(This article, written by SCCA® President and CEO Mike Cobb, appears quarterly on SCCA.com.)
There’s no “off season” with the Sports Car Club of America®. From RallyCross® and RoadRally events running year-round, and several parts of the nation featuring Road Racing, Autocross, and Track Days (and Track Nights and Time Attacks) during most of the year’s 12 months, things are always a buzz in SCCA land. As we near September, though, things get particularly exciting (and hectic) because the Club is poised to embark on its annual Championship Season.
While I love Championship Season, I often get out of breath even thinking about all that’s packed into JUST TWO MONTHS!
First up is the Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo® Finale, taking place Aug. 30-31 on the famed Lincoln Airpark in Nebraska’s capital city. The ProSolo Series consists of 12 regular-season events, with the Finale capping that with event number 13. The points chase is intense this year – as it is every year – so we’ll likely be waiting until the Sunday afternoon of the event before we know who takes home the JCJ and Fletcher Cups.
While the ProSolo is taking place, the Tire Rack SCCA Shootout Lincoln Invitational will also be hosted at Lincoln Airpark. That’s going to be a packed Aug. 30!
The ProSolo Finale is immediately followed by the Tire Rack SCCA Solo® National Championships. This is the winner-take-all battle in Lincoln that runs from Sept. 1-5. This year, more than 1,200 drivers are expected to have #funwithcars, competing during the day and leaning into the rock-n-roll event theme I’m personally quite excited (and prepared) for.
Did I say “more than 1,200 drivers” a moment ago? I meant more than 1,300! Due to popular demand – quite literally – we’ve boosted the entry cap with the goal of allowing everyone who wants to enter the chance to come and rock with us in Lincoln. Running this many drivers through two courses takes operational excellence, and I wholeheartedly thank the volunteers, event Chiefs, and SCCA Staff who’ve worked hard to make this happen.
With barely any time to rest, Championship Season then leads us to the Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials Nationals on Sept. 19-21. For the first time ever, Time Trials Nationals will be hosted at a racetrack that’s not in Kentucky – this year we’re heading to Pittsburgh International Race Complex (which you likely know as Pitt Race) in western Pennsylvania. There are some big plans for this year’s event, including the addition of the SUPERFLY car show. I can’t wait for this one!
Yet there’s still more!
About one week later, running Sept. 29-Oct. 5, is the National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Sunoco. Taking place for the second straight year at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI, this one always excites. With more than 60 years of history, the Runoffs is a race for a National Championship that people watch worldwide. All 23 races will be broadcast live on SCCA’s YouTube channel (subscribe now to get notified when those races go live). But this year will be particularly interesting due to several upgrades Road America has made to its facility and racing circuit, including some safety improvements to the famed Kink.
I’ll be donning my F&C whites once again for this one. I don’t know yet which corner I’ll be “helping” this time around, but rest assured, I’ll try not to get in the way.
Fast forward five days (!) and the Club will be heading to Ohio for the United States RoadRally Challenge® (USRRC). This RoadRally will see teams march the length of the Buckeye State, ending that three-day adventure touring the back streets of Cleveland. While the USRRC draws top RoadRally teams from across the nation, it’s also an event for novices. If you’ve thought about participating in an SCCA RoadRally, start at the top with this year’s USRRC!
No, that’s not all.
Oct. 17-19 brings SCCA’s Championship Season to a close with the RallyCross National Championship. This one sees drivers return to Alabama and Hollytree Off Road for another romp at one of the best RallyCross sites in the nation. A dedicated group of local RallyCrossers puts in hard work to make sure the site surface is ready to soak up everything that the (up to) 120 RallyCrossers can throw at it.
Yes, this time of year is exciting AND hectic, and I’m exhausted just thinking about it. In fact, I’ll be even more exhausted by the time it’s over, because I plan to attend most of the Championship Season events. Yet with all this #funwithcars upon us, I wouldn’t have it any other way, and I hope to see you there!
Photos by Michael Berchak, Langlee King Clark, Ron Johnstonbaugh, Jeff Loewe, and Philip Royle
