SCCA - News

SCCA Majors Showing Significant Increases In Participation

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 16, 2013) – When Sports Car Club of America launched the U.S. Majors Tour last September, one of the primary goals was to cluster competition amongst the best racers in the SafeRacer National Series. Through the first eight Majors races of 2013, that target has been reached, with car counts up nearly 19 percent from 2012.

Comparing the 2013 Majors Tour races to the equivalent National Races a season ago, four of the early season races – Auto Club Speedway, Road Atlanta, VIRginia International Raceway, and Summit Point –individually increased more than 20 percent. The early May race at Summit Point led the way with an increase of 28.24 percent average attendance per day, well above the 18.96% jump across the board.

Those numbers ignore the March debut at Circuit of the Americas, which hosted a season-high 936 entries during both days of the doubleheader.

“This is a transition year for the U.S. Majors Tour and the entire Club Racing program, but we have been very pleased with the increased car counts thus far,” SCCA President & CEO Jeff Dahnert said. “All of the events thus far have seen an increase from 2012, with all but one increasing more than 16 percent.

“With any new program, there will be some trepidation, and we appreciate the trust instilled in us by our Regions and their partnership in these events. As we work through the remainder of this season and look to 2014, we are excited to focus on enhancing the experience for our participants and growing the Conference Championships to new levels.”

The data includes the opening eight events on the 19-event schedule. Each of the remaining events, with the exception of the WeatherTech June Sprints at Road America, are doubleheaders. The June Sprints offers a bonus race for half of the run groups on the weekend.

The U.S. Majors Tour is divided into four geographic conferences to give SCCA Club Racers a championship experience without cross-country travel. Each of the four Conferences – Eastern, Northern, Mid-States and Western – will crown a champion in all 28 Runoffs-eligible classes. The U.S. Majors Tour is the top level of SCCA’s strong amateur racing program.

More information on the SCCA U.S. Majors Tour is available at www.sccamajors.com.

Founded in 1944, Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 45,000-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. It annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 115 regions and professional subsidiary. Landmark events and series for the Club include the SafeRacer SCCA National Racing Series, which includes the BFGoodrich Tires SCCA Super Tour and the U.S. Majors Tour; the Club Racing National Championship Runoffs® at Road America; and The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Championships and ProSolo Championship at Lincoln, Neb. For more information, please visit www.scca.com, like SCCA on Facebook at facebook.com/sccaofficial, or follow the club on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.

SCCA Eastern Conference Majors Tour Round Eight Concludes From Summit Point

Sun, 05 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

SUMMIT POINT, WV (May 5, 2013) – Temperatures in the high 60s and sunny skies led a chamber of commerce weather day at Summit Point Motorsports Park for Round Eight of the SCCA Eastern Conference Majors Tour, the top level of SCCA Club Racing.

Seven group races and 27 Runoffs-eligible classes were featured in Sunday’s races.

Brian Price grabbed his fifth Touring 4 win in six tries after missing the opening weekend at Sebring, solidifying his series lead in the No. 51 RP Performance/Unlimited Auto Body Mazda Miata. Price battled early with the No. 75 Meathead Racing Mazda Miata of Mike Collins, then opened up a one-second gap that he maintained to the finish.

Danny Steyn worked to create a gap in the No. 39 Adept Studios/Rossini/OPM Mazda Miata, and then ran alone while growing his lead in Spec Miata. The win was Steyn’s third of the season, and his seventh podium finish in eight races this season to increase his class point lead.

Mechanical difficulties kept Sedat Yelkin from a Saturday victory in the No. 74 Everclear Swift 014/Toyota, but there were no such issues on Sunday. Yelkin started on pole and continued to stretch his advantage, which grew even larger as his closest competitors pulled off with mechanical issues of their own.

Paul Schneider stretched his Formula Enterprises point lead with an unexpected win on Sunday in the No. 73 Performance Motorcars of Charlotte/Syvel Images Formula Enterprises/Mazda. Schneider appeared to be locked into the runner-up position when, on lap 20, leader Scott Rettich’s No. 71 OVR/Alliance Autosport/PDI Communication System Formula Enterprises got into a tire wall, ending his day four laps short of the finish.

The Formula Vee field picked up where Saturday’s race left off, with five cars stuck together for the last half of the race and the run to the checker.

With three to go, the odds were just about even that any one of those cars - Jonathan Weiseith in the No. 61 JK Technologies Protoform P3, Roger Siebenaler in the No. 2 Autowerks/Hoosier Tire Mysterian M-2, Stephen Oseth’s No. 72 DBM Racing/Hoosier Tire Vortech, the No. 80 Hoosier/Butler Engines/Roxannes Racer’s Wedge SB-1 of Stephen Davis and the No. 17 Ars Inc/Veesport Racing/Autowerks Vdf-2 of Richard Shields – could have been the first to the checkered flag.

Oseth, Davis and Shields got an advantage as the pack worked through lapped traffic, creating just a small gap over the other two for the final trip around the 2-mile track. Davis got the better of the field, taking his third win and seventh podium of the season in the Eastern Conference. Oseth and Siebenaler filled the podium.

George Winkler’s No. 27 Winkler Automotive Service Center Ford Mustang Boss 302S in Touring 1 and Matthew Pullano’s No. 17 PullanoPT.com/Phoenix Performance Chevrolet Corvette in Touring 2 each swept the weekend with wins on Sunday at Summit Point and extended their point leads.

In a reversal of Saturday, point leader Brian Kleeman’s No. 88 ICS Learning Group/DWW Motorsports Nissan fell behind the No. 4 Nissan/Hoosier/Carbotech/Red Line Nissan 350Z piloted by Rob Hines early in the 23-lap race. The two swapped the lead on lap four, and Kleeman worked to keep Hines behind for the duration to the checkered flag.

The Spec Racer Ford battle came down to three after 11 cars ran in a line for the opening stages of the race - the No. 17 Alliance Autosport/PDI Communications SRF of Scott Rettich, the No. 7 Ayres Racing SRF of Tray Ayres, and the No. 58 Cottage Senior Living of defending National Champion Cliff White.

Running nose to tail, the trio swapped the lead position several times. With four laps to go and trying to pass lapped cars, Ayres fell just enough behind to fall out of the lead threat without help. It didn’t come, relegating him to a third-place finish behind the pair.

With Rettich leading, the stage was set for White to use the draft down the front straight for the final lap and grab the lead in the most popular passing zone for these cars. That plan was thwarted, however, when a car spun into the gravel trap in the corner.

White popped out to make the pass and seemed to have the run, but saw the local yellow being displayed and quickly pulled back into line. With the tight, twisty portion of the track remaining, Rettich held White at bay and took the checkers.

In the big bore group, Russ Snow drove away from the GT-2 field, ripping off a best lap of 1:14.504 to reset his own track record in the No. 20 Carbotech/Hoosier Chevrolet Corvette. Amy Ruman’s No. 23 McNichols & Co/Goodyear/Ruman Racing Chevrolet Corvette swept the weekend in GT-1 with yet another strong performance.

In GT-3, Steven Lustig drove his No. 51 Autosport Auto Group/Luna Sueno Acura Integra to victory, breaking the 19-year old track record in the process, with a time of 1:19.340.

The day ended with a battle in E Production for the overall lead in the group. Kevin Leigh, who won on Saturday in his No. 97 Hoosier Tire/JBS Racing BMW Z3, led early from the pole and appeared poised for another victory.

Steadily, though, Rick Kavitski cut into the gap through the latter stages of the race and with a few laps to go had his No. 2 RDK Engineering Mazda Miata less than a second behind. That lead vacillated as the pair worked through traffic, with Leigh still in the lead.

Leigh was poised for victory anyway, but Kavitski spun in the final corner, still pushing hard. Kavitski stalled in the middle of the track and could only watch as Leigh raced to the checkers.

Rounds Nine and 10 of the Eastern Conference Majors Tour continues to New Jersey Motorsports Park, May 31 – June 2.

More information is available at www.scca.com. Like SCCA on Facebook at Facebook.com/SCCAOfficial, or follow on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.

SUMMIT POINT, WV. - Provisional race winners for Sunday’s SCCA Eastern Conference Majors Tour Round Seven at Summit Point Motorsports Park. Drivers are listed by Class: name, hometown, and car.

American Sedan: Jeffrey Werth, Silver Spring, Md., Chevrolet Camaro
B-Spec: Robbie Davis, Richardson, Texas, Mini Cooper
C Sports Racing: Jacek Mucha, Laval, Quebec, JMS 016cp/Mazda
D Sports Racing: Dennis Hanratty, Mechanicsburg, Pa., West WR1000/Suzuki
Formula 500: Michael Brent, Bethel, Conn., Invader QC-1/Rotax
Formula 1000: Alex Mayer, Harleysville, Pa., Elon DP-04
Formula Atlantic: Sedat Yelkin, Austintown, Ohio, Swift 014/Toyota
Formula Continental: Chuck Moran, Oakton, Va., Van Diemen RF99/Ford
Formula Enterprise: Paul Schneider, Charlotte, N.C., Formula Enterprises/Mazda
Formula F: Mike Kelly, Rosedale, Md., Zink Z10c
Formula Mazda: Sam Ryan, White Haven, Pa., Formula Mazda
Formula Vee: Stephen Davis, Danielsville, Ga., Racer’s Wedge SB1/VW
E Production: Kevin Leigh, Harrisonburg, Va., BMW Z3
F Production: Jerry Hinkle, Catonsville, Md., Lotus Seven
H Production: Brad Davis, Summerville, S.C., Mini Cooper
GT-1: Amy Ruman, Kent, Ohio, Chevrolet Corvette
GT-2: Russ Snow, Eden, N.C., Chevrolet Corvette
GT-3: Steven Lustig, Chester, N.J., Acura Integra
GT-Lite: Robert Lentz II, Chantilly, Va., Nissan Sentra SER
Spec Miata: Danny Steyn, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Mazda Miata
Spec Racer Ford: Scott Rettich, Camden, Ohio, Spec Racer Ford
Super Touring Lite: Sebastian Landy, Great Falls, Va., Mazda MX-5
Super Touring Under: Eric Heinrich, Milton, Mass., BMW M3
Touring 1: George Winkler, Fredrick, Md., Ford Mustang Boss 302S
Touring 2: Matthew Pullano, Endicott, N.Y., Chevrolet Corvette
Touring 3: Brian Kleeman, Baltimore, Md. Nissan 350Z
Touring 4: Brian Price, Middletown, Va., Mazda Miata

SCCA Horsepower On Display At Summit Point For Eastern Conference Majors

Sat, 04 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

SUMMIT POINT, WV (May 4, 2013) – There were no roses in victory circle, but plenty of horsepower to be found as 27 drivers took wins on Saturday at Summit Point Raceway during Round Seven of the SCCA Eastern Conference Majors Tour.

The race day got underway just before lunch, when Todd Lamb pulled away from the pole position and led wire-to-wire for a Spec Miata victory in the No. 81 Cahall/Toddspeed/Cobalt/SafeRacer Mazda Miata. Ahead by three seconds, the No. 39 Adept Studios/Rossini/OPM Mazda Miata of Danny Steyn and the No. 33 WDC/Excitations.com Mazda Miata of Sebastian Landy battled for runner-up. That position swapped twice, with Steyn reclaiming the perch on the final lap.

The group known as wings and things - the fast open-wheel and sports racing machines - kicked off after the lunch break with an adventuresome opening lap. Chaos ensued as the green flag came out, with five cars spinning and making contact on the front straight near the rear of the field. Each driver climbed out of his car under his own power, but the race was black flagged for cleanup before the field was able to complete a single lap.

Restarting doublefile but on lap three, Sedat Yelkin drove his No. 74 Everclear Swift 014/Toyota away from the field and began to open up a gap. His finicky machine let him down on lap 12, when he pulled to pit out. Coming to a complete stop and falling to third, Yelkin was able to refire and rejoin the race, but fell out again just a few corners later.

That left, for the moment, the No. 96 K-Hill/Atlantic Creations Swift 016a/Toyota of Theodoras Zorbas in the lead and behind only overall leader and eventual winner Jacek Mucha’s C Sports Racing Swift JMS016. On lap 17, however, Chris Fahan’s No. 39 Fahan Paving/Hoosier Tire/MAZDASPEED Swift 016/Mazda pulled to the inside of the Zorbas and the two ran side by side through Turns One and Two before Fahan pulled ahead entering Turn Three.

Zorbas closed the gap again on a handful of occasions, but never got back around Fahan as he drove to victory.

The long front straight at Summit Point, along with the twisty back sections of the 2-mile circuit, were seemingly made for the large Formula Vee field on hand. The lead pack of cars began seven deep in the early part of the race and, seemingly every lap, a new driver took the lead into the first turn.

With three laps to go, four cars were ready to settle the three podium positions.

Those four players were Jonathan Weiseith in the No. 61 JK Technologies Protoform P3, Roger Siebenaler in the No. 2 Autowerks/Hoosier Tire Mysterian M-2, Stephen Oseth’s No. 72 DBM Racing/Hoosier Tire Vortech, and the No. 80 Hoosier/Butler Engines/Roxannes Racer’s Wedge SB-1.

Davis had a disadvantage entering the final lap, separated slightly from the group. The trio reappeared on the front stretch with Oseth missing from group after a spin. Seibenaler, Weiseith and Davis crossed the stripe in the win, place and show positions.

The Touring 1 battle was an overall fight for the win between rival Ford and Chevrolet power. Joe Aquilante started on pole in the No. 32 Phoenix/Hawk/Hoosier Chevrolet Corvette, but lost the battle into the first turn to George Winkler’s No. 27 Winkler Automotive Service Center Ford Mustang Boss 302S. The Corvette reclaimed the lead in the same spot to start lap two, but that only lasted for a lap as Winkler went back to the front.

The pair settled in and ran very closely, nose to tail, working through traffic from the other classes. On Lap 17, Aquilante got a run on Winkler up the front straight and moved to the inside going into the sharp double apex that makes up turns one and two. Winkler, ran a defensive line to the inside as well, and Aquilante’s right side dipped into dirt off the track. That killed Aquilante’s momentum, giving Winkler some space.

That was all the distance that Winkler needed, holding the lead to the finish of the 23-lap race.

Rob Hines also battled for his Touring 3 win in the same group, falling behind Brian Kleeman early in a battle of similar Nissan 350Z machines. Hines’ No. 4 Nissan/Hoosier/Carbotech/Red Line Nissan 350Z fell behind Kleeman’s No. 88 ICS Learning Group/DWW Motorsports Nissan on lap three, then reclaimed the point on lap 12. It was never comfortable, but Hines held the lead to the finish and the win.

Like Formula Vee, the Spec Racer Ford contingent used the drafts to their advantage, and again settled on a four horse race. The No. 51 Apple Motorsports machine of Rob Stewart, the No. 17 Alliance Autosport/PDI Communications SRF of Scott Rettich, the No. 7 Ayres Racing SRF of Tray Ayres, and the No. 58 Cottage Senior Living of defending National Champion Cliff White all took a share of the lead during the 23 lap race.

It almost all disappeared when White drove down the inside on lap 13 in an attempt to move to the lead. Some heavy brake smoke was visible and contact feared, but all escaped undeterred and continued.

A struggle to the end, Ayres took the lead into turn one on the final lap, then held on for the final nine turns – fist pumping his way across the finish line for a hard-fought win. Stewart, White and Rettich followed to the finish.

Amy Ruman put in a dominating performance in GT-1 to lead the big bore class drama free after repairing a transmission in the No. 23 McNichols & Co/Goodyear/Ruman Racing Chevrolet Corvette on Friday afternoon. Ruman pulled away at the start, and grew the lead lap by lap for 23 laps to the finish.

A full course caution on lap 12 broke up what had been a terrific three-way battle in H Production to end the day. Bradley Davis’ No. 54 MINIUsa.com/Mini of Charleston Mini Cooper walked away with the lead following the restart to a comfortable win, but it was anything but easy. Prior to the restart, Davis had swapped the top three positions nearly every lap with the No. 9 Blue Crab Racing/Mount Joy’s Autoshop Triumph Spitfire of Tom Broring and the No. 52 Turn One Services/Burk Performance Honda CRX of Martin Burk.

Round Eight of the Eastern Conference Majors Tour takes place on Sunday at Summit Point Raceway, with second qualifying session beginning at 8:00 EDT followed by the seven group races.

More information is available at www.scca.com. Like SCCA on Facebook at Facebook.com/SCCAOfficial, or follow on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.

Live timing and notes are available on Sunday at www.scca.com/SCCALive.

SUMMIT POINT, WV. - Provisional race winners for Saturday’s SCCA Eastern Conference Majors Tour Round Seven at Summit Point Motorsports Park. Drivers are listed by Class: name, hometown, and car.

American Sedan: Jeffrey Werth, Silver Spring, Md., Chevrolet Camaro
B-Spec: Robbie Davis, Richardson, Texas, Mini Cooper
C Sports Racing: Jacek Mucha, Laval, Quebec, JMS 016cp/Mazda
D Sports Racing: David Gomberg, Laurel, Md., Cheetah SR-1/Suzuki
Formula 500: Michael Brent, Bethel, Conn., Invader QC-1/Rotax
Formula 1000: Alex Mayer, Harleysville, Pa., Elon DP-04
Formula Atlantic: Chris Fahan, Redding, Conn., Swift 016/Mazda
Formula Continental: Chuck Moran, Oakton, Va., Van Diemen RF99/Ford
Formula Enterprise: Scott Rettich, Camden, Ohio, Formula Enterprises/Mazda
Formula F: Daniel Oseth, Sterling, Va., Van Diemen FF
Formula Mazda: Sam Ryan, White Haven, Pa., Formula Mazda
Formula Vee: Roger Siebenaler, North Hero, Vt., Mysterian M2/VW
E Production: Kevin Leigh, Harrisonburg, Va., BMW Z3
F Production: Jerry Hinkle, Catonsville, Md., Lotus Seven
H Production: Brad Davis, Summerville, S.C., Mini Cooper
GT-1: Amy Ruman, Kent, Ohio, Chevrolet Corvette
GT-2: Russ Snow, Eden, N.C., Chevrolet Corvette
GT-3: James Ashe, Prospect, Conn., Mazda RX-7
GT-Lite: Robert Lentz II, Chantilly, Va., Nissan Sentra SER
Spec Miata: Todd Lamb, Atlanta, Ga., Mazda Miata
Spec Racer Ford: Tray Ayres, Woodstock, Ga., Spec Racer Ford
Super Touring Lite: Sebastian Landy, Great Falls, Va., Mazda MX-5
Super Touring Under: Eric Heinrich, Milton, Mass., BMW M3
Touring 1: George Winkler, Fredrick, Md., Ford Mustang Boss 302S
Touring 2: Matthew Pullano, Endicott, N.Y., Chevrolet Corvette
Touring 3: Rob Hines, Arlington, Va., Nissan 350Z
Touring 4: Brian Price, Middletown, Va., Mazda Miata

Practice, Qualifying Open Eastern Conference Majors Weekend at Summit Point

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

SUMMIT POINT, W.V. (May 3, 2013) – With more than 170 cars on the entry list, one of the largest May races Summit Point Motorsports Park history got underway on Friday with 25 minutes each of practice and qualifying. The doubleheader weekend serves as Rounds Seven and Eight of 12 in the SCCA Eastern Conference Majors Tour.

The morning opened with 25 minutes of practice for each of the seven race groups this weekend, followed by a qualifying session of the same length in the afternoon.

Sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60s are expected to continue through the weekend.

The schedule heats up beginning on Saturday morning. Each group will get a 15-minute qualifying session with the best time from either Friday or Saturday used to set the grid. The schedule repeats on Sunday, with the best time from Friday or Sunday’s sessions used to set the second day starting positions.

Each day of races will score points for the Eastern Conference standings.

More information, including results from today's qualifying sessions, and be found on the Summit Point Motorsports Park Double Majors page here.

On both race days, the PA feed from the Summit Point announcers, along with notes and live timing, are available at www.scca.com/SCCALive.

Eastern Conference Majors Visits Summit Point

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Green Flags: Jeffrey Werth missed the VIR rounds and fell out of the American Sedan point lead. He won the opening four rounds, however, and is back again this weekend with an eye on reclaiming the top spot… Robbie Davis also missed VIR, but is undefeated in B-Spec and leads the Championship… Jacek Mucah, in C Sports Racing, is five for six this year and has yet to finish off the podium…Chuck Moran has yet to win in Formula Continental, but a string of podium finishes has him at the top of the point lead…Paul Schneider has moved to the Formula Enterprises lead on the strength of five top-two finishes…Stevan Davis has two wins and three runner-up finishes to climb to the top of the Formula Vee championship…Stevan Lustig has three GT-3 wins and leads his class point standings…Bradley Davis has four podiums, including a win. A strong performance at Summit Point in H Production will move him to the lead… Danny Steyn’s lone finish off the podium was a fifth place at VIR. He’s currently handling the Spec Miata field…George Winkler has two wins and a point lead in Touring 1, driving a Ford Mustang…Matthew Pullano has made the most of the four races he’s entered, winning them all and climbing to the Touring 2 lead…Brian Kleeman will hold the Touring 3 lead this weekend with a strong performance. He has already scored four podiums this season… Brian Price is also three for four in the events that he’s entered, giving him the Touring 4 lead.

Family Fun: Summit Point Motorsports Park is open for spectators at this weekend’s Eastern Conference Majors Tour. Tickets are available at the gate for just $25 for the weekend, and include access to the grandstands and paddock to get up close and personal with the race cars. Children 12 and under are free.

Reaching The Summit: The Eastern Conference Majors Tour has reached the halfway point of the season, and heads north beginning this weekend for the final three events. With each weekend a doubleheader, Summit Point is followed on the schedule by New Jersey Motorsports Park and the BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour at Watkins Glen International.

Nearly 170 cars are on the entry list heading into the weekend. In addition to a host of SCCA Club Racing National Champions, former SCCA Pro Racing Champions Todd Lamb (Spec Miata, Super Touring Lite) and Scott Rettich (Formula Enterprises, Spec Racer Ford) and SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am race winner Amy Ruman (GT-1) are on the entry list.

The Dawn Of An Era: In September 2012, the Sports Car Club of America rolled out the U.S. Majors Tour as the top level of amateur racing in this country. With events coast-to-coast and split into four Conferences, the Eastern Conference season continues this weekend with Rounds Seven and Eight of 12. Drivers are coming from all over the east coast to participate in the weekend, featuring an enhanced race experience for drivers and fans, from pre-race to post-race activities.

SCCA Club Racers – The Best In The Country: There many amateur road racing groups in the United States, but the clear leader of top drivers is with the SCCA. Though most are weekend warriors who take vacations from their full-time jobs to attend races, it’s a craft taken seriously. Bobby Rahal, Mark Donohue, Roger Penske, Michael Andretti, and actor/driver Paul Newman got their start in SCCA Club Racing. More recently, you could have seen current stars Boris Said, Graham Rahal, Sam Hornish or J.R. Hildebrand at an SCCA Club race. This weekend features National Champions, professional race winners and series champions, and up-and-coming stars on the entry list.

Event/Circuit:
U.S. Majors Tour Eastern Conference - Rounds Seven and Eight of 12
Summit Point Motorsports Park
10-turn, 2.0-mile road course

Qualifying:
Seven Race Groups
Friday, May 3 at 1:20 p.m. (25 minutes, times good for both races), Saturday, May 4 at 8:00 a.m. (15 minutes), Sunday May 5 at 8:00 a.m. (15 minutes)

Races:
Seven group races: Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, following qualifying

Race Lengths:
23 Laps

Timing/Scoring: Live Timing & Scoring, lap notes and streaming track PA audio via the SCCA® Pit Board are available for all sessions through www.scca.com/sccalive.

Sports Car Racing Show "The Insiders" to Debut Thursday on MAVTV

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, May 2, the first episode of “The Racing Insiders” airs on MAVTV @ 2 and 5 PM EST. and again on Saturday, at noon. So get ready to pull up a chair or set your DVR to record.

“The Racing Insiders” is a weekly “talking heads” 30-minute news show, covering Pro and Club 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 racing series (Grand Am, ALMS, Pirelli World Challenge, Global RallyCross, Rally America, etc.) as well as the Club/Amateur racing community (Sport Car Club of America “SCCA”) giving viewer’s in-depth knowledge.

This Weeks Show Guests:

Katherine Legge – IndyCar and former DTM driver
Katherine talks about her recent test-drive in the Deltawing, which prompted the announcement that she will drive it in the next ALMS race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

John Dagys - International Sportscar Journalist
John tell us that opinions in the Grand Am paddock indicate there may be bumpy roads ahead in the ALMS/GA merger plans.

This Weeks Insider Topics:

The Pirelli World Challenge - GTS class and the future of the Mustang as the base platform.

Global Rallycross Brazil - Former F1 driver Scott Speed takes home the medal.

The Racing Insiders airs weekly on the MAVTV Network with a reach of 43,000,000 households and a target demographic of 25 to 54 year olds. 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.

Sports Car Racing Show "The Insiders" to Debut Thursday on MAVTV

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, May 2, the first episode of “The Racing Insiders” airs on MAVTV @ 2 and 5 PM EST. and again on Saturday, at noon. So get ready to pull up a chair or set your DVR to record.

This Weeks Show Guests:

John Dagys - International Sportscar Journalist
John tell us that opinions in the Grand Am paddock indicate there may be bumpy roads ahead in the ALMS/GA merger plans.

This Weeks Insider Topics:

The Pirelli World Challenge - GTS class and the future of the Mustang as the base platform.

Global Rallycross Brazil - Former F1 driver Scott Speed takes home the medal.

Tire Rack SCCA Championship Tour Slays The Monster

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

DOVER, Del. (May 1, 2013) – Last weekend’s Tire Rack SCCA Champions Tour fell in the shadow of Dover Speedway’s Monster Mile, and the action throughout the event was downright beastly.

The Jeff Jacobs-designed course, with assistance from veterans Tony Savino and Sam Strano, stretched across two adjoining speedway parking lots, with the newer east surface much smoother. The technical elements were designed to complement the dips and bumps in the eastern lot pavement, and laid out as a brisk yet challenging course.

Samuel Krauss (IAG Performance/Turnin Concepts Subaru WRX) put in a blistering time on his final run to win E Street Prepared by just 0.002-second on the final clock. Don Slevin (SJFPerformance.com/Stranoparts.com Ford Mustang GT) held the day one lead, and looked poised for victory. Krauss, trying to catch up, had coned each of his first two Sunday runs to stay behind. The third time was the charm, though, laying down a time that was more than a half-second quicker than Slevin’s best to take the top spot in the class.

In addition to assisting with the course layout, Strano (Stranoparts.com Chevrolet Corvette) turned in a final-run performance of his own that secured the win in Super Stock. Strano led after the first runs, but had fallen behind Grant Reeve (Chevrolet Corvette) by the time Strano pulled to the line for his final run of the weekend. Cool and collected, Strano ran the second fastest time of the day in the class (behind eventual third-place finisher Jason Burns) to pull in front of Reeve by 0.332 second.

Super Street Modified was a small class at Dover, but that didn’t dampen the action. Dawn Ammirata (SJF Performance Mazda Miata) led the opening day, but Charles Sudano (Mazda Miata) zipped past on Sunday to take a 0.198-second victory.

Brian Karwan (Karcepts.com Honda S2000) topped Street Touring R, the largest class of the weekend. Karwan took the opening day lead, and then hung on with the second-fastest Sunday time. Only Christopher Lin (Thanks James Mazda MX-5) went quicker, but had to settle for second-place on combined time.

Almost as deep as the STR class was Street Touring Xtreme, where Jeff Hurst (ANZE Suspension Mazda RX-8) led the opening day and then held on for a 0.581-second win. Michael Kuhn (Motion Lap Tuning/MAZDASPEED Mazda RX-8) crept close on the final day of runs, but remained in second place.

The Tire Rack Championship Tour – running the traditional National Tour format – returns to action with at the Lincoln (Neb.) Airpark for the Spring Nationals, May 26-27. The Lincoln Airpark is home to September’s Tire Rack Solo National Championship, with the Memorial Day weekend event doubling up with a Tire Rack ProSolo Championship round. More information on the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Program is available at www.scca.com/Solo.

More information, including results, from the Tire Rack Atlantic Championship Tour in Dover is available at http://www.scca.com/events/index.cfm?eid=5466.

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

BFGoodrich Tire SCCA Worker of the Year Sought

Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

TOPEKA, Kan. (April 30, 2013) – BFGoodrich Tires, the Official Street Tire of the SCCA, is continuing its support of the Sports Car Club of America BFGoodrich Tires Worker of the Year program with a dream trip to the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring for the third season in-a-row. The Grand Prize winner will, once again, be randomly selected from a pool of finalists nominated as Worker of the Year in each of the nine SCCA Divisions. A second finalist will win a lifetime membership to the SCCA.

As the Official Street Tire of SCCA, as well as the title sponsor of the Club Racing Super Tour, BFGoodrich Tires is in its fourth year supporting a program that recognizes volunteers in roles such as Emergency Services, Grid and Pit, Timing and Scoring, Registration, Race Administration, Flagging and Communications, Starter, Steward, Scrutineering and Sound Control since 1985.

Joi Robinson attended this year’s Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring after earning the Southern Pacific Division nominee through her work in Grid and Pit.

One BFGoodrich Tires “Worker of the Year” from each of the nine SCCA divisions, regardless of specialty, will be honored. Each of those nine Divisional winners will win a set of BFGoodrich Tires for their passenger car or light truck and a patch, plaque and jacket to commemorate the achievement. Their names will also be entered into the drawing for the Sebring trip and the lifetime membership.

The Grand Prize, courtesy of BFGoodrich Tires, will include airfare for two, hotel, event credentials, at-track hospitality, rental car and golf cart at the event.

The winners will be announced at the BFGoodrich Tires Worker of the Year party at Road America during the 50th SCCA National Championship Runoffs.

Worker of the Year candidates will be selected by a vote from that division’s Executive Steward and Region Executives. Each Divisional Administrator will nominate an outstanding worker in each of their specialties to be included in the vote. SCCA members can also submit nominations to their Regional Executive, Executive Steward or Divisional Administrator for consideration by August 9, 2013.

By definition, award nominees should support their specialty, events, region, competitors, fellow workers and the SCCA; show dedication and support throughout the year; exhibit strong skills, good leadership, and a willingness to go above and beyond what is expected; and provide excellent customer service to everyone that person encounters.

The nomination form is available on the Runoffs event page here, by clicking on the “BFGoodrich Tires WOY Nomination Form” on the right.

More information on the SCCA and the BFGoodrich Tires Worker of the Year program is available at www.scca.com. Past “Worker of the Year” recipients are listed here.

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

SCCA Western Conference Majors Weekend Completed From Buttonwillow

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

BUTTONWILLOW, Calif. (April 28, 2013) – 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