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SCCA Convention Begins From Vegas With Annual Meeting, Kick Off
Sports Car Club of America Chairman Lisa Noble and the Club’s leadership addressed those in attendance Thursday on the SCCA Convention’s opening day at the South Point Hotel and Casino. The annual meeting and town hall reviewed 2012 and gave a preview of the expected future growth.
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In her opening address, Noble spoke on behalf of the 12-person elected Board of Directors, issuing a reminder to those in attendance.
“This is a new day in SCCA. It starts with us, it starts with you,” Noble said. “We are the best amateur motorsports organization in the country – it’s time we act like it.”
Noble handed off to SCCA President and CEO Jeff Dahnert, for the overall state of the SCCA address. Dahnert spoke on the Club’s current financial stability, citing an increase in membership in 2012 and an influx of new programs in the Club Racing and Solo departments.
Dahnert announced the renewal of Tire Rack, an 18-year official partner of the SCCA, to a deal that will continue through 2017.
Heads of SCCA’s three active subsidiaries - SCCA Pro Racing, SCCA Enterprises, and the SCCA Foundation – also addressed the gathering.
Tom Campbell, SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO, spoke of the current state of the company.
“Professional road racing is a challenging business, but an important one to SCCA’s heritage and to many of our members,” Campbell said.
Campbell reported that SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned events took place on 38 weekends, featuring 350 pro licensed drivers totaling more than 1900 race entries for the year.
Enterprises President Erik Skirmants acknowledged a down year for the Spec Racer Ford and Formula Enterprises presenters, but excitedly announced the plans for the Gen3 Spec Racer Ford to come in 2015.
The updated Spec Racer Ford is expected to produce 25% more horsepower, and, with additional improvements, may cut three to five seconds per lap off the existing class. The new car will be unveiled at next weekend’s BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour at Circuit of the Americas, with a total of 13 cars running throughout the country this summer for research and development.
The meeting ended with a report from Bev Heilicher, of the SCCA Foundation Board. In the report, the Foundation revealed their latest fundraiser – a raffle to support the foundation.
For a $20 ticket, someone will win their choice of a Mazda MX-5, a MAZDASPEED3 or $18,000 in cash. The winner will be drawn during the 58th WeatherTech Chicago Region June Sprints on June 15, 2013. All tickets may be purchased online at www.sccaraffle.org.
Chairman Noble celebrated the announcement by purchasing the raffle’s first ticket.
The SCCA Convention continues at the South Point Hotel and Casino through Saturday Night’s SCCA Hall of Fame induction of the 2013 class, presented by Mazda, that features Skip Barber, Bobby Rahal, Carroll Shelby, Bill Noble and Andy Porterfield.
PaddockTalk Perspective
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