2008 Milwaukee Region SCCA National Event at Blackhawk Farms
SCCA Runoffs Moving to Road America in 2009
TOPEKA, Kan. (May 12, 2008) – Sports Car Club of America, Inc. announced today the results of a vote by its Board of Directors that will move the National Championship Runoffs® to Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wis.) in 2009. Road America will become the sixth venue to host the event, dating back to 1964.
The Board directed its staff to move forward to negotiate a three-year agreement with Road America for SCCA Club Racing’s signature event, which has averaged over 650 participants since 2000. The Runoffs is currently in the final year of a three-year agreement at Heartland Park Topeka, in Topeka, Kan.
“Given the deep history the track, the town of Elkhart Lake and SCCA enjoy, it only seems natural for the most prestigious Club Racing event in the world to be hosted by Road America,” SCCA President & CEO Jim Julow said. “The Board had a difficult decision, as we had an unprecedented number of outstanding potential hosts for the event, meaning the long term future of Club Racing’s National Championship is very bright.”
“The SCCA has been an integral part of our 53 year-history,” Road America President and General Manager George Bruggenthies said. “The opportunity to showcase our facility and our community to a nation of SCCA racers and fans is a tremendous honor. On behalf of our board of directors and staff, my thanks to the SCCA for their confidence. We promise to build on the outstanding Runoffs tradition and exceed stakeholder expectations.”
The first-ever “Interdivisional Championship,” later referred to as the “Runoffs,” was held at Riverside Raceway (Riverside, Calif.) in 1964, and alternated coasts with Daytona International Raceway (Daytona Beach, Fla.) through 1969. In 1970, the event began a 24-year run at Road Atlanta (Braselton, Ga.), before moving to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (Lexington, Ohio) in 1994. After 12 years in Ohio, the Runoffs moved to Heartland Park Topeka in 2006. The move after three years signifies a change in philosophy after such long runs at venues from the 1970s through the turn of the century.
“Club Racing in the United States has evolved in the last decade, and rotating the Runoffs will do nothing but help the event and the Club Racing program, overall,” SCCA Chairman R.J. Gordy said.
“This is by no means a reflection on the job that Raymond Irwin and his staff have done at Heartland Park Topeka,” Julow added. “In the last four years, they have met every challenge and request and built a tremendous facility that is worthy of potentially hosting not only the Runoffs, but other high-profile road racing events in the future. Additionally, the local community and business groups have been outstanding and we thank them for their continued support.”
The event has grown in both size and stature over the years, with approximately 700 of the nation’s best amateur race drivers from across the country making the annual trek for the event that spans an entire week, preceded by additional days of optional testing. The sheer number of competitors makes the Runoffs the largest annual amateur road racing event in the world, and results in an average local economic impact approaching $10 million each year.
The Runoffs annually crown the National Champions of SCCA Club Racing’s National level classes (currently 25) and has been referred to as the “Olympics” of motorsports. Drivers from across North America race locally to earn points, with the top-10 qualifying drivers from the nine SCCA Divisions in each class earning an invitation to compete in the event. The list of past Runoffs Champions is a who’s who in road racing history that includes Skip Barber, Michael Galati, Paul Newman, Bobby Rahal, Graham Rahal, Greg Ray, Boris Said and Scott Sharp.
Road America’s history dates back to the early 1950s when public street races in the Elkhart Lake area were a part of the SCCA national championship series. When street racing became illegal in 1952, participants and supporters joined efforts and raised funds to develop Road America. The track held its first event, the SCCA National, on September 10-11, 1955. The inaugural June Sprints® was held the following year, June 23-24, 1956. Today, the 14-turn, 4.048-mile track holds its original configuration and continues to challenge the world’s best two- and four-wheel racers.
The date for the 2009 event has yet to be finalized, although it will move from October to September.
2008 Milwaukee Region SCCA National at Blackhawk Farms, Rockton Il.
The Milwaukee Region is hosting it's annual Carl Mueller National Race at Blackhawk Farms Raceway May 17th and 18th in Rockton IL. Supplementals, Entry and Links to On-Line Registration are posted.
The 2008
SCCA RUNOFFS®
Needs You!
Mark your
calendars for
October 6-12th!
t’s time to start planning for our return to
Heartland Park Topeka for the third and
best year yet! Here are some of the exciting
additions slated for this year:
• Park Where You Work! - Corner Workers will be able to drive
to their stations and there will be additional parking near the
Tech Barn and SOC Area.
• Free Volunteer Camping moved to the North Paddock!
Reservations available after Registration opens.
• Enhanced Community Presence
• Continued Improvements to Evening Parties
• AMA Flat Track Championships—Saturday. October 4th
Special Admittance for SCCA Runoffs Participants (minimal
fee). Located at the Dirt Track adjacent to the paddock.
ONLINE VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION OPENS
TUESDAY, JUNE 10TH AT 9:00 A.M. C.D.T.
Posted 2008 RECOMENDED PENALTY GUILDLINES
Posted 2008 CENDIV Driver's School and Regional Results
2008 Blackhawk Farms Track Record
New track records set at Blackhawk Farms on May 4th.
Get Connected
Do you have a question for the Chief Steward for an event in CenDiv? You can now email them at chiefsteward@cendiv-scca.org. We'll redirect your email to the chief steward for that event. Please remeber to include the name of the race event.
Sam Karp, our new writer for CEN-DIV Column in SPORTSCAR
Sam Karp is a Milwaukke Region member and has a strong interest in SOLO. Thanks Sam, for taking on this important resposibility.
Got ideas or want to contact Sam? Email Sam at karpsam@hotmail.com
Additional Contact information can be found on the Officials page
2008 CEN-DIV Reserved Numbers
Under the direction of Executive Steward Mike Engelke the CenDiv reserved national number program has been revised to include regional numbers.
2008 Milwaukee Region SCCA Regional at Road America, Elkhart Lake, Wi..
The Milwaukee Region is hosting it's annual Susie boneau Memorial Double Regional at Road America on May 31st and June 1st.
Entry Forms
Supplemental Regulations
Participant InformationOn-Line Registration
2008 Milwaukee Region SCCA "Drive for Babies" PDX at Road America
The Milwaukee Region is hosting it's annual PDX fund raiser and PDX October 31, 2008. more information to be posted soon.
2008 Facility Changes at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, Rockton Il.
February 22, 2008
Blackhawk Farms Pit Vehicle Policy |
2008 Road America Pit Vehicle Policy |
| Road America-50 Years of Racing Limited copies of "Elkhart Lake's Road America 50 Years of Road Racing" produced by racing Media Group in cooperation with Road America. Great as a reminder of the past season . As seen in stores in and around Road America. "Since the first race in 1955, Road America has been a favorite of drivers and fans alike. From historic vintage racers to today's modern professional sports cars and motorcycles, the four mile circuit is a challenge o everyone that races there. Celebrate the track's 5oth anniversary season as Mario Andrettii, Carroll Shelby, Phil Hill, Brian Redman, David Hobbs and many more share their experiences at one of the world's greatest racetracks. Together with historical photographs and exciting video, their stories combine to tell the story of Road America's 50 years of road racing" This video has plenty of shots and commentaries by workers. It is 55 minutes in length. Available to you, shipping included, for $25.00. It's a great deal. Drop me a line, I'll send you my address, and when your check arrives, I'll mail your copy! Click Here |
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Chicago Region New Release
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National Office Releases Volunteer and Recruitment Programs. More... |
