SCCA SoPac Announcements/News Board

June SportsCar magazine available online

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:08:00 +0000

The June 2013 issue of SportsCar® magazine, Volume 71, Issue 6, is now available online.

This month's issue contains feature articles on SCCA Pro Racing’s slate of series for 2013, including Pirelli World Challenge, Trans Am, Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup, F1600 and F2000 Championship Series and its newest sanctioned product—Global Rallycross. Also included are technical articles on dog engagement transmissions and custom made brake pads, as well as all the divisional and departmental columns and features found in SportsCar each month.

To access this SportsCar issue online, click ams.scca.com and log in to your member profile. Once in your profile online, you can access SportsCar issues in the upper-right corner.

You can find all past issues of SportsCar from this year in the menu once you have accessed this month's magazine. Magazines can also be downloaded and saved as PDF files from the link in the upper right.

This is the digital component of this month’s issue. Your paper copy of the publication will arrive in your mailbox soon, unless you have opted out of receiving it.

SCCA Western Conference Majors weekend completed from Buttonwillow

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:20:00 +0000

David Ferguson topped a strong S2000 field on Sunday at Buttonwillow. Credit: Dennis Baer

The SCCA Western Conference Majors Tour has reached the halfway point of the season after wrapping Round Four of eight from Buttonwillow Raceway on Sunday.

Though mechanical problems plagued his No. 12 Goodyear/Cyclo/Redline Oil Jaguar XKR on both days, Mike Lewis, of Poway, Calif., has topped his class in all four races this season. A weekend sweep in GT-2 by Tom Wickersham, of Oakland, Calif., gives him three out of four in the No. 02 Maine Straight Racing Porsche GT3.

Mike Miserendino, of Bakersfield, used his home track knowledge to pick up his third win of the season in Spec Racer Ford. The No. 11 MBI Racing Spec Racer Ford followed the No. 61 machine of TJ Acker for 12 laps, jumping to the point with two laps to go. Acker went back to the lead through Turn One on the final lap, but was swallowed up by Miserendino through the esses.

Acker fought back valiantly, pulling to the inside at the end of the backstraight on the final lap, but couldn’t make the pass. In a Hail Mary move through the last corner, Acker carried more speed than was possible, sliding eight feet wide of the track. He never lifted, but couldn’t close to Miserendino in the run to the checkers. It was the second runner-up finish of the weekend for Acker.

Elliott Skeer earned his fourth win of the season in Spec Miata, hustling the No. 77 RM Auto Sports/Pelican Windows & Remodeling Mazda Miata around the track in a battle with Clement Lee. Skeer led the opening 10 laps when Lee used the run down the long backstraight to take over the top spot.

On Lap 12, Skeer took a big look to the inside in Turn One, stayed behind Lee, and then mirrored Lee’s pass from two laps earlier to reclaim the lead.

Once in front, Skeer stayed there for the final two laps to take the win.

Chris Farrell earned his fourth win of the season by sweeping D Sports Racing in his No. 58 C&M Mfg/GDR Engines/Hoosier Tires/Red Line Oil Stohr WF1/Suzuki. Farrell took the overall win in his group for the second day in a row.

A very excited Terran Swanson cruised to his second Formula Vee win of the season, driving his No. 86 Toad Hall Enterprises Mysterian M4/VW to an 18.312-second win in the class. He was joined in his group by the overall winner, Stan Townes, who piloted his No. 6 Swift DB-1/Ford around Bill Kephart’s No. 37 Vestal 10F/Honda on lap nine of the 15-lap race.

Each of the eight classes running in Group Six saw repeat winners from Saturday.

Tom Wickersham’s No. 14 Maine Straight Racing Honda S2000 took the Touring 3 and overall win for the second straight day. Wickersham ran second for most of the race until Marc Hoover’s No. 98 Hooverspeed/NRA/Necksgen/Red Line Oil Mazda Miata fell out on unlucky lap 13.

The closest race of the group saw Skeer looking for his second win of the day, chasing down the No. 16 Team Dead Horse Racing/Jackson Racing Honda Civic Si in STL. Skeer, running his No. 77 RM Auto Sports/Pelican Windows & Remodeling Mazda Miata in STL configuration, closed to the bumper of Jackson several times in the closing laps, but couldn’t complete the pass. Jackson stayed in front for his second win of the weekend.

The weekend ended with David Ferguson’s third victory of the season in the No. 75 Veracity Racing Data Van Diemen RFS-03/Ford. Ferguson, who held a big lead on Saturday before a mechanical gremlin cost him the win, sailed away for a 16.814-second win to earn a Majors checkered flag.

The Western Conference Majors Tour visits the Pacific Northwest for Rounds Five and Six, moving to Pacific Raceway May 25-26.

More information on the SCCA Majors Program is available at www.sccamajors.com. Like SCCA on Facebook at Facebook.com/SCCAOfficial, or follow on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.

BUTTONWILLOW, Calif. - Provisional race winners for Sunday’s SCCA Western Conference Majors Tour Round Four at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Drivers are listed by Class: name, hometown, and car.

American Sedan: Aaron Bailey, Shasta Lake, Calif., Pontiac Firebird
B-Spec: Roy Richards, Boron, Calif., Honda Fit
C Sports Racing: Lee Alexander, Las Vegas, Nev., Stohr WF1
D Sports Racing: Chris Farrell, Salt Lake City, Utah, Stohr WF1/Suzuki
Formula Atlantic: Parker Nicklin, Henderson, Nev., Elan Pro Mazda
Formula Continental: Michael Manning, Dinuba, Calif., Van Diemen RF01/Ford
Formula F: Stan Townes, Santa Clara, Calif., Swift DB1/Ford
Formula Mazda: TJ Fischer, Portland, Ore., Formula Mazda
Formula Vee: Terran Swanson, Petaluma, Calif., Mysterian M4/VW
E Production: Aaron Downey, Rossmoor, Calif., Mazda RX-3
F Production: Brian Linn, Hermosa Beach, Calif., Mazda Miata
H Production: Jason Isley, Cota de Caza, Calif., Toyota Yaris
GT-1: Michael Lewis, Poway, Calif., Jaguar XKR
GT-2: Tom Wickersham, Oakland, Calif., Porsche GT3
GT-3: Scott Graham, Irvine, Calif., Mazda RX-7
GT-Lite: John Bower, Granada Hills, Calif., Nissan Sentra
Spec Miata: Elliott Skeer, Vista, Calif., Mazda Miata
Spec Racer Ford: Mike Miserendino, Bakersfield, Calif., Spec Racer Ford
Sports 2000: David Ferguson, Paso Robles, Calif, Van Diemen RFS-03/Ford
Super Touring Lite: Oscar Jackson, Jr., Yorba Linda, Calif., Honda Civic Si
Super Touring Under: Rylan Hazelton, Santa Cruz, Calif., Honda S2000
Touring 1: Michael Von Quilich, Pahrump, Nev., Dodge Viper ACRX
Touring 3: Tom Wickersham, Oakland, Calif., Honda S2000
Touring 4: Lance Stewart, Miami, Fla., Ford Mustang

SCCA Majors Western Conference round three shines at Buttonwillow

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 03:23:00 +0000

Les Phillips won the Formula F race, here, and also Formula Continental on Saturday. Credit: Dennis Baer

Round Three of the SCCA Western Conference Majors Tour crowned a host of winners on Saturday and set the stage for a Sunday showdown in the second half of the doubleheader.

The California desert provided the hottest Majors race in any Conference already in this young season, with temperatures stretching into the low 90s.

The first group played out in a battle of attrition. Mike Lewis’ No. 12 Goodyear/Cyclo/Redline Oil Jaguar XKR led early and in GT-1, but slowed dramatically on lap six of 15 before nursing his machine past the halfway point for a point-scoring finish. That left Tom Wickersham’s No. 02 Maine Straight Racing Porsche GT3 in the GT-2 and overall lead, cruising for a win.

Like the battle up front, the Touring 1 class was a battle at the midpoint that didn’t quite materialize. Michael Von Quilich’s No. 19 Apartments24-7.com/MyFreeLife.com Dodge Viper was being chased by Ken Davis’ No. 64 Davis Stone Inc Chevrolet Corvette until, with four to go, Davis fell out of the race. Von Quilich cruised to the victory.

Attrition also decided the E Production battle. John Longwell chased Aaron Downey’s No. 5 Roundpeg.com Mazda RX-3 while holding off the No. 50 K&G Racing Mazda RX-7 of Gary Gist early on. When both fell victim to mechanicals issues, Longwell’s No. 38 LEDfoot Motorsports BMW 328i was elevated to the lead, just in front of the No. 42 CureSarcoma.org/Electromotive/Fuel Safe/Hoosier Mazda RX-7 of new Western Conference point leader Philip Royle.

Former Spec Racer Ford National Champion John Black posted a noteworthy drive in his class. Starting at the rear of the 18-car field after failing to post a qualifying time in the morning session, Black worked his way through traffic in the No. 17 machine. A boost from a full course caution on lap nine moved him closer to the front, and when the dust settled he had moved into fifth place.

The class win went to Mike Miserendino, who took over the Western Conference point lead in the No. 11 MBI Racing SRF. Miserendino followed the No. 61 SRF of TJ Acker as the two broke away from the field, first from the green flag and then again after the yellow. Left alone, Miserendino moved to the front with two to go and held on for the win.

Elliot Skeer earned his third consecutive Western Conference Spec Miata win to open the season, breaking away from the field in the No. 77 RM Auto Sports/Pelican Windows & Remodeling Mazda Miata for a 1.494 second victory. Clement Lee closed the gap in his No. 33 RM Autosports Miata late in the race, but Skeer got a second wind for the victory.

In Formula Continental, Les Phillips used his local knowledge as the General Manager of Buttonwillow to lead the early laps, and stalked then-leader Michael Manning’s No. 25 Cypress Lane Racing/Dauntless Racing Cars Van Diemen RF01 throughout the race.

Phillips drove his No. 2 Swiss Implants/Porterfield Brakes Van Diemen F2000/Ford around Manning after overall leaders Lee Alexander, in C Sports Racing, and Chris Farrell, in D Sports Racing, got the one to go signal from the starters stand.

Now behind, Manning was robbed of a chance to challenge for the lead when Alexander’s No. 48 Factory 48 Motorsports Stohr WF1/Suzuki split the Continentals on the front straight, bringing out the checkered flag on he and Manning and letting Phillips drive the final lap unchallenged for what appears to be a one-lap win.Phillips hopped out of the Formula Continental and, in the very next race group, put himself straight into yet another fight. Teammates Bill Kephart (No. 37 Vestial 10F/Honda) and Michael Lewis (No. 77 Red Line Oil/Cyclo Vestial 09F/Honda) pulled away at the start, followed by Stan Townes and Philips. Lewis fell behind the No. 6 Swift DB1 of Stan Townes and Phillips’ No. 89 Swiss Implants/Porterfield Brakes Mygale SJ4, leaving Townes and Phillips to reel in Kephart.

Kephart seemed to be catching traffic at the right time, growing his advantage, but Phillips was in full stalk mode. On lap 10, Phillips moved to the inside of Townes down the long back straight and into braking for the sharp left hander. Townes spun, and three corners later, Phillips pressured Kephart into a spin as well.

Phillips cruised to his second victory of the day, by 14.010 seconds over Lewis. Townes recovered to finish third, followed by Kephart.

Marc Hoover sat on the overall and Super Touring Under pole and immediately ripped away from the field, opening up a gap of more than seven seconds on the opening lap.

Lap two, however, was when the wheels fell off of the No. 98 Hooverspeed/NRA/Necksgen/Red Line Oil Mazda Miata – literally. Hoover’s rear wheel came off through a corner, sending him off track and unfortunately ending his day 14 laps early. Tom Wickersham cruised to the group’s overall win and the Touring 3 gold medal – his second win of the day - driving the No. 14 Maine Straight Racing Honda S2000.

The day ended with a very strong Sports 2000 field, who began the race chasing the No. 75 Veracity Racing Data Vin Diemen RFS-03/Ford of David Ferguson. Ferguson opened up a lead from the start of the race, but heavy smoke coming from his car on lap eight ended his day.

That elevated the No. 2 Swift DB-5/Ford of Edward Guenther to the lead. Guenther was chased hard by the No. 22 That’s My Juice, Inc. Swift DB-5 of Sterling Ellsworth, who was gutting the lead by as much as 1.8-seconds per lap in the latter stages of the race.

On lap 14, Ellsworth had closed to the rear of Guenther, but ran off track in the closing corners of the lap. Guenther finished the final lap to win by 10.267-seconds, with Ellsworth hanging on to the runner-up slot.

The Western Conference Majors Tour Round Four rolls off the grid with qualifying at 8:00 a.m. PDT Sunday morning at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Live timing, notes and streaming audio from the track’s PA feed is available at www.scca.com/SCCALive.

More information on the SCCA Majors Program is available at www.sccamajors.com. Like SCCA on Facebook at Facebook.com/SCCAOfficial, or follow on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.

BUTTONWILLOW, Calif. - Provisional race winners for Saturday’s SCCA Western Conference Majors Tour Round Three at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. Drivers are listed by Class: name, hometown, and car.

American Sedan: Aaron Bailey, Shasta Lake, Calif., Pontiac Firebird
B-Spec: Roy Richards, Boron, Calif., Honda Fit
C Sports Racing: Lee Alexander, Las Vegas, Nev., Stohr WF1
D Sports Racing: Chris Farrell, Salt Lake City, Utah, Stohr WF1/Suzuki
Formula Atlantic: Vince Gaddini, Auburn, Calif., Mazda PFM
Formula Continental: Les Phillips, Bakersfield, Calif., Van Diemen F2000/Ford
Formula F: Les Phillips, Bakersfield, Calif., Mygale SJ4/Ford
Formula Mazda: TJ Fischer, Portland, Ore., Formula Mazda
Formula Vee: Dennis Andrade, Brush Prairie, Wash., Vortech 05/VW
E Production: John Longwell, Kittredge, Colo., BMW 328iS
F Production: Brian Linn, Hermosa Beach, Calif., Mazda Miata
H Production: Jason Isley, Cota de Caza, Calif., Toyota Yaris
GT-1: Michael Lewis, Poway, Calif., Jaguar XKR
GT-2: Tom Wickersham, Oakland, Calif., Porsche GT3
GT-3: Mike Henderson, El Cajon, Calif., Mazda RX-7
GT-Lite: John Bower, Granada Hills, Calif., Nissan Sentra
Spec Miata: Elliott Skeer, Vista, Calif., Mazda Miata
Spec Racer Ford: Mike Miserendino, Bakersfield, Calif., Spec Racer Ford
Sports 2000: Edard Guenther, Paradise Valley, Ariz., Swift DB-5
Super Touring Lite: Oscar Jackson, Jr., Yorba Linda, Calif., Honda Civic Si
Super Touring Under: Rylan Hazelton, Santa Cruz, Calif., Honda S2000
Touring 1: Michael Von Quilich, Pahrump, Nev., Dodge Viper ACRX
Touring 3: Tom Wickersham, Oakland, Calif., Honda S2000
Touring 4: Lance Stewart, Miami, Fla., Ford Mustang

Round Two of SCCA U.S. Majors Western Conference heads to Buttonwillow

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 22:27:00 +0000

The California Sports Car Club, a region of the Sports Car Club of America, will host the second round of the Western Conference of the SCCA U.S. Majors Tour on the weekend of April 27-28. The double national will take place at Buttonwillow Raceway Park in Buttonwillow, Calif.

The U.S. Majors Tour is the pinnacle of championship racing in North America and is where America’s best amateur drivers race. The Majors are a direct path to the National Championship, the SCCA Runoffs™ at Road America in September.

In 2013, the U.S. Majors Tour will conduct Championships in four separate Conferences including Eastern, Northern, Mid-States and Western. The first event in the Western Conference championship was Cal Club’s event at Auto Club Speedway, in Fontana, Calif., in January. Following the double event at Buttonwillow, the championship heads north in May to Pacific Raceways in Kent, Wash., and concludes at Portland International Raceway in July.

Buttonwillow Raceway Park was built 1995. When Cal Club SCCA's home racing venue, Riverside International Raceway, was sold to real estate developers in 1989, a small group of enthusiastic members assembled a plan to build the club its own racing facility with funds raised by its members as well as private investors. Today, Cal Club is a majority owner of BRP.

The facility is located 125 miles north of Los Angeles and 25 miles northwest of Bakersfiled, just off Interstate 5 at the Lerdo Highway exit. The track design offers over four miles of race surface with over 30 different track configurations.

Today BRP has proven to be a favorite track for most of the race and track day clubs in California. Road racers find the track challenging and very demanding. Motorcycles are frequent visitors as the track is renowned for its safety. With expansive runoff areas and few impact zones safety for both drivers and riders is well recognized. The variety and safety has also made Buttonwillow a favorite with professional race teams, media outlets for product testing and manufacturer product introductions. The paddock can accommodate 700 cars on pavement and in addition there is a new credit card driven fuel station with very competitive pricing, a tire shop and support businesses.

The "Park" has amenities galore, grassy picnic and play areas for families and spectators and the three-story race control building contains a gift shop, restaurant with indoor seating and viewing area on the second story balcony.

SCCA Club Racing is intense, highly competitive, wheel-to-wheel racing on paved road racing tracks throughout the U.S. Each year, there are over 350 race events, with many different classes of competition cars. The SCCA has an extensive and rich history dating back to 1944. The SCCA's mission remains simple, to organize and conduct motorsports events of all types for its members to safely participate, as drivers, crew, workers, or spectators.

Cal Club has a rich history and holds bragging rights to producing some of the world's most noted race drivers in motorsports history. Race drivers like Phil Hill, Max Balchowsky, Bob Bondurant, Rick Mears, Dan Gurney, Masten Gregory, Carrol Shelby, Eliot Forbes-Robinson and many more filled the weekend fields in such places as Palm Springs, Torrey Pines, Paramount Ranch, Pomona Fair Grounds, Santa Barbara, Riverside and even Minter Field now Shafter Airport. Today there are many young talented drivers using Cal Club events as a platform to professional careers.

Race management and the skilled volunteer worker base is what separates Cal Club events from many others. The club coordinades and provides most of the on-track volunteers who assure competitor safety at the famous Long Beach Grand Prix.

Cal Club invites all nationally-licensed SCCA Club Racing drivers to compete in this Majors event, as well as an open test day on Friday, April 26. RV hookups and garages are available by contacting the track. There will be two full days of practice, qualifying and racing. Online registration is available.

Spectators are always welcome at the family-friendly Buttonwillow Raceway Park. For more information, visit www.calclub.com or www.buttonwillowraceway.com, and keep up to date with Cal Club through its various social media, including Facebook and Twitter.

Multi-Year Partnership Names Mazda Official Car of SCCA

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:36:00 +0000

Sports Car Club of America and Mazda North American Operations have announced a multi-year partnership that names Mazda the Official Car of SCCA through 2015.

Mazda Director of Motorsports John Doonan and SCCA Vice President, Marketing and Communications Eric Prill made the announcement on Tuesday morning during the Mazda Motorsports pre-season media day at the company’s headquarters in Irvine.

Mazda will be utilized as the official pace car at key SCCA events, including the SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, through the 2015 season. The annual SCCA Hall of Fame Hall of Fame Banquet will now be “presented by Mazda.”

“In the minds of many, Mazda and the SCCA were already partners,” Doonan said. “At the SCCA Runoffs, the Mazda contingent has been the largest of any car company. We love that our small organization is more popular on the race track than the combined efforts of many of our much larger competitors. We look forward to working with the SCCA to grow the sport for the next generation.”

Mazda is the number-one brand for road-racers across North America. Thousands of Mazda powered grassroots racers compete in various classes with the SCCA highlighted by Spec Miata, the world's largest spec class with over 2,500 cars built. In 2006 Mazda Motorsports established the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder to assist racers in moving up through the ranks. In 2010 this was expanded to include the Mazda Road to Indy. Key to Mazda's success is strategic partnerships with the Skip Barber Racing School and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. MAZDASPEED Motorsports is managed by Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). MNAO is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers.

“Mazda has been a long-time supporter of the SCCA and our competitors, so formalizing our relationship was a natural next step,” Dahnert said. “On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas being raced than any other marque. We’re looking forward to expanding our relationship with Mazda and the new opportunities that come with it.”

Lugod Takes Opening Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo Win At El Toro

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:46:00 +0000

The Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo season opened last weekend with the first of three consecutive events, and for the fifth time in six seasons got the season underway at El Toro Airfield. Jonathon Lugod, 25, of Oceanside, Calif., escaped the weekend with his first ProSolo Super Challenge victory.

Nicole Nagler (Far left), Jonathon Lugod (L)
are introduced as ProSolo Challenge Champions.
Credit/SCCA.com

The popular Southern California site uses the abandoned runways of the decommissioned Marine Corp Air Station, combined with the taxiways, for flowing, fast courses. That continued in 2013, with many classes running laps comfortably under the 45-second target.

Lugod, fresh off a narrow defeat in the Tire Rack Championship Tour event a week prior, rebounded for a Street Touring R top qualifying effort, and slid into the Super Challenge as the 12th of 32 qualifiers in his OS Giken/Ankeny Racing Enterprises Honda S2000.

Lugod toppled Gary Thomason’s ProParts USA Dodge Viper in the opening round, marking the first time the defending STR-class Tire Rack National Champion had advanced into the second round in his limited ProSolo experience.

The challenge monkey off his back, Lugod dispatched Scott Fraser’s C Street Prepared 949 Racing/Ankeny Racing Enterprises Mazda Miata and Steve O’Blenes Ankeny Racing/Tripoint/Hankook Mazda RX-8 in back to back rounds to advance to the semi-finals.

The toughest test would come in that round of four against Ryan Otis’ Super Stock Chevrolet Corvette. Lugod made mistakes on the right side of the two-run elimination, falling behind by 0.7-second. Knowing now that a perfect, hard run was going to be a must, Lugod pulled off the comeback and advanced to the final.

Lugod squared off in the final against a wily ProSolo veteran Jon Clements. Clements, 19, of Alta Loma, Calif., became the youngest Super Challenge winner in ProSolo history with a win at 16 years old, and was back in the finals three years later. Clements C Modified Mondiale Formula Ford could not keep the pace with Lugod, and Lugod captured his first Super Challenge title.

Morgan Trotter, who fell to Clements in the semi-final round, drove his Street Touring Compact C2 Motorsports/The RacersStore.com Honda Civic Si to a third-place finish over Otis in the consolation round.
Joining Lugod on the top of the podium was Ladies Challenge winner Nicole Nagler, of Moorpark, Calif. Nagler drove her Street Touring Compact Toyo Tires/ProParts USA Honda Civic Si to a final round win over Meredith Brown’s Plastic PP Racing/Mid-Atlantic Motorsport Chevrolet Corvette. The win was the first for Nagler, a two-time runner-up – including at the same event a year ago.

The Tire Rack ProSolo season continues this weekend in the middle of the country at the Mineral Wells ProSolo, deep in the heart of Texas, April 13-14. From there, the series continues on to MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, New Jersey, April 20-21.

Information on the season-opening round of the Tire Rack ProSolo Series can be found here. More information on the entire Tire Rack SCCA Solo program is available at www.scca.com/Solo.
Follow the SCCA on Twitter @SCCAOfficial, or like the Club on Facebook at Facebook.com/SCCAOfficial.

VIDEO: SportsCar's Jason Isley's inaugural run in CSP

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:43:00 +0000

GoRacingTV.com to launch weekly motorsports cable-TV talk show

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:21:00 +0000

GoRacingTV.com Inc. is proud to announce a new motorsports talk show on the MAVTV network. “The Racing Insiders” is a weekly “talking heads” 30-minute news show, covering professional and amateur sports car racing in North America.

The show is focused on providing passionate fans with behind-the-scenes, cutting-edge information. Each show provides conversation on a variety of topics from the top pro sports car racing series (Grand Am, ALMS, World Challenge, Global RallyCross and Canadian Rally Championship) as well as the Club/Amateur racing community (Sport Car Club of America “SCCA” National Auto Sports Association “NASA” North America Road Racing Association “NARRA”) giving viewer’s in-depth knowledge.

"The Racing Insiders" will air weekly, starting May 2, on Thursdays at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the MAVTV Network. This cable television, owned by Lucas Oil, has a reach of 43,000,000 households and a target demographic of 25- to 54-year-olds. It is currently available to both Comcast and Time-Warner customers, as well as via Dish Satellite.

MAVTV’s programming includes several motorsport programs and, is owned by Forest Lucas, of Lucas Oil. Lucas Oil has the naming rights to the Indianapolis Colts’ football stadium and now “bookends” the 2013 American racing season with the “ARCA Lucas Oil 200″ raced in January at Daytona and October’s IndyCar season finale “MAVTV American Real 500″ at Auto Club Speedway in Southern California. It is obvious that Lucas Oil and MAVTV doesn’t do anything half way and we expect The Racing Insiders on the MAVTV Network to live up to that trend.

“A show like this has been needed for a long time, sports car racing fans in North America have been underserved, deprived of focused news and information on the sport they love, for far too long. We hope to fill that void," said Errol Tucker, executive producer at GoRacingTV.com.

“We are proud to bring a topical, contemporary look at sports car racing to broadcast," said Jason Patison, MAVTV's programming director. "It’s unclear if this has ever been tried before solely for this valuable market segment."

To make sure the show stays on point with the fan’s needs, the show will be heavy integrated into social media, fans will be able to ask questions and interact with the host during the show’s air dates, through the show’s social media channels facebook.com/TheRacingInsiders, twitter.com/Racing_Insiders and www.TheRacingInsiders.com. This steady interaction with the fans will help the hosts and show producers in making sure they provide the fans with the information their interested in.

The Racing Insiders include the show's host Bill Wood. Nearly everyday of Wood's adult life has been spent in an award-winning media career that’s touched television, radio, print, the Internet and most things in between. His 30+ years in the communications industry includes broadcasting, print, Internet, multimedia, corporate communications, education and training program development.

Wood has co-hosted the  Rally America rally broadcasts on ESPN2 with Paul Page. Wood is a co-host on SpeedFreaks, a nationally syndicated radio show. He’s also hosted the TV version of SpeedFreaks on Speed and ESPN. He has hosted on-site, live Grand Am racing event webcasts, including pre and post event shows and pre-event interviews and production. Wood also served as one of the X Games 12 stadium sport announcers, the Rally Car Racing and Home Depot Center announcer.

Behind the scenes Wood has held positions as writer, producer and executive producer, to name a few. He has created and supervised award-winning political campaign news coverage and worked on Emmy & Murrow Award-winning writing projects and created format and supervised all staff and production of daily one hour morning newscasts. He has worked with several TV networks including CBS, UPN, ESPN, WTBS, FOX Television and others to name a few.

Wood's expertise in the field is represented by the number of major awards he has earned for producing and writing. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has given his two Emmys and 11 nominations. He's received four Golden Mikes from the Radio and Television News Association and several from the Associated Press. He was a RTNDA Edward R. Murrow regional and national finalist.

Wood's co-hosts are no strangers to motorsports. Both Jim Daniels and Peter Keane know racing from the perspective of both professional and amateur competition.

Jim Daniels raced in NASCAR, ARCA, IMSA, Grand-Am, World-Challenge, SCCA and NASA, in vehicles ranging from GT-1 to Formula Vee. Daniels studied the art of driving and race car engineering with the best minds in the business, notables like Buddy Fey, author, engineer and noted expert in all major road racing circles including IRL and NASCAR, Calvin Fish, Tommy Byrne with some help and guidance along the way from Tommy Kendall and Dorsey Schroeder.

In addition to having raced and won in just about every conceivable vehicle and track combination, he’s known for his successes in helping teams better manage their operations, coaching driver’s progression to higher levels and recently, broadcasting.
He is the co-founder of the Spec Miata racing class (The largest car class in the history of American club racing) and the founder of Mazdaracers.com, formerly SpecMiata.com (the largest club racing user forum on the internet). He is credited as being one of the most influential figures in the rise of the Spec Miata, Pro Miata and MX5 Cup racing phenomenon. As Ralph Sheheen once put it, ”JD is considered the Godfather of Spec Miata Racing”. Along the way he composed the most wins and championships in those classes including winning the Playboy MX5 Cup and becoming the first Mazdaspeed ladder alumni, which lead to a Pro Factory Mazda driver job in World-Challenge and Grand-Am.

Keane, also known as “Special K,” has been around professional and amateur road racing since 1988. Currently he is a member of the #90 Chevrolet Corvette Spirit of Daytona, Grand Am Rolex, Daytona Prototype team, the most winning team in the series last season. He has held several positions with Spirit of Daytona racing, including team manager, crew chief, engineer, strategist, and spotter.
Peter is also a member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Club Racing Board (CRB), which oversees the SCCA competition rules. Currently there are seven members on the board overseeing the regulations for the largest amateur sports car club in the United States. He has also served on several SCCA advisory committees since 2003.

As a driver, Keane started out autocrossing and won the 1989 Florida state championship. He progressed to road racing, receiving his SCCA regional road-racing license in 1990 and won his first regional race at Memphis Motorsports Park. He went on to become undefeated in H-Stock competition in 1990.

Due to serious injuries from a motorcycle accident in 2001, Keane became a T3 paraplegic. Despite his disability, he currently competes in the SCCA amateur road racing with an Acura Integra GSR. The Integra is piloted completely with hand controls. He has multiple top-five finishes in SCCA National and Regional road racing, and has set several track records.

About GoRacingTV.com Inc.

GoRacingTV.com is the premier web-video channel for the club racing/grassroots racing community. GoRacingTV.com began airing episodes of its instructional video shows, the “Club Racer” and “Auto Crosser” web-based video shows in February of 2009, but has quickly become the site where club racers can obtain updated information and news related to the amateur racing community. Presently, GoRacingTV.com produces several video programs for the grassroots racing community. GoRacingTV.com also provides a daily updated news article section on the front page of its site, for those fans who either cannot or do not want to view video for their news. These articles cover news from the entire top amateur and professional racing series in the U.S. For the past two years GoRacingTV.com has provided video coverage of the SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints, airing all nine racing groups from the event. GoRacingTV.com has also covered the past two years of the SCCA Championship Runoffs and the NASA Championships, producing a daily evening news show from the event informing fans of breaking news in a format similar to a standard network evening news show. Most recently GoRacingTV.com teamed up with Mazda and Cooper Tires to stream a Live Show from the 2011 Performance Industry Racing Show in Orlando, Fla. GoRacingTV.com has partnered with some of the top Sports Car series in the U.S. and Canada to host their racing video archives. Racing fans around the world can now come to the GoRacingTV.com web site to see racing from their favorite series, SCCA Pro Racing Trans AM and Spec Racer Ford Series, Mazda Playboy MX5 Cup, Dodge Viper Cup, Star Mazda and Canadian Touring Car to name a few. This is just a handful of some of the video coverage available on GoRacingTV.com.

About MAVTV

MAVTV was founded in 2002 by four former Showtime Networks executives and was originally geared towards a male dominated audience. In 2011, MAVTV was purchased by Lucas Oil Products, an automotive lubricant manufacturer with a history in television production. Having grown their company from a single product company into an international powerhouse in the lubricant and motorsports industries, Lucas Oil was eager to employ similar strategies to transform MAVTV into a premier cable network Lucas envisioned a broader scoped network, geared towards the modern American family with significant enhancements to the network including but not limited to; investments in programming, updated on-air look, and increased production quality, all to add more value to the consumer experience. MAVTV continues to grow daily and will never stop its mission to deliver the highest quality HD programming possible.

Runoffs Invitation Qualifications Set for 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 22:30:00 +0000

The SCCA Runoffs qualifications are
already set for 2014. Credit: SCCA Images

Sports Car Club of America’s Board of Directors finalized the invitation process for the 2014 National Championship Runoffs®, including paths through the U.S. Majors Tour as well as Regional/Divisional racing.

“While the location of the 2014 National Championship Runoffs has yet to be finalized, the Board recognizes that many Divisions and Regions are already diligently working on their 2014 program details,” SCCA Chairman Lisa Noble said. “With the elimination of ‘National’ races in 2014, Regions and Divisions have a considerable amount of freedom in determining their local Championships, and the path to the Runoffs is a critical part of this for many SCCA racers.”

In 2014, there will be three distinct paths to the Runoffs:

U.S. Majors Tour
Earning an invitation to the Runoffs through the Majors has both participation and performance requirements in 2014. This is different from 2013, where a driver had the option of earning an invitation through participation only. Participation Requirement: In the same class, a driver must participate in a minimum of three separate U.S. Majors Tour event weekends and have a minimum of three individual race finishes.

Performance Requirement:
One of the following:

Finish in the top 10 of their Conference point standings in class
Finish in the top 50% of National Point Standings (as in 2013)
Achieve a point total in National Point Standings ≥ the mid-point of the 2013 standings for that class (as in 2013)

Divisional
Divisions will determine their own Championship structure, including the point payout schedule and the events to be counted. Any Regional or Majors event may be used in the Championship structure, at the discretion of the Division. A Division’s plan for its 2014 Championship must be submitted to SCCA Club Racing by July 1, 2013. These plans will be reviewed, to ensure they recognize the best in competition, and accepted for the following year.

Runoffs invitations will be extended based on the following participation and performance criteria:

Participation Requirement: Within the same class, a driver must participate in a minimum of four Divisional points weekends.

Performance Requirement: Finish in the top three positions in class point standings, except for Spec Miata and Spec Racer Ford, which will take the top five positions. Divisions may exclude drivers qualified for the Runoffs through the Majors path or defending Champions at their discretion.

If a Divisional Championship has not concluded at the time of the Runoffs, invitations will be extended to drivers meeting the requirements at a period of time three weeks prior to the start of the Runoffs event.

Defending Champion
As in the past, any defending, 2013 National Champion will receive an invitation to the 2014 National Championship Runoffs. The only exception to this is if the individual used a provisional (past or defending Champion) invitation for that class in 2013.

In 2014 the National Point Standings will only include U.S. Majors Tour races. As is currently the case, the National Point Standings removes Conference boundaries from consideration, scoring a driver’s best finishes in Majors events, regardless of the Conference in which it was held.

Additional information about the 2014 Runoffs will be announced in the coming months.

For information about the 2013 50th SCCA National Championship Runoffs, visit www.scca.com/runoffs.

Several SoPac regions recognized for achievement at SCCA convention

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 06:58:00 +0000

Two separate award celebrations were held throughout Friday at the SCCA National Convention presented by SafeRacer, recognizing some of the year’s best efforts at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

With Raleigh Boreen hosting the awards luncheon, outgoing program board members were recognized and incoming board members were introduced to the attendees.

Howard Duncan, SCCA VP, Rally/Solo, and Terry Ozment, SCCA VP, Club Racing, came to the stage to present the first set of the day’s awards.

Among the honors was the long-recognized Road Rally award. The Arthur J. Gervais award is presented annually to year’s outstanding National Course Rally, and has been since 1960. The winner is chosen via a vote of the top 20 competitors in each class who have competed in at least four events. Prior to 1989, this award encompassed all National Rallies each year. This year’s Gervais Award was given to the Arizona Border Region’s Desert Sands Rally, chaired and accepted by John Sears.

The day concluded with the Happy Hour Region Leadership Awards. The open reception recognized Region Achievement Awards, the Tom Burke Award for percentage growth in the past year, and the prestigious Region of the Year.

This year, SCCA VP, Membership & Region Services Colan Arnold presented the Detroit Region with the prestigious Region of the Year. Assistant Regional Executive Pat Barber accepted the award on behalf of the Region.

The complete list of RallyCross®, the Tire Rack Solo program, and Time Trials awards presented on Friday were:

Road Rally
Manufacturer’s Championship: Subaru
Regional Achievement Award: Detroit Region
Divisional Achievement Award: Great Lakes Division
National Tour Rally of the Year: Badgers Trail Rally, Land O’Lakes Region, chaired by John Emmons
Arthur J. Gervais Award: Desert Sands Rally, Arizona Border Region, chaired by John Sears

RallyCross
Regional Achievement Award: Delta Region
Divisional Achievement Award: Southern Pacific Division

Solo
Region Cup Awards: Cal Club Region (Jumbo Region category), Texas Region (Large Region category), Northwest Ohio Region (Medium Region category), Lone Star Region (Small Region category)

Time Trials
Event of the Year: Cincinnati Region

The Region Leadership Awards:

Tom Burke Awards
Small Regions: South Texas Border, Andrew McMillan, RE
Medium Regions: Glen Region, Lawrence Emery, Jr., RE
Large Regions: Finger Lakes Region, Michael Toombs, RE
Jumbo Regions: Oregon Region, Andrew Foley, RE

Region Achievement Awards
Small Regions: Arizona Border Region (winner), West Texas Region (Honorable Mention)
Medium Regions: Continental Divide Regions (winner), South Bend Region (Honorable Mention)
Large Regions: Land O’ Lakes Region (winner), St. Louis Region (Honorable Mention)
Jumbo Regions: Detroit Region (winner), Milwaukee Region (Honorable Mention)

Region of the Year
Detroit Region, Dr. Jennifer M. Glass, RE
Honorable Mention: Arizona Border Region; Central Carolinas Region

The SCCA Convention presented by SafeRacer continues Friday afternoon and Saturday at the South Point Hotel and Casino, culminating with the SCCA Hall of Fame Banquet induction ceremony on Saturday evening.

2013 SCCA Convention kicks off from Las Vegas

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 03:31:00 +0000

Sports Car Club of America Chairman Lisa Noble and the Club’s leadership addressed those in attendance Thursday on the SCCA Convention’s opening day at the South Point Hotel and Casino. The annual meeting and town hall reviewed 2012 and gave a preview of the expected future growth.

In her opening address, Noble spoke on behalf of the 12-person elected Board of Directors, issuing a reminder to those in attendance.

“This is a new day in SCCA. It starts with us, it starts with you,” Noble said. “We are the best amateur motorsports organization in the country – it’s time we act like it.”

Noble handed off to SCCA President and CEO Jeff Dahnert, for the overall state of the SCCA address. Dahnert spoke on the Club’s current financial stability, citing an increase in membership in 2012 and an influx of new programs in the Club Racing and Solo departments.

Dahnert announced the renewal of Tire Rack, an 18-year official partner of the SCCA, to a deal that will continue through 2017.

Heads of SCCA’s three active subsidiaries - SCCA Pro Racing, SCCA Enterprises, and the SCCA Foundation – also addressed the gathering.

Tom Campbell, SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO, spoke of the current state of the company.

“Professional road racing is a challenging business, but an important one to SCCA’s heritage and to many of our members,” Campbell said.

Campbell reported that SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned events took place on 38 weekends, featuring 350 pro licensed drivers totaling more than 1900 race entries for the year.

Enterprises President Erik Skirmants acknowledged a down year for the Spec Racer Ford and Formula Enterprises presenters, but excitedly announced the plans for the Gen3 Spec Racer Ford to come in 2015.

The updated Spec Racer Ford is expected to produce 25% more horsepower, and, with additional improvements, may cut three to five seconds per lap off the existing class. The new car will be unveiled at next weekend’s BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour at Circuit of the Americas, with a total of 13 cars running throughout the country this summer for research and development.

The meeting ended with a report from Bev Heilicher, of the SCCA Foundation Board. In the report, the Foundation revealed their latest fundraiser – a raffle to support the foundation.

For a $20 ticket, someone will win their choice of a Mazda MX-5, a MAZDASPEED3 or $18,000 in cash. The winner will be drawn during the 58th WeatherTech Chicago Region June Sprints on June 15, 2013. All tickets may be purchased online at www.sccaraffle.org.

Chairman Noble celebrated the announcement by purchasing the raffle’s first ticket.

The SCCA Convention continues at the South Point Hotel and Casino through Saturday Night’s SCCA Hall of Fame induction of the 2013 class, presented by Mazda, that features Skip Barber, Bobby Rahal, Carroll Shelby, Bill Noble and Andy Porterfield.

For news and updates from the Convention, follow SCCA on Twitter @SCCAOfficial, like SCCA on Facebook, and on the Club’s website at www.scca.com.

Photo credit: SCCA Images

Happy 69th SCCA!

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:15:00 +0000

On Feb. 26, 1944, 69 years ago, a group of sports car enthusiasts met at the Boston, Mass. home of Chapin Wallour to form a club dedicated to the preservation of sports cars. Today, the Sports Car Club of America annually boasts 60,000 members and hosts motorsports events around the country.

While the vintage market was covered by existing car clubs focused on the “preservation of veteran motor cars, a worthy objective,” the seven founding members gathered that night with an eye on the then-current generation of sports cars. It was specifically identified in the minutes from that first meeting – the SCCA was to concentrate on cars made after 1914.

First, though, the question arose – what was the definition of sports car? It was decided that evening to include “any quality car which was built primarily for sports motoring as opposed to mere transportation. In other words, any car which rates higher than average in construction and engineering, and which, preferably, has open body work.”

The first meeting of the SCCA was a bit more exclusive than today’s members would recognize. The list of cars owned by founding members Everett Dickinson, John Duby, Arnold Engborg, Theodore Robertson, George Schulz, Robert Townsend, and Chapin Wallour sound like museum pieces today: a Duesenberg “J” double cowl Phaeton, a Lancia Lambda 5th Series Roadster, a Kissel Speedster, Stutz DV 32 Sports Tourer, Mercer series 4 Raceabout, Isotte Fraschini type 8A Castagna Convertible Coupe, a Rolls Royce Phantom I Ascot Phaeton, and on. Not a single BMW, Ford or Mazda in the bunch!

This wasn’t by coincidence. The constitution drawn up by Ted Robertson stated that membership in the Club shall be restricted to owners of sports cars, sponsored by one current member, seconded by another, and elected by unanimous vote of the officers. Then, that new member must pay the yearly dues within 30 days – three dollars.

These gentlemen took the “sports car” in Sports Car Club of America very seriously. Of the 592 words in the first constitution, more than one-third dealt with dismissal from the club! Some of the apparently treasonous actions included selling a sports car without first advertising the car for sale with the Club, or buying a sports car that another member, essentially, called “dibs” on first. Being “obviously at fault” in an accident involving another member was grounds for dismissal, as was voluntarily disposing of your last remaining sports car. Of course it was bad if you broke up your own sports car – but equally as punishable was permitting someone else to destroy a sports car, or even having knowledge of someone just possibly breaking up a sports car without telling an officer.

The founding members were true fanatics when it came to their cars.

Clearly, a lot has changed in the 69 years of the SCCA. The founders wouldn’t have recognized our thousands of female members – and the notion of Lisa Noble as the Chairman of the Board of Directors would have most certainly blown the mind of original President Robertson. Today, SCCA accepts all members, regardless of whether or not they own a sports car.

Not everything has changed, of course. The passion shines through in each member today, as it did 69 years ago. The care that SCCA members take for each other remains. The pride that today’s members have in the Club lives on.

From the humble origins of seven enthusiasts gathered on a cold Boston evening to today’s international contingent who feel the same, the original spirit of the club continues.

Happy Birthday, Sports Car Club of America – here’s to the next 69 years!

And, happy birthday to SCCA’s current President Jeff Dahnert. Coincidence?

SCCA Appoints Chris Berg to Public Relations Position

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:23:00 +0000

Sports Car Club of America, Inc. and SCCA Pro Racing have named Chris Berg to the newly-created Public Relations Coordinator position, serving roles in both organizations.

Berg will provide detailed event coverage and serve as the main point of contact for on-site media on behalf of SCCA Pro Racing at each Mazda MX-5 Cup and Pirelli World Challenge Championship race. Berg will also handle other assignments for SCCA’s Club Racing, Solo and Rally divisions.

“Working for a racing organization with the history of the SCCA is an absolute dream come true,” Berg said. “I look forward to working with the staff, drivers and team owners to help SCCA Pro Racing become a destination for racers and fans, alike.”

Berg comes to SCCA with two years of motorsports public relations experience with a Kansas City-based karting organization. In addition to his public relations experience, Berg has also worked as a freelance journalist since 2004, covering a variety of subjects, including higher education and college sports. The vast majority of that time was spent covering motorsports for a variety of media outlets.

Aside from just writing about racing, Berg has been an active racer for the past 14 years and was an SCCA member prior to being hired into the organization. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Missouri-Columbia, and has an MBA from Baker University.

“The combination of Chris’ skill set and passion for sports car racing make him a perfect candidate for this position,” SCCA VP of Marketing & Communications Eric Prill said. “We are excited to have Chris join our team, and know that he will make immediate contributions to SCCA, SCCA Pro Racing and its series.”

Berg resides in Overland Park, Kan., with his wife Anne. He can be reached in the office at 785-862-7147 or at cberg@scca.com.

Rain and cold don't hinder SCCA racing at Auto Club Speedway

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Lee Niffenegger’s Honda bested
Ed Zink’s Mustang in Touring 4.
Credit: Dennis Baer

After battling moisture for two days, the Southern California weather shown through with cool temperatures and a dry race track at Auto Club Speedway for Sunday’s races at the BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour presented by Porterfield Brakes, rounds one and two of the Western Conference Majors Tour. The event was hosted by the California Sports Car Club (Cal Club).

The weather conditions made for high horsepower and another day of tight racing following 20-minute qualifying sessions in the morning.

Once again, the Spec Racer Fords opened the racing with a spectacular show. The field split early with the front-running duo of the No. 11 MBI Racing machine of Mike Miserendino and the No. 4 Pro Drive Racing/HMS machine of Saturday’s winner Todd Harris battling for the lead out in front.

Harris got a great jump at the green flag, getting a push from Lee Douglas’ No. 2 LADCO Pipe & Piling SRF around the banking to move in front of the polesitter. Miserendino chased Harris until getting back on point on lap four, but couldn’t create separation and Harris pulled to the lead again on lap seven as the pair transitioned to the infield road course under banking.

Miserendino used a run down the back straight in the infield to take the lead again on lap 13, but Harris used the draft to reclaim the lead at the end of the superspeedway portion of the track again on the very next lap. Not to be outdone, Miserendino repeated his pass on the previous lap and held the lead with just 2.8-miles left to go.

Harris drafted alongside Miserendino through the banking on the final lap, but couldn’t complete the pass. With one last look on the way to the checkers, Miserendino held the lead and took the checkered flag.

Spec Miata held up their end of the spec racing match-up. Elliott Skeer’s No. 77 RM Auto Sports/Pelican Windows & Remodeling Miata got free of the field in the second half of the race for his second win of the weekend, creating a cushion over runner-up Steven Powers’ No. 2 Amerifirst Mortgage Miata and an even larger gap over the battle for third.

That battle for the final podium position held enough action for everyone, with four cars taking their turn in the slot. Todd Launchbaugh’s No. 13 Lee and Associates Commercial Real Estate Miata and Grant Westmoreland’s No. 12 Pacific Tugboat Service/Rush Motorsports/OPM Autosports Miata were locked together in the draft, with Joey Jordan’s No. 47 BFGoodrich Tires/Minxnails.com/Protomotive Miata and Dean Busk’s Commercial Broker’s Inc. Miata working together to keep pace.

Westmoreland’s run through the infield on the final lap gave him a podium finish when Busk and Jordan got past Launchbaugh and gave Westmoreland some breathing room. Busk and Jordan crossed the stripe side by side. Using a visual identification by the starter, Jordan inched ahead of Busk in the drag race for a thrilling fourth-place.

For the second consecutive day, Tom Wickersham and Erich Joiner chased each other around the Auto Club Speedway road course in search of a GT-2 title. Unlike Saturday’s race, on Sunday Wickersham’s Maine Straight Racing Porsche 996 held the lead over Joiner’s No. 10 Tool of North America Porsche 996 for the victory.

And once again, attrition robbed what promised to be a thrilling finish in Formula F, with Ed Erlandson taking his second win of the weekend in the No. Artwork by Eli/Porter Racing Swift DB-6/Ford. While Jeff Jorgenson’s No. 84 Veskimo.com/21st Amendment Novakar JJ-10/Rotax was cruising to a Formula 500 win, the Formula Vee contingent was again entertaining those in attendance.

Seven Formula Fee machines ran in a swarm around the high banks of Auto Club Speedway and through the infield, until trouble struck on lap nine. With the Formula F field lapping through right where the oval drops into the infield road course, Brian McCarthy’s No. 05 Formula Vee Anduril/VW made contact with the No. 86 Toad Hall Enterprises Mysterian M4/VW of Terran Swanson and the No. 74 Red Line/Hoosier Glamdring/VW of Mark Edwards. The contact ended all three drivers’ day.

That left the No. 4 Fones West Digital Systems/Lynx Wireless Communications Vortech/VW and the No. 22 Volkswagen FV of Tyler Hunter to battle for the top spot on the box. The pair continued to swap the lead on the banking and down the long infield straights, where it became clear that the driver trailing coming down the back straight for the final time would be in the catbird’s seat.

As the passes played out, that driver was Hunter, who grabbed the lead under braking into turn 12. Hunter held the top spot onto the banking and across the stripe to take Formula Vee victory.

Not to be outdone by its smaller open-wheel brethren, the Formula Mazda field saw a three-way battle for the lead at the finish. With three laps remaining and Brad Drew’s No. 78 Maglite Flashlights Star Formula Mazda up on TJ Fischer’s No. 8 Rathbun Associates machine by just two car lengths, Steve Brown’s No. 31 CamGaurd Systems Inc Mazda inserted himself into that battle for the lead.

Brown moved around Fischer for 2nd on Lap 14, then gave chase for Drew and the victory. Brown’s last chance for the win came in Turn 16 where he peeked to the inside of Drew but lost momentum, settling for second and giving Drew the crown.

The final group ended with a pair of Touring 4 cars showing off very different strengths. Lee Niffenegger’s No. 42 Honda Racing/HPD/BFGoodrich Tires Honda Civic Si gapped Steve Zink’s No. 96 Ford Mustang through the curves of the infield, and then had just enough motor to keep the American iron at bay around the superspeedway for 15 laps and the race win.

Rounds Three and Four of the Western Conference Majors Tour continues April 27-28 at Buttonwillow Raceway Park. More information on the BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour, the U.S. Majors Tour, and the SCCA SafeRacer National Series is available at www.scca.com.

Race results are available from Cal Club's website.

Feb. FasTrack News now available

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:11:00 +0000

Fastrack has been posted. To get your copy follow the links below.

February 2013 Issue (complete)

Sections:

Club Racing
Solo/SEB
TTAC
Rally/RallyCross

Quick Links
FasTrack Archives

Contingency Programs Lined Up For SCCA Club Racers

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:04:00 +0000

Sports Car Club of America drivers participating in the SafeRacer National Series and the Club’s Regional racers should be sure to register for the 2013 contingency programs. In addition to an impressive list of companies posting programs Nationally and Regionally, a number have raised their payouts for U.S. Majors Tour events.

The biggest provider of contingency programs comes from the automotive manufacturers, with Ford Racing, Honda Performance Development, Kia Motors America, Mazda North American Operations, MINI USA, Scion Racing, Toyota/TRD, and Volkswagen of America all providing various levels of programs.

Honda, Kia, Mazda and Volkswagen drivers can all maximize their rewards by competing in SCCA’s U.S. Majors Tour events. Mazda, for instance, pays up to $500 for a win, $300 for a runner-up finish, and $150 for third at a National race, but increases the payout to $800, $500, and $250 for all Majors events. Mazda also includes a $1,000 bonus for a Division Championship or a $1,750 prize for a Majors Tour Conference Championship.

Volkswagen’s payouts go up to $1,000 for a Majors win, and $750 for a National victory, dependent on the class. Kia’s program for its B-Spec car moves from $500 for a National win to $800 for a Majors win. Honda’s $200 National win, $100 second-place, and $50 third-place payouts increase to $300 for a Majors victory and double the other positions.

Ford Racing has taken a different approach, offering contingency only for the Majors program. Ford drivers can earn as much as $700 for a win, capping out at $500 for second and $250 for third.

Mini’s B-Spec program pays $1,000 for a win, provided all requirements are met, with other classes paying up to $500 for taking the checkered flag in front. Winners behind the wheel of a Toyota can earn $800 in the GT-2 and GT-3 classes, and $400 in other classes, while Scion drivers can earn up to $500 for a top finish.

The Official Street Tire of SCCA, BFGoodrich Tires is offering product to podium finishers. At most National races, winners receive three free tires, with a runner-up (two tires) and a third-place finish (one) getting additional rubber. A win at one of the six BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour weekends equates to an extra tire.

Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA, also offers contingency to those using their product. All eligible classes at a National race earn a $75 certificate for a win, $50 in product for a second-place finish, and $25 credit for a fifth-place finish. Each race, all season long, the quickest racer will be awarded a $50 product certificate for the Hawk Hot Lap.

SafeRacer serves as the Official Safety Provider of SCCA, as well as the title sponsor of the SafeRacer National Series. At the conclusion of the season, the top National point scoring finishers in each class will earn a $500 gift certificate for SafeRacer.com as well as a new year-end trophy.

Summit Racing is a longtime SCCA contingency sponsor, and has opened up their program to include all classes in 2013. The retailer offers a $100 credit for a win at any U.S. Majors Tour event, and $50 for second place.

Both Nissan and Hoosier Tire are finalizing details, but have committed to contingency programs in 2013.

Honda, Mazda, MINI, Scion, Volkswagen, and Kumho Tires all also offer contingencies at the Regional level.

Details on each of the contingency programs for 2013 are available at http://www.scca.com/clubracing/content.cfm?cid=44474. Drivers should read the program requirements carefully and be sure to have the necessary paperwork turned in before their first event.

More information on all of the SCCA’s programs is available at www.scca.com. Follow SCCA on Twitter @SCCAOfficial, and like the Club on Facebook at facebook.com/sccaofficial.

Racing legends to be inducted into SCCA Hall of Fame

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 21:25:00 +0000

Andy Porterfield will be remembered
for his many contributions to not
only CalClub but the entire SCCA.
Photo: SoPac Facebook Page

Road Racing legends Skip Barber, Bill Noble, Bobby Rahal, Carroll Shelby, and Andy Porterfield compose the 2013 SCCA Hall of Fame Class for significant contributions to motorsports and the Sports Car Club of America, as announced today by the SCCA. The newly-selected class will take their positions amongst the giants of the Club during an induction ceremony at the SCCA National Convention on Saturday, March 2, 2013, in Las Vegas.

The SCCA National Hall of Fame was created in 2004 to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the Club by acknowledging those members who have made a significant impact on the development of SCCA, be it through service to the national organization, achievements in national competition, bringing national recognition to SCCA, or a combination of these factors. Nominations were submitted to and reviewed by the Hall of Fame Nomination and Selection Committees before the inductees were selected.

John “Skip” Barber has seen thousands of SCCA Racers pass through the driving school that he started and bears his name to this day. His career and contributions to the SCCA go well beyond his role as an instructor. Mr. Barber won the Formula Ford (now Formula F) National Championship in back-to-back years at the Runoffs, winning in 1969 and 1970. The 1970 title was paired with another championship in Formula B – a class that became Formula Atlantic – to earn him that season’s President’s Cup. Barber reached the pinnacle as a driver with a handful of races in Formula One, and remains President and Owner of Lime Rock Park to this day. Barber has been an SCCA member for 54 years.

William James “Bill” Noble became one of the most successful Championship-winning drivers in SCCA history and had a hand in many more. A renowned engine builder and five-time National Champion in one of Club Racing’s most competitive class, his “Engines by Noble” have captured an incredible 25 National Championships in the 49-year history of the Runoffs. Noble was awarded the Road Racing Driver’s Club Mark Donohue Award in 1989, and the Kansas Region presents the Bill Noble Award to the driver who best exemplifies the combination of mechanical expertise, driving skill, and competitive sportsmanship that were Noble’s traits. To display that sportsmanship, Noble had a long-standing offer to engine customers: anytime a customer wanted to trade their engine for the one in Noble’s car, he would not only take them up on it, but help them install the engine. Noble passed away in 2011 at the age of 69. His business and racing legacy are continued by his widow, SCCA Chairman Lisa Noble.

Andrew Tracy “Andy” Porterfield is inducted for his years of contributions to the Club, both as a driver and behind the scenes. Porterfield, known as a Corvette racer, won the 1978 and 1979 National Championships in B Production, and was Southern Pacific Division Champion an unprecedented 23 times. A regular racer in SCCA Trans-Am races, Porterfield served on the Cal Club Region Board for 16 years, including as Region Executive for five years. He served on the SCCA Board of Directors, and was selected as the Chairman of the Board of SCCA Enterprises, where he continued to help grow and maintain the subsidiary until his death. Porterfield also organized the corner workers in the early days of the Long Beach Grand Prix. A winner of the 2008 John McGill Award for contributions to Club Racing and the Woolf Barnato Award in 2009 for outstanding long-term contribution to the SCCA, Porterfield’s SCCA credentials are unquestioned. Porterfield passed away in April 2012, but will continue to influence SCCA racers through his Porterfield Brakes, a company he founded in 1986.

Robert Woodward “Bobby” Rahal, has had a long and distinguished motorsports career that began in the Sports Car Club of America. As a 22-year-old, Rahal was awarded the President’s Cup following his 1975 Formula B (soon to be renamed Formula Atlantic) National Championship. Using Club Racing as a springboard, Rahal went on to drive IMSA and in the SCCA Trans-Am Series before becoming a champion open-wheel driver. The 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner won CART Championships in 1986, 1987, and 1992, as well as the series’ Rookie of the Year award in 1982. Rahal is the current co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, where they’ve recently hired 2005 SCCA National Champion Graham Rahal (son of the newest Hall of Famer) to drive in the IndyCar Series.

Carroll Shelby’s impact on the SCCA will last long into the future, even if you ignore the mark he made as a driver that won an SCCA National Championship in 1956 (Formula Libre). Though Shelby competed in eight Formula One races and won the 24 Hours of LeMans behind the wheel, his legacy is, obviously, as the man who practically invented the American iron pony car. In 49 SCCA National Championship Runoffs, 35 drivers have left with the gold medal in either a Mustang or a Shelby Cobra. An entire SCCA class, American Sedan, features cars that either are a Ford Mustang, or were built to compete on the showroom floor with the iconic sports car. Beyond Club Racing, the GT 350 was also the inaugural Trans-Am Series manufacturer champion. Shelby passed away in May 2012 at the age of 89.

Barber, Noble, Porterfield, Rahal and Shelby will join eight previous classes in the SCCA Hall of Fame:

2005: Cameron Argetsinger, A. Tracy Bird, John Fitch, Arthur Gervais, Harry Handley, Vern Jaques, Bill Milliken, Sue Roethel, Art Trier and Rob Walker.
2006: John Bornholdt, John Buffum, Mark Donohue, Denise McCluggage and Grant Reynolds.
2007: Marge Binks, Marc Gerstein, Carl A. Haas, General Curtis E. LeMay, and Theodore F. Robertson.
2008: Roger E. Johnson, Don and Ruth Nixon, Kjell Qvale, Robert Ridges and Fred Schmucker.
2009: Bill Chambres, Bill Johnson, Jim Kimberly, Paul Newman and John Timanus
2010: Nick Craw, Briggs Cunningham, R. David Jones, Burdette “Berdie” Martin and Wayne Zitkus
2011: Karen Babb, John Bishop, Jim Fitzgerald, Tracer Racing, Harro Zitza
2012: Charlie Earwood, Jim Hall, Gene Henderson, Dr. Peter Talbot, Bryan Webb

More information on the Sports Car Club of America, including the SCCA Hall of Fame is available at www.scca.com. Registration for the SCCA Convention, which includes the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, is available at scca.com/convention.

Follow SCCA on Twitter @SCCAOfficial, and like the Club on Facebook at facebook.com/sccaofficial.

2013 Tire Rack® SCCA National Solo Series schedule announced

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 22:57:00 +0000

The 2013 Tire Rack® SCCA National Solo Series and Tire Rack® ProSolo Series schedules have been announced, with 27 total events spanning seven months, covering 16 states and featuring three unique event formats.

Included on the 2013 calendar is the introduction of the Match Tour format, featuring the Evolution Super Shootout, following a trial run at the conclusion of last season. In addition to nine Match Tours, the series will feature 10 ProSolo Rounds, seven Championship Tour rounds and the 41st Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championship.

The Tire Rack ProSolo Series kicks off in Irvine, Calif. on the weekend of April 6th at the former El Toro Air Base, now known as the Orange County Great Park. The series features nine regular season rounds with the traditional Finale event once again opening the Tire Rack Solo National Champoinship week in Lincoln, Neb.

Officially, the Tire Rack National Tour program is being split into two formats. In addition to the new Match Tour weekends, the traditional Tour format will become the Championship Tour, reflective of its tie to Solo National’s format. Two weekends are combined with ProSolo.

The seven-event Championship Tour schedule is shown below. The inaugural Match Tour will be held at South Georgia Motorsports Park on the weekend of March 16th.

The Match Tour format features class competition on Saturday and the Evolution Super Shootout on Sunday. The Shootout format allows the forty-eight fastest drivers to mix with the top four ladies, as well as twelve random drawn drivers in a four-ladder tournament to see who can take home the weekend’s top prize. Held on a traditional, championship style course, Match Tours are the best of both Solo elements, blending long, fast flowing courses with the excitement of elimination competition.

The season’s crown jewel, the 41st Tire Rack® SCCA Solo Nationals, is on the schedule for September 3-6, with the ProSolo Finale on the Labor Day weekend. The season-ender is part of the triple crown of holiday weekends, with the Spring Nationals once again on Memorial Day Weekend and the move of Summer Nationals to Fourth of July Weekend.

The complete Tire Rack® Solo Schedule:

Tire Rack Championship Tour
March 23-24	College Station Championship Tour	College Station, Texas
March 30-31	San Diego Championship Tour	San Diego, Calif.
April 27-28	Dover Championship Tour	Dover, Del.
May 26-27	Spring Nationals	Lincoln, Neb.
July 6-7	Summer Nationals	Blytheville, Ark.
July 13-14	Packwood Championship Tour	Packwood, Wash.
August 3-4	Wilmington Championship Tour	Wilmington, Ohio
September 3-6	41st Tire Rack Solo National Championship Tire Rack Match Tour	Lincoln, Neb.
Tire Rack Match Tour
March 16-17	Dixie Match Tour	Adel, Ga.
April 6-7	Wilmington Match Tour	Wilmington, Ohio
May 11-12	St George Match Tour	St. George, Utah
June 1-2	Peru Match Tour	Peru, Ind.
June 15-16	Mineral Wells Match Tour	Mineral Wells, Texas
June 22-23	Fountain Match Tour	Fountain, Colo.
July 13-14	Milwaukee Match Tour	Milwaukee, Wis.
July 20-21	Ayer Match Tour	Ayer, Mass.
October TBD	Blytheville Match Tour	Blytheville, Ark.
Tire Rack ProSolo Championship
April 6-7	El Toro ProSolo	Irvine, Calif.
April 13-14	Mineral Wells ProSolo	Mineral Wells, Texas
April 20-21	New Jersey ProSolo	East Rutherford, N.J.
May 24-25	Spring Nationals	Lincoln, Neb.
June 8-9	DC ProSolo	Washington, D.C.
June 29-30	Farmington ProSolo	Farmington, N.M.
July 4-5	Summer Nationals	Blytheville, Ark.
July 20-21	Packwood ProSolo	Packwood, Wash.
July 27-28	Toledo ProSolo	Toledo, Ohio
August 31-Sept. 1	ProSolo Finale	Lincoln, Neb.

More information on the Sports Car Club of America, the Tire Rack SCCA Solo programs, and the 41st Tire Rack Solo National Championship is available at www.scca.com.

January Fastrack now available

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 03:57:00 +0000

Fastrack has been posted. To get your copy follow the links below.

January 2013 Issue - complete

Or by section:
Board of Directors
Club Racing
Solo/SEB
TTAC
Court Of Appeals
Rally
Quick Links

Looking for a previous copy? Archives

* If you are having issues viewing PDF Files using Chrome, you can disable the Adobe plugin, which will force Chrome to download the PDF. It's under Options>>Under the Hood>>Content Settings>>Plug-ins>>Disable individual plugins>>Chrome PDF Viewer>>Click on Disable.

Tech Shops in Southern California

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 02:06:00 +0000

A new Tech Shop has been added to the Cal Club Certified Tech Shop Program where your car can get an Annual Tech Inspection, car prep or damage repair in downtown San Diego.

C2 Motorsports is owned by a bunch of gear heads and 20-year SCCA members who race as well as tend to the needs of racers. They carry the best in driver safety gear from Bell, Sparco, Momo, Simpson and Crow Enterprises. C2 also has the race car safety and preparation equipment you need to get on track, including such brands as Autopower, Longacre, and Spa. Ultra high performance wheels and tires are a specialty, their major brands are Hoosier and Toyo, and they mount and balance the tires on state-of-the art Hunter machines. In addition they have OEM and performance parts in their catalogue from hundreds of vendors; if you need it, they can get it! Race car services include SCCA tech inspections, corner weighting, pre-race prep, and parts installation.

See their new webstore at www.theracersstore.com

Current Certified Cal Club Tech Shops:

Beta Motorsports

637 South Palm Street
Suite G
La Habra, CA 90631
714.299.4000
johnc@betamotorsports.com

C2 Motorsports LLC
8380 Vickers Street, Suite D
San Diego, CA 92111
858.495.9200
ron@c2racers.com
www.theracersstore.com

Costa Mesa R&D Automotive
123 Monte Vista Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949.631.6376
john@Engine-Machining.com

Iron Canyon Motorsports
17225 Sierra Highway
Santa Clarita, CA 91351
800.408.1390
info@ironcanyonmotorsports.com

MBI Racing Inc.
Buttonwillow Raceway Park
24551 Lerdo Hwy
Buttonwillow, CA 93206
661.345.8130
mbiracing@atginternet.com

MINCOMP
1041 West 18th Steet
Suite B-101
Costa Mesa, CA92627-4583
949.650.3058
MINCOMP@att.net

RM Autosport
10147 Mission Gorge Road
Suite A3
Santee, CA 92071-3869
info@rmautomd.com
858.405.7874

Williams Performance
6947 Speedway Blvd.
Unit S 103
Las Vegas, NV 89115
818.522.9676
mkwhmm@clear.net

Holiday Deal: Enroll in driving school and get half off entry to regional race

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:43:00 +0000

Let's Make A Deal!

Get your SCCA Competition License!

Exciting news for Cal Clubbers, we have put together a co-operative program that enhances the efforts of the Cal Club Driver School by making the experience available throughout the year.

Here's the deal...Any Cal Club/SCCA member that enrolls in either the Allen Berg Racing School or Danny McKeever's FAST LANE Racing School for their SCCA racing license will be eligible for a discounted price from either school. Once a student has successfully completed the school Cal Club will discount their first Double Regional race weekend by 50 percent.

Please contact the schools directly for specific details and requirements, both are SCCA accredited.

A Very Special Christmas Present

Allen Berg Racing Schools: www.allenbergracingschools.com
World class formula car racing training is now available right in the heart of Southern California at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana. Understanding the dynamics of controlling a formula car at speed is something very special, and Allen Berg's 30 years of racing successes (former Formula 1 driver from Canada) is part of the personalized training that every student receives. Drive 100% carbon fiber monocoque chassis Italian built Tatuus Formula Renault 1600 race cars equipped with MoTeC data systems on Hankook racing slicks. Visit the website or call 909-212-7687.

Danny McKeever's FAST LANE Racing School: www.raceschool.com
Danny McKeever is a long time Cal Club member and was Cal Club's chief driving instructor for many years. Danny got hooked on road racing in the late '50s and has been a racer and teacher of racers for more than 40 years. FAST LANE offers a high quality program that is a very good fit for prospective club racers, plus, it is just a few miles north of Los Angeles at Willow Springs International Raceway. For two decades Danny McKeever's FAST LANE school has been "The Instructors for the Stars", training celebrities for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Visit the website or call 888-948-4888.

SportsCar debuts new look for 2013; January issue now online

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 04:52:00 +0000

The January 2013 issue of SportsCar® Magazine is now available online.

You'll notice that the magazine has gone through a significant facelift for 2013, with a clean, classic cover design and a new style throughout the pages inside. From the striking cover art through the feature editorial, this issue celebrates the 2012 SCCA Pro Racing season and its Championships. Also included is a great piece on the historic 1972 run to both the Can-Am and Trans-Am Championships by Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee George Follmer. This month isn't all about the Pros, though, as we recap the United States RoadRally Challenge from Detroit. Also included are the traditional departments and reports from throughout the Club.

To access this SportsCar issue online, click ams.scca.com and log in to your member profile. Once in your profile online, you can access SportsCar issues in the upper-right corner.

You can find all past issues of SportsCar from this year in the menu once you have accessed this month's magazine. Magazines can also be downloaded and saved as PDF files from the link in the upper right.

This is the digital component of this month’s issue. Your paper copy of the publication will arrive in your mailbox soon, unless you have opted out of receiving it.

SCCA sets qualification criteria for 2013 Runoffs

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Sports Car Club of America announced today the qualification criteria for the 50th SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, set for Road America Sept. 16-22, 2013.

The American Sedan field barrels
through Road America at last
year’s Runoffs. Credit: Mark Weber/SCCA

The qualification process is largely unchanged from 2012, with paths through the Divisional Points, National Points and now the U.S. Majors Tour. Additionally, as the Runoffs’ Golden Anniversary, all former Champions are invited to participate in the event.

As was the case in 2012, to qualify through either Divisional or National point standings, a driver must finish four SafeRacer National Racing Series races (regular National or U.S. Majors Tour events included), with a minimum of two starts within their Division of Record. Once the participation criteria are met, at least one of the following performance criteria is required:

Finish in the top three of their class in their Divisional Championship.
Finish in the top half of the coast-to-coast, National Point Standings within their class during 2013.
Reach or exceed a minimum number of points for a given class in the National Point Standings (listed below), set by the top half of the 2012 National Point Standings.

Through the U.S. Majors Tour, any driver participating in three different Majors events in the same class (turning a wheel in an official session) will earn an invitation in that class. This criteria was used in 2012 for the Majors pilot program in what has become the Mid-States Conference.

A special invitation will be extended to any past SCCA National Champion to return to the 50th running of the Runoffs, provided that they qualify for a National license. Any past Runoffs National Champion may enter one class at the 2013 Runoffs without meeting the participation or performance criteria.

“Not only will we crown our annual National Champions at the 2013 Runoffs, but we will celebrate 50 years of one of the great motorsports events in America,” SCCA President & CEO Jeff Dahnert said. “As part of that celebration, we invite any of our past Champions to return to battle today’s best amateur racing drivers. You only have one 50th birthday, and we want to make sure that the event be as spectacular as the
racing on the track.”

Mid-point of 2012 SafeRacer SCCA National Racing Series point standings, by class:

American Sedan: 36 points
B Spec: (using SSC level): 40 points
C Sports Racing: 38 points
D Sports Racing: 33 points
E Production: 39 points
F Production: 26 points
Formula 500: 36 points
Formula 1000: 43 points
Formula Atlantic: 25 points
Formula Continental: 22 points
Formula Enterprises: 28 points
Formula F: 22 points
Formula Mazda: 32 points
Formula Vee: 32 points
GT-1: 25 points
GT-2: 36 points
GT-3: 38 points
GT-Lite: 34 points
H Production: 31 points
Sports 2000: 24 points
Spec Miata: 10 points
Spec Racer Ford: 13 points
Super Touring Lite: 19 points
Super Touring Under: 20 points
Touring 1: 47 points
Touring 2: 44 points
Touring 3: 45 points
Touring 4 (using SSB level): 50 points

The 2013 SafeRacer SCCA National Racing Series, U.S. Majors Tour and BFGoodrich Tires SCCA Super Tour begins January 4-6, 2013 at Sebring International Raceway.

SCCA announces 2013 U.S. Majors Tour schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 02:04:00 +0000

Sports Car Club of America President/CEO Jeff Dahnert unveiled the U.S. Majors Tour schedule today at the Performance Racing Industry Show in Orlando, Fla. The highest level of amateur racing in the United States, the Majors schedule provides each Conference with a mix of tracks to form a geographic season-long championship.

SCCA President/CEO Jeff Dahnert announces the schedule at PRI.
Credit: SCCA Images

“The U.S. Majors Tour schedule is one that many pro series would envy,” said Dahnert. “Our drivers will compete at legendary and renowned circuits such as Sebring, Road Atlanta, VIR, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Circuit of the Americas and Portland International Raceway. Complimenting these venues are a host of Club Racing driver favorites to form four great Conference schedules.

All Majors Tour events on the schedule are doubleheaders, with the exception of the Chicago Region June Sprints, which will keep its traditional single race format.

Each Conference will crown a champion in all 28 Runoffs-eligible classes. Drivers will score their best finishes in two-thirds of a Conference’s races. In the Eastern Conference, that means eight of the 12 available races; the Northern Conference will count seven of nine, and the Western Conference tallying six of eight races. The Mid-States conference would currently count seven of 10 races, but may see an additional race weekend added in the coming weeks.

As previously announced, points will count toward that Conference’s championship, as well as to the SafeRacer National Series point championship and the traditional Divisional Championships.

Additionally, six premiere races will make up the BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour – Sebring International Raceway, Auto Club Speedway, Circuit of the Americas, VIRginia International Raceway, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Watkins Glen International.

The 2013 U.S. Majors Tour schedule, by Conference affiliation, is:

Eastern Conference
January 4-6 Sebring International Raceway*
April 19-21 VIRginia International Raceway*
May 3-5 Summit Point Motorsports Park
May 17-19 Road Atlanta
May 31-June 2 New Jersey Motorsports Park
July 5-7 Watkins Glen International*

Northern Conference
May 25-26 Michigan International Speedway
May 31-June 2 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course*
June 14-16 Road America (June Sprints)
July 13-14 GingerMan Raceway
August 3-4 Gateway Motorsports Park

Mid-States Conference
March 8-10 Circuit of the Americas*
April 6-7 Hallett Motor Racing Circuit
May 24-26 Pikes Peak International
July 6-7 High Plains Raceway
August 3-4 Gateway Motorsports Park

Western Conference
January 25-27 Auto Club Speedway*
April 27-28 Buttonwillow Raceway Park
May 25-26 Pacific Raceway
July 6-7 Portland International Raceway

*Denotes BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour event

The qualification path to the 50th National Championship Runoffs will be announced during the PRI show in Orlando, Fla., in December, following a discussion and vote at the SCCA Board of Directors meeting.

More information on the U.S. Majors Tour, the BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour, and the SafeRacer National Series is available at www.scca.com.

Follow SCCA on Twitter @SCCAOfficial, and 'Like' the Club on Facebook.

2013 SCCA Majors/BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour opener in Sebring

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:25:00 +0000

The Sports Car Club of America announced today the first and earliest piece of the 2013 U.S. Majors Tour, which will begin in the Eastern Conference with the Central Florida Region’s double race weekend at Sebring International Raceway, January 4-6. The Sebring event will also be the opener on the BFGoodrich Tires SCCA Super Tour schedule.

The doubleheader will be the first of a planned six-event schedule for the Eastern Conference. Each of the four conferences will include up to six event weekends.

“The Sebring weekend is just the first event of the Majors schedule that will make up the 2013 season,” said Butch Kummer, Director of Club Racing. “Our staff is working diligently with the Regions with the goal of a complete schedule launch during the PRI show in December. Because this is the first event on the schedule and a destination trip for so many racers, we wanted to announce this as soon as we could to give the maximum time for racers to make plans to attend the event.”

The BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour schedule will also be announced with the completed Majors schedule. The races will overlap, linking at least one event from each conference into the nationwide tour for the third-consecutive season.

The Sebring races will count toward the Eastern Conference point Championship for all 28 SCCA National Championship Runoffs-eligible classes, as well as the National and Divisional points titles, as announced previously.

More information can be found at www.scca.com and on the U.S. Majors Tour at www.sccamajors.com.

Follow the SCCA on Twitter @SCCAOfficial, or like the Club on Facebook at facebook.com/sccaofficial.