while the Club eagerly looks forward to the future, it is at the annual convention that awards are given out in recognition of wonderful work conducted during the past year. Below is a rundown of awards presented so far at the 2019 National Convention.


Member of Excellence: Lori Vitagliano, Florida Region
Selected by SCCA’s Board of Directors, this award is presented to the volunteer who shows the greatest commitment to SCCA activities. The recipient can be involved in Solo, Rally and/or Road Racing. This person personifies the SCCA volunteer who gives of his/her time and effort to helping organize, work in a specialty or any volunteer role necessary to a motorsports event.


John McGill Award: Jim Wheeler, Kansas City Region
Presented for significant contribution to the Road Racing Program. The winner is chosen by the Club Racing Board and the Vice President of Road Racing.


Driver of the Year: Jonathan Lugod, Cal Club
Presented to the Solo® driver who has demonstrated exceptional skill or has overcome major obstacles to produce an outstanding performance at the Solo National Championship. The winner is selected by the Solo Events Board from nominations submitted by the membership at large.
 
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Field, New England Region
Presented for an outstanding performance at a first Solo National Championship by a driver with limited competition experience.


Divisional RallyCross Achievement: Midwest Division
This award is presented in recognition of a Division’s activities in RallyCross for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any Rally participant, with the recipient being selected by the RallyCross Board.


Regional RallyCross Achievement: St. Louis Region
This award is presented in recognition of a Region’s activities in RallyCross for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, event participation, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any RallyCross participant, with the recipient being selected by the RallyCross Board.


Robert V. Ridges Memorial Award: John Emmons and Lois Van Vleet, Land O’Lakes Region
Bob Ridges was Secretary of the RoadRally Board from the inception of the National program in 1957 until his death in 1965. This award is presented to the SCCA member who exemplifies the highest degree of dedication and sportsmanship in the sport and who has made an outstanding contribution to the success of an event. This award is not intended for sitting RRB members, Official Observers, Rallymasters, or Officials unless they have clearly demonstrated extraordinary dedication, achievement, and/or sportsmanship above and beyond the duties and responsibilities of their office. The recipient is selected by the RRB based on recommendations of any Rally participant or Board member. This is the highest honor within the SCCA Rally Program and may not be presented each year.


Arthur J. Gervais Award: Roads Scholar; Jim Crittenden, Milwaukee Region
Arthur Gervais was a longtime Rallymaster of the Historic New York National RoadRally. The award is presented annually to year’s outstanding National Course Rally. The winner is chosen via a vote of the top 20 competitors in each class who have competed in at least four events. Prior to 1989, this award encompassed all National Rallies each year.


W. David Teter Tour Rally of the Year: Laurel Run; Richard Beattie/Jeff Hutzelman, Steel Cities Region
W. David Teter was the editor of the modernized and comprehensive RoadRally Rule Book, Rallymaster of seventeen consecutive March Lamb Regional rallies, and an outstanding competitor on the NTR circuit. This award is presented annually in recognition of the outstanding NTR. Selection is made by vote of the top 20 competitors in each class who have competed in at least three events in that class.


Divisional RoadRally Achievement: Northeast Division
This award is presented in recognition of a Division’s activities in RoadRally for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any Rally participant, with the recipient being selected by the RoadRally Board.


Regional RoadRally Achievement: St. Louis Region
Presented in recognition of a Region’s activities in RoadRally for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, event participation, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any Rally participant, with the recipient being selected by the Road Rally Board.


The Tom Burke Awards
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.


- Small Regions (under 200 members): Yellowstone Region; Bill Blaquiere, Regional Executive
- Medium Regions (201-400 members): Eastern Tennessee Region; Mark Pilson, Regional Executive
- Large Regions (401-800 members): Susquehanna Region; Kristen Poole, Regional Executive
- Jumbo Regions (over 800 members): Central Carolinas Region; Brian Gause, Regional Executive

Since its inception in 2015, SCCA® Track Night in America® Driven by Tire Rack has helped tens of thousands of automotive enthusiasts turn their dream of getting on track into a reality. With the release of the 2019 schedule, one that features a return to iconic tracks from last year, as well as an exciting new addition, the program is once again set to make dreams come true.


With 29 circuits spread across the continental United States, Track Night in America is as easy to participate in as ever. Along with the program returning to many of the excellent venues seen throughout the ground-breaking program’s history, there are a couple exciting additions to this year’s schedule. On the West Coast, the full course at Auto Club Speedway just outside Los Angeles will be used for the first time. While on the East Coast, there will be a return to the historic endurance racing circuit, Sebring International Raceway. And located somewhere vaguely in between, Track Night in America is very excited to announce that, for the first time ever, the program will be held at the visually stunning, and equally historic, VIRginia International Raceway -- home of the 2019 SCCA National Championship Runoffs®!


Track Night in America is a non-competitive, no-stress, entertaining, easy and inexpensive way for nearly anyone who loves cars or motorsports to get on a real racecourse in their own vehicle during weeknights. All that is required is that participants be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license and have access to an approved helmet and street car in good working condition.


The price to participate is usually around $150 per event. Some special events and certain tracks may be a bit more. No previous on-track experience or SCCA membership is required to join in the fun. Drivers participate in the Advanced, Intermediate or KONI Novice Experience group so on-track activities remain fun for all, and everyone gets three 20-minute sessions on course -- as well as feedback from SCCA driver coaches on site. Admission is free for people who just want to stop by and watch the fun, and leisurely circuit parade laps are provided for all Track Night in America guests.


Registration is already open for some February events -- but March 5, 2019 is when general event registration is scheduled to open. However, a handful of additional events may open for registration prior to that date. Check the Track Night in America website for details. The 2019 event calendar is subject to change, but the current schedule is as follows:


Atlanta Motorsports Park; Dawsonville, GA
April 3, May 8, June 5, July 10, August 7, September 11


Auto Club Speedway; Fontana, CA
February 23, April 5 (Full Sports Car Course), June 22, August 24


Blackhawk Farms; South Beloit, IL
May 2, June 12, July 16, August 7, September 11


Carolina Motorsports Park; Kershaw, SC
May 10, June 26, August 6, September 10, October 16


Charlotte Motor Speedway; Concord, NC
April 26, June 6, July 19, August 16


Dakota County Technical College Driver Training Facility; Rosemount, MN
May 17, June 21, July 25, August 15, September 13


Dominion Raceway; Woodford, VA
April 18, May 17, June 27, August 15, September 19


GingerMan Raceway; South Haven, MI
May 16, June 13, July 17, August 8, September 12


Harris Hill Raceway; San Marcos, TX
March 20, April 10, May 8, June 5, September 18, October 16


Heartland Motorsports Park; Topeka, KS
April 25, May 17, June 13, July 12, August 8, September 19, October 17


High Plains Raceway; Deer Trail, CO
May 29, July 17, August 14, September 18


Lime Rock Park; Lakeville, CT
May 22, May 23, June 13


Memphis International Raceway; Millington, TN
March 26, April 23, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10


MotorSport Ranch; Cresson, TX
March 19, April 9, May 7, June 4, September 17, October 15


New Hampshire Motor Speedway; Loudon, NH
May 24


New Jersey Motorsports Park; Millville, NJ
April 23, May 21, June 25, July 24, August 13, September 10


NOLA Motorsports Park; Avondale, LA
March 21, April 11, May 16


Pacific Raceways; Kent, WA
May 24, June 21, July 17


Palm Beach International Raceway; Jupiter, FL
February 19, March 19, April 23, May 21, June 18, August 20, Sept 17, Oct 22, Nov 12, Dec 10


Palmer Motorsports Park; Palmer, MA
May 2, June 6, June 27, July 18, August 8, September 5


Pittsburgh International Race Complex; Wampum, PA
April 24, May 22, June 6, June 22, July 23, August 14, September 11


Pocono Raceway; Long Pond, PA
April 17, May 9, June 13, July 11, August 27, September 16


Portland International Raceway; Portland, OR
May 17, June 7, July 5, August 9


Ridge Motorsports Park; Shelton, WA
May 16, June 6, July 23, August 7, September 12


Road Atlanta; Braselton, GA
April 24, June 27, July 26


Sebring International Raceway; Sebring, FL
September 12


Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park; Thompson, CT
April 23, May 9, June 18, July 11, July 30, August 22, September 12, October 3


Thunderhill Raceway Park; Willows, CA
March 21, April 18, May 23, June 13, August 15, September 12


VIRginia International Raceway; Alton, VA
July 25

TOPEKA, Kan. (Nov. 15, 2018) -- The Sports Car Club of America® has announced results for the SCCA® Board of Directors elections conducted in five of the SCCA’s geographic Areas. Two new board members were selected, and three incumbents rejoin the board for another three-year term in office.
Bob Dowie, of Chester, New York, retains his position as Area 1 Director. Peter Jankovskis, of Lisle, Illinois, won his bid for the Area 5 Director seat.
In Area 7, Dan Helman, of Huffman, Texas, retains his position, as does Area 8 Director Arnie Coleman of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

And finally, Jeff Zurschmeide, of Lake Oswego, Oregon, won his bid for the Area 13 Director seat.

2018 Board of Director election results are as follows:

Area 1: Encompasses the Northeast Division, including the New England, New York and Northern New Jersey regions.

- Incumbent Bob Dowie ran unopposed

Area 5: Encompasses the Central Division, including: Badlands, Central Illinois, Great River, Lake Superior, Milwaukee, Blackhawk Valley, Chicago, Iowa and Land O’ Lakes regions. Outgoing Director is Bruce Lindstrand.

- Peter Jankovskis: 374
- Bill Trainer: 279

Area 7: Encompasses the Southwest Division, and regions such as: Alamo, Delta, Lone Star, Texas, South Texas Border, Central Louisiana, Houston, Red River, Southwest Louisiana and West Texas.

- Incumbent Dan Helman ran unopposed

Area 8: Encompasses the Rocky Mountain Division including the Colorado, Utah, Southwest Montana, Yellowstone, Rio Grande, Pan Am and Continental Divide regions.

- Incumbent Arnie Coleman ran unopposed
Area 13: Encompasses part of the Northern Pacific Division, including: Northwest, Big Sky, Arctic Alaska, Oregon, Montana and Snake River regions. Area 13 post open due to current Director, Jim Weidenbaum, relocating outside Area’s border.

- Jeff Zurschmeide: 319
- Monty Holt: 98

The full 2019 SCCA Board of Directors is as follows:
Area 1 - Bob Dowie
Area 2 - Jack Burrows
Area 3 - Lee Hill
Area 4 - Marcus Merideth
Area 5 - Peter Jankovskis
Area 6 - Chris Albin
Area 7 - Dan Helman
Area 8 - Arnie Coleman
Area 9 - Charlie Davis
Area 10 - Earl Hurlbut
Area 11 - Jason Isley
Area 12 - Tere Pulliam
Area 13 - Jeff Zurschmeide

Election ballots were received and counted by Mize, Houser & Company, Certified Public Accountants.

The current board is set to have one more meeting in December, with new BoD members officially taking their seats January 1, 2019.

TOPEKA, Kan. (Nov. 5, 2018) -- Registration is now open for the 2019 Sports Car Club of America® National Convention that will officially commence the Club’s yearlong celebration of its 75th Diamond Anniversary! This year’s Convention -- themed “Celebrating Our Legacy, Building Our Future” -- takes place January 17-19 again at South Point Hotel and Casino in beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada.

As always, the National Convention will consist of engaging and educational presentations, fun social gatherings, the Club’s Annual Meeting, and the SCCA Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet. This year also features new ways for participants to enjoy the experience.

Leadership Summit seminars Friday and Saturday provide SCCA® members with opportunities to further develop leadership skills, acquire specific SCCA training and network with others. There will be 10 session focused just on skills to help Club members become better leaders, and over two dozen classes offering ways to build stronger Regions.

Another 30 seminars are designed to provide insight on how to further the quality of local events. No matter how long someone has been an active SCCA member, there’s a new nugget of knowledge to be gleaned from the National Convention.

Once the work is done, National Convention offers a whole host of fun activities where participants can reconnect with friends and mingle while networking with others from across the country. Extracurricular activities include the Welcome Party, hosted lunches, evening karting, group bowling, a pinewood derby, bingo and everything else Las Vegas has to offer. Of course, there is also Saturday evening’s Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet that wraps up festivities.

General Admission is only $275 per attendee. That offers access to the Welcome Party, Leadership Academy seminars, and Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet. New this year are special Founders Club and Diamond Club registration options. Founders Club admission is $350 per participant and enhances General Admission with a commemorative 75th Anniversary SCCA Foundation coin, a special SCCA Foundation t-shirt, commemorative drinking glass and Founders Club badge.

A Diamond Club entry, costing $400 per person, offers additional perks that include preferred seating at the Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet, access to the Diamond bar during the Welcome Party and Hall of Fame cocktail hour, and a Diamond Club badge. A portion of Founders Club and Diamond Club registrations go towards the SCCA Foundation.

More information on ways to attend the National Convention can be found at https://www.scca.com/pages/convention-ways-to-attend. December 16, 2018 is when pre-registration ends. Afterwards, a non-negotiable late-registration fee of $60 will be applied to any registration.

A block of rooms at South Point Hotel and Casino have been set aside for SCCA National Convention attendees. Guests can book a stay by contacting the hotel’s reservations department directly at 866-791-7626 or visit the hotel’s reservation webpage.

In order to obtain the special group rate, guests need to identify themselves as attendees of the SCCA National Convention or supply the group code SCC2019, which will entitle a rate of $75.00/night midweek and $120.00/night during the weekend with no resort fee. However, some additional fees and taxes may apply.
The block of rooms for convention attendees will be held until December 25, 2018. So, don’t delay in making reservations. The hotel requires a first night’s deposit of room and tax, per room, to guarantee individual reservations, and a credit card will be charged for the first night’s room and tax. Guaranteed reservations will be held until 6:00 a.m. the following date.

TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 31, 2018) -- The purpose of the Sports Car Club of America® Hall of Fame is to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the Club for current and future members by recognizing those 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.
 
But how are the inductees selected, you ask? That decision falls to committees composed solely of SCCA members who volunteer their time to this important process. Currently, the committees are searching for new members to be part of the decision-making team. The criteria for volunteers are simple: 1) At least a decade of involvement with the SCCA, 2) An interest in the history of the SCCA, and 3) The desire to preserve Club history by serving on one of the Hall of Fame committees. Interested members should submit their information to Howard Duncan at HDuncan@scca.com.
 
The three committees are as follows:
- Nomination Committee: Chooses slate of possible inductees based on member nominations.
- Legacy Committee: Focuses on nominations from the first third of the Club's history.
- Selection Committee: Selects annual inductees from recommendations.
 
Committee terms are limited and each year new volunteers are invited to join the process. Participation is not time consuming and those with a passion for motorsport find it an extraordinarily interesting and rewarding experience.
 
Those interested in being involved with one of the three committees should simply follow these steps:
- Write a brief résumé of your SCCA experience and involvement.
- Indicate which of the three Hall of Fame committees you would prefer to serve.
- Email your information to HDuncan@scca.com or send it to Howard Duncan, 6620 SE Dwight St.; Topeka, KS 66619.
- Submit your information by Jan. 4, 2019.
 ​

TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 30, 2018) – The nomination deadline for the Sports Car Club of America® Member of Excellence award is Monday, Nov. 19. The honor is presented to the winner at the 2019 SCCA National Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, during the SCCA Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet. Aside from the recognition, the recipient is given the opportunity to attend any motorsport event of their choosing, with an expense cap of $5000, anywhere on the planet.
The award, selected by the SCCA Board of Directors, is given to a member who provided a great contribution to the Club during the previous 12 months, regardless of competition area. Below are the official criteria:

“The award is presented to the volunteer who shows the greatest commitment to SCCA Motor Sports activities. The recipient can be involved in Solo, Rally and/or Club Racing. This person should personify the SCCA volunteer who gives of his/her time and effort to helping organize, work in a specialty or any volunteer role necessary to a motor sports event.”

To be selected, the member must have rendered long-term service working SCCA events or activities for a five-year minimum. The recipient cannot be a paid SCCA staff member, current Board of Directors member or any member who is a paid consultant to SCCA.

The winner of this year’s award will join Ron and Monica Shaw (2017), Sydney Davis-Yagel (2016), Paula Hawthorne (2015), J.D. King (2014), Jerry Cabe (2013), Mary Shiloff (2012), Arnie Coleman (2011), Marina Kraft (2010), Dave Deborde (2009) and Carol Cohn (2008) as previous recipients.

The marvelous trip is funded with a 20-year private endowment by an anonymous SCCA member. Nominations should be submitted to mhill@scca.com. Nominations must be received by close of business Nov. 19, 2018, for consideration.

TOPEKA, Kan. (October 9, 2018) – Following the momentum of the Tire Rack SCCA® Time Trials Nationals at NCM Motorsports Park, SCCA has announced a 2019 launch of the Tire Rack SCCA Time Trials National Tour. The series will be a coast-to-coast National Level Time Trials program with stops at 10 of America’s best and most challenging tracks.

Jon Krolewicz, the SCCA Time Trials program manager, sees this as a chance to take the energy and buzz from the NCM event on the road. “We want to capture the positive social and competitive experiences shared by the participants of Time Trials Nationals and bring that same overall vibe to various tracks across the nation.” Krolewicz continued, “By expanding across the country with the series and with the support of Tire Rack, we can bring a best of motorsports experience to a much larger audience while also providing SCCA Regions resources to help them grow their own Time Trials and Track Events.”

Matt Edmonds, Executive Vice President at Tire Rack, shares in the excitement of the concept and sees this as a natural step in the SCCA and Tire Rack relationship. “Tire Rack has long supported SCCA Solo® events and has been on board with Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack since day one,” Edmonds noted. “We see Time Trials as a way to bring these worlds together, as well as engage driving enthusiast and introduce them to Tire Rack and SCCA.”

Time Trials National events will not be a points series, but one-off events based on the Tire Rack Solo Championship Tour model, with collaboration between host Regions and National staff leading up to the 2019 Time Trial Nationals, which will be held once again at NCM Motorsports Park.

The desire is for the Tire Rack Time Trials National Tour to have at least eight stops, with events currently being planned at Pittsburg International Race Complex, High Plains Raceway, Carolina Motorsports Park, Portland international Raceway, GingerMan Raceway, Heartland Motorsports Park, Thunderhill Raceway and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.

Heyward Wagner, Director of Marketing and Experiential Programs at SCCA, is excited about the potential of this series for both participants and SCCA Regions. “The feedback we received has been overwhelmingly positive; participants have been very vocal about the amazing experience they had, both on and off the track. Our goal now is to take what we have learned to Regions and equip them to be able to build Time Trials and Track Events that can produce the same results.” For Wagner, this means much more than competition. “We want to bring that same level of camaraderie and social interaction everyone enjoyed to other parts of the country, and work with the Regions in an effort to continue to develop this new vision of what Time Trials events can be.”

Stay tuned for additional Time Trials news at SCCA.com.