If you’re looking for no-nonsense competition where every tenth of a second spells the difference between the ecstatic spraying of champagne and utter disappointment, SCCA’s Targas are not for you. But if (as is unceremoniously engraved into some gas station bathroom doors), you’re looking for a good time, then SCCA® Targa should be your next call.

On April 29, 2026, some 21 teams gathered at MotorSport Ranch in Cresson, TX, to jumpstart the four-event SCCA Targa season with a four day adventure that would lead the teams from MotorSport Ranch to Hallett Motor Racing Circuit on April 30, Hedge Hollow Raceway on May 1, and then Eagles Canyon Raceway to wrap the experience on May 2.

Unlike last year’s season-starting SCCA Targa (which was an all-Texas bonanza), this year’s version was more Tex “ish” than before – teams found themselves making the trek from Texas then into Oklahoma for Hallett and then Missouri for Hedge Hollow before circling back to Texas for Eagles Canyon. In all, they traversed roughly 1,000 miles of transit stages, plus the on-track action at four hidden gems in the middle of America. Also, unlike last year, this year didn’t feature horrific rainstorms chasing teams up and down the Lone Star State.

Wendy Hodges Jordan Sharpe’s early day two social media update gave the report:

“Dry track & cool weather makes for awesome racing conditions. Enjoyed doing a few paced laps with Chris Sharpe on track before. Most participants have never driven this track before. Should be a fun day.”

Loving Those Challenges

Along the way, Targa teams were tasked with side quests that led them on a “Route 66 Poker Run” as well as a “Show us Your Love” challenge that involved a Loves Truck Stop. Those mini escapades weren’t required, but they did work into each team’s overall score, meaning those looking for a good time AND accolades at the event’s conclusion needed to be all-in.

Back to that poker run, there were five stops along Route 66, with teams drawing a card at each stops along the way. Teams were then able to exchange cards with the “house” and other participants during the driver’s meeting at Hallett. Best hand won.

Now THAT’S Team Spirit

Several teams were repeat performances from last year’s season-opening SCCA Targa. Christopher Dunn and Erick Kohler brought out their Porsche Cayman once more under the “Two Porkies in a Pig” banner, with David Webb and Mindi Cross bringing team “Moist Brisket” back to life as they tackled the event this year in a Toyota Corolla.

Remember not long ago when we talked about the Track Night Experience class at this year’s SCCA Targas? Two teams took us up on the deal. Doug Wille and Jackie Mutschler (Team Track Tourists) and KJ Christopher (who underwent the experience alone with the aptly named Team KJ) chose to undergo the four-day adventure without SCCA timing their on-track experience. They were truly there for the fun of it.

Both teams also won “The Secret to Marital Bliss” superlative award – Doug and Jackie for doing the event together, and KJ for doing it alone (because what relationship doesn’t benefit from a little “me time” now and again?).

There were plenty more superlative awards presented, many of which were made up on the fly. Like, for instance, Team Little Red Corvette’s Thomas and Kim Kublie (who ran the event on tires of questionable age and pedigree) won “Making the Rubbers Last,” Team I thought this was a Rallye’s solitary driver John Gurley (in a WRX) won the “Committing to the Bit” superlative, and Team What’s a Pontiac’s team-of-one Blake Pavel (who won the poker run) was presented with the “Cheating at Poker” superlative.

There were more, many more, but you get the gist – this was all for the LOLs.

Who Won?

On an SCCA Targa, everyone is a winner – but it could be said that the following six teams won a little more than the rest:

While those teams won their classes, the real winners were the participants. The grins at Eagles Canyon tell all:

Your Turn!

SCCA Targa Tex-ish has wrapped, but three more SCCA Targas await, packing more adventure than you can imagine into each four-day extravaganza:

Targa Carolinas

Targa New England

SCCA Targa Great Lakes

While SCCA Targa is on its second consecutive season, this program has an on-again, off-again history dating back to 2016, meaning if you want to assure your spot in the fun, you better sign up today for one of this year’s three remaining SCCA Targas!

Go SCCA Targa!

The 2026 SCCA® RallyCross® Divisional Challenge is about to take to the dirt, culminating with the National Championship event in October, and there’s more than fun and bragging rights on the line. For the 2026 season, on top of the good time RallyCross always brings to the table, there’s also contingency payouts up for grabs, meaning you can take what you already do and add another thrill with the possibility of winning cash and prizes.

The season begins with the five event Divisional Challenge that jumps into action in late May, spanning the nation from Alabama to Michigan to California, and several places in between. These events are not only destinations in and of themselves, but they also lead to the RallyCross National Championship taking place in Arizona in mid-October. Win a Regional RallyCross, a Divisional Challenge event, and a RallyCross National Championship title in one year, and you’ll also collect the RallyCross TripleCross award. But that’s not all, as drivers who meet Nissan’s and/or Hawk Performance’s contingency requirements will also leave the season with even bigger smiles on their face thanks to these two contingency programs.

Contingency Offerings

Contingency programs are simple: follow the rules set forth by the contingency partner and you’ll reap rewards. Registration is painless and FREE(!).

Here’s what’s up for grabs this year:

Hawk Performance is offering Hawk certificates worth $150 for first, $125 for second, $100 for third, $75 for fourth, and $50 for fifth, should all of the contingency requirements be met. For the RallyCross National Championship itself, the Hawk certificate ante is upped to $250 for the win, $225 for second, $200 for third, all the way down to $25 for 10th.

Nissan’s offering is for the National Championship only, but this program pays in cash. A win at the National Championship while wheeling a Nissan will make the driver potentially $550 richer, with second place walking away with $300, and third earning $150.

Both programs involve registration prior to the event, as well as sticker and participation requirements.

Details for the FREE(!) RallyCross contingency programs can be found here.

2026 Calendar of Events

The RallyCross Divisional Challenge series fires things up May 29-31, kicking off with the SCCA Southeast RallyCross Divisional Challenge in Hollytree, AL – because of course it does. Hollytree Off Road already proved itself by hosting the 2024 and 2025 RallyCross National Championship, and with that much room to play (and a Region that knows what it’s doing), this is a surefire weekend of fun regardless of where you end up on the results sheet.

Next stop, June 19-21, the Great Lakes RallyCross Divisional Challenge heads to Owsley County, KY – new dirt for the Divisional Challenge! Then July 3-5, the Midwest RallyCross Divisional Challenge rolls back into Billy Bob’ Billings RallyX Farms, because last year’s visit just wasn’t enough.

July 17-19 brings the Southern Pacific RallyCross Divisional Challenge back to San Diego, CA – sun, dirt, and zero excuses. Then just when you thought you had the schedule figured out, the Challenge wraps its tour July 31-Aug. 2 in Houghton, MI, for the Lake Superior RallyCross Divisional Challenge – a stop that’s ready to shake things up.

All roads lead to Oct. 16-18 at Camp Verde Equestrian Center for the RallyCross National Championship – the grand finale, the showdown, the one you won’t want to skip. Bonus: It’s the furthest west the event’s ever been, so for all you left-coasters, this is your time to shine (and for everyone else, go show ‘em who’s boss).

2026 RallyCross Divisional Challenge + National Championship Event Calendar

Registration is already open for several of the RallyCross Divisional Challenges, so check out the schedule and reserve your spot before wait lists begin.

Photo by Dante Donati