The third of nine 2026 Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA® Super Tour (HST) weekends is going on April 4-5 at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR). The gathering, organized by SCCA’s North Carolina Region and part of the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program, was greeted Saturday by wonderful conditions as fluffy clouds floated overhead, and temperatures topped out in the lower 80-degree range.
Seven different run groups are participating at VIR, and things got rolling in the morning with 20-minute qualifying sessions for each. That was followed by 25-minute or 12-lap races around the thrilling, 3.27-mile circuit that hosted the National Championship Runoffs® three times before.
Getting Things Started
It’s well known that SCCA Volunteers have the best seat in the house when it comes to enjoying a race weekend. They are frequently adjacent to all the action and integral to every event. A certain set of Volunteers, however, have an ‘elevated’ experience – those being the women and men in the starter’s stand.
Michael Hernandez, a seasoned Starter from SCCA’s Atlanta Region, made the climb for the first time this weekend at VIR to take position 20 feet above the racing surface on the starter’s platform. He joined SCCA in 2008 to play around in autocross and even earned his Region’s Street Modified Front-Wheel Drive class Championship. He also decided to get involved as a Volunteer after stopping at a gas station near Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama while en route to spectate an INDYCAR event with his eldest son.
“As we were preparing to go into the venue, we stopped at Buc-ee’s and saw a bunch of guys dressed in white,” Michael said. “We knew immediately who they were and knew they were getting the best seat in the house.”
After that revelation, Michael connected with others from his SCCA circle and learned how to get involved as a Volunteer. As he further explored the numerous opportunities, he realized SCCA Road Racing events just can’t happen without support from other members. Since then he has worked multiple disciplines before landing on the start stands at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Park.
“I really enjoy watching the cars go by and actually interacting with the drivers,” Michael said. “It’s just fun being part of the event and making the event happen.”
Lots can occur on the starter stand. But what is Michael’s favorite flag to fly?
“I love waving the checkered for the winner because they worked hard for it,” he noted. “I’m just excited for them, no matter the driver or class, to wave the flag. A lot of them will be pumping their fist, and you can see the excitement and joy they’re having in that moment crossing the line to receive that checkered flag.”
While volunteering at a new circuit is always exciting, Michael is even more thrilled about the fact his 15-year-old son, Jacob, joined him this weekend.
“The best part I’ll enjoy at VIR is that my son is doing this with me,” Michael admitted. “The fact SCCA has given my son at the age of 15 the opportunity to be a Starter and work F&C with me is fantastic. It’ll be great to have these memories with him.”
At any SCCA event anywhere in the country, there are countless members crafting an experience that ensures weekends run smoothly and safely. Club members can be found in Registration, the Control Tower, Tech, on Grid, Flagging corners, and nearly everywhere else around a circuit. They also get up close to the action, often mingling with drivers and getting exceptional access to fantastic cars.
SCCA strives to create opportunities for anyone who loves having #funwithcars. Interested in learning more? Just walk up to an SCCA Volunteer at any event and say “hello.” They’ll be happy to clue you in on how to get involved. A bunch more information can also be found by clicking here.
Gen3 Workman
Mason and Madin Workman are another father-son duo enjoying an SCCA weekend together at VIR, but the two of them are participating as competitors. Mason ran F Production (FP) Saturday as the reigning Hoosier Super Tour Nationwide Points Champion in the class. His son, Madin, ran Touring 4 (T4) in a maiden HST appearance and first outing at VIR.
“I am a third generation racer,” said 15-year-old Madin from SCCA’s Ohio Valley Region. “My grandpa started all this madness, and then my dad, obviously. I just followed in those footsteps.
“Everything I know about racing has come from my dad and my grandpa,” Madin continued. “They’ve been doing this for a while, and I have full faith in what they’re telling me. I just take that into consideration and use it when I get on the track.”
Madin spent last year competing in T4 at the Regional level after building with his father the No. 52 Planet Miata Mazda MX-5, a vehicle purchased from a church. Coming into the weekend at VIR, he set some modest goals for himself.
“Obviously, Super Tour racing is a big step up from Regional racing,” Madin confessed. “So, more than anything else, I’m just super excited to learn from all these drivers. I also just want to have fun. My dad tells me before I get in the car for every session to ‘have fun and be safe.’”
When asked what makes motorsport fun, Madin admitted, “I don’t know, actually. There is a lot of frustration in between all the passion and love for this sport. But it’s so much fun hanging out with all my friends at the racetrack. It’s just a great atmosphere.”
As for Mason, he’s finding it quite amazing to watch his son grow not only as a racecar driver, but as a responsible young man.
“He works his tail off in the garage,” Mason said. “He’s in the garage even when I’m not there. He understands this is hard work and takes a lot of dedication. You don’t win very often, and you need to know how to grow from that. Those are the things I’ve really enjoyed that racing has given us the opportunity to see. I learned from my dad about sacrifice and all the things it takes to be good at anything. Whether you’re a tuba player or driving a racecar, those qualities are going to serve Madin very well for life.
“This has been wonderful,” Mason stated about watching his son over the last year. “I think Madin won a dozen races last year in T4, and that was the intent to let him race regionally where maybe the pressure wasn’t quite so high. We wanted to let him get his feet wet and learn, and that’s exactly what happened. The wins are great, but really it was about growth from the beginning of the year to the end.”
Mason continued his winning ways by taking another FP victory Saturday in the No. 52 Hoosier/Carbotech/JPM/Planet Miata Mazda. Meanwhile, Madin’s first foray into T4 competition went very well. He completed the effort for his first appearance on an HST victory podium after finishing second to winner Kevin Fryer in the No. 98 Evolve/Ecorsa Lubricants/Carbotech/Hoosier Mazda MX-5 machine.
Saturday Race Winners
Below are provisional race winners from Saturday’s Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour conducted at VIRginia International Raceway. Each entry includes Car Class: Driver Name, SCCA Region, and Car.
American Sedan®: Michael Kamalian, Atlanta Region, Ford Mustang
B-Spec: Daniel Conway, Washington DC Region, Mazda 2
E Production: Peter Norton, North Carolina Region, Caterham Seven
F Production: Mason Workman, Ohio Valley Region, Mazda Miata
H Production: Tom Broring, Washington DC Region, Toyota Yaris
Formula Atlantic®: Tony Ave, Central Carolinas Region, Swift 016 Mazda
Formula Continental®: Timothy Minor, Blue Ridge Region, Citation
Formula Enterprises® 2: James Davison, Florida Region, SCCA Enterprises FE2 Mazda
Formula Vee®: Donnie Isley, Central Carolinas Region, Agitator 016
GT-1: Bryan Scheible, Ohio Valley Region, Chevrolet Camaro
GT-2: Graham Jacobson, Atlanta Region, Chevrolet Camaro
GT-X: Jason Craver, North Carolina Region, Lamborghini Super Trofeo Evo2
Spec Miata: Stanley Brock Jr., Alabama Region, Mazda Miata
Spec MX-5: Tyler Gonzalez, Florida Region, Mazda MX-5
Spec Racer® Ford Gen3: Brian Schofield, Central Florida Region, SCCA Enterprises SRF3
Prototype: Darryl Shoff, Philadelphia Region, Elan DP02
Prototype 2: AJ Snyder, Central Carolinas Region, Stohr WF1
Super Touring® Lite: Derek Ketchie, Central Carolinas Region, Honda Civic
Super Touring® Under: Tony Ave, Central Carolinas Region, Honda Civic
Touring 1: James Candelaria, Central Florida Region, Chevrolet Corvette
Touring 2: William Bolt, Atlanta Region, Chevrolet Corvette
Touring 3: Nic Hammann, Kansas City Region, Nissan 370Z
Touring 4: Kevin Fryer, Washington DC Region, Mazda MX-5
Conditions Changing Sunday?
While the weather was downright great Saturday near Alton, VA, things may take a turn Sunday as forecasters predict rain during the morning hours. That could impact the 15-minute qualifying sessions scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. local time for the weekend’s seven run groups.
The precipitation, however, could taper off as the day moves on, which would be preferred for the 35-minute or 14-lap contests taking place later Sunday. Those races will decide who visits the victory podium to gather commemorative bottles of Mazza Vineyards sparkling wine.
The best way to stay abreast of all developments is to watch HST’s free online video broadcast produced by DriversEye Live and found at SCCA’s YouTube page. Announcers Gregg Ginsberg and Tom O'Gorman will again supply expert commentary, and Sunday victory podium celebrations – weather permitting – can be viewed at the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing Facebook page.
Don’t forget that live HST Timing & Scoring is also available throughout the weekend at scca.com/live.
Photo: Mason Workman, in the No. 52 Mazda, claimed victory in F Production Saturday during the first of two Hoosier Super Tour competition days at VIR.
Photo by Jeff Loewe
