Last year, SCCA Women on Track introduced the Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship with the goal of assisting two recipients with $500 each to help cover expenses incurred while volunteering at the SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®. Vanessa Farret was one of the recipients of this inaugural scholarship, with the funding helping her volunteer on grid during the 2022 Runoffs – her first Runoffs. That year, Hurricane Ian pummeled VIRginia international Raceway, but Farret smiled through it all, saying she’d be back. Indeed, she’s registered to return to the Runoffs grid for the 2023 Runoffs – also returning this year are two $500 SCCA Women on Track Runoffs Volunteer Scholarships, with the application deadline fast approaching.
Recipients of this year’s SCCA Women on Track Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship must be able to attend the Sept. 23-Oct. 1, 2023, SCCA National Championship Runoffs at VIR and volunteer for a minimum of five days and must have prior experience as a volunteer for SCCA Road Racing events, be it Regionals, U.S. Majors Tours, or Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tours.
"The Runoffs brings in the best of the best drivers and workers – it’s such an exciting and fun event,” said Jennifer Schwartzott, who heads up the SCCA Women on Track Volunteer and Officials Committee. “These Women on Track scholarships offer newer workers a chance to learn from seasoned veterans in Regions other than their own. I look forward to meeting these new marshals and encourage them to share what they learn with their home tracks.
“For those who are not chosen for the SCCA Women on Track Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship, please continue to work in your Regions and introduce others to the sport. It’s always an amazing adventure.”
This is something Washington DC Region’s Farret noted as especially true after last year’s Runoffs. “My highlight every day was going to work grid,” she said of her 2022 Runoffs experience. “We had a lot of people from the Washington DC Region working, but I got a chance to meet so many other wonderful people from other Regions. We all had so much fun and made some great memories.”
The SCCA Women on Track Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship application deadline is Aug. 25, 2023, with completed submissions being reviewed by the SCCA Women on Track Scholarship Committee.
Click the link below to apply for the 2023 SCCA Women on Track Runoffs Volunteer Scholarship.
Also, women are encouraged to follow SCCA Women on Track’s Facebook page and website, where motorsports achievements from fellow women are shared in an inclusive and safe place.
Photo by Jon Krolewicz / Staff
