Announced at this year’s SCCA National Convention, the Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund has started taking 2016 nominations. The nominations will close on February 22 and the winner will be announced at this year’s Tire Rack Dixie Championship Tour on March 18-20 at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, GA.
In 2015, its second year of existence, the WASF awarded two scholarships to Elisabeth Flannagan, of Philadelphia, and Elizabeth Wildenberg, of Menasha, Wisconsin. Nominations for 2016 should be sent to Velma Boreen at [email protected] by February 22 for consideration.
The Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund was named and established by the family of Allen in honor of this multi-time National Solo Champion, who loved the SCCA Solo Community and wished to give back to the sport by helping young women become more successful drivers and contributing SCCA members. The goal of the scholarship is to provide assistance to young women that show the promise of developing into outstanding Solo drivers and contributing supporters of the SCCA Solo program.
Two recipients are selected each year to receive $1500 to support their travel to National Solo events and the Solo National Championship that season. Additionally, the SCCA waives the event entry fees for the scholarship recipients at all National Solo events attended during the year, and works with the Solo Community and commercial partners to seek out other forms of support for the recipients, such as driver training, mentoring, products, and logistical assistance.
The Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund selection committee is maintained by the SCCA, comprised of championship caliber women Solo drivers. This committee is tasked with seeking out nominations, considering the merits of those nominated, and making a final selection. Nominations are solicited from SCCA members, Solo schools, and Club officials.
While this scholarship fund is specifically directed to the two annual recipients, it is a key part of a broader SCCA initiative to involve more women in the sport of autocross and the Club. SCCA Regions and individual members of the Solo Community are encouraged to become a part of this drive through their efforts to invite, train, recognize and support women to become active, participating SCCA members.
There was a time in SCCA history when closed-circuit road courses were not scattered across the country. Early in SCCA history, members wanted to test the abilities of their cars and themselves. Time trials were an early favorite, one of the formats being hillclimb. The concept was simple: close the road; time each competitor; whoever gets to the top first, wins.
Hillclimbs continue to this day, although not to the same degree as in decades past. Two of the most notable remaining SCCA hillclimbs are Pagoda (Reading, Penn.) and Giant’s Despair (Laurel Run, Penn.). The most widely recognized annual hillclimb is the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, drawing drivers from around the world to climb the famous mountain.
Mr. Regular of Road & Track recently sat down with one of the drivers of the hillclimbing glory days, John Sterling Bolton. They discussed what cars would attend, racing routes, spectators, and more. Read about their converation here.
Announced at this year’s SCCA National Convention, the Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund has started taking nominations for 2016. The nominations will close on the Februrary 22nd and the winner will be announced at this year’s Tire Rack Dixie Championship Tour on March 18-20 at South Georgia Motorsports Park in Adel, GA. In its second year of existance, 2015, the WASF awarded two scholarships last year to Elisabeth Flannagan, of Philadelphia, and Elizabeth Wildenberg, of Menasha, Wisconsin. Please get your nominations to Velma Boreen by the 22nd for consideration.
Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund
Named and established by the family of Wendi Allen in honor of this multi-timeNational Solo Champion who loved the SCCA Solo Community and wished to give back to the sport by helping young women become more successful drivers and contributing members of the Club
Purpose: To provide assistance to young women that show promise of developing into outstanding Solo drivers AND contributing supporters of the SCCA Solo program.
Scope: Select two recipients each year that are announced at the SCCA National Convention, with each receiving $1500 to support their travel to National Solo events and the Solo National Championship that year. Additionally, the SCCA will waive the event entry fees for the scholarship recipients at all National Solo events attended during the year, as well as work with the Solo Community and commercial partners to seek out other forms of support for the recipients, such as driver training, mentoring, products, and logistical assistance.
Process: A Selection Committee will be formed and maintained by the SCCA consisting of championship caliber women Solo drivers with the task of seeking out nominations, considering the merits of those nominated, and making a final selection prior to the SCCA National Convention. Nominations will be solicited from SCCA members, Solo schools, and Club officials.
Context: While this scholarship fund is specifically directed to the two annual recipients, it is a key part of a broader SCCA initiative to involve more women in the sport of Solo and the Club. SCCA Regions and individual members of the Solo Community are encouraged to become a part of this drive through their efforts to invite, train, recognize, and support women to become active participating members of the Club.
