These are the people standing at the corner stations when the rain starts falling. They’re on the grid when the temperatures climb, they’re in tech when the wind cuts through their jackets, and at registration long before the first drivers get to the track. Through heat, cold, rain, wind, or perfect racing weather, they show up. These are SCCA’s volunteer workforce, and it’s these workers who make Sports Car Club of America™ events happen.

Without SCCA® workers, the hundreds of road races the Club brings to tracks across the United States each year simply wouldn’t happen. Without the passion these volunteers bring to the sport, there would be no Regional racing, no Divisional racing, no U.S. Majors Tour®, no Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour, and no Mission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs®. They are, without a doubt, the heartbeat of the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program.

That commitment is why Mazda Motorsports continues to support the SCCA Worker of the Year Awards, presented by Mazda. Each year, the awards recognize volunteers whose dedication and performance stand out among the many people who give their time to make SCCA racing possible.

The 2026 SCCA Worker of the Year Awards were presented Friday evening, Oct. 2, at the Road America Center during the 2026 SCCA Runoffs. This year’s honorees were recognized across nine specialties: Flagging & Communications, Pit & Grid, Race Administration, Registration, Scrutineer, Start, Emergency Services, Steward, and Timing & Scoring.

Nominations for these awards are made by SCCA members and are then selected by the SCCA National Staff, with input from Division leadership. Because the awards depend on member nominations, an award may not be presented in a particular specialty if no nomination is submitted.

In addition to the plaque, custom jacket, patch, and SCCA Gear gift certificate that is awarded to all 2026 SCCA Workers of the Year presented by Mazda, one randomly selected winner received an all-expense paid trip to a Global MX-5 Cup race weekend, courtesy of Mazda. This year’s recipient was Washington DC Region’s Carolyn Bayer Broring.

SCCA’s Senior Manager of Road Racing Sydney Yagel made a couple trackside pouches to give away to two Workers of the Year recipients, with Texas Region’s Mike Vandament being presented with the first one and North Carolina Region’s Al Heatwole claiming the second.

In another random drawing, BFGoodrich Tires presented a certificate to a worker for four tires for a light truck or passenger vehicle, with Cal Club Region’s Lauren Lewis winning that drawing. Milwaukee Region’s Michael Tannis then won a drawing for a 10×10 canopy from Summit Racing.

Back to the 2026 SCCA Worker of the Year presented by Mazda recipients – rather than us tell you why these hardworking volunteers received Worker of the Year honors, instead we’re going to let those who submitted the nominations explain why.

Flagging & Communications

Mike Vandament, Texas Region
“Mike has been the Flag Chief in Texas Region for the past few years and has done a lot to elevate the role and enrich not only his Region, but the entire Southwest Division. His willingness to support Texas Region covering weekend memberships for new marshals has resulted in numerous new full members that have gone on to work events at different tracks. He makes a huge effort to champion F&C license upgrades to members from other SWDiv Regions, and makes sure these candidates are paired with trusted mentors.”

“Mike was the Flag Chief and really the de facto Race Chair for the inaugural Grand Prix of Arlington earlier this year. He put together a stellar team that pulled off what, at times, felt like the impossible task of slapping together an IndyCar race with multiple support series at a brand-new venue in a matter of just a few short months.”

“Mike’s leadership, inclusivity, kindness, and passion for F&C make him an excellent candidate for F&C worker of the year.”

Race Administration

Tom Harrington, Tennessee Valley Region
“Tom took the responsibility of hosting the first Super Tour at Barber. He attended other events, including the VIR, and the Road Atlanta Super Tours, to see how they did it, including load-in procedures and impound. The pre-event organization of the Region, along with communication to workers and drivers, has been second to none. Amazing job!”

“I don’t know of other race chairs who have attended other events to gain experience to make their Super Tour a success.”

“He’s one of the most helpful and friendly people I’ve ever met. I met him at Road Atlanta last year when he worked in Tech, and I met him again last year when Tennessee Valley Region was helping put on the RallyCross® National Championship in Alabama. Then this year he was race chair at the Barber Super Tour. He does an awesome job doing whatever is needed.”

Registration

Linda Capullo, New England Region
“Linda has worked hard to train new people to work in the specialty, solve problems for participants, and to be the first stop at every event, creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Always open earlier than posted, she works hard to accommodate people when they are having problems, and that makes such a difference.”

“Linda has made registration a place where people are welcome, their questions get answered, and problems are solved. She has been such a support to me in various Steward roles, whether it is providing information for Safety Stewards, crew, and entrant information for the Chief Steward or information about workers, the registration room is my first stop when I need help.”

“She shows outstanding dedication, accuracy, and good cheer. What more could you ask for in a Registrar?”

Scrutineering

Al Heatwole, North Carolina Region
“[Al] reminds us of what sets SCCA Road Racing volunteers apart, he’s part of a group of people who give of themselves so others can enjoy the sport we all love.”

“As a long-time member and scrutineer, [Al] has turned the SCCA Tech experience at VIR into the quintessential welcoming environment.”

“Al worked the Barber Super Tour as well as all of our events at VIR. He even comes to Time Attack events, provides Tech, and sometimes even cooks. He’s a good friend and certainly worthy of the Worker of the Year honor.”

Timing & Scoring

Charlene and Bruce Bettinger, Wichita Region
“The energy Charlene and Bruce continue to provide after decades of service to the Club is unmatched. They are always willing to learn, and they work hard at whatever tasks need doing.”

“Members Bruce and Charlene are the core meaning of what a traveling family can contribute to this Club.”

“They have competed on track and have part of their family continuing to race on track.”

“They have been in Timing in many programs through their SCCA history, from National to local, from Solo® to Road Racing.”

“This couple has been an integral part in getting their Divisional results delivered promptly and correctly for at least the last four decades.”

Pit & Grid

Carolyn Bayer Broring, Washington DC Region
“Carolyn personifies the very best of the Sports Car Club of America. For decades, she has served the Club at both the Regional and National levels with unwavering dedication, professionalism, and generosity. She is equally respected as an official, a competitor, a mentor, and a friend. What sets Carolyn apart is that she never sees volunteering as simply performing a job. She is invested in the success of every event and every competitor. Whether she is helping a first-time racer or a seasoned National Champion, she gives the same level of care, encouragement, and expertise. Carolyn represents the spirit of SCCA Club Racing – people who give of themselves so others can enjoy the sport we all love.”

“I have known Carolyn in several different roles over the years. We’ve raced together as competitors, and I’ve also experienced her professionalism as a trusted Grid Marshal. In every role, she has consistently demonstrated fairness, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to the competitors she serves. In 2025, Carolyn welcomed me back to my home Region at Watkins Glen and shared the good wishes of many friends. It was a thoughtful gesture that reflected the kind of person she is – someone who makes people feel valued and part of the SCCA family. In 2026, I returned to Watkins Glen with my father’s tribute car. When we encountered problems sorting out the newly built car, Carolyn and her husband generously gave their time and expertise to help us get it running properly. During a weekend that carried deep personal meaning for me, they put another competitor’s success ahead of their own. That willingness to help, without hesitation and without expectation, is exactly why Carolyn is so deserving of this recognition.”

Start

Marc Henry, Western Michigan Region
“Marc has been a fixture in the Start stand for more than 20 years starting Divisional, Majors, and Runoffs races. Marc is an innovator, as he created a digital message board to communicate track conditions to drivers. He embraces his role as a Starter and ambassador of the SCCA with enthusiasm. This is reflected in the others he has helped on their SCCA journey and life-long friends he has made along the way. ‘Come for the cars, stay for the people’ has no better example than Marc, as he makes all he meets feel right at home.”

“Competence, confidence, experience, dedication, and friendship. These are core qualities Marc demonstrates year after year with enthusiasm.”

Emergency Services

Michael Jorgensen, Milwaukee Region
“Mike always steps up to any task, whether it be flat tows, parts runs (he’s often called BBT, big black truck), jumping in a Road America clean-up truck for oils spills, staffing a recovery vehicle at Blackhawk Farms, or just ‘herding the cats.’ He does every task like a pro, and his ability is endless. He also is great at training those new to the specialty.”

“In my role as an Operating Steward, I have relied on Mike’s experience and leadership to maintain a safe environment when responding to incidents on the track. I witnessed Mike reviewing procedures and situations with his team to make sure that they are operating in a safe manner. Mike’s 43 years of experience makes him the perfect individual for this award.”

“Mike Jorgensen is serious about the duties of a Course Marshall. He always has the safety of his team and the racecar drivers at the forefront of his decision making and actions.”

Stewarding

Tom Kirchman, New England Region
“Tom has worked across the country this year from Buttonwillow to New Hampshire, and from Portland to Road Atlanta. He has worked Super Tours, Majors, Divisionals, and Regionals. He has even worked the New England Region Track Experience recruiting program.”

“Tom has likely worked more weekends than any Steward in the country. And when he works, he makes genuine contributions that make that weekend better for the participants. He is dependable and willing to do anything. He is always well prepared and even makes his own entrant lists with his exceptional computer database skills, affectionately known as the ‘Kirchman list.’ I don’t know anyone that puts in the effort that Tom does.”

“Tom is a licensed competitor, Scrutineer, and Divisional Steward (and destined to be National). If you need something, Tom is there to provide it in all of the specialties he’s enrolled in. Plus, he volunteers to shuttle around New England Region’s equipment trailer, even making multiple trips to and from so that he could bring his race car to the track as well.”

“Often, we stick to familiar routines and methods, but Tom challenges these norms, which I appreciate. His thoughtful approach to Stewarding, willingness to take on different roles, and efforts to develop tools have all strengthened our program and improved event operations.”

Photo by Jon Krolewicz