TOPEKA, Kan. (Feb. 25, 2008) In preparation for the start of the 2008 season, SCCA Pro Racing has added two new staff members and assigned new titles to two long-standing employees.As 2007 Mazda MX-5 Cup technical manager Ken Tripkos assumes the role of SCCA Pro Racing Competition and Technical Director, Jim Jess, of Lawrence, Kan., has been appointed the new SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Technical Manager. A graduate of Pittsburg State University, in Pittsburg, Kan., Jess arrives at SCCA Pro Racing as a Mazda, Mitsubishi and ASE Certified Master Technician with more than 10 years of experience. Jess also has a long SCCA racing history, working with Shelby Can-Am, World Challenge and Pro Spec Racer Ford teams. I know from my own experience how difficult it is to step into this role, Tripkos said. But I also know that Jim has the right experience and the determination to serve the series well. I am delighted to add him to our staff.SCCA Pro Racing also welcomes back Robin Prill, of Topeka, Kan., who served as the race series administrator from 1997 to 2004. A graduate of Baker University, Prill returns to her previous role in assisting all teams with series and event registration, credentials, fees and prize money. She will also assume the role of Jetta TDI Cup registrar. Additionally, experienced field staff members Dee Duncan and Kathy Maleck have been assigned new titles to match their increased responsibilities. Duncan, who has worked for SCCA Pro Racing since 1986, takes on the full-time position of Events Coordinator and will be responsible for drafting and negotiating event contracts and sanction agreements, acting as a liaison between promoters and each series. Duncan, of Chardon, Ohio, will also continue in her role as the SCCA SPEED World Challenge registrar. Maleck, of Minneapolis, Minn., has been named Field Staff and Special Projects Manager. While continuing her duties as a tech official, Maleck will now manage field staff contracts, scheduling and duty assignments. At the track, Maleck will oversee race operations and negotiate with promoters as necessary. An SCCA member since 1976, Maleck began working with SCCA Pro Racing in 1988.Im extremely happy with the staff lineup weve put together over the winter, SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Bob Wildberger said. This group has a tremendous amount of experience and I know all of our series are in more than capable hands.The start of the SCCA Pro Racing season is just around the corner. Round One of the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships will take place at Sebring International Raceway, March 12 14.A wholly owned subsidiary of Sports Car Club of America, Inc., SCCA Pro Racing Inc. is a leading sanctioning body for motorsports events in the United States. A member of the Automobile Competition Committee of the United States (ACCUS), SCCA Pro Racing owns, operates and sanctions the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships, SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup and Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup, as well as provides sanctioning and various operational services for other racing series. For more information, click the "Pro Racing" tab at the top of the page.
