Can you believe it’s been two months since we announced the concept of “Club Spec,” a concept that would enable members to buy one car and use it in every kind of SCCA® event? Soon thereafter, we landed on GRM Live with JG Pasterjak, explaining how Club Spec would enable drivers to compete in everything from SCCA Time Trials to Autocross and beyond. Along with that, we presented you with a survey to tell us whether you liked the concept at all — and if you did, which direction you thought Club Spec should travel. Well, you didn’t just answer the survey, you answered it in droves. In fact, with 5,100 people offering feedback (and 85 percent of those being interested in participating in multiple programs), we can’t recall a time when the membership response to a survey was so robust and enthusiastic. Based on your initial feedback — and with encouragement from the SCCA Board of Directors and all SCCA program boards — we’re asking for your help once more to ensure Club Spec gets shaped exactly right.
In the first survey, we chose not to lead the conversation when it came to make and model — we asked you to tell us the cars you’d like to see in this “do it all” category. The results came back with the Mazda Miata, Ford Mustang, Honda Civic Si, Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S, and Porsche Boxster/Cayman leading the charge. Now, let’s narrow it down.
It turns out, the Miata has been made since 1990, the Civic Si came to these shores in 1985, and (get this) the Mustang’s first model year was 1965! Who knew? So what we need to know from you is which modern chassis tickles your fancy: NC, ND1, ND2, S197, S550, ZN6, ZN8, 987.1, 987.2, 981, 718, or one of several “generation” Honda platforms.
My goodness, we’re nerds.
To get to the bottom of this, we’ve assembled another survey with these questions and more! Click the link and tell us not just which chassis you like most, but which car you would actually build and drive at SCCA events when Club Spec’s tires hit the ground.
Roll up your sleeves and jump in with us — it’s time to dig into the car-nerd nitty gritty, and your input is key to Club Spec’s success.
Take The Survey
If you haven’t already registered for the 2023 Tire Rack SCCA® Solo National Championships being held Sept. 5-8 at Nebraska’s Lincoln Airpark, the bad news is that it’s too late to sign up because the event sold out all 1,300 spots within hours of registration opening in June. If you’re one of the lucky ones — or if you’re simply coming to Lincoln to witness the awesomeness that is the 50th Solo Nats Homecoming celebration — here’s some information you’ll need to know: the run/work order for the Solo Nationals has been announced.
Organizing a competition event that takes place over four days with 1,300 drivers tackling two courses is a complex undertaking. With more than 70 classes on tap, entry counts need to be examined closely with Open and Ladies classes appropriately paired to ensure everyone can run without a scramble to prep cars. The run orders are also organized to minimize potential delays from impacting the overall event.
Meanwhile — and understandably — many of the 1,300 autocrossers entered in the event are anxiously awaiting the run/work group announcement in order to book travel plans and request time off from work.
“Creating the run/work order for the Solo National Championships is a complicated process that cannot even begin until we pass the event entry cancellation date of Aug. 2,” explains SCCA’s Director of Rally/Solo Rick Myers. “Once we have a solid understanding of per-class entry counts, we can then begin the process. My thanks goes to Tracy Lewis and Karen Babb for working tirelessly to organize this information so quickly, allowing enough time for those who will be competing to make their travel plans to Nebraska.”
Click the link below to check out who will run when, then start packing your bags…
Solo Nats Run/Work Order
A Week of Fun and Celebrations
There’s a lot going on at the 2023 Solo National Championships celebrating this year’s 50th Homecoming event.
The celebration begins the evening of Monday, Sept. 4, with a Homecoming Welcome Party in the Tire Rack Event Center (TREC) tent. This evening will celebrate the 50th Solo Nats through recognition of the 100 Percenters, Silver Circle members, select SCCA Hall of Famers, and other notable members of the Solo community — plus more, like perhaps a paddock parade to the TREC.
Tuesday brings a special dinner and more, taking place at the Fire Fighters Reception Hall and then proceeding to the Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed. Certain tickets for this one are still available.
Wednesday, Sept. 6, brings a celebration of 50 years of champions. Everyone is invited to the TREC for free dinner, beverages, and a celebration of the present and past. We’ll recognize the day’s successes on the East and West Courses, as well as achievements over the prior 50 years. Winners of this year’s Driver of Eminence, Solo Cup, and more will be announced, along with other notable recognitions.
Wednesday evening also brings the Sunset Toast — an opportunity to honor those we’ve lost along the way. Meet us between the East and West Courses at sunset for this heartfelt gathering.
Friday evening, Sept. 8, marks the end of competition, but the party’s not over, as the “One for the Road” gathering sends off the 50th Solo Nationals in style with more awards and recognitions.
The rest of the evenings? Stroll the paddock and make friends at the now famous paddock parties.
