Runoffs Contingency Sponsorship Taking Shape

TOPEKA, Kan. (July 23, 2015) – Thus far, a total of 32 companies have agreed to support the 2015 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Garmin VIRB at Daytona International Speedway by offering contingency sponsorship programs. The organizations involved in the effort represent a range of roles, from auto manufacturers to motorsports retailers. Competitors will be able to register for these programs on, or after, Aug. 5.

The 52nd edition of the yearly meet will be held on the high banks of the Daytona International Speedway, utilizing the same 3.56-mile, 7-turn road course that plays host to the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This is a truly unique experience for the top amateur racecar drivers from around the country to take on this one-of-a-kind circuit.

Mazda North America, the Official Vehicle of SCCA, will support eligible drivers across many classes. Those drivers will be able to claim a $5,000 bonus for becoming a National Champion, while second is worth $3,000 and third place is worth $1,500. Mazda drivers also have access to a tow fund, with details available at www.MazdaMotorsports.com.

Chevrolet will offer a cash prize to eligible top-three finishers in B-Spec. Payouts of $750, $500 and $250 will be available for the podium finishers, in that order. Another Detroit-based automaker, Ford, will offer contingency support to eligible drivers. Ford will offer a $2,500 bonus for winners in eligible classes. Second and third are worth $1,000 and $750, respectively.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) has also pledged their support for this year’s Runoffs. Eligible drivers who finish on the podium can claim an additional $2,500, $1,500 or $1,000 bonus, in that order. In addition, drivers who start the Championship race get $500, while a Super Sweep is worth $1,000. MINI USA is offering a similar program to eligible drivers. This manufacturer will pay $2,500 for a win, while second and third will take home $1,500 and $1,000. The completion of a Super Sweep will result in an additional $1,250.

Nissan Motorsports will support their customers in certain classes. Eligible drivers in those classes can earn cash bonuses of $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000, for current models. Non-current models will receive $1,000, $500 and $250. If a Super Sweep is added, it is worth an additional $1,000.

SCCA Enterprises will be offering contingency payouts for their three supported classes, including Spec Racer Ford, SRF Gen3 and Formula Enterprises. An SRF national title is worth $600, with second and third paying $300 and $100. Winners in SRF Gen3 and FE will take home $700, with second and third getting $500 and $300.

Scion Racing and Toyota/TRD will offer similar programs to eligible drivers. For many of the eligible classes, both companies will award $3,000 for a win and $2,000 for second. Additionally, TRD will award $5,000 for eligible GT-2 and GT-3 winners with $3,000 going to second place. Both companies will put $1,000 up for grabs for a pole winners and Super Sweep honorees, with tow money available at the rate of $1 per mile ($1,500 maximum).

Tires are a big expense in racing and many manufacturers are putting their hat into the Runoffs ring. BFGoodrich Tires will be offering tires to the top four positions in select classes. First place will be worth 12 tires, with second place able to claim six. From there, third is worth four tires with fourth place able to get a pair.

Goodyear Tire will offer cash to select drivers with a National Championship title worth $500. Second and third are worth $300 and $100, respectively. Hankook Tire will offer eligible drivers cash prizes, as well. A win is worth $4,000, second can claim $2,000, third garners $1,000 while fourth and fifth are able to earn $500.

Hoosier Racing Tire will be awarding winners with four free tires, in addition to four tires for each 2016 U.S. Majors Tour event in many classes. In Spec Miata, the winner will receive 16 tires. Second place will get eight with each place down to fourth reduced by two tires. Fifth place will also be able to claim four tires, while places six through 10 will each get two tires.

Michelin will also be honoring eligible winners in GT-1, GT-2 or GT-3 with four free tires.

Component makers, including lubricant, brake and suspension manufacturers, have also put their support behind the Runoffs effort at Daytona International Speedway. Mobil 1, the Official Oil of SCCA, leads this group by offering their customary Mobil 1 racing suit to the an eligible National Champion, in addition to a $500 cash prize. Second place gets a $400 product certificate, with third receiving a $250 certificate.

Sunoco, the Official Fuel of SCCA, will be giving a $100 cash prize to an eligible Hard Charger in each run for a National Championship. That will be the eligible driver who advances the most positions during the race.

Red Line Synthetic Oil will offer product certificates to eligible top-three finishers in all classes. A $750 product certificate will go to a class winner, with $400 and $250 certificates going to the remaining two positions, respectively.

Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA, is planning to announce their contingency program for the Runoffs in the coming weeks.

Carbotech Performance Brakes will offer eligible drivers prizes down to 10th place. Select class winners will have the opportunity to earn sponsorship from the company, including six axle sets worth of components. Second and third place will earn $300 and $250 product certificates, respectively, while fourth will earn $200. From fourth through 10th places, the prize for each additional place will decrease by $25.

Pagid RS will award eligible drivers with product for finishes in the top two places. The winner will earn a full set of brake pads for their car while second will get one axle’s worth of pads.

In the suspension department, Eibach Springs will offer two free springs to winners and runners up. Third place will get one free spring. Hyperco will offer the identical program for the classes which they support. Penske Racing Shocks will award product certificates to eligible top-three drivers in all classes. A win is worth a $100 certificate, second place is worth a $50 certificate, while third place can get a $25 certificate.

AiM Sports will award each eligible class winner with a complimentary Solo lap timer. Electromotive will offer product certificates in the denomination of $500, $200 and $100 to the respective top three eligible finishers.

SPA Technique has product certificates available for eligible winners at $100 and to fourth place at $50. Tilton Engineering rounds out the technical manufacturers with product certificates going to first, third and fifth places in eligible classes. Those certificates will be awarded to the respective places at a value of $175, $100 and $50.

Retailers and makers of non-automotive products have also jumped on the Runoffs bandwagon. Garmin VIRB, the Official Camera of SCCA and the presenting partner of the Runoffs, will be rewarding top-two finishers in all classes. Eligible winners will get $200 cash or a $300 product certificate, while a $100 certificate will go to second.

SafeRacer, the Official Safety Provider of SCCA, will give eligible newly-crowned National Champions a $100 product certificate.

Bell Helmets will offer two levels of awards for eligible podium finishers. Winners who use a Bell helmet will get $100 cash, with second place able to earn $50 cash. Third place Bell users can get their hands on a $50 product certificate. Non-users on the podium can all get a 25-percent discount on the purchase of a new Bell helmet.

CoolShirt Systems will give eligible Hard Chargers $250, cash. While Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies will award eligible drivers who take places four through six in all classes. Fourth place gets a $75 certificate with each subsequent place earning a certificate valued at $25 less. An eligible Super Sweep winner can cash in on a $250 gift certificate.

Summit Racing Equipment will give out awards down to sixth place for eligible drivers. Winners will get a $150 certificate, second will earn a $100 certificate while third through sixth will get a $50 certificate. A Hard Luck award of $50 will also be given to the eligible driver who completed the least number of laps.

As with all contingency programs, it is the responsibility of each driver to make sure they are eligible to receive any contingency awards in which they are interested. Be sure to check each requirement for each program by clicking here.

For additional information on the 2015 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Garmin VIRB, including schedules, registration and an entry list, visit the event page.

Image: A group of Spec Miatas draft around the high banks at Daytona International Speedway during an SCCA Regional event.
Credit: Mark Weber