Ken Roller
Local Legend series
Car #: 95
Car: 2022 Subaru BRZ
Class: CST
SCCA Member Since: 2017
Recognition: 2024 Philly Driver of the Year
2023 Philly Driver of the Year
2023 Holbert Winner
2023 D Street National Champion
2019 Solo National Rookie of the year
What class do you compete in, and why?
I compete in CST because Street Touring allows significantly more modifications than Street class, which appeals to enthusiasts like myself who enjoy modifying cars to enhance their performance potential. Street class, by contrast, is more of a “driver-focused” category where the car is largely limited by the ruleset. Street Touring offers a playground for both driving and engineering skills, letting you dial in the car’s handling characteristics.
What got you into motorsports? Any experience before autocross?
Ever since I was young, I was into "cars" in some way, shape, or form. For this, I blame my father drifting a 1st-gen 2WD Durango up and down the driveway in the snow with us in the back seat laughing uncontrollably. I didn't have any performance driving experience until my first autocross event back in August of 2017. Some hobbies I’ve developed directly through autocross that have contributed to my success include learning CAD, basic machining using a lathe, and 3D printing. Sometimes the best way to get a custom part that no one sells is to make it yourself.
Tell us about your car.
I'm your typical Subaru fanboy. I started autocross with a 2002 WRX and, until 2020, ran that car full-time. In 2021, I was given the opportunity to co-drive with Alex Meramo in his 2014 Scion FR-S (effectively a Subaru BRZ) in STX (now referred to as DST) and found enjoyment in cars that emphasize driver skill and agility over horsepower. When the second generation of the BRZ was announced, I knew I wanted to purchase and race one. The original plan was to run the BRZ in DS for two seasons, then move to Street Touring. But due to delays in the creation of a touring class where the second-gen BRZ was competitive, I ended up running the BRZ in DS for three seasons. Once CST was announced, I immediately jumped from DS to CST. I do all the mechanical work on my cars. In CST, I've utilized a team of people to help develop the car outside of turning wrenches. The two folks who have assisted me the most in transitioning from DS to CST are Ken Houseal and Ryan Davies, with parts development, suspension setup, and fine-tuning the car's handling characteristics. Brian Karwan (Karcepts) and Mike Elman (Xero Limit) have also been a huge part of the development and tuning. My single favorite modification to the car has been the custom shocks developed and built specifically for me. The quality and performance on course are amazing, while also allowing for a comfortable ride on the street and in transit.
Best moment on track?
The light-bulb moment came in 2019 when I finished second in STH (now referred to as GST) at my first Nationals. That moment sparked the desire to become a national champion — and the belief that if I committed to that goal, I could achieve it. It took four tries in three different classes, but winning Solo Nationals in 2023 with my Subaru BRZ in DS was my biggest accomplishment in motorsports. Winning the largest class at the 50th anniversary of Solo Nationals, being awarded the red jacket, a Kiesel guitar, and having the support of all my friends is a memory that will always live in my head rent-free.
Why Philly SCCA?
The Philly Region has earned a stellar reputation in autocross because of its combination of organization, culture, competition, and community. Philly has a solid core of supporters, course designers, and organizers who genuinely care about the sport. They all put in serious work behind the scenes as well as on race day to ensure events are smooth, safe, and fun. The region has dozens of talented drivers who compete both locally and nationally. The Philly group provides a true sense of a motorsports family. Shout-outs have to go to: Chris Wanner and Matt Meyer for fostering this community and continuously developing the great program we have with Philly SCCA. And all the people who have helped me with car setup, building, repairs, logistics, or even just pushed me to become faster over the years: Alex Meramo, Darian Taggart, Victoria Butler, Ken & Amy Houseal, Ryan Davies, Greg Pollack, Jen Fox, Marcus Pyne, Arron Shoe, Trevor Blackwell.
Advice for newcomers?
Understand that the work you put into the sport will dictate your ability to excel at it. If you don't know what you can do to improve yourself or your car, ask. The community is extremely knowledgeable and supportive. I’m a data-focused person, so what helped me most as a novice was taking video of my runs, reviewing them, and coming up with a plan on what I could execute better (typically 1–2 key focus points). If you do that at every event, your course reading, inputs (steering and throttle), and proximity to cones and apexes will improve. Very few people are inherently talented at this sport, but hard work and dedication to improving will absolutely make you a competitor.
