2016 Tire Rack Match Tour – What It Is And How You Can Help

The Tire Rack SCCA Match Tour events are entering their fourth year. The formula for the events has continually evolved but after the 2015 season it became apparent that the current format was a hit with those participating. Therefore, 2016 the plan is not to make any major changes to the program, but tweak that format to make it even better.

For those that went to a Match Tour in the first couple of years, but didn’t go in 2015 because you were not a fan, let us tell you why you should give Match Tours a second chance.

For starters, the current format is much easier to understand. In the beginning, we had a flow chart to help folks understand the format – but the fact that a flow chart was needed indicated that the event was too complicated. Now the events run like a Champ Tour on steroids the first day; three runs in the morning and two or three runs in the afternoon. The best time from each set of runs totaled together determine class rankings. It’s simple, and gives people a lot of runs on the first day! For day two, everyone gets three more runs as qualifying for the Challenge, for a total of 8 or 9, guaranteed, before we move onto the “Match” portion of the event.

The top finishers (on index) from each Heat during Sunday’s runs determine the qualifiers for the Sunday afternoon challenges. If you did not qualify for one of the two Challenges, don’t worry. A Bonus Challenge is offered by random drawing. All of these runs aretaken on the same course as class competition, so there are plenty of chances to learn the course. Those runs, potentially reaching double digits, offers a lower cost per run than other National Solo events.

To go along with the lower entry fee, more runs and, an easy to understand format, we also try and bring a less “serious business” feel to the events. We have streamlined operations, have a music playlist that covers all types of music, and have an awards party Saturday night with food for everyone. The staff has special hashtag sayings on their shirt to help get the digital social media hyped up. These are just a few of the things that gives Match Tours a new and fun feel. It’s a great introduction to those who are new to National Tour events, while providing something for our competitive National drivers.

No matter your skill level, there’s a reason for you to come to a Match Tour event.

But we need your help, too, to determine the name of Sunday afternoon’s tournament format. We began this format calling them Shootouts. However, because of ProSolo calling their tournaments Challenges, it was engrained in everyone’s heads for Match Tours as well. We decided that instead of fighting that terminology, we changed the name to Challenges.

We’re not sure this is an accurate comparison, however, and we do not want to confuse ProSolo and Match Tour events with a Super Challenge in each. We are asking for folks to start a discussion of what we could call the two tournaments for Match Tours. So what do you think? Post your answer in the comments below.

Photo by: Craig Wilcox