Club News
ATTENTION DRIVERS!
Beware of counterfeit Driver Gear!
Some of you may have received this info from SCCA, but it bears repeating:
We were notified by SFI about counterfeit drivers gear.
For more information, please follow this link: Racing Memo RM 16-07
Tom Long to speak at next West Chapter meeting
Tom Long will be the guest speaker at the next West Chapter meeting, to be held Tuesday, November 1st at Coopers Ale House (part of Wyndham Garden Hotel) in “The Jamestown Room” in Greensboro. Tom is a native son and those of us who have watched his success in racing are mighty proud of him! We hope many of you will attend what will be a very interesting evening. Y’all come!
Read MoreUpcoming October Events
It’s October, no I’m not kidding, it really is October, and yes, the first nine months of the year have flown by in a blur for us, too. There has been so much great racing in NCR, elsewhere in the Southeast Division, and across the entire SCCA nation. NCR-SCCA, like many professional road racing series, wraps up our road racing season in October, but road-racing is not all that our Region has going on.
Here are a few ideas get you out racing with NCR-SCCA family this month:
Welcome New Members!
North Carolina Region recruited 15 new members at the IMSA and SCCA Pro Global MX-5 Cup races at VIR during the weekend of August 26 – 28. Member-at-Large John Lindquist organized our presence there, with three race cars under two 10X20 canopies, and staffed by over fifteen Region members who volunteered their time to talk to prospective members over those three days. We were the largest display space there, save for IMSA’s title sponsors Continental Tire and Weather Tech. Eric Cruz provided his Formula Enterprises racer, David Knoche his Spec Racer Ford, and Dan Robson was on hand all weekend to answer questions about his scratch-built Mazda Proteg5 GT car. That collection of hot hardware drew many visitors to our display area, where they were met by eager members of our Region, who explained their particular passion for amateur motorsports. Who were they? Many thanks to these volunteers: Justin Barbee, Patrick Pardee, Dwight Pardee, Blair Deffenbaugh, Steve Martin, Dean Baumgardner, Ben Tyler, Bruce Dover, Eric Danielsen, Megan Smith, James Shanks, Sam Fouse andMatt Decker
Pete Romanowski Steps up to Chief Starter
by: Eric Danielsen
The NCR Board of Directors happily accepted Pete Romanowski’s offer to step into the position of Chief Starter. After James Buckberry passed away last month, his position needed to be filled. Pete is already Chief Starter for South Carolina Region and the Petit Le Mans. As a member of the North Carolina Region, it’s fitting that he volunteers to play Chief Starter at VIR.
He plays Chief so well. “I do it for the love of the sport” says Pete, “someone has to do it (Chief Starter), I’m the logical choice. I’ve stepped in for James before. Ten years ago at Kershaw, James asked me to be Chief for the first time, when he couldn’t make it,” Pete recalls.
He’s going to miss James Buckberry. “James and I were like brothers. We’d take care of each other. We’d talk after the races back at the hotel. James used to get up early and leave a cup of coffee for me outside my door. I’m going to miss the little things like that” Pete reminisces.
“I’m not going to do this forever. Hopefully by the end of next Spring I’ll have someone to take my place as Chief Starter” dreams Pete.
Introducing the newly revived Bulletin!
Going to Summit Point for the MARRS5/Double SARRC? You need to read this…
If you were not aware, there is a SARRC/MARRS or MARRS/SARRC (depending on which side you look at) trophy, that is being contested between the two racing series. The first half of the challenge was the SARRC/MARRS Challenge, held at VIR May 7-8. The second half will be held at Summit Point Raceway on June 18-19. It is the MARRS5/Double SARRC. By the way,WDCR is offering a $100 discount to any driver who hasn’t raced there in two years. That means two SARRC points races for $235! The discount must be requested in advance and is noted on MotorsportReg.
Bob Brookfield has compiled the following information for those traveling to Summit for the race. He has listed motels in the Winchester, VA area and also in Charles Town, WV. Note that the WDC Region does not have any agreement at this time with any motel in the area of the track for an SCCA discount. The info he sent includes comments/suggestions for routes to that area. Also included are general directions from I-81 to the track. Thanks Bob!
Got Friends You Want to Involve?
Sure you do. We all know the best way to hook someone is to bring them to an event. When they get there they’ll say, “Wow! I never knew something like this existed.” You’ll say, “Wow! I’ve been telling you about it for years.”
Well now you can bring events to them. We’ve made some movies you can show them. The most recent is Opie Goes Racing, a story of a boy whose racing dreams come true. The Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point was the Solo Season Opener from Cherry Point. Click the links.
Looking for something to do for the next 20 weeks?
If you’ve never worked or driven at a race somewhere other than VIR, you should know that traveling to new tracks can be a great way to meet new friends, build on existing friendships, and learn more about what we do! Anyone who has traveled around will agree. So, how about visiting one of these wonderful facilities:
So many places to race – so little time
by Alan Morris
There are some experiences that every track junkie has to experience in their lifetime, and this bucket list item is about Virginia International Raceway, a hallowed and memorial track set on the grassy manicured grounds that were originally an old Southern plantation in Virginia.
It starts with an email of interest sent to the North Carolina Region SCCA and a request for accommodation to participate in the May 6-7th event, which elicited a prompt response that I would be most welcome, and they could find a place to include me subject to having a current SCCA membership.