Ever since the "Super Solo Nationals" video game theme for the Sept. 7-11, 2026, Tire Rack SCCA® Solo® National Championships was announced, this question has popped up more than a duck in Duck Hunt: What do you mean by gaming? Are we talking Pong, Pitfall, Contra, Guitar Hero, DDR, Angry Birds, or (the one we all love) Mario Kart? Yes, we are! In fact, that and more! Because just like last year’s rock-n-roll theme, this year’s Solo Nationals theme is what you make of it. Can’t get enough of the Mario franchise? Grab a plumber’s hat and dress the part! Was Pole Position your jam? Pixel up your car! Is Pokopia your recent guilty pleasure? Ditto! Loved Leisure Suit Larry? (Er, we’ll skip that one.) From casual mobile gamers to PlayStation devotees, PC purists, Atari 2600 freaks (guilty!), and more, this year’s Solo Nats is sure to have your gaming fingers twitching, so power up and have fun!
Now that you’ve painted your helmet like Q*bert, things are about to get serious: An important date is approaching faster than … something that happens fast in a video game. Maybe a countdown timer? Regardless, June 1 is what we’re saying will be here before you know it, and on June 1, Solo Nats Test-n-Tune and Tier 1 event registrations will open.
First Side Quest: Test-n-Tune
The Test-n-Tune could be considered a Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships side quest. Yes, some people use it to literally test and tune their car prior to competition days, but for most, this is a place where drivers can get their head in the game and shake off the rust.
Either way, for many, the Test-n-Tune is an essential part of Solo Nats gameplay.
Registration for the Test-n-Tune boots up on Monday, June 1, at 5 p.m. Central Time. Everyone’s welcome to claim a spot at the Test-n-Tune – for that, all you need is 200 quarters (ahem, $50) for four runs at that arcade, with a portion of the proceeds going to support Tire Rack Street Survival Schools via SCCA Foundation.
Drivers can purchase more than a single one-hour time slot (with four runs per slot), but a single vehicle may not be entered more than once within the same hour. Put another way, drivers and codrivers looking for eight runs in this game will have to register for two time slots.
Check out the Solo Nats preliminary run days schedule, then get ready for Test-n-Tune registration action.
Adventure Begins: Tier 1 Registration
Tier 1 registration for the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships begins on June 1 at 3 p.m. Central Time, and (admittedly) it isn’t for everyone. Don’t know if Tier 1 registration is a game you’re qualified to play? Here’s who earned their way into Tier 1:
- Silver Circle (attended Solo Nats 25 times or more)
Other Big Bosses Coming Your Way
June 1 is not the only date you need in your mental inventory.
There’s June 8 to remember. This could be considered the first “big boss” of the event because June 8 at 3 p.m. Central Time is when Open Registration begins. If you’re not in Tier 1, then Open Registration is for you.
You’ll want to be quick on the joystick for this one, because the entry cap for this year’s Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships is 1,400 total, which is actually 700 drivers max on Tuesday/Wednesday and 700 drivers max on Thursday/Friday.
Then there’s
Something New
Note that this year, golf cart rentals will be handled through SCCA, with a registration link appearing soon at scca.com/solonats. More information will appear on SCCA's website and SCCA's National Solo Facebook page when it comes available.
Click to Continue
More news about the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships is coming, and you won’t have to wait forever like you did for the disappointing Duke Nukem Forever release. In fact, we’ll be back in a week to remind you of Open Registration and more.
Or, if you want, you can keep track of stuff like this yourself by checking out the official Solo National Championships homepage and liking SCCA’s National Solo Facebook page.
Solo Nats Homepage
Photo by Philip Royle
