Awards & Recognition
Overview
For more than 75 years, Sports Car Club of America™ has celebrated the members, volunteers, and Regions who define what it means to be part of this Club. The SCCA® Awards & Recognition program honors that dedication across every level — from the Hall of Fame, which preserves the legacy of individuals who have shaped the Club and the sport, to Club Awards recognizing outstanding Regions and volunteers, to Program Awards celebrating excellence within Road Racing, Autocross, RallyCross®, Time Trials, RoadRally, and Trackside.
Explore below to discover Hall of Fame honorees, filter by program or Region, and see the individuals and Regions recognized for their contributions to SCCA each year.
Hall of Fame
The Sports Car Club of America Hall of Fame formation was announced February 7, 2004 at the National Convention. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the Club for current and future members by recognizing those members who have had a significant impact on the Club and the sport. This may be through service to the national organization, achievements in competition, advancement of the sport, or bringing recognition to the SCCA that inspires enthusiasts to seek out and become members of the Club.
The Hall of Fame below were chosen by the Hall of Fame Committees from nominations received from the SCCA membership. If you know someone who is deserving of this honor, you can submit a nomination anytime.
Don Knowles has been a road racer since 1972 and won six SCCA® Runoffs® National Championships, with a record 34 years spanning his first and last title — the longest such span in Club history — along with an SCCA Pro Racing® championship and success in autocross, ice racing, and as part of the FIA world endurance record-setting ZR-1 Corvette team.
Frank Schultheis began his SCCA career as a driver in 1957 and found his lasting calling in scrutineering, developing a more comprehensive tech inspection process than the standard SCCA approach and introducing vehicle log books while pushing for critical safety features including fire systems, window netting, and kill switches.
George Bovis was a dedicated SCCA member for more than 55 years who began as a racer and volunteer in Flagging and Communications before rising to serve as Chicago Region Regional Executive and then on the SCCA Board of Directors, where he served two stretches including a term as Chairman from 1995 to 2000.
Jerry Wannarka has served the SCCA for more than 50 years across multiple regions — Washington DC, Indianapolis, Alamo, and Lone Star — holding administrative roles including Regional Executive, Area 2 Director, and Chairman of the SCCA Board of Directors, as well as Chairman of the SCCA Enterprises Board.
John Doonan has been connected to SCCA virtually since birth — attending the June Sprints at six months old — and went on to become a significant force in the business of motorsports, serving as Director of Mazda Motorsports where he built a grassroots program providing contingency, parts, and technical support that launched multiple SCCA racers to higher levels of competition.
Alex Keller was a visionary Club leader who served six terms as Chairman of the SCCA Board of Governors between 1969 and 1975, during which he unified the Club under national uniform practices and Regional bylaws, established the SCCA Professional Racing management structure, championed Showroom Stock classes for amateur racers, and implemented national stewarding standards including the National Court of Appeals.
Club awards
The award is presented to the volunteer who shows the greatest commitment to SCCA motorsports activities. The recipient can be involved in Solo®, Rally, Road Racing, Time Trials, and/or Track Days. This person should personify the SCCA volunteer who gives of their time and effort to help organize, work in a specialty, or volunteer in any role necessary to support motorsports events. Member selected by the SCCA Board of Directors who provides a great contribution to the Club overall regardless of competition area.
Presented to the SCCA racing enthusiast who has done the most in the past year to promote motorsports, both nationally and internationally. The winner is chosen from nominees set forth by a panel of motorsports journalists, then approved by the Board of Directors and/or the Smiley family or its representatives.
Award not presented since 1997
The Tom Burke Awards are presented to Regions for exemplary efforts to activate and grow the SCCA. Formerly named the Chairman’s Award prior to 1987, one award is given to the RE of a Region in each of the Region size categories from the preceding year.
The awards are given in honor of SCCA member Tom Burke. His love of SCCA and passion for what we do not only ignited in others a desire to become SCCA members, but also served as a call to engage in SCCA activities. Mr. Burke’s ambassadorial approach to prospective and current members served as a model for the spirit of the SCCA.
The Region of the Year Award gauges the Region’s management team performance relating to SCCA’s Goals and Business Strategies (Member Experience, Operational Excellence, and Program Development). Winning Region leadership teams are fully engaged with their members and also participate regularly in the quarterly Region RE calls with the SCCA National Office to stay abreast of news and changes, communicating that insight with their members. They also run as many programs as possible, often more than other Regions of their size.
In 2022, through support from the SCCA Foundation, SCCA Women on Track expanded its scholarship offerings to include all SCCA programs. While not all scholarships are awarded annually, scholarships are offered for: Road Racing Drivers Schools, Time Trials National Events (Time Attack), RallyCross National Events, the United States RoadRally Challenge®, and volunteerism at the SCCA Runoffs.
Established by the family of the late Wendi Allen, the scholarship honors the multi-time Solo National Champion who loved and supported SCCA’s autocross community. The scholarship is now funded jointly by the SCCA Foundation and Mazda Motorsports, in association with SCCA Women on Track and its selection committee consisting of championship-caliber women autocrossers. The SCCA Foundation supplies funding for two of the scholarships, with Mazda Motorsports contributing funding for a third since 2018.
Program awards
This award is presented to encourage continued participation in the Steward’s Program by recognition of an active National Chief Steward who has exhibited outstanding performance and dedication to the sport and the highest principles. The winner is selected by the Chairman of the Stewards and the Executive Stewards.
Presented by the Road Racing Driver’s Club for outstanding performance, sportsmanship and competitiveness in SCCA road racing. Renamed from Outstanding Performance Award to Mark Donohue Award in 1976 in honor of the late race car driver. Award is presented annually at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs.
To the Solo driver who has consistently demonstrated excellence behind the wheel and an exemplary degree of sportsmanship, dedication and unselfishness. The winner is selected by the Solo Events Board from nominations submitted by the membership at large. Previous winners may not be nominated again.
To the SCCA Solo community member that brings the spirit of fun to their fellow members, as symbolized by the message engraved on the perpetual award: “Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award, presented annually by the Royal Order of the Sheep to a member of the flock that upholds the spirited virtues of FUN, CAMARADARIE, and TOMFOOLERY.” This award is named in honor of the inaugural recipient, the Exalted Grand Shepherd, Roger E. Johnson. The award is selected annually by the previous three recipients.
This award shall be presented annually by the RallyCross Board to recognize an individual that has made an extraordinary contribution to the sport of SCCA RallyCross. This award shall normally recognize contributions over time. The award recipient can make their contribution as a competitor, organizer, worker, administrator, etc. The contribution of the winner shall have had a positive impact on the program nationwide.
This award is presented for an outstanding effort in either competing in or organizing the RallyCross National Championships. Whether it is overcoming adversity to compete or being an official whose effort made the event better for all, the award winner will have shown a dedication to RallyCross Championships.
Recognizes the competitor with the greatest personal lap-time improvement at an event — typically measured between two timed sessions during the weekend, or against a competitor’s prior personal best at that venue. Unlike most awards in this set, Most Improved is presented at Time Attack Challenge stops and the season-ending Time Attack National Championship.
An annual competition for all automobile manufacturers, domestic and foreign, National Championship Rallies.
From 1964 through 1989, this award included total points in these rallies. From 1989 through 1993, this award was separated for each series (NCR/NTR). From 1994 on, this award includes all National Championship rallies.
The SCCA Mechanic of the Year is chosen by the technical staff at SCCA and the Road Racing Board based on submissions received through a survey completed via the SCCA.com site or through an email invitation. The recipient must demonstrate a strong commitment to their craft and to the driver’s they support.
Registrars are the first face competitors and crew see when they arrive at an SCCA event. They manage entry processing, handle credential verification, and ensure every participant is properly accounted for before the green flag drops — all while setting the tone for the weekend with organization and genuine hospitality. Each year since 1985, the SCCA Registrar Volunteer of the Year has recognized the member whose commitment to accuracy and service makes every competitor feel welcomed and ready to race.
Technical Inspection & Scrutineers are among the most hands-on officials at any SCCA road race, responsible for the technical inspection of cars and driver safety equipment before, during, and after competition. Their knowledge of the General Competition Rules (GCR) and eye for safety compliance are a direct line of protection between the paddock and the racetrack. Each year since 1985, the SCCA Technical Inspection & Scrutineer Volunteer of the Year has recognized the member whose technical expertise, thoroughness, and service to competitors exemplifies the role at its best.
Sound Control volunteers monitor and enforce SCCA’s sound regulations at Road Race events, ensuring competitions remain compliant with local ordinances and host facility requirements. Their work is low-profile but high-stakes — protecting the Club’s relationships with the venues and surrounding communities that make racing possible. Each year since 1985, the SCCA Sound Control Volunteer of the Year has recognized the member whose expertise and professionalism in this specialty helps safeguard the future of the sport.
The Starter presides over the most anticipated moments of every race — the rolling start, restarts, and the celebrated checkered flag. Working at the start/finish line in close coordination with Race Control and Flagging & Communications, the Starter commands these critical moments with precision and authority. Each year since 1985, the SCCA Starter Volunteer of the Year has recognized the member whose mastery of starting procedures and composure under pressure keeps competition moving safely and on time.
Stewards are the chief officials and rule arbiters at SCCA Road Race events — the referees responsible for fair, consistent, and safe competition both on and off the track. They interpret and apply the General Competition Rules (GCR), adjudicate protests and incidents, and keep events on schedule from the morning meeting through final results. Each year since 1985, the SCCA Steward Volunteer of the Year has recognized the member whose judgment, fairness, and leadership reflect the highest standard of SCCA officiating.
