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In this issue: The Director's Chair • Note from the RE • Byte Size News • Susquehanna Region Autocross School • Let The Season Begin at Pocono! •Another One Bites The Dirt • Street Survival Needs YOUR Help • Susquehanna Drivers Aim For the Runoffs • May Regional Meeting • SCCA Time Trials National Tour • Take 5: With Jessica Black • Working Toward Cleaner, Safer Race Events • SCCA Becomes Official Sanctioning Body of Global Time Attack
The Director's Chair
By Jack Burrows, Area 2 Director
I recently realized something which was vaguely disturbing, namely that a recent Majors event marked the 50th anniversary of the first SCCA race I ever worked - the 1969 Spring National at Marlboro Raceway. I'm not a 50-year member though. That was before the requirement to be a licensed member to work in hot areas, so I worked under a series of worker log books for 11 years before finally joining the club. Regardless, the realization of having spent a half century at it made me feel old.
Note from the RE
Here we are in the middle of May already. How did that happen? Some of you may know that I took a month off from all things SCCA from the end of March to the end of April. It was a much needed hiatus, for which I have Melissa Mauro to thank. She stepped in and handled everything like a rock star… just like I knew she would.
I’m back in business, though. And since we aren’t *quite* in the midst of our autocross season, I’m keeping busy coaching at Track Night in America events at Pocono and a Time Trials National Tour event at Pitt Race. Both programs, quite frankly, kick ass. So, if you’ve ever wanted to get out on a race track but haven’t yet given it a go, you absolutely should. They’re low-cost, low-pressure, ton-of-fun events. I’m happy to chat about either program should you want some “insider” info (i.e. things you might not find on the SCCA website).
For those of you headed to Pocono for our first two points events of the season with NEPA, good luck to you... I’m keeping my fingers crossed for sunshine and dry weather!
BITE SIZE NEWS
Trophies Are Here!
Autocross and RallyCross event trophies have arrived, and they look great! We can’t wait to hand some of these bad boys out!
Susquehanna Cancellation Policy
Please note that for all of the events we hold in Susquehanna Region - We DO NOT offer REFUNDS, we only offer CREDITS that are valid for 1 year from the time you cancel. Our complete cancellation policy is in the waiver information for all of the events we post through Motorsports.reg.
Club Shirts Have Arrived!
New vendor, softer shirts, much better quality… and how fun is the sasquatch with’s Stig-type helmet? Grab yours at any event for $10.
Susquehanna Region SCCA Autocross School
by Chris Brown
Have you been autocrossing for a long time? Do you have an interest in helping to get others into the sport? Do you just want to have some additional fun this season?!
We are looking at hosting a Susquehanna Region AutoX School with a date to still be determined. If you are interested in becoming part of the instructing team, please reach out to Chris Brown either on Facebook (preferred) or via email (cbrown@scca-susq.com). We have not
decided on a date yet because we want to poll the instructors that are interested, so that way we have have them attend. (You can’t have a school without instructors!)
If you have any questions, also please reach out to Chris Brown via the above methods. He would be more than happy to help/guide you!
Let the Season Begin at Pocono!
by Melissa Mauro
Susquehanna Region has been lucky enough to join NEPA Region for the Pocono Regional Event, held June 14 - 16. This will be considered the first two points events for the Region.
There will be a Test & Tune held Friday, June 14th. If you’re registered for the weekend events, you’re able to attend. The cost is $20/4 runs. Make sure to get there early before the line forms!
Events #1 and #2 will be held Saturday and Sunday. If you’re interested in signing up for a full-weekend, click below to register. Make sure you get registered early, as the event tends to fill up. If you’re interested in getting a T-Shirt, make sure you sign up before June 1st.
If you can only sign up for one day, keep an eye out for registration after June 7th. If the cap of 165 hasn’t been met, single-day entries will be available.
I know we’ve all been itching to get back behind the wheel, so I hope to see you there!
Another One Bites the Dirt
by Nick Landis
Rallycross #2 is in the books and we all enjoyed beautiful weather for it. We had 30 competitors come out to play for 10 laps and the course held up great for the most part. It was a little slick in the morning due to the mini monsoon the night before but dried out by the afternoon runs.
Spooky Nook was so very happy with our first event that they asked us to come back. Now it's time to prepare the soil for Rallycross Event #3 on June 8th at Spooky Nook. Excited to see our dirty friends again and excited to play on that huge field. So, get those cars ready and I hope to see you on June 8th in Salunga. Do not forget to register before the event to save money!
Street Survival Needs YOUR Help
by Melissa Mauro
Susquehanna's second Tire Rack Street Survival is approaching, being held Saturday, July 20. I'm putting a call out for help. This event requires a lot of coordination, so if any of you have help with any of these items below, I'd appreciate the help.
Committee Members to help me organize and run the event
Advertising - if you yourself, or anyone you know could donate to the event (any monetary donation helps), you would be listed as a sponsor for the event
If you’re interested and able to coach this year’s event, please use the sign up form below so I have your information. If you weren’t a coach at the last event, and you’re interested to coach this year, please click the link below to become a coach! It only takes about 45 minutes to get certified. Please make sure you email me a copy of your certificate when you send it to Tim Beechuk at Street Survival.
The “survival” of this event relies on all of the volunteers and coaches, so I NEED YOUR HELP! Feel free to contact me on Facebook or by email at streetsurvival@scca-susq.com
Susquehanna Drivers Aim For the Runoffs
By Alan Lesher; Photo Courtesy of SCCA
The first round of the Northern conference Majors was held April 27-28, at Summit Point Raceway hosted by Washington DC Region. Six Susquehanna region drivers entered in four out of the seven race groups. The Majors feature 2 races. There was a shorter race (28 miles) Saturday afternoon and a longer race on Sunday (48 miles). All races have a time limit; which will become important later in this report.
Don Walsh entered his E/Production, Classic Auto, Mazda RX7 in race group 2. He finished 7th on Saturday and improved to 4th on Sunday.
Cord Kisthardt took on the east coast's best Touring/1 drivers in race group 3. He ended the weekend with a pair of 5th place finishes.
Ryan Heishman (Windsor Customs) and Peter Phillips (Lebanon Pathology Associates/Planet Miata) entered the 5th race driving Spec Miata racers. Heishman scored a pair of 4th places while Phillips finished 11th on Saturday & improved to 9th on Sunday.
Dan March/BMW/CR's Bimmers, Touring/3 and Alan Lesher/Neon/Auto Seat Cover Co., SuperTouring/U entered race group 6. March scored a pair of 2nd place finishes while Lesher finished 3rd on Saturday & fell back to 4th on Sunday. Their Sunday race was marred by two on track incidents in which neither driver was involved. After a few laps, an RX7 had a hard hit into the tire wall near pit out. The car looked like a write off and the race was black flagged for about 15 min. Back on track, with 5 to go, another car went off drivers left coming out of turn 9 and caused a major problem. The safety car was dispatched to collect the field and led a slow parade for a few laps until the race was chequered due to time.
May Regional Meeting
Thursday, May 23rd • 7:00 p.m.
Our next meeting will be held on the second floor at Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 N. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. All members are encouraged to attend. Come an hour early for dinner (and a drink) with other members. First person to mention this to me at the May meeting gets a beer or soda courtesy of the editor!
News from SCCA
A Look at TrackSprints: SCCA Time Trials National Tour
MAY 8, 2019 — The Tire Rack SCCA® Time Trials National Tour presented by Hagerty is making its way across the country, with two of eight events completed and a May 25-26 weekend on the horizon at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina. For only $250 per entry, participants get ample practice time on the 2.27-mile, 14-turn course, as well as a Time Attack both days, and TrackSprint on Sunday.
Working Toward Cleaner, Safer Race Events
MAY 9, 2019 — Contact between racers -- a metal-to-metal incident, whether minor or major -- is a hazard that comes with our sport. We all want close, hard racing, but we also want to load our car up at the end of the weekend without the hassle and expense of damage. This is a particular concern in our large fields, where it is easy to cross the line or get caught up in another on-track event. In fact, we have received recent and specific feedback from the racing community that many believe there is a disconnect between each driver’s interpretation of the conduct rules.
Take 5: With Jessica Black
MAY 16, 2019 — Our final Wendi Allen Scholarship recipient is Jessica Black. Jessica lives in Central Pennsylvania and went to school at Penn State University, where she earned a degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology. She currently works as a Product Design Engineer, designing power distribution products for commercial and military usage. She also designs printed circuit boards, which she mentions is the favorite part of her job. She also happens to drive a completely stock Mitsubishi Evo IV, and went from joining the SCCA to being Regional Executive in just three years. To learn more about Jessica, her rapid rise to RE, and what drove her to start autocrossing, read on!
SCCA Becomes Official Sanctioning Body of Global Time Attack
APR 24, 2019 — Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and Global Time Attack (GTA) have reached an agreement where SCCA, through its SCCA Pro Racing division, will become the official sanctioning body for 2019 Global Time Attack events throughout the United States.
——— Sponsors ———
2019 Preliminary Event Schedule
6/8/19: Rallycross Event #3, Spooky Nook
6/14/19: NEPA/SUSQ AX, Pocono (T&T)
6/15/19: NEPA/SUSQ AX, Pocono
6/16/19: NEPA/SUSQ AX, Pocono
8/4/19: Autocross, Spooky Nook
8/10/19: Rallycross Event #4, Elmerton
8/24/19: Autocross, Spooky Nook
9/7/19: Rallycross Event #5, Spooky Nook
9/14/19: NEPA/SUSQ AX, Pocono
9/15/19: NEPA/SUSQ AX, Pocono
9/29/19: Autocross, Spooky Nook
10/5/19: Autocross, Spooky Nook
10/6/19: Autocross, Spooky Nook
10/19/19: Rallycross Event #6, Elmerton
11/9/19: Rallycross Rain Date, Spooky Nook
*This schedule of events is preliminary and far from complete. Watch for future updates.
2019 Officers
Regional Exec: Kristen Poole
Assistant RE: Melissa Mauro
Treasurer: Alan Lesher
Secretary: Brian Holmes
Director 3 Yr: Rob Springer
Director 2 Yr: Markus Houser
Director 1 Yr: Bryan Roper
2019 Meeting Schedule
Regional Meetings:
5/23/19: May Member Meeting, ABC
6/27/19: June Member Meeting, ABC
7/25/19: July Member Meeting, ABC
8/22/19: August Member Meeting, ABC
9/26/19: September Member Meeting, ABC
10/24/19: October Member Meeting, ABC
11/21/19: November Member Mtg, ABC
2019 Rules
Contributions:
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