F3 Americas Introduces Masters Cup Contingency

SCCA Pro Racing and its F3 Americas partners redefine Formula Atlantic racing

The debut of the F3 Americas Championship Powered by Honda introduced the next generation chassis for the Formula Atlantic class in SCCA Road Racing competition. In an effort to attract drivers who are looking to maximize their racing opportunities with a cost-effective competition package that doesn’t sacrifice safety, speed or style, the F3 Americas program developed a new contingency program targeted to drivers age 35 and over. With more than $15,000 in cash and prizes available, the Masters Cup contingency package will award top drivers who are at least 35 years old with cash prizes at each event. The Masters Cup points-leading driver at the end of the season will receive the Masters Cup Champion contingency prize package.

“The Ligier JS F3 chassis is a fantastic opportunity for drivers to not only participate with the F3 Americas Championship, but continue racing with Formula Race Promotions or run at the SCCA Road Racing regional or national level.” Sydney Davis Yagel, SCCA Pro Racing General Manager said. “Our goal with the Masters Cup is to provide a platform for drivers to get the most out of their investment by giving them multiple on-track participation opportunities.”

Eligible F3 Americas Masters Cup drivers will automatically be entered in to the program when applying for an F3 Americas license. Being a Masters Cup driver does not exclude competitors from F3 Americas Championship event podiums and payouts as long as they comply with all the 2019 F3 Americas Sporting Regulations.

The top-five finishing Masters of each race will be awarded contingency points. After the final race of the weekend, the top driver will be awarded Masters Cup contingency award during the final victory podium celebration, receiving a $500 cash prize.

The SCCA National Championship Runoffs will offer Masters Cup drivers another opportunity to compete in their Ligier JS F3 race cars. Drivers can use two of their F3 Americas starts to count toward qualification for the National Championship Runoffs® event at VIRginia International Raceway. A top three finish at the Runoffs qualifies drivers for additional contingency awards from SCCA Pro Racing and its F3 Americas partners.

SCCA National Competition Runoffs Prizes:
- First Place: SCCA Pro Racing- $700, HPD- $1500, Hankook- TBA
- Second Place: SCCA Pro Racing- $500, HPD- $1,000, Hankook- TBA
- Third Place: SCCA Pro Racing- $300, HPD- $500, Hankook- TBA

At the conclusion of the season, the top-three F3 Americas Masters Cup drivers who have accumulated the most points will be awarded trophies and a contingency package at the Champions Banquet in Austin, Texas, on Nov. 3. While the full end-of-season prize packages are still being developed, the SCCA Pro Racing has determined the following cash contingency amounts.

- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $2,000
- Third Place: $1,000

From the Ligier JS F3 chassis to the 303-horsepower Honda Performance Development version of the new Honda Civic® Type R® turbocharged K20C1 motor and the Hankook tires designed specifically for the series, the car is completely made and assembled in the United States. The F3 Americas’ teams race chassis that meet the most current global FIA safety specification, including the first North American application of a race car Halo. Affordability is a key component to this single-engine, single-chassis spec competition with the full package meeting the FIA price-cap of $134,000.

For more information on the new Masters Cup contingency program and the F3 Americas Championship season, visit F3Americas.com or contact dhelman@scca.com.

About F3 Americas Championship:
The F3 Americas Championship Powered by Honda continues the evolution of affordable, competitive and technologically advanced open wheel racing that was established by the successful Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda that debuted in 2016. This next level of open wheel racing meets the demands of racers and teams looking to grow their capabilities into more sophisticated and powerful machinery. The F3 Americas Championship aligns with the global FIA development ladder philosophy of using common components to provide a cost-efficient, reliable, and powerful racing structure as drivers ascend through the levels on their way to U.S. or global racing success.

F3 Americas 2019 Schedule
- April 5-7: Barber Motorsports Park with IndyCar Series
- April 18-20: Road Atlanta with F4 U.S and FRP
- June 21-23: Pittsburgh International Race Complex with F4 U.S.
- July 26-28: Virginia International Raceway with F4 U.S. and FRP
- Aug. 22-24: Road America with NASCAR Xfinity Series, Stadium Super Truck Series and Trans Am
- Sept. 13-15: Sebring International Raceway with F4 U.S.

About SCCA Pro Racing:
SCCA Pro Racing is a division of Sports Car Club of America, Inc. - a 60,000-member organization dedicated to motorsports events. SCCA Pro Racing provides full-service organization, operation and sanction for numerous professional racing series like F4 U.S. Championship and Trans Am. SCCA Pro Racing is a voting member of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS) - the FIA delegate for this country.

About Honda Performance Development:
Honda Performance Development, Inc., (HPD) is Honda's racing company in North America and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Founded in 1993, HPD is the technical operations center for Honda's high-performance racing programs. HPD specializes in the design and development of race engines, chassis and performance parts, and technical/race support. HPD also offer parts and race support to Honda and Acura grassroots motorsports racers, and are expanding its support of racing series and programs that make Honda racing products available to all racing styles, from karting and Quarter Midgets to the highest levels of pro racing. hpd.honda.com

About Ligier Automotive:
As of 1st January 2019, Onroak Automotive North America has been rebranded Ligier Automotive North America. Ligier Automotive offers a wide range of racing cars in different motorsport categories: single-seater (Ligier JS F3 and the Ligier JS F4), sports-prototype (Ligier JS 53 EVO 2, the Ligier JS P4, Ligier JS P3, Ligier JS P2, Ligier JS P217 and the Ligier Nissan DPi) and GT with its latest car, the Ligier JS2 R. For more information, check out our website www.ligierautomotive.com and follow us on our new official social media pages (@ligierautomotive on Facebook, @ligierautomotive on Instagram and @ligierautomotiv on twitter).

About Hankook Tire America Corp.:
Hankook Tire America Corp. is a growing leader in the U.S. tire market, leveraging investments in technology, manufacturing and marketing to deliver high-quality, reliable products that are safer for consumers and the environment. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Hankook America markets and distributes a complete line of high-performance and ultra-high-performance passenger tires, light truck and SUV tires as well as medium truck and bus tires in the United States. Hankook Tire America is a subsidiary of Hankook Tire Co., Ltd., a Forbes Global 2000 company headquartered in Seoul, Korea, and led by President and CEO Hyun Bum Cho.

Photo Credit: Gavin Baker Photography