Keep ‘Em Coming! Tire Rack Solo Nats’ New Record

TOPEKA, Kan. (September 12, 2017) – The 2017 Tire Rack SCCA® Solo Nationals has set yet another attendance record!  Officially, a total of 1,317 drivers crossed the timing lights September 5-8 at Lincoln Airpark this year in Lincoln, Nebraska.  That makes the 2017 event the largest in Sports Car Club of America® history, and most likely one of the largest annual motorsport events anywhere in the world.

A total of 76 different car classes took part in the 2017 Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals.  There were 35 winners named after the first two days of racing, and another 41 titles handed out after the final two days of competition.

Howard Duncan, SCCA Rally/Solo Senior Director, said the previous record of 1,305 competitors was set in 2016 at the Tire Rack Solo Nationals.  Before that, the record was 1,228 drivers on hand for the 2015 Solo Nationals.

“We’ve broken this record four years running,” Duncan said.  “That truly shows the health of SCCA’s Solo program and indicates how much the Solo community enjoys the annual event.  The week always includes amazing competition and is a chance for people to reconnect with friends from around the country. No matter how large the event gets, it retains its core components of community, comradery and competition.”

Mike Cobb, SCCA’s President and CEO, noted that from a competition standpoint, Solo remains an extremely important part of the SCCA.

“Autocross is an inexpensive point of entry for people looking to get involved with motorsports,” Cobb said.  “Folks can simply use their street-legal, production-based car for a competitive, safe and fun experience.”

Months of preparation go in to the annual Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals.  It’s a huge task to smoothly guide 1,319 racers from start to finish over a week, as well as organize paddock operations and banquets that go along with the event.  Planning is already underway for the 2018 Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals, which will be held September 4-7 at Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Photo: A pair of cones stand unmoved while competitors walk the course prior to the 2017 Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationals.
Photo Credit: Rupert Berrington