The Pirelli World Challenge is at Road America, is in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for the 11th, 12th and 13th rounds of the GT/GTA classes, 10th and 11th rounds of GT Cup, ninth and 10th rounds of GTS and seventh, eighth, and ninth rounds of TC/TCA/TCB. The event, which runs June 26-28, includes a total of eight races.
Keep a close eye on the point battles in GT and GTA. Olivier Beretta leads Kevin Estre in GT by a mere 45 points. In GTA, Henrique Cisneros leads Frank Montecalvo by 74 points with Martin Fuentes just another 10 markers back. With three races, both of these point battles could look drastically different by the end of the weekend. Along the same lines, Corey Fergus leads Cody Ellsworth by 12 markers, with Adam Poland just another 32 points back in GTA.
The famous 4-mile circuit may be one of the most unique courses on the Pirelli World Challenge schedule. Look for this weekend to be a defining point in the season in all seven classes.
Live Timing and Scoring is available at http://www.world-challenge.com at the following times:
Practice – GT/GTA/GT Cup – Thursday, 3:35pm
Practice – TC/TCA/TCB – Friday, 8:00am
Qualifying – GT/GTA/GT Cup – Friday, 10:00am
Practice – GTS – Friday, 11:00am
Race – GT/GTA – Friday, 1:40pm
Qualifying – TC/TCA/TCB – Friday, 3:45pm
Practice – GTS – Friday, 4:30pm
Race – TC/TCA/TCB – Saturday, 8:10am
Warm Up – GT/GTA/GT Cup – Saturday, 10:00am
Qualifying – GTS – Saturday, 10:45am
Race – GT/GTA/GT Cup – Saturday, 1:35pm
Race – GTS – Saturday, 3:40pm
Race – TC/TCA/TCB – Sunday, 8:40am
Race – GTS – Sunday, 11:10am
Race – GT/GTA/GT Cup – Sunday, 2:25pm
Race – TC/TCA/TCB – Sunday, 4:15pm
Live streaming of races is available online at http://www.world-challengetv.com.
Races will be broadcasted on the CBS Sports Network at the following times. All times listed are Eastern and subject to change:
GT/GTA/GT Cup Presented by MOMO – Sunday July 5, 2 pm
TC/TCA/TCB — Wednesday July 8, 7 pm
GTS — Wednesday July 8, 9 pm
The 1997 season will be remembered as the year Tommy Kendall awoke to find all of his dreams had come true by scoring 11 consecutive victories en route to his record fourth and third straight Championship. Kendall’s remarkable winning streak set records in the Trans Am, SCCA Pro Racing and professional road racing worldwide.
On breaking those streaks in 1997, “I’d followed Senna’s streak when he was in the F3, and I’d known of Ascari’s consecutive wins,” said Kendall. “Breaking these streaks, it’s the kind of thing that doesn’t sink in until far down the road. It’s just hard to fathom. For years to come it will continue to gain significance in my mind.”
To this day, nearly 18 years after it was set, Kendall’s 1997 11-race streak remains the longest winning streak in professional road racing history. His record is only eclipsed by Steve Kinser who holds the longest streak in professional auto racing with 12 wins in a row during the 1987 World of Outlaws Sprint Car Championship.
On June 18, Kendall was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America. He joined the ranks of fellow Hall of Fame Inductees Ricky Carmichael, Walter Evens, Warren Johnson, Mark Martin, Duke Nalon and Lloyd Ruby.
Kendall retired from driving at the end of the 2013 season. He spent the latter part of his career transitioning into a broadcasting career, and most recently covered the 2015 edition of the 24 Hours of LeMans.
Photos collected from 1997-1998 SportsCar articles
SEB would like to put out a call for nominations for 2015 Solo Cup and Driver of Eminence awards. Nominations should be submitted to SEB at http://www.sebscca.com
Award criteria can be found in the rule book. Past winners are listed in the rule book as well (page 355).
SOLO CUP RECIPIENTS
To the SCCA member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Solo Events Program. The winner is selected by the Solo Events Board from nominations submitted by the membership at large.
SOLO DRIVER OF EMINENCE AWARD
To the Solo driver who has consistently demonstrated excellence behind the wheel, and an exemplary degree of sportsmanship, dedication and unselfishness. The winner is selected by the Solo Events Board from nominations submitted by the membership at large. Previous winners may not be nominated again.
For a list of previous award winners, visit the SCCA Awards page.
