Last Wednesday evening, members of the Solo Community joined Mike Cobb, SCCA President and CEO- Bob Davis, Chairman of the SEB and Heyward Wagner, Interim Director of Rally/Solo for a Solo Town Hall.  If you missed it, you can see the notes here: https://www.scca.com/announcements/186-notes-from-july-8th-solo-town-hall

The outlook for the 2020 Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals was one of the major areas of discussion, centered on the growing certainty that this year’s event will look and feel very different from the events of the recent past.  A large part of this is driven by the continually shifting effect Covid-19 is having on events across the United States.  As, if not more, importantly we also have a new process with the City of Lincoln, requiring us to submit an application to have the event.  This process will put terms and conditions in to place, designed to protect both SCCA members and residents of the city of Lincoln.  

In the Town Hall we indicated that a survey would be going out this week to SCCA Members to gauge interest in the event as we expect to execute it.  As we are now in the application process, we have elected to postpone the survey until we have more clarity from the City so that we can survey based upon better and more complete information.  Nevertheless, we wanted to offer an update of where we stand now, and what we currently expect to be different about this year’s event.  Currently on the list-

• Mandatory social distancing of at least 6 feet unless wearing a face covering (masks, shields, etc.) Face coverings are not required when in your car during competition, when working a course position where workers are at least 25 feet apart, or in private paddock areas for drivers registered in the same competition vehicle. At most 2020 National Solo events this has been a guideline.
• Face coverings are required in high-traffic areas such as registration, information, grid, impound, tech, check-in tents, etc.
• Streamlined event operations to minimize contact and interaction. At most 2020 National Solo events this has become standard practice for Registration, Tech, Impound, worker check-in, and course recording of penalties.
• Necessary changes to operations could result in a limited ability to adjudicate competition complaints, inquiries, or protests.
• There will be distinct breaks between Heats for cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, supplies, and work areas. These breaks should take 10 to 15 minutes.
• Elimination of SCCA awards banquets and welcome parties, as well as sponsor dinners.
• Member and/or Region social gatherings will be limited to no more than 12 people with social distancing and/or face coverings. NOTE: this is a proposal to the Health Dept which might require us to eliminate these gatherings
• Daily self-check test of health and temperature that can be submitted online. Failing the test or not complying with this requirement will result in being required to leave the site.
• Possibly fewer on-site food providers due to local health restrictions.
• A reduced number of entries might result in compressing the number of days of competition from 4 days to 2 days. As of mid-July there were 724 entrants

We have received some initial feedback, both via email as well as within social media.  Thus far, the vast majority of feedback, if not all has been extremely understanding of the situation and mindful of the importance of the relationship with the City of Lincoln and making the best decision for the sport- which has been a testament to the strength of this community.  We remain committed to the discussed timeline, targeting August 5^th for a final call of what Nationals will look like, with an absolute date of August 15^th.  And, as soon as we are able to make that announcement we will have a window of time where those wishing to withdraw can do so at a 100% refund.

We look forward to being able to share more information soon.