Triad Competition Begins; New Formula Junior Award Announced

TOPEKA, Kan. (May 14, 2010) - Two opportunities for Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Tour winners to claim the first leg in the highest honor open this weekend, as competition for the Solo Triad Award begins with the Tire Rack SEDIV Solo Championship event in Georgia and the Tire Rack Western States Championship National Tour at Wendover. Additionally, Formula Junior drivers now have an opportunity to win a season-long prestigious award, the McClintock-Berry Cup. The Triad recognizes those drivers that win championships at three levels of National Solo competition: a Divisional Championship, a States Championship National Tour, and a National Championship, all in the same class. Triad winners receive a free entry to the following year€™s Nationals, a special fleece vest, and a chance at a lifetime membership. Jeff Cashmore, Clemens Burger, Mark Madarash, and Michelle Seelig claimed the Triad after its debut a season ago. In 2010, there all nine SCCA Divisions are involved in the program, as well as the Western States Championship at Wendover (May 15-16), the Southern States Championship at Blytheville (May 29-30) and the Northern States Championship at Peru (July 3-4). The advent of the McClintock-Berry Cup marks just the third time that a National Solo award has been named in honor of members of the Solo community, joining the Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award and the JCJ Cup for the annual overall winner of the ProSolo Series. The award is modeled off of the Triad award for the dedicated young drivers competing in Formula Junior, along with the effort of their families. Formula Junior drivers will earn the award by following the same criteria as national drivers competing for the Triad. The McClintock-Berry Cup is named in honor of Jeremiah McClintock and Christine Berry, former Formula Junior stars who have gone on to success in National Solo competition. McClintock began in Formula Junior in 1999 and went on to win the F-125 National Championship in 2006 and 2007. In addition, he continues to coach FJ at many events during the year. Berry began her Formula Junior career in 1997 and ran the first National Solo event that offered the class that same year. She went on to win the BSPL National Championship and the L2 ProSolo Championship in 2007. She has also coached other young drivers, including her sisters, and was the Official FJ Mentor when Formula Junior first ran at Nationals at Heartland Park a couple of years ago. More information on the Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Tour, the Tire Rack® SCCA Divisional Championships, or the 2010 Tire Rack® Solo National Championships in Lincoln, Neb., is available at www.scca.com/solo.