This is the first year SCCA Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack is visiting Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, Georgia. The circuit was originally opened in 1959 and is now one of the Southeast’s most challenging and fastest tracks. The 2.02-mile asphalt road course consists of nine turns and is located just 20 miles from historic Savannah, Georgia.
Currently, April 13 is the only Roebling visit Track Night in America has on its scheduled this year. We’re looking at maybe adding more dates. But to be on the safe side, be sure to register for the upcoming event so you don’t miss a great opportunity to get on a great track.
For those that don’t know, Track Night is a non-competitive, entertaining, easy and inexpensive way for nearly anyone who loves cars or motorsports to get on a racecourse in their own vehicle during weeknights. All that is required is that participants be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license and have access to a helmet and street car in good working condition. The cost is never greater than $150 per event, and no previous on-track experience or Sports Car Club of America membership is required.
Drivers participate in the Advanced, Intermediate or KONI Novice Experience group so on-track activities remain fun for all. Everyone gets three 20-minute sessions on course, as well as feedback from SCCA driver coaches on site. Admission is free for people who just want to stop by and watch the fun, and leisurely circuit parade laps are provided for all Track Night guests.
For more information about Roebling Road Raceway, visit http://www.roeblingroad.com/. And be sure to check out the full Track Night in America schedule to see when we’ll be visiting other awesome venues across the country.
See ya at Roebling!!
In a first of its kind move for road racing, the SCCA will require all competitors to run at least one “Joker Lap” in the 23-lap SCCA National Championship Runoffs races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
At the event, 22 of the laps will use Mid-Ohio’s “pro course,” without the chicane headed into the Keyhole. Drivers are now required to use the chicane once on a lap of their choice during the race. The Joker Lap must come under green flag conditions.
Performing an effective strategy falls solely on the competitors. Is it better to take the longer Joker Lap early in the race, falling behind in a crowd but leaving ample time to make up ground? Or is the move to build a lead and then, as the tires fade, try to hold on in the closing laps?
“Returning to Mid-Ohio with a bang started last year, as we watched the fireworks punctuating an incredible night race in Daytona,” Eric Prill, SCCA Chief Operations Officer, said. “We immediately started thinking about what we could do to top that in 2016. The Keyhole layout offers a unique opportunity for our top road racers to strategize and negotiate the Joker Lap. It’s been wildly successful in rallycross programs worldwide. What could possibly go wrong?”
It wasn’t lost on Prill that some traditionalists may not like the concept of the Joker Lap at a National Championship event.
Love it or loathe it, the concept will draw attention from around the motorsports industry.
“First things first, we aren’t doing anything crazy here,” Prill said. “It’s not like we added a jump.”
Lincoln, NE: The Solo Events Board today announced the hiring of the Nebraska National Guard to patrol the paddock area from dusk to dawn at the 2016 Solo National Championships. “We didn’t think it would come this” said SEB Chairman, Brian Conners. “Last year’s bad behavior left us no choice”. The night time shenanigans during the 2015 event resulted in multiple protests being filed. The Protest Committee has the authority to handle such complaints, but it wasn’t designed to be a bad behavior department. “It’s not the principal’s office,” said one unnamed 2015 Committee member.
The SEB is looking for a Paddock Marshall to head the effort. “Hulk Hogan nor Dog the Bounty Hunter expressed interest, when we asked Donald Trump, he had conditions. The airpark wasn’t interested in building a wall.” said Conners.
The SEB is hoping to put on a great event where everyone can have fun, contest the National Championships and be safe!
This is your warning!
