers have decided to come back together and to add a new member to the team. Enter, John Vining.
Bobby knew John back when he was racing in the Bondolero Series – winning a championship in 2009 at the Texas Motor Speedway. From there, Vining moved up to the Allison Legacy Series, and that is when the relationship between Bobby and John really started to take off. With Bobby Archer working as his coach and mentor, and after having multiple wins under his belt, John was granted a waiver to have a full SCCA competition license.
Which brings us to today; John Vining is currently leading the SCCA SW in points while behind the wheel of his GT2-spec Monte Carlo SS. His first race into SCCA Majors competition in the NOLA Voodoo Part Deux Majors was already completed on March 7th and 8th. During unofficial practice, he was five seconds faster than the GT2 track record. After a tough double-header of racing Saturday and Sunday, he was able to show great poise and maturity even in the face of adversity, finishing as the points leader after two days of racing.
As impressive as his driving is, John Vining is a exceptional young man who is ranked 2nd in his class, and is a member of the National Honor Society and plays varsity tennis at his high school. He also has a love of mathematics and plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. We at GM-EFI will continue to follow his journey and support his accomplishments on and off the race track. We’ve compiled the official tech sheet on his GT2 Monte Carlo SS below:
- Body: SCCA GT2 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Five Star fiberglass composite
- Chassis: Howe mild steel tubular construction Full driver safety cage
- Weight: 2800 lbs. (as raced)
- Engine: LS1 5.7L Chevrolet racing engine 410 HP at the wheels
- Spark Plug Wires: Multi-Fire racing
- Transmission: Roltek 4 Speed racing transmission non-synchromesh dog ring-style adjustable ratios
- Differential: Winters Quick Change
- Wheel & Tires: Basset five-bolt steel Hoosier racing tires
- Shock Absorbers & Springs: HVT racing shocks & Eibach springs
- Brakes: TBM (The Brake Man), calipers, rotors, pads, engineering
- Oils and Lubricants: Motul Synthetic racing
- Safety Equipment: TeamTech 5-point safety harness & window net, on-board fire system, KoolMat safety cell insulation products
Ted is a long-time GM aficionado who loves anything related to cars. Located smack-dab in the middle of Texas, his WS6 fits right in! Fast cars, writing and his family are his passions in life.
