Storylines/Things to Watch:
Conference Finales – Both the Western Conference and Mid-States Conference wrap up their 2016 calendar with Fourth of July weekend events, the Western Conference at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon; and the Mid-States Conference at High Plains Raceway in Deer Trail, Colorado. This will bring to a close an exciting 12-round season for each league that saw drivers attacking six challenging racing circuits in each Conference schedule.
But It Ain’t Over Out West – A few Class Championships are still up for grabs in the Western Conference. In E Production, Kale Swifts has a one-point lead over Anthony Jimerson – and both are schedule to appear at this weekend’s SCCA U.S. Majors Tour at Portland International Raceway. And in Spec Racer Ford Gen3, John Black has a points lead on Todd Harris, but both are scheduled to be on track in Portland. The Formula F battle is tight, too, with Edward Erlandson and Charles Horn tied at 153 points. But only Erlandson is currently registered to race this weekend. Keep track of developments all weekend live online at www.scca.com/live.
Touring Tussle in Mid-States – The big battle during this weekend’s SCCA U.S. Majors Tour at High Plains Raceway will be in the Touring 3 Class. Robert Schader leads David Muramoto by one point, and they’re both on the T3 entry list for Colorado. Then in Super Touring Lite, Scott Bettinger is only 13 points behind Brian Laughlin, but Laughlin may not be running at High Plains. So this could very well be Bettinger’s chance to claim the STL Conference Championship. And Michael Pettiford looks to lock down two Conference Championships, one in Touring 1 and the other in Touring 2, at the weekend’s conclusion. See who does what live at www.scca.com/live.
Four Chances Remaining – When fireworks go off on July 4, three of the five SCCA U.S. Majors Tour Conferences will have completed their racing for the year. The Southeast Conference crowned its Champions back in April, and the Western Conference and Mid-States Conference will be done. That leaves only four SCCA U.S. Majors Tour races remaining in 2016, and only four opportunities left to qualify for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, presented by Garmin VIRB, which will take place at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in September. There are also only two Conferences, the Northeast and Northern, that have yet to name Champions this year.
Western Conference SCCA U.S. Majors Tour; July 1-3: Portland International Raceway; Portland, Oregon
Mid-States Conference SCCA U.S. Majors Tour; July 2-3: High Plains Raceway; Deer Trail, Colorado
Events/Circuits:
- U.S. Majors Tour Western Conference – Rounds Eleven and Twelve of 12
Portland International Raceway; 12-turn, 1.97-mile circuit with chicane
- U.S. Majors Tour Mid-States Conference – Rounds Eleven and Twelve of 12
High Plains Raceway; 2.55-mile, 15-turn course
Practice:
- Portland International Raceway; Six Majors Groups
Friday: 20-min. morning practice sessions
- High Plains Raceway; Five Majors Groups
No Practice
Qualifying:
- Portland International Raceway; Six Majors Groups
Friday: 20-min. afternoon qualifying sessions
Saturday: 15-min. morning qualifying sessions
- High Plains Raceway; Five Majors Groups
Saturday: 25-min. morning qualifying sessions
Sunday: 15-min. morning qualifying sessions
Races:
- Portland International Raceway; Six Majors Groups
Saturday: 25-min. late morning/afternoon races
Sunday: 26-lap or 35-min. morning/afternoon races
- High Plains Raceway; Five Majors Groups
Saturday: 25-min. afternoon races
Sunday: 20-lap or 35-min. late morning and afternoon races
Live Timing and Notes: Live Timing & Scoring, lap notes and more via the SCCA® Pit Board are available for all sessions through www.scca.com/live.
Entry lists, full event schedules and more information available at www.sccamajors.com.
Photo: Podium from earlier Western Conference SCCA U.S. Majors Tour race
(For a web-resolution photo, right-click the photo in the story and “save as”)
