Joining the SCCA® in 1955, John William Bornholdt quickly found himself in leadership roles, soon overseeing the Giant’s Despair Hillclimb. Known for administering events with an even hand that ensured everyone was treated fairly and with respect, Bornholdt ultimately became a Chief Steward for most of the major SCCA Pro series and the United States Grand Prix as well as countless SCCA road races. Through his hard work and dedication to the sport, Bornholdt became the Stewarding standard by which others were measured.
His passing on Aug. 20, 2025, leaves the Club saddened, but also grateful for Bornholdt’s commitment to excellence in motorsports.
“John’s hard work helped elevate the SCCA’s stature on the world stage,” said SCCA President and CEO Mike Cobb. “From being the founding Regional Executive of the South Jersey Region in the late 1950s to him holding leadership roles in F1, CART, and more, John’s operational excellence in motorsports events knew no limits. This drive led to him receiving many of SCCA’s most prestigious awards, including the Woolf Barnato Award in 1975, the John McGill Award in 1987, and the David Morrell Memorial Award in 1995.”
In 2006, Bornholdt was inducted into the SCCA Hall of Fame – this was only the second year of the Club’s Hall of Fame. His induction into the SCCA Hall of Fame is even more impressive when you consider those who were inducted that year with Bornholdt.
“Denise McCluggage, John Buffum, Grant Reynolds, and Mark Donohue are good company to keep, and show the level John operated at,” added Cobb.
The passion for motorsports continued into his later years, with Bornholdt donating a library of his auto and auto racing articles to the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), which houses the SCCA Archives.
In 2017, Bornholdt was a featured speaker at the IMRRC, leading a conversation entitled, “From a Steward’s Point of View.” That entire presentation can be viewed on IMRRC’s website.
“Those in the SCCA community are as saddened by John’s passing as they are grateful that he called the Club his home for so many years,” Cobb said. “His contributions have made SCCA what it is today, with the examples he set leading us into continued success for years to come.”
