Every relocation in Runoffs history has involved a measure of uncertainty on the part of drivers, volunteers and organizers. This was true in 1994 when the Runoffs departed Road Atlanta and headed north to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. While this year’s return to Mid-Ohio is not a true maiden voyage, it will be for many in attendance. Involved participants have changed roles and come and gone. A few will treat this visit like the good ol’ days and pick up where they left off in 2005. Some are struggling to recall what it was like to race at Mid-Ohio 11 years ago. Time will tell whether the new blood or tried and true will have the advantage when the SCCA returns to Mid-Ohio.
The following is an excerpt from the December 1994 edition of SportsCar magazine, recapping that year’s Runoffs event:
“Moving the Runoffs to Mid-Ohio was like breaking in a new pair of shoes. You know you need new shoes, but the old ones are just so comfortable.
After 24 years, Road Atlanta was like those old shoes. You knew the motels and restaurants. You could drive the back roads to the track without a map. You could walk to a corner of the paddock absolutely confident of finding someone you hadn’t seen or talked to in 51 weeks.
Even if you were familiar with Mid-Ohio (and an amazing number of leading contenders managed to run both Mid-Ohio Nationals this year), you were not accustomed to 620 competitors filling out the farthest reaches of the normal paddock into the field normally used for crew parking. You weren’t accustomed to SCCA officials working out of trailers parked on the beautiful lawn behind the garages. And, finding old friends became an adventure, even with the helpful paddock map.”
In the last few years, we’ve gotten accustomed to the feeling of finding your way around a new track at the Runoffs each year. This year will be no different. Mid-Ohio will look different from the average regional, or even Majors, weekend. There will be a helpful paddock map, and there will be adventures. We’re looking forward to them.
Registration is open for the 2016 SCCA Runoffs Presented by Garmin VIRB. Click here for more information.
Image: A horde of Spec Racers navigate The Esses at the 1994 Runoffs at Mid-Ohio.
Credit: Ken Brown
