Solo Matters - 2011 SCCA Solo National Dates

[Giovanni Jaramillo]

For those that get this via e-mail from SCCA Solo VP Howard Duncan, ignore the repost but I thought I'd post since it does mention pertinent info regarding the dates for the Solo Nationals and ProSolo Finale.

Tire Rack® National Solo ®

Topics

October 1, 2010

Howard Duncan, SCCA VP, Rally/Solo



· SoloMatters will be returning soon and this report is merely a gap filler to keep information flowing. Launching SoloMatters in the middle of the Tire Rack National Solo season was a bit aggressive and optimistic. A combination of the intrusion of personal life issues and the crunch of the championship season (Race, Rally, Solo) overtaxed our limited resources and we needed to take a brief break while we reconfigure our approach. So again, this report is a brief replacement.

· The dates for the 2011 Tire Rack National Championships have been determined. Due to an air show that the Lincoln area gets about once every five years or so, “Nationals” will be one week earlier than has been traditional. The ProSolo Finale will be on August 26-28 and the Solo National Championship will be on August 30th through September 2nd.

· Now that we have been at the Lincoln Airpark for a couple of years we have largely worked out the “bugs” of using the site thanks to the efforts of our staff event manager, Nancy Downing, her assistant Deena Rowland, the Tech team of Doug Gill and Brian Harmer, and the volunteer team that the event chairmen, Mari and Eric Clements, have put together. Therefore, we will be promoting the 2011 event more aggressively with a target of 1300 Solo fanatics. So we hope that you come and join the party where an autocross usually breaks out!!

· While we would welcome you at any and all 2011 Tire Rack National Solo events (Tours and Divisionals), you can get a jump on being eligible to enter the 2011 “Nationals” before this month is up by entering the final Tour event of the year.

§ The Tire Rack Tri-State Challenge National Tour at Blytheville is not only the first qualifying event for the 2011 “Nationals”, but it gives you one more chance to play before putting your toys away for the winter. Since this event happens after Nationals, it gives us the opportunity to try new approaches and ideas, such as the Champions Challenge that we first ran last year at the Tri-State.

§ After competition is completed on Sunday, we have a single elimination challenge competition patterned roughly after a ProSolo Challenge, where all the winners of the Tri-State, along with any National, Divisional, or States Champions that are entered are matched up to see who can become The Tri-State Champion. This Champion will win a special trophy AND a free entry to the 2011 “Nationals”. Top finishers in the Champions Challenge will win other prizes including memberships, free entry to selected National Solo events, and other prizes. In addition to the Champions Challenge, there will also be a Bonus Challenge where the participants’ names will be drawn from a hat.

§ The Arkansas Aeroplex at Blytheville is one of the best sites in the country with acres of smooth concrete, that the Arkansas and Mid-South Regions have put to very good use over the last couple of years. In addition, the local hospitality is second to none. So come join us by going to http://www.scca.com/event.aspx?hub=3&event=16532" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to enter. We hope to see you there!!

· We are vigorously working on the 2011 Tire Rack National Solo schedule and hope to have it announced before the end of October (at least areas and dates) so that folks can begin to make their plans. However, more importantly we want to get the schedule set as early as possible so Regions and Divisions can complete their scheduling. We were able to do announce the 2010 schedule earlier than usual and it was much appreciated by event organizers across the country. The 2011 National schedule is shaping up to be one of our strongest yet.

· One thing to consider putting on your schedule is the 2011 SCCA National Convention, which is once again in Las Vegas on February 10th through the 12th. While there will be many sessions designed to meet the core objectives of the Convention (club business, education, information sharing, heritage celebration, social), the bonus value to members and event organizers are the informal interactions with your SCCA compatriots from around the country before/after the formal sessions. So look for more info on the SCCA web site soon and encourage your Region to send a Solo representative. By the way, some of the Solo sessions already planned include the topics of safety awareness, Formula Junior, site acquisition, customer service, and the always popular Town Hall meeting with the SEB and staff.

· I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our 2010 Solo Triad Award winners. To win a “Triad” a competitor must win in the same class a Divisional Championship, a States Championship (selected National Tour events), and a National Championship (minimum class size apply at all levels). Triad winners receive a very special trophy, an embroidered fleece vest, and a free entry to the 2011 National Championship. Additionally, one name from the Triad winners will be drawn at the National Convention for a free SCCA Lifetime National Membership. Here are this year’s winners:

o Jeff Cashmore (repeating), DM, Central Division

o Clemens Burger (repeating), BM, Great Lakes Division

o Matthew Braun, SS, Great Lakes Division

o John Ma, DS, Central Division

o Bartek Borowski, ES, Central Division

o San Strano, FS, Northeast Division

o Craig Wilcox, ESP, Midwest Division

o Brian Peters, DSP, Southern Pacific Division

o Dan Wasdahl, AM, Great Lakes Division

· One bit of ProSolo news; while completing the 2011 schedule is our first priority, we have been giving thought to the 2011 PS Rules. Although I do not have all the details worked out, we will be dividing the R1 class into two classes due to the improved turnouts, especially from the Prepared Category cars.

· As always, thanks for your support of the Tire Rack SCCA National Solo program and your local Regional/Divisional programs.

[Toby Larsson]

· One bit of ProSolo news; while completing the 2011 schedule is our first priority, we have been giving thought to the 2011 PS Rules. Although I do not have all the details worked out, we will be dividing the R1 class into two classes due to the improved turnouts, especially from the Prepared Category cars.

This is probably not good news for anybody that might end up in the bump-2 class considering mod cars wont make a class.

[Keith Brown]

But, it is good news for you and I

[Toby Larsson]

But, it is good news for you and I

Sure is, makes me reconsider not running pro's in 2011.

[Marshall Grice]

...sh*t!