If you visited the Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA® Super Tour at NOLA Motorsports Park earlier this season — or really any event at the Big Easy track — you’re familiar with Lee Tilton, even if you don’t know it. Tilton is the Houston Region Worker of the Year for his efforts at NOLA (yes, you read that correctly, so bear with us), among other things, and in addition to his role for the SCCA, he waves a few other flags — including during pro weekends.
Living near New Orleans, Tilton took on the NOLA flagger training for all events at the track utilizing the SCCA Flagging & Communications manuals to put together a course for the paid staff there and build their base. That led to seven brand new corner marshals who joined SCCA to further their abilities and participate in a variety of events.
Those starting at the bottom have a role model to look at in Tilton. Like them, he started at one point as a brand-new corner marshal. Like so many others, the bug took hold. And why wouldn’t it? It gets you trackside at racing events — we’d call it the best seat in the house, except there’s not a lot of sitting.
Tilton will point out that there’s no one singular path to your F&C goals. He started as a local dirt track racer and volunteered to help with the IMSA street race in New Orleans in 1995. From there, it was a random collection of motorsports and SCCA-related activities — some Regional and National autocrossing and road racing, as well as volunteer work in Pit & Grid when not behind the wheel.
But it wasn’t until 2021 when he retired and finally got a Divisional F&C license that he began to take on more responsibility. On Labor Day weekend this year, he’ll be one of three Deputy Flag Chiefs at the FIA World Endurance Championship round at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX.
“During the event, our role is to visit each flag station to make sure our marshals are staying healthy and alert,” Tilton says. “We may briefly relieve a marshal for a break. We also take care of any housekeeping items for flag stations: communication or flag issues, requesting water for marshals, or even addressing sanitation issues. We also retrieve written incident reports from the stations to be delivered to race stewards.”
The work begins long before the cars go on track.
“Prior to racing activity, it is our responsibility to make sure the marshals have the tools they need: communication equipment, backup comms, flags, and all the other tools necessary for a safe event,” Tilton says. “We also spend a lot of time months before the event developing Flagging & Communications training material, reaching out to experienced marshals to volunteer, and vetting the marshal applicants. Later, we assign marshals to specific stations and roles based on experience and knowledge.”
It wasn’t necessarily that Tilton had some sort of special gift as a flagger, though obviously he’s very good. It’s that his involvement allowed him to network with others in the group, and his can-do attitude made him a person that others could depend on.
“The doors opened due to meeting Flag Chiefs and others interested in developing my skills,” he says. “I demonstrated that I was knowledgeable about racing regulations and flagging procedures. I showed that I was reliable, flexible, and willing to go the extra mile. The marshal community at the FIA and IMSA level is relatively small in the U.S. — reputation and word-of-mouth referrals are important, but nothing is better than being known as a professional, experienced marshal.”
One thing remains true: The SCCA is the most efficient way to move to what we’ll call “the big leagues,” which includes Hoosier Super Tour and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, in addition to IMSA, IndyCar, and FIA events like World Endurance Championship, Formula E, and, yes, F1. That has become even more true with new regulations this season.
“In 2024, FIA and IMSA are requiring that marshals have a specialties license,” Tilton explains. “The easiest way is to sign-up for the SCCA Trackside Program, and your information will be sent to your local SCCA Regional Flag Chief, who in turn will reach out to you to get you started. Become a member of SCCA and the Certified Regional F&C License training program will be available online. Work more to get your Divisional or National F&C License, work other tracks to expand your marshal network. There are many applicants to work FIA events, and the higher the license the better.”
August is a relatively unique month when it comes to Sports Car Club of America® member anniversaries. The month houses a healthy (and relatively equally dispersed) helping of 25-, 30-, 35-, and 40-year members, but unlike many other months, there are no 65-plus year members. That said, 60 years of membership is nothing to dismiss, so we’d like to congratulate Indianapolis Region’s Logan Blackburn, and Detroit Region’s Peter A. Klain for holding this month’s record for the longest memberships with the Club.
Peruse through the anniversary listing below and you’ll find numerous other members who have contributed to the Club through the years, be it through their volunteering efforts, their competition prowess, or both. For example, celebrating 25 years of membership in August is Jesse Prather, who has six Runoffs titles to his name and has also volunteered his time on SCCA Road Racing committees. Peter Keane, celebrating 30 years as a member, may not have any National Championship titles, but he has served on SCCA Road Racing committees, including a stint as the Club Racing Board chairman. And then there’s Patty Tunnell, who during her 40 years of membership is tied for the woman with the second most wins at the Tire Rack SCCA Solo® National Championships. That number, by the way, is 15 wins spanning 11 different classes. She also holds the record for the most trophies at the Solo Nats of all women — the shelf that holds her 26 Solo Nats trophies must be a structural marvel.
If you’ve been around the Club for any amount of time, you’ll undoubtedly recognize a few other names listed below, so check it out — then send them a note congratulating them on their latest accomplishment as a member.
The anniversary listing below notes each member’s name, Region of record, Division, and join/rejoin date. It’s important to point out that join dates for the 1970s and earlier will note the first of the month rather than the actual day of membership.
25-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
Gary M Blanarik, Steel Cities Region, NE, 8/18/1999
Charles Bloch, Northwest Region, NP, 8/11/1999
Doreen Bunt, Central Florida Region, SE, 8/24/1999
Glenn A Cooper, Atlanta Region, SE, 8/18/1999
Emily L Dobbs, Glen Region, NE, 8/23/1999
Jack M Evans Jr., Hawaii Region, SP, 8/10/1999
Claire H Frimming, Cincinnati Region, GL, 8/10/1999
Jay J Gyger, Steel Cities Region, NE, 8/10/1999
Edward F Hallabeck Jr., New England Region, NE, 8/3/1999
James W Harris, Phoenix AZ Solo Region, SP, 8/10/1999
Courtney Jahn, Colorado Region, RM, 8/24/1999
Michael D Judy, Cal Club Region, SP, 8/11/1999
Allen Lu, San Francisco Region, NP, 8/3/1999
Jamie Prather, Kansas Region, MW, 8/3/1999
Jesse K Prather, Kansas Region, MW, 8/3/1999
Ralph Radhay, Central Florida Region, SE, 8/18/1999
Irene M Rosenberg, Susquehanna Region, NE, 8/11/1999
S. A. Schattenbild, Northwest Region, NP, 8/10/1999
Steve Drew Soares, Las Vegas Region, SP, 8/3/1999
Julie A Tchobanian, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 8/10/1999
Robert Thompson, Kansas City Region, MW, 8/4/1999
Lisa Valera, Philadelphia Region, NE, 8/3/1999
30-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
Mark Brichacek, Iowa Region, CN, 8/4/1994
Bonnie Hall, Gulf Coast Region, SE, 8/31/1994
Donald S Hall, Gulf Coast Region, SE, 8/31/1994
Mark Hutchison, Milwaukee Region, CN, 8/11/1994
Douglas E Mackintosh, San Francisco Region, NP, 8/23/1994
Matt McCabe, Nebraska Region, MW, 8/25/1994
Dennis McGuire, Misery Bay Region, NE, 8/9/1994
Miki Moerwald, Central Florida Region, SE, 8/23/1994
Paola Nisonger, Detroit Region, GL, 8/10/1994
Barry Ott, Continental Divide Region, RM, 8/23/1994
Eric J Peterson, North Carolina Region, SE, 8/10/1994
Kenneth D Reilly, New England Region, NE, 8/9/1994
John Sanders, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 8/31/1994
Michael A Tews, Milwaukee Region, CN, 8/4/1994
Ron Williams, Kansas Region, MW, 8/19/1994
35-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
Paul Barten, Florida Region, SE, 8/10/1989
Harry J Campbell, Indianapolis Region, GL, 8/11/1989
Janet Davison, Detroit Region, GL, 8/8/1989
Owen Farrior, Hawaii Region, SP, 8/31/1989
Delia J Fosdick, Cal Club Region, SP, 8/28/1989
Laura E Graf, Steel Cities Region, NE, 8/8/1989
Mary D Gukich, Colorado Region, RM, 8/11/1989
Michael A Henry, Atlanta Region, SE, 8/21/1989
Peter Keane, Central Florida Region, SE, 8/16/1989
Greg Lusted, New England Region, NE, 8/4/1989
Dermot J McArdle, Mohawk Hudson Region, NE, 8/4/1989
Roy S Nutter Jr., Steel Cities Region, NE, 8/31/1989
Teresa Peterson, Central Carolinas Region, SE, 8/22/1989
Russell T Riedy, Florida Region, SE, 8/31/1989
Diane L Scanlan, New York Region, NE, 8/4/1989
Charles Shatzen, Atlanta Region, SE, 8/31/1989
Chuck Sieber, South Jersey Region, NE, 8/22/1989
Roger B Simonian DDS, San Francisco Region, NP, 8/7/1989
Donald R. Stark, Cal Club Region, SP, 8/4/1989
William C Trainer, Chicago Region, CN, 8/23/1989
Jim Truess, Northwest Region, NP, 8/7/1989
40-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
Roger G Addison, Arizona Region, SP, 8/22/1984
Douglas A Christensen, Central Florida Region, SE, 8/20/1984
Jorge Oscar Diaz, Cal Club Region, SP, 8/30/1984
Richard J Duffey, Milwaukee Region, CN, 8/29/1984
David A Fedler, Colorado Region, RM, 8/27/1984
Raymond A Fiore, San Francisco Region, NP, 8/28/1984
Greg Horan, Steel Cities Region, NE, 8/30/1984
Nancy G Huber, Northern New Jersey Region, NE, 8/22/1984
Deanna Hutchins, Nebraska Region, MW, 8/17/1984
Mark R. Hutchins, Nebraska Region, MW, 8/17/1984
Timothy D Jackson, Oregon Region, NP, 8/28/1984
Gregory Kentera, Northern New Jersey Region, NE, 8/10/1984
Connie Kruck, Des Moines Valley Region, MW, 8/22/1984
Phil Lamont, Western New York Region, NE, 8/10/1984
Christopher J Land, Eastern Tennessee Region, SE, 8/20/1984
Leon LeDoux, Southwest Louisiana Region, SW, 8/30/1984
Christopher Liedtke, Finger Lakes Region, NE, 8/10/1984
Brenda Ward Lyons, North Carolina Region, SE, 8/21/1984
David H Panasci, Central New York Region, NE, 8/17/1984
Michael J Piera, New England Region, NE, 8/10/1984
Hap Charles Schadler, Continental Divide Region, RM, 8/15/1984
Hamilton N Shepley, New England Region, NE, 8/22/1984
David W Sterling Jr., Washington DC Region, NE, 8/21/1984
Todd M Stern, Ohio Valley Region, GL, 8/10/1984
Sara Sugrue, Continental Divide Region, RM, 8/15/1984
Patty Tunnell, Colorado Region, RM, 8/15/1984
Bruce E Wentzel, Detroit Region, GL, 8/22/1984
Steven B Wolfson, Washington DC Region, NE, 8/22/1984
45-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
John M Bonvouloir, Colorado Region, RM, 8/1/1979
Tate Cramm, Houston Region, SW, 8/1/1979
Paul J Czekanski, Washington DC Region, NE, 8/1/1979
Gail L Fetterman, Oregon Region, NP, 8/1/1979
Thomas W Keiper, Buccaneer Region, SE, 8/1/1979
Linda Pobst, Central Florida Region, SE, 8/1/1979
50-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
Allie P Ash Jr., Washington DC Region, NE, 8/1/1974
Richard DeSimone, Blackhawk Valley Region, CN, 8/1/1974
Richard W Forbes, Washington DC Region, NE, 8/1/1974
55-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
Daniel Marvin, San Francisco Region, NP, 8/1/1969
60-YEAR MEMBERS
Name, Region of Record, Division, Join/Rejoin Date
Logan Blackburn, Indianapolis Region, GL, 8/1/1964
Peter A Klain, Detroit Region, GL, 8/1/1964
65+ YEAR MEMBERS
none
When Hagerty and SCCA® partnered in 2019, with Hagerty becoming the Club’s official insurance partner, nobody knew how deep the involvement would ultimately go. Hagerty would, of course, offer SCCA members discounts on insurance policies as well as invite members of the Hagerty Drivers Club to attend Track Night in America® and Time Trials National Tour events, but would that be all? Heck no — and with SCCA’s National Championship season inching ever closer, now’s the perfect time to dive deeper into Hagerty’s contributions to the Club specific to the latter part of the year.
For starters, Hagerty presents the Keepin’ it Cool award at the Tire Rack SCCA Solo® National Championships, the National Championship Runoffs®, and the Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials Nationals Powered by (of course) Hagerty.
Hagerty’s Keepin’ it Cool award doesn’t celebrate ultimate lap times, nor does it congratulate those who notch another title on their belt. Rather, the recipients are members who went above and beyond in team spirit, perhaps helped others overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, or maybe didn’t let obstacles overcome themselves. Hagerty is all about the love of the drive, and the Keepin’ it Cool award stays true to that.
At the Runoffs, Hagerty sponsors all three race days. For SCCA’s 60th anniversary Runoffs, that means all 26 races taking place Oct. 4-6, 2024, are presented in part thanks to Hagerty, allowing for not only amazing in-person viewing of incredible on-track action at Road America, but also enabling thousands of fans to keep up with the action live from home on SCCA’s YouTube channel.
This year, Hagerty will also present the Runoffs lunch break on Saturday, Oct. 5, feeding hundreds of volunteers who work tirelessly to make the event possible.
Fast forward a few weeks to the Time Trials Nationals, taking place this year on Oct. 24-27 at NCM Motorsports Park, where Hagerty will provide food and drink during the all-participant Thursday night welcome party. Barbecue and beverages bring everyone together, and that’s what Hagerty’s party is all about.
This, of course, comes in addition to the other benefits Hagerty offers SCCA members. Like, for instance, Hagerty offering on-track insurance for all in attendance at Track Night in America events, with SCCA members receiving a 30% discount on those policies. SCCA members also receive a 5% discount (not available in CA, TN, MA) on Hagerty off-track insurance programs to protect their investments, including collector cars, motorcycles, race cars, and boats. When it comes to race cars, Hagerty offers insurance to cover vehicles off the track, in storage, in the paddock, at a shop, and during transport to the track.
Find out more about these deals by logging in to your SCCA account via this link, then clicking the link under “Insurance.” Also, visit Hagerty.com to discover more about the company’s offerings.
