82 replies to this topic

[Rob Burgoon]

Negative.

I won't go into detail but passes INTO 6 are a no no in what ever car. And from your video you would be down to 71mph in 6 and still get up to the mid-high 80s when I would never be lower than 81-82 on a bad lap and still not see 90mph at the top. That car of yours had plenty for the hill. I think a 1.6 can get around there without a problem. It's actually a better weapon for all the downhill stuff. It will be a prime location and a lot of fun.

 

If you say so.  I don't have enough track time at Laguna, I only have first impressions.

[Keith Andrews]

Do the overall car counts out west support a west coast runoffs?  This past weekend at the Watkins Glen Major, they announced we had 100 more cars overall than both the Colorado and Oregon Majors, run last weekend, combined.  Maybe that's a poor example, I don't know. 

[Charlie Hayes]

65 spec Miatas last weekend in SM at Sonoma while a sold out field was at MRLS with NASA.

[Keith Andrews]

I know SM is doing great.  I didn't know about the other classes.  That sounds pretty strong.

[Bruce Wilson]

It's complicated and easy to draw the wrong conclusion from Nationals/Majors attendance on the West coast. 

 

Racers on the West Coast don't really attend Nationals/Majors simply because the runoffs were just too far away (every year).  Big regional races like the Rose Cups or Sonoma Sprints attract very big fields because they garner the biggest bragging rights.  We're looking foward to next year when there is no distinction between nationals/regionals and hopefully we have the big show within a more reasonable towing range.  I'm personally hoping for Sonoma, as that is more model year neutral, but hey you can't have everything...

[pat slattery]

Bruce did they announce that it would be on the west coast yet?

[Jim Drago]

Announcement is tomorrow.  Lot's of people "know", let see what the official announcement is tomorrow

[Bruce Wilson]

Yeah, I've only heard rumors, so we'll wait for the announcement.  Go Sonoma!!!

[Ron Alan]

Of our 3 northern CA tracks...I think most would agree, Sonoma is a true drivers track. And of the 3 it could best accommodate a big event. Other than a damaged car(close walls), for the most part you will drive back onto track with most minor 4 wheel offs. Super spectator friendly with several locations having views of almost the entire track! Maybe only drawback is close accommodations. 5 miles minimum with the average being closer to 15-20. Can be HOT!

 

Laguna is a great track...and the only track with a manufacturers backing...Mazda. I wont complain if its here...BUT I will say 3 things...GRAVEL, FOG, SOUND!   But the Monterey Peninsula is a beautiful place to see!

 

Thunderhill would be super cool but i don't see that being chosen over the other 2 if the West coast is being considered!

 

How about Texas

[38bfast]

Mid-O would be nice just in the fact it would piss off Jim Has he told anyone lately how much he loves that track..

[Bench Racer]

Mid-O would be nice just in the fact it would piss off Jim Has he told anyone lately how much he loves that track..

But, he has a couple years to warm up to it.

[Tom Sager]

If the new venue is west coast, it's long overdue.  The drivers out there have been snubbed geographically forever.  The tow fund is helpful to those that have to travel a great distance but the extra travel time makes a long event even tougher.  I'm still hoping we get a surprise today in the form of not only a venue change but in the format as well.  

[RussMcB]

2014 - Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca

2015 - Daytona

2016 - Mid Ohio.

[Juan Pineda]

Laguna -- nice! Too bad it wasn't COTA or Miller for 2016.

[JRHille]

Hmm Daytona, team racing anyone?

[Jim Drago]

Thanks to the BOD and all involved in this decision. I like it. New each year, many bucket list tracks for many.  Best track, new each year. Very Nice

Jim

 

 

 For Immediate Release

 

SCCA Runoffs Locations Announced for 2014-2016; To Visit Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Daytona International Speedway and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

 

MONTEREY, Calif. (July 10, 2013) – Sports Car Club of America, Inc. today announced the locations of the next three SCCA® National Championship Runoffs®, including a long-awaited trip to the west coast and return appearances to two historic venues. National Champions will be crowned at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2014, Daytona International Speedway in 2015 and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in 2016.

 

The return to the west coast and Monterey’s Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca comes 50 years after the inaugural event at Riverside in 1964. The event alternated between Riverside and Daytona for six years. Once again, Daytona will follow a west coast event. Mid-Ohio was the Runoffs host from 1994-2005.

 

“Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Daytona, and Mid-Ohio are three of the premier race tracks in the country, if not the world,” SCCA President & CEO Jeff Dahnert said. “Each is a true test of our racers and all have unique qualities to help us crown our National Champions.”

 

The annual rotation, a break from recent tradition, came from lengthy discussion among members of the SCCA Board of Directors – as did the trip to the west coast.

 

“The future of the Runoffs has been a topic of discussion amongst the SCCA Board of Directors and the National Staff for well over a year,” Dahnert said. “We had two goals for the event moving forward – to move the event around the country geographically, and to continue to visit the country’s top tracks. We’ve accomplished both.”

 

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca becomes just the seventh track to host the Runoffs in the event’s 50-year history, and marks the first time a National Champion will be crowned west of the Rocky Mountains since 1968 at Riverside International Raceway, in Riverside, Calif.

 

"The SCCA Runoffs embodies the true essence of sports car racing," Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca CEO & General Manager Gill Campbell said. "This is a great platform for amateur road racers and we are proud to be a part of the crowning of a National Champion."

 

The road course at Daytona International Speedway is the home to the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and hosted the Runoffs previously in 1965, 1967 and 1969. The Runoffs will utilize the 12-turn, 3.56-mile infield and oval circuit that will show off both the handling and horsepower of many Club Racing machines.

 

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to crown SCCA National Champions at Daytona, and we’re looking forward to welcoming back the best amateur road racers in the country,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The mix of sports car and open-wheel classes from the SCCA will make for a unique and exciting event.”

 

Of the three venues, Mid-Ohio has the most recent Runoffs records. With 12 previous engagements, only Road Atlanta, with 24, has seen the Runoffs more.

 

“It's great to have the SCCA Runoffs back at Mid-Ohio as amateur racing helped build the history of this track,” Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Craig Rust said. “Over the past few years many of our fans have asked about the Runoffs returning so we know they will be excited to welcome them back in 2016.”

 

Dates have yet to be confirmed for the 2014 SCCA National Championship Runoffs or beyond. The 50th Runoffs will be held September 16-22, 2013 at Road America for the fifth consecutive year.

 

The 2014 event will hold special synergy, as Mazda serves as both the track’s title sponsor and the official car of the SCCA.

 

“Club Racing is the heart and soul of Mazda Motorsports,” Mazda Motorsports Director John Doonan said. “We are proud to help bring the biggest club racing event in the country to our home track for 2014. We’re thrilled that the SCCA will begin its second 50 years of Runoffs history at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.”

 

The SCCA National Championship Runoffs has crowned Club Racing National Champions in a winner-take-all, single race format since 1964. Through 24 separate races over three days, the 2013 edition will crown champions in 28 Runoffs-eligible classes.

 

Founded in 1944, Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 60,000-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both amateur and professional levels. It annually sanctions more than 2,000 events through its 115 regions and professional subsidiary. Landmark events and series for the Club include the SafeRacer SCCA National Racing Series, which includes the U.S. Majors Tour and BFGoodrich Tires SCCA Super Tour; the Club Racing National Championship Runoffs® at Road America; and The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Championships and ProSolo Championship at Lincoln, Neb. and the annual SCCA National Convention and Hall of Fame Induction. For more information, please visit www.scca.com, like SCCA on Facebook at facebook.com/sccaofficial, or follow the club on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.

[Dennis Valet]

Laguna Seca - cool for one year, but has a very high potential for lots of ruined races. 

 

Daytona - yuck

 

Mid-Ohio - Good choice. 

 

I like the idea of track rotation for the runoffs. I understand the Laguna Seca choice and I don't think it's a bad one, I'm sure lots of east coast people will make their way over there as a one time thing at a world class track.  I really don't understand Daytona though. 

[Blake Thompson]

The worst part of this is that I have to admit to my fiance she was right?  NO WAY SCCA would ignore half the country and position a runoffs west of the Rockies, I said.  *sigh*

 

BTW, Danny, this is why "team racing" with your SO doesn't work

 

my towing bill in fuel if nothing breaks from Milwaukee?  $1827.78 at current fuel rates.  If nothing breaks.

 

Not that I play at that level anyway but it looks like a while before I'll be able to.

[LarryKing]

You think you hate Daytona now, but wait until you drive there. (actually the most fun I ever had in SM was racing there)

 

2016 at Mid-Ohio, ehh. That gives me time to get my T4 program off the ground.

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Tmy towing bill in fuel if nothing breaks from Milwaukee?  $1827.78 at current fuel rates.  If nothing breaks.

 

Funny - that's what I paid when I came to Road America!

 

OLaguna is a great track...and the only track with a manufacturers backing...Mazda. I wont complain if its here...BUT I will say 3 things...GRAVEL, FOG, SOUND!   But the Monterey Peninsula is a beautiful place to see!

 

The entire week is 105db, so no sound issues.  I don't think we tend to see fog in September-October so not an issue either.  And the gravel does exist so race accordingly.  You can go 4-off anywhere in the track without getting stuck.  I locked up going into T2 and went straight in the gravel and I had to use the gas to make it to the ring road so I could get back on track.  It's like hitting tires or walls anywhere else - know where to push and where to not.