Our Team

Regional Director of NASA AZ

Tage Evanson

Tage is the man, the myth, the legend of NASA AZ.  Tage has done it all, from participant to competitor to Region Director.  Ultimately he is responsible for all officials, activities, competitors and participants associated with the organization.  While all of his responsibilities may seem daunting, Tage still finds the time to get out on track whether it be time trial or race group to throw down the gauntlet, just as long as Casper the friendly Honda doesn’t break down.  If you don’t know Tage, you should!  Stop by the NASA AZ trailer and say hello, you might be surprised what you can learn as he’s always willing to provide a little of his speed-errrr knowledge to any and all!

[email protected]

Regional Co-Director & Registration

Adina Evanson  (“The Missus / The Boss”)

When you think of Adina the phrase “behind every good man is a better woman” comes to mind, and Adina is no exception to the rule!  While Adina on paper handles all accounting aspects of the club, she is really the boss, the mom and the crazy lady who keeps all of us in check.  She is a whiz at organizing our special events, shenanigans and telling Tage “NO” when needed.  She also handles registration, can be seen visiting with participants, taking photos, and all around having a bright smile on her face at events.

Check out Tage and Adina’s Feature Interview.

[email protected]

Event Operations

Jay Ronquillo

Jay is responsible for event logistics including hot track staffing and onsite event management and coordination for all things related to a “hot track”.  You can often find Jay driving around the paddock with the 2nd NASA AZ Safety 2 vehicle pulling cars in, helping with cleanups, assisting event staff with various tasks to make sure the event runs smooth for all drivers.

[email protected]

Race Director & License Director

Steve Marlow

Steve has been with us for quite some time and has competed in many, many NASA AZ races over the years.  Once he announced he was retiring from his GTS3 BMW, we knew we couldn’t let him go that easily.  Between racing, and being our licensing director for competition and time trial, it made perfect sense for him to progress into the Race Director role.  With his skill, knowledge and passion for clean racing he has been instrumental in keeping our racing program alive within the region.

If you don’t have a competition license (or TT license) and would like details on how to do so, Steve is the man! Don’t hesitate to reach out to him, and if you’ve recently registered for an event but don’t have a license you may find an email from him already in your inbox.

623-826-3500 / 800-785-1488 (FAX)
[email protected]

Time Trial Director

Jim Cozzolino

Coming in at 5 foot something, Jim may be short but his personally stands tall.  Since Covid hit Jeremy has been consumed by his day job (shipping business).  Jim has stepped it to fill those shoes when Jeremy isn’t available and even when he is, Jim is there to do everything he can to make sure the group runs smoothly.  Jim’s been with the organization since 2009 as a competitor, instructor and/or Group Leader assistant and will continue to be valued by all.

[email protected]

Chief Driving Instructor

Jason Griepentrog

Jason’s energy and passion for the sport is 2nd to none!  He understands just how critical getting paired with the proper instructor for your 1st track day is and it is his mission to find the best talent in the paddock to make the HPDE1 experience as good as it can be.  His job doesn’t stop there with just recruiting and pair of instructors though.  Jason will continuously work with the classroom trainers to tune content, work side by side with all of the HPDE Group Leaders and simply the overall HPDE program to best serve our HPDE drivers until they are ready to move into competition group(s).

[email protected]

HPDE1 Classroom Instructor

Dave Riddle

If any one man is responsible for the solid foundation of NASA AZ, that foundation has been laid, sealed and maintained by Dave.  Dave has been our official HPDE1 classroom instructor for years and is highly regarded by students and staff alike! He is a critical element to our success as a region and we wouldn’t have as many successful drivers and competitors without him!  In his spare time he also volunteers along with Norman and Susan with the Teen Safety Driving School providing his years of instruction and knowledge to new drivers ready to hit the streets.

[email protected]

HPDE 2 Group Leader

Jon Davies

Jon has been an instructor with our region for many years and a driver with us for even longer.  He is one of our newest Group Leaders but will make for a wonderful addition to the team to help the newer drivers excel as he helps them build their driving skills in a safe manor.

[email protected]mailto:[email protected]

HPDE 3 Group Leader

Ravi Tomerlin

Chances are if you’ve ever been to a NASA event, drift event, or any real automotive event whether its car show or race track in Arizona, you’ve come into contact with Ravi.  Ravi’s personality and attitude is bar none, which makes him the perfect leader for the HPDE3 group.  As drivers get more comfortable, faster, and experienced Ravi helps mold those skills and pushes you as a driver forward in the right direction. He provides coaching and mentorship for his group of drivers to prepare them for the next level, HPDE4 and beyond.

He is also the co-owner of our favorite safety equipment partner, We Don’t Lift, and can be found along side Melissa at their booth which they bring out, setup and provide their top notch safety equipment and knowledge.

[email protected]

HPDE 3 Assistant Group Leader

Jon Rook

Jon Rook is the assistant group leader for the HPDE3 (aka – the intermediate group). Jon may be the quiet type but he has years of knowledge and experience under his belt.  As you work your way into higher HPDE and competition classes, you’ll likely see Jon assisting with downloads, assisting with ride alongs, or just generally being a go to guy for all things HPDE.  Jon also is the founder of SPN Performance which now shares a building with We Don’t Lift, and is always willing to provide his automotive knowledge and skills.

HPDE 4 Group Leader

Nathan Welborne

Nathan has been driving with NASA Arizona since 2010.  He came up through the HPDE ranks and now competes in both Time Trial and Super Touring.  Nathan enjoys helping HPDE drivers get faster and preparing them for competition groups, so feel free to reach out to him if you need help, no matter which group you’re driving in.

[email protected]

Competition Leader

Robert Rose (“Rubber Toes”)

We’re not really sure what to call Robert these days but considering his background of doing so much (TT Director, HPDE Group Leader for HPDE2 & HPDE4, SM Series Leader, Race Director Assistant as well as a private driving coach) we felt it most appropriate to leverage his skills in several different key areas.  Robert will continue to assist with Race Director duties and administration in addition to an ongoing resource for the SM Series but will also see if he can’t gain some momentum in ST4-ST6.  If Time Trial finds themselves short handed at any future events, he may step in there as well.

[email protected]

Spec Miata Series Leader

Michael Kasdorf (aka “Whitey”)

Under the leadership of Robert Rose, NASA AZ saw explosive growth for this series.  However, Whitey has taken that baton and continues to ignite that flame and kept the momentum going!  Michael is no stranger to NASA as a driver, TT/Racer, Instructor and Group Leader and now the SM Series Leader.  We know he will do a fine job and continue to grow this series into the biggest series in the state!

[email protected]

Honda Challenge Series Leader

Gabe Ortega (“Oh Mijo”)

Just like Gabe’s clean cut exterior and meticulously clean hands, he makes sure that the Honda Challenge Series competitors have good clean fun.  He is responsible for representing this class from a race group logistics perspective as well as growing the series both locally and nationally.  If you are ever in need of Honda knowledge, or FWD racing, Gabe is no stranger to either as he’s been competing and racing with the organization since its birth.

[email protected]

Chris Wynne

Chris has been involved with the NASA AZ organization on and off the circuit for many years.  He himself has had many set backs with his S197 Mustang, however Chris always keeps his head up and makes a strong come back that has won the respect and friendship of his peers.  In 2020 and forward Chris will be representing the ST Series as its new leader ensuring that the group is within compliance, and ensuring that the ST series has prominent future with the organization.

[email protected]

Chief of Tech & Time Attack Director

Jon Via

Jon is responsible for ensuring the tech officials are staffed and well trained to handle tech requirements, competition impound and course cleanup during events. Jon also helps to organize the UMS Tuning Time Attack Series and its logistics, season results and also pulls triple duty with website maintenance & general tech support.

[email protected]

Tech Official & UMS Tuning Time Attack Sponsor

Tony Szirka

Tony has an all to familiar face and personality that you cannot miss at our events. Whether its during morning tech, wrenching on someones car, behind his laptop fixing a tune or reviewing logs, Tony is well known and even more respected by participants, competitors and staff.  Tony also runs and sponsors the UMS Tuning Time Attack Series that runs within the NASA AZ organization, and is believed to be the longest running time attack series in the US!  He always makes himself available at a drop of a hat (sometimes his when hes off running to help!), and we can’t thank him enough for all that he does.

480-446-8863
[email protected]

Tech Official

Dan Lynch

Dan has been a long standing member and official of NASA AZ for over 10 years!  He has a keen eye for unique things, is very knowledgeable in the automotive industry and also quite the driver!  You’d think Dan’s cars are “too nice” to drive on track but you’d be wrong, his unique style is matched only to his mechanical skill.  You’ll often find Dan our go-to guy for all things drift as well, either with our NASA DRIFT groups or with local drifters and events.  He also helps out with the UMS Time Attack Series, and can be seen driving the pace car or truck when called upon!  If you are ever around the paddock, stop by and check out what pin Dan has on his collar for the day as he always has cool vintage pins and art to strike conversations!

Tech Official

Niaman Eaton

Niaman has been around for many years with NASA AZ as a HPDE participant, time attacker, time trial competitor and now more recently a tech official.  He’s always eager to help with any and all things NASA related!  He’s been known to compete so hard that he quite literally has driven his car till the wheels fell off!  In his spare time he also creates and maintains the UMS Tuning Time Attack event stickers, graphics and other imagery.

Tech Official

Josh Wisman

Josh is a man of many words, and even more jokes.  Anytime you are in tech or on the scales you are bound to have a good laugh around him.  He’s very meticulous about everything he does from annual tech to his lap times.  He started out the past few years working his way up the HPDE ranks and now runs within the time trial group, he’s always willing to lend a hand, tool, gas, whatever one may need, just look for the vape cloud around the paddock and you’ll know where to find him.

Tech Official

Robert Celaya (“Robbie”)

Robert is our newest tech official.  He is a guru at all things relating to tires and wheels.  Having worked in the tire industry for years with Discount Tire, Tires2Go and more recently Wheel Pros, he is no stranger to race cars and street cars alike!  His first event out with NASA he unfortunately let a little to loose and tapped a tire wall, but he still hasn’t met a tire he didn’t like! even Looking for tire recommendations, want to know why your tire wear is all over the place, want to know the benefits of tire shaving? Robbie is your one stop tire guy!

Race Tech

Jim Fluckey

602-274-3747
[email protected]

If you have a race car, Jim is one of the guys who can do your the annual tech inspection. Jim performs all tech inspections at German Auto Service at no charge. At track inspections are available with pre-registration and a fee. Additional shops qualified to do annual race tech can be found here

www.germanautoservice.com
5244 N. 7th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85014

Timing & Scoring

Jerron Taylor

We love Jerron!  He has been around as a consistent official for probably longer than anyone else.  He can and does it all.  If you don’t see him in the morning helping at the waiver gate, or filling it by flagging for a corner or doing course checks, you will find him in Control and/or T&S.  T&S has to be one of the most stressful jobs in any racing organization but he keeps his cool and powers right through any issue with a smile.