On the heels of the date announcement of the Runoffs’ return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, we remember the farewell from the venue in 2005. The Runoffs made Mid-Ohio its home from 1994 through 2005, becoming a comfortable place to return to year after year.
In 2006, the Runoffs moved to Heartland Park Topeka, just blocks from the SCCA National Office, for a three-year stint before finding a home at Road America for five years. Just like in Ohio, drivers, workers, and spectators got comfortable with the annual trip to Wisconsin. But in 2013, it was time to say goodbye, once again, as a rotation was announced, sending the Runoffs to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2014, Daytona International Speedway in 2015, and back to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2016.
The 2005 Runoffs were an event of mixed emotions. There was much sadness over the end of the “Mid-Ohio Era” but still a lot of positive energy around the exciting racing and dramatic finishes.
Now an IndyCar fixture, Graham Rahal won the Formula Atlantic National Championship in 2005, making him the youngest Runoffs Champion at 16 years, 242 days. That record has yet to be eclipsed.
John Heinricy claimed his eighth and ninth National Championships in American Sedan and Touring 1. At Daytona, he claimed his 13th win at the Runoffs with a victory in B-Spec.
Kent Prather took home his sixth of 8 Gold medals in his G Production MGA. The drive at Mid-Ohio also earned him the President’s Cup by demonstrating ability, competitiveness and success at the Runoffs.
These highlights represent what is possible at the Runoffs. With 28 National Classes currently participating, there will be no shortage of excitement and intensity in the Runoffs’ Return to Mid-Ohio!
The SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Garmin VIRB will return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for its 53rd annual event, September 19-25, 2016.
Image: John Heinricy takes his ceremonial victory lap with crew members in the trunk of his Phoenix Performance Touring 1 Chevrolet Corvette at the 2005 Runoffs.
Credit: Roz Rosintoski
