Opening day of competition at the 2017 DirtFish SCCA® RallyCross® National Championship presented multiple challenges. But if drivers want to earn a National Championship at any SCCA event, they’ve got to be good, quick and malleable.
Saturday dawned with dry weather and excellent grip levels. Drivers took to the layout with zest, tossing dust to the heavens. However, morning sessions were hampered by many mechanical failures, as well as multiple course reconfigurations.
After competitors in all nine classes had three chances to post a best time on Saturday’s opening course, focus shifted to the second challenging layout. However, high Kansas winds — constant at 20+ mph — made things difficult and wreaked havoc on timing equipment. But the RallyCross community stuck tight, and with patience the issue was sorted.
Clouds to the venue’s west started to darken shortly after second-course runs Saturday afternoon. Winds shifted, sprinkles began, then bolts of lightning pushed workers and competitors to safe haven.
Much is yet to be decided concerning the 2017 DirtFish SCCA® RallyCross® National Championship. Sunday’s revised schedule opens with an 8 a.m. showdown for MF and MR drivers to finish what was begun before Saturday’s lightning.
Follow all the action with live scoring at sololive.scca.com.