LEXINGTON, Ohio (Sept. 22, 2016) -- The last hurrah before three days of racing begin at the 2016 SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB, the annual All Participant Party took place Thursday night at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.
Each year at this grand gathering, Tire Rack Pole awards are handed out to competitors who will lead the 28 classes to the green flag when racing gets underway. Also recognized during the soiree were nine SCCA members voted to receive Worker of the Year honors. Award winners represent notable performances amongst the positions that make the SCCA SafeRacer Club Racing program one of the best in the world.
The Emergency Services Worker of the Year is Jason Kepka from the Central Division’s Blackhawk Valley Region. That same region also produced the year’s Scrutineer honoree, Mark Amenda.
The Flagging & Communications Worker of the Year is Bill Armitage of the Great Lakes Division’s Cincinnati Region. A fellow member of the Region, Jason Briggs, was also recognized for his work in Sound.
Two more Worker of the Year awards went to members of the Northeast Division’s Washington D.C. Region. Gayle Lorenz was named Grid/Pit Worker of the Year, and Dennis Dean was celebrated for his performance as a Steward.
Recognition for top-notch Race Administration went to Ceci Smith of the Southern Pacific Division’s Cal Club, and acknowledgment for well-run Registration processes went to Peggy Deitz of the Great Lakes Division’s Neohio Region. Last but not least, Tobin Schuster of the Central Division’s Milwaukee Region received a Worker of the Year award for his dedication to Timing & Scoring at SafeRacer Club Racing events.
From those recognized as Workers of the Year, a name is drawn and the winner receives a free SCCA lifetime membership. This year’s winner was Peggy Deitz.
Each year during the Runoffs, teams in the Production classes traditionally make a donation to the worker fund. This year, $3,500 was raised and doled out in $50 increments to various workers through a random drawing.
Three days of championship races from the 53rd SCCA National Championship Runoffs presented by Garmin VIRB begin Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning in the 8 o’clock hour Eastern Time. Each event will be broadcast live online at SCCA.com. Additional information on the SCCA Runoffs Presented by Garmin VIRB, including an event schedule, entry list and full results, can be found at SCCA.com/Runoffs.
The Sports Car Club of America, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,000-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the SCCA annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 115 Regions and professional subsidiary. Much of the SCCA’s activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Chevrolet, the Official Truck of the SCCA; Garmin VIRB, the Official Camera of SCCA; Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA; Mobil 1, the Official Oil of SCCA; SafeRacer, the Official Safety Provider of SCCA; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of SCCA; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of SCCA. To learn more, please visit www.scca.com.
Photo: Tobin Schuster of the Milwaukee Region received a Worker of the Year award for his dedication to Timing & Scoring. Flanking Tobin are Eric Prill, SCCA VP and COO, and Deanna Flanagan, Director of Club Racing.
