The Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC RUSH Racing Series, powered by Pace Performance, announced it will be expanding its sanction to asphalt racing in 2017 with Pennsylvania's Jennerstown Speedway as the new Series' flagship facility.
 
Jennerstown, a 1/2-mile asphalt oval, features Late Models, Modifieds, and Street Stocks, which are predominately crate engine powered, along with chargers and the Fast N Furious 4's divisions on Saturday nights. 

RUSH currently sanctions Crate Late Models, Sportsman Modifieds, Pro Stocks and most recently Pro/E-Mods at approximately 25 dirt tracks throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Canada. 

Jennerstown will be the first track to sanction under the new Sweeney RUSH Asphalt Racing Series banner.

"I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have been approached to bring the RUSH brand and what it stands for to asphalt racing. I'm a strong believer in ‘everything in its time and place’ and feel confident that with our strong teaching and rebuilder programs we are ready to begin this new and exciting chapter of RUSH with Jennerstown Speedway…” stated RUSH Series Director, Vicki Emig.             
 
All GM crate engine competitors that raced at Jennerstown in 2016 season in the Late Model, Street Stock, and Modified division, along with any new racers that may be building or purchasing a crate engine car during the offseason, will be required to have their engines verified for legality before competing at the speedway in 2017.  The verification process will begin on November 1, 2016.
RUSH will verify only GM crate engines.  Ford competitors should contact Jennerstown Engine Technologies or Ingram Engines to verify their engines; both of which can also assist in the verification of GM crate engines and have been part of the RUSH Rebuilder system for numerous years.

The technical rules packages for the divisions outside of the sealing process/bolts will be very similar to what competitors have been accustomed to in the past, but will now included all of the requirements for engines set forth in the GM Circle Track Crate Engine Technical Manual.  
 
The complete rule packages will be released shortly after the Jennerstown Banquet, which will be held on Friday, November 11 at the Ramada Inn in Greensburg, Pa.  
 
An informational meeting will be open to all interested parties on Saturday, October 29 at 1:00 p.m. at the Jennerstown VFD Social Hall at 1536 Pitt St., Jennerstown, PA 15547. 
 
E-mail inquiries can be sent to the RUSH Racing Series at info@rushracingseries.com and snail mail to 4368 Route 422, Pulaski, PA 16143. Office phone is 724-964-9300 and fax is 724-964-0604. The RUSH Racing Series website is www.rushracingseries.com.

Twenty-three of Canada’s drag racing legends were inducted into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame at the Second Annual Gala held at Hotel Universel in Montreal, on Saturday, October 15. Among the inductees recognized this year was world champion Gianni Cantusci.

“I am honoured to be inducted into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame among all these legends,” says Gianni Cantusci who was accompanied by his family and father Frank Cantusci, inducted last year.

“It’s a privilege to witness the class of 2015 welcome this year’s inductees,” says John Scotti, Founder of the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame. “Seeing the positive reactions from members of the drag racing community at each annual induction, is truly a rewarding experience to be a part of.”

The newly inducted legends included racers, crew chiefs, engine and chassis builders, mechanics, track officials and track photographers, announcers, promoters and sponsors from St. Albert, Alberta to Windsor, Nova Scotia, who have made a lasting impact and significant difference in the development of the sport of drag racing in Canada and elsewhere.

The complete list of inductees can be found below.

Accompanied by family and friends, the 23 drag racing legends were honored with a custom tailored ‘Blue Blazer’ bearing the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame logo and a custom designed Hall of Fame ring.

“With each new induction, the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame Museum is expanding with new artifacts and memorabilia thanks to each inductee and the drag racing community,” says Bob Aubertin, Director of the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame. “Not only are we recognizing some of our nation’s drag racing “Greats,” it also shows today’s generation just how far the sport has really grown.”

To be nominated into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame, candidates must have actively been engaged at the top level of their categories for more than 25 years and have made a tremendous contribution to the sport. They must have established a national record as an individual or a member of a team (NHRA/IHRA national record or National Event Win). Other inductees may come from other drag racing areas such as (photographer, track operator, etc.) They must also reside or be an expatriate of Canada.

The Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that is based in Montreal, Quebec at 7905 Boulevard Provencher, Saint-Leonard (Quebec). Founded in 2014, by John Scotti, President of John Scotti Automotive Group, it is the only organization that recognizes drag racing professionals in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro-Stock and Sportsman categories.

List of Inductees
1. Ken Achs, Saskatoon, SK

2. Jeff Arend, Thornhill, ON

3. Bob Beazer, Odessa, ON

4. Vic Beleny, Welland, ON

5. Gianni Cantusci, Ottawa, ON

6. Guy Desjardins, Montreal, QC

7. Bob Elliott, London, ON

8. Rob Evans, London, ON

9. Geoff Goodwin, Prince Albert, SK

10. Charlie Haviland, London, ON

11. Vince Hazel, Windsor, NS

12. Ron Hodgson, St. Albert, AB

13. Richard Jones, Ottawa, ON

14. Bill Kydd, London, ON

15. Wayne Lang, London, ON

16. Abe Loewen, Regina, SK

17. Brian Mulligan, Cornwall, ON

18. Norm Noddle, Wasaga Beach, ON

19. Harold Parfett, Edmonton, AB

20. Venice Perno, Stoney Creek, ON

21. Rob Potter, Dundas, ON

22. Bert Straus, Kitchener, ON

23. John Waldie, Embro, ON.

Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed has announced that Tim Matthews has been named the new curator for the world-famous museum in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The museum, which was founded in 1992 by "Speedy" Bill and Joyce Smith, is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and displaying physical items significant in racing and automotive history.

Matthews grew up in South Dakota with a family that was always involved in vintage cars, racing, and collecting. In 1996, during his senior year of high school, he took early college courses in design at the local university while continuing his racing endeavors. During this time Matthews dreamed of becoming an automotive designer and had his drawings published in National Dragster Magazine and Viper Quarterly. He was also recognized by then CEO of Chrysler, Bob Lutz, for his use of Chrysler products in his drag car concept drawings.

In 2000 Matthews earned a bachelor's degree in fine art with emphasis in sculpture from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

During his undergraduate studies, Matthews traveled to study sculpture and museums in Great Britain, France, and South America. Matthews continued working at Augustana as an artist in residence to focus on metal casting processes and public art commissions before moving to Minnesota to continue studying advanced metal casting and kinetic sculpture at the University of Minnesota. Matthews entered the sculpture graduate program at UNL in 2003, where he intensified his study of metal casting and public art.

While enrolled in school, Matthews began working at Speedway Motors in 2006 as a summer job to help fund his sculpture endeavors. With a passion for vintage cars and racing, he excelled at helping customers with their projects. He worked through the ranks in the sales department, eventually becoming the supervisor of the technical staff. Most recently Matthews has designed and produced technical videos to promote Speedway Motors on various social media sites, including Facebook and YouTube.

A further reduction of downforce and the implementation of additional safety developments highlight the 2017 NASCAR premier series rules package recently announced by sanctioning body officials.


Aerodynamic adjustments similar to those in place for races at Kentucky Speedway and Michigan International Speedway in 2016 form the framework for the 2017 performance platform. However, slight modifications to the overall base package have been made.

According to officials, the 2017 race package will include:


• Rear spoiler dimensions for all non-restricted events will be 2 3/8 inches x 61 inches. Current spoiler dimensions are 3 1/2 x 61; for the Kentucky and Michigan races, the dimensions were 2 1/2 x 53 inches.


• Splitter measurements for the 2017 package will be the same as those for the 2016 Kentucky and Michigan races, with a 3-inch reduction in the outboard (side) areas;


• A tapered rear deck fin;


• Net rear steer setting of zero.


The aero changes are the next evolution of the platform first rolled out for select events in 2015. Mandatory for 2016, those changes reduced downforce (the pressure exerted on a vehicle as it moves through the air) from 2,700 pounds to approximately 2,000 pounds. The 2017 package is expected to reduce downforce by approximately 500 pounds, landing in the 1,500-pound range.


"The objective there is to give the drivers, put the driving back in their hands a bit more … take less aero dependence off the car," Gene Stefanyshyn, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Innovation and Racing Development, told NASCAR.com. "That's the big thing.

"The amount we are taking off the front and the rear is the same proportion; we try to keep the balance of the car identical. So it's been taken off in the same proportion to maintain the balance of the car as it was last year."

Safety enhancements, which include strengthening the interior driver compartment, will be mandatory for superspeedway events at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway and optional at the remaining venues for 2017.

Officials previously announced thicker anti-intrusion plating where it already existed in the cockpit as well as additional plating in areas not currently covered. Toeboard foam will also be mandatory at superspeedways, as will the addition of a roof hatch.


Changes to steering column mounting and the use of a garage-only fuel coupler (mandatory for all events) complete changes in the safety arena.


"Basically … there is going to be a strengthened dash firewall; (on the) front left of the chassis there will be a piece zippered in; also in the back, near the rear clip, another piece that will be zippered in," Stefanyshyn told NASCAR.com. "The floorboard and toe board area will be made out of one piece, beefed up, also.


"This has a couple of elements to it; one is to manage front crash, the other to manage if you are hit in the side."

A stronger floorboard, with toe board foam, should lessen the odds of a driver involved in a hard impact suffering a broken limb.

The fuel coupler designated for garage use only is intended to lessen spillage by more efficiently closing the valve upon disengagement. It is a safety as well as environmental initiative.


The aero package for superspeedway races at Daytona and Talladega will remain unchanged, although there will be a decrease in restrictor plate size (from 57/64ths to 7/8ths of an inch) to combat increasing speeds at the two tracks.

Additionally, the vehicle weight will increase by 20 pounds to accommodate structural changes to the cars.

NASCAR will also reduce the tire allotment provided to teams next season and require teams to start the race on the tires used in qualifying.

"We've been tracking tires for two or three years now and we see how many are purchased and how many remain," Stefanyshyn said. "We are seeing that there is an opportunity to trim some tires. … Also we're starting to creep up to trying to bring some strategy around the tires.


"It's not a huge reduction, it's a comfortable reduction but it's kind of moving in that direction."

Officials said unveiling the potential packages in advance, as was done in '15 at Kentucky and Darlington, and again in '16 at Kentucky and Michigan, provides the opportunity for optimum feedback.


But those tracks are not locked in a "test" venues.


"We're always looking at different ways to do things … we would hope that next year's package can be a continuation and a little bit more of a long-term, stable rules package," Scott Miller, Senior Vice President of Competition for the sanctioning body, said.


"But nothing ever stays the same. Moving forward we will look at more efficient ways to potentially test possible packages for the future.


"I think we did a good job the last few times with the races, that's really the best way to collect data in an actual event … hopefully we can get out in front of it even a little bit further and get a little bit more of a cross section of race tracks if we have some proposed new things."

Organizers of the FIA Formula E Championship have announced that the world’s first fully-electric racing series will be an official partner of COP22 for the inaugural Marrakesh ePrix with the support of the high patronage of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

The 22nd session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), will take place in Marrakesh on November 7–18. The summit will take over the reins from COP21 during which historic progress was made in Paris last year.

It will focus on action items in order to achieve the priorities set in the Paris Agreement, especially related to adaptation, transparency, technology transfer, mitigation, capacity building and loss and damages—with notable guests including President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The official sporting opening event of COP22—the 2016 FIA Formula E Marrakesh ePrix, which takes place on November 12, will be the first time Formula E visits the continent of Africa, and reflects the growing demand for e-mobility solutions across the globe.

For more information, visit www.fiaformulae.com/en

Friends of Laguna Seca has emerged from a competitive bid process with an opportunity to negotiate a new concession agreement for Monterey County (CA)-owned Laguna Seca, including the iconic Mazda Raceway, according to published reports.

In a statement issued Friday, the county announced the Board of Supervisors had directed staff to “negotiate initially” with the Friends of Laguna Seca for a new concession agreement for the county park off Monterey-Salinas Highway. If an agreement is reached, it would be considered by the board in a public meeting. At the same time, the statement also left the door open for the other bidding groups to be offered an opportunity to negotiate if talks with Friends of Laguna Seca fall through.

The statement also indicated the competitive process and all documents submitted by the groups would remain confidential until a final agreement is reached.

In addition to Friends of Laguna Seca—the lone nonprofit to vie for the Laguna Seca concession—two for-profit entities participated in the competitive bidding process, including Daytona, Florida-based International Speedway Corp. in partnership with longtime raceway operator the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula, and the World Automotive Championship of California backed by Long Beach Grand Prix founder Chris Pook.

The months-long process included a request for expressions of interest, a request for qualifications, a request for service proposals, and several weeks of additional review, as well as plenty of public posturing by the bidder groups.

Friends board president Ross Merrill confirmed the group had been invited to submit more information about their management proposal as part of what he called the “early stages of negotiation” for a new agreement. Initial talks were to begin late last week, he said.

The organization’s Laguna Seca proposal, according to its website, friendsoflagunaseca.org, includes a “25-year commitment to rebuild the (Laguna Seca) complex and implement a new business model,” including undertaking a $50 million capital improvement fundraising campaign with $25 million invested in the first five years, establishing a “profitable mix” of events, “maximizing” sponsorship opportunities and racetrack rentals, upgrading the camping areas and rifle-pistol range, and bringing in new events and “premium programs” to increase the park’s usage within existing constraints.

An ISC representative declined comment but SCRAMP board president Michael Smith noted the concession agreement is “not a done deal,” and negotiations “can be a long process and there can be surprises along the way.”

In a statement, Smith noted county officials had “wisely instructed county staff to conduct further due diligence before making a final decision on which entity will be selected as the long-term concessionaire” for Laguna Seca. “SCRAMP, which built and has managed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca since its inception in 1957, remains optimistic.”

WACC spokesman Kevin Dayton said the organization had been notified by the county that it was not chosen to negotiate for the Laguna Seca concession, but said Pook declined further comment.

According to its website, Friends of Laguna Seca is “committed to managing Laguna Seca with fiscal responsibility and for the benefit of the community,” and is motivated by a “desire to transform nearly six decades of renowned racing legacy into a new engine for our local economy,” and “restore the raceway’s former glory.”

The Friends of Laguna Seca group includes board members and longtime local auto racing enthusiasts Gordon McCall and Bruce Canepa, who previously served as a SCRAMP board member; auto racing industry veteran Lauri Eberhart as general manager; and fundraising backers such as Don Chapin, Bruce Taylor and Warren Wayland, along with several longtime raceway volunteers.

Jackson Motorplex officials announced a revamped 2017 race schedule for the recently renovated facility.

The half-mile oval will compete mostly on Friday nights from late April through September with several marquee events throughout the season.

“We are excited to build on the momentum we generated last year with a great schedule in 2017,” Jackson Motorplex General Manager Doug Johnson said. “We have some huge events on tap and we’re currently working on adding a few more dates to the schedule as well.”

The season begins the April 28-29 weekend with the Frostbuster, which will showcase IMCA a mods, sport mods, stock cars, hobby stocks and sport mods.

The first sprint car date at the track is set for May 12, as the oval will host 410ci winged sprint cars, RaceSaver 305ci sprint cars and non-wing sprints cars.

Jackson Motorplex will feature two more marquee sprint car events as the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will be part of the 39th annual Jackson Nationals, which is moved to June 1-3, and the half-mile track will showcase the Fall Classic 410 Outlaw Sprints Cheater’s Day on September 1-2.

The season will conclude on September 22-23 with the IMCA Jackson Nationals.

Jackson Motorplex 2017 Schedule

4/28/2017
Frostbuster
IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Sport Compacts

4/29/2017
Frostbuster
IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Sport Compacts

5/12/2017
Spring Sprint Car Classic
410 Sprints , IMCA 305 Sprints, 360 Non Winged Sprints

5/26/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
410 Sprints , IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

6/1/2017
39th annual Jackson Nationals
410 Sprints : World of Outlaws
IMCA 305 Sprints

6/2/2017
39th annual Jackson Nationals
410 Sprints : World of Outlaws
IMCA 305 Sprints

6/3/2017
39th annual Jackson Nationals
410 Sprints : World of Outlaws
IMCA 305 Sprints

6/9/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

6/16/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

6/23/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
410 Sprints , IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

6/30/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
410 Sprints , IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

7/7/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

7/14/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
410 Sprints , IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

7/21/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
410 Sprints , IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

7/28/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

8/4/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

8/19/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

8/25/2017
Jackson Motorplex - Jackson, MN
410 Sprints , IMCA 305 Sprints, IMCA A Modifieds, IMCA Hobby Stocks, IMCA Sport Modifieds

9/1/2017
Fall Classic 410 Outlaw Sprints Cheater's Day
410 Sprints

9/2/2017
Fall Classic 410 Outlaw Sprints Cheater's Day
410 Sprints

9/22/2017
IMCA Jackson Nationals

9/23/2017
IMCA Jackson Nationals

IndyCar drivers, including new Penske recruit Josef Newgarden, have tested at Gateway Motorsports Park for the first time since 2003, ahead of the oval's return to the schedule next year.

The Illinois venue hosted IndyCar races between 1997 and 2003, and was closed for nearly a year across 2010 and '11 before being reopened.

It will rejoin the calendar next year, with a race on August 26, and seven drivers took part in a test for tyre supplier Firestone on Thursday.

Replacing Juan Pablo Montoya in Penske's full-time line-up, the test was Newgarden's second since moving from Ed Carpenter Racing, following a run at Road America on Monday.

"The best initiation you can get is just getting going as quickly as possible and try and start that gelling process between everyone," said Newgarden, who drove one of Helio Castroneves' #3 cars.

"What's been surprising is how quickly we were able to go testing, how quickly we've dived into figuring out what we need for race weekends, what we need to win races, trying to understand the relationship between me and [Penske engineer] Brian Campe.

"It's kind of surprised me how quick it's all happened, but it doesn't seem to be rushed.

"This track's fun; it's definitely different. It's got a little bit of everything.

"It feels a little like Milwaukee in areas, it feels a little bit like Phoenix with the different shapes between [Turns] 1-2 and 3-4, which is unique.

"And I love short ovals, so the more short ovals we can add, the better I feel."

The 1.25-mile oval is considered similar to Twin Ring Motegi in Japan - last used as an oval by IndyCar in 2010 - egg-shaped with a tighter radius in Turns 1 and 2 than 3 and 4.

Other drivers in action included James Hinchcliffe, re-signed Ganassi veteran Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal, Ed Carpenter and Dale Coyne Racing recruit Sebastian Bourdais.

Drivers sampled various aerodynamic alterations and turbo-boost settings to help IndyCar determine its technical package for next August's race, while upgrades to the track surface and facilities are also in the pipeline. 

"Early on with the amount of downforce these cars have, it's just nailed," Andretti, pictured above, said. "We're running flat at a place I've never been [before]. The track seems fun.”

Sports Car Club of America has announced the creation of a new Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour for the upcoming 2017 SCCA Club Racing season. This 12-venue series, with each location hosting two races over a weekend, will be featured SCCA U.S. Majors Tour dates.

Premier events at top U.S. racing facilities will fill the Hoosier Super Tour calendar, beginning with the January 13-15 weekend at Sebring International Raceway and the January 27-29 weekend at Auto Club Speedway.

A complete schedule will be made public in the coming weeks, but venues were selected based on various attributes. Some have decades of history with a record book featuring the biggest names in all of motorsport.

Other sites are top “pro” tracks offering quality racing surface and amenities. And certain tracks were selected because they are the best “club” courses in the country, where challenging layouts are matched with warm hospitality and a “family feel” to the paddock area, according to SCCA.

Beyond the venues, the Hoosier Super Tour is said to offer a heightened experience for both competitors and racing fans. Race weekends include segmented timing and scoring, a service simply not readily available at other amateur motorsports events. The series will also have a dedicated “Super Tour Radio presented by Hoosier Racing Tire” team of announcers to provide consistent insight and entertainment, which will be featured on SCCA.com.

The Hoosier Super Tour includes dedicated staffing with a series race director, administrator and technical inspector working in conjunction with local event personnel, as has been the case since 2013 with the U.S. Majors Tour program. Up to three static cameras will broadcast Hoosier Super Tour races live online at SCCA.com, and onsite SCCA public relations staff will provide weekend media coverage. Eric Prill, SCCA’s VP & COO, said Super Tour dates will also have enhanced weekend social activities.

For Hoosier Racing Tires, involvement in re-introducing an SCCA Super Tour is a great partnership opportunity and makes perfect sense, according to Bruce Foss, Hoosier’s Business Unit Manager for Circuit Racing Tires.

“Hoosier is extremely excited to support this premier Club Racing series,” Foss said. “Hoosier’s fortunate position in the Club Racing marketplace allows us to extend monetary support for this opportunity. The Hoosier Super Tour will provide an upgraded event experience for the participants and for those who follow the action via the internet, while providing an opportunity to further promote the Hoosier brand!”

The remainder of the SCCA U.S. Majors Tour will see some changes next year, too, with the primary focus on cost containment and providing greater control of non-Super Tour events to Regions and Divisions. One such change is the expansion of racing conferences from five to six. The newly-formed Southern Conference, which includes Texas and Louisiana, was created to reduce travel costs in what was the largest geographic area, the Mid-States Conference, and provide more racing opportunities in Texas.

For non-Hoosier Super Tour events in the Majors program, also known as Conference events, Regions will have greater flexibility in planning and event structure to meet local needs. While annual calendaring will be approved by the central office to avoid conflicts wherever possible, host Regions or race groups will have sole management responsibility of the events, leading to potentially lower costs for racers due to a reduction in series staffing and services. Separation of the Super Tour from Conference events enhances sponsor opportunities, allows for an increased focus on marketing and can buoy the fiscal resources of various Regions.

The Hoosier Super Tour will supplant what was previously the Nationwide Points Championship. The point structure will remain the same, but the best six Hoosier Super Tour races, plus the Runoffs finish, go toward deciding class champions. U.S. Majors Tour races -- consisting of both Hoosier Super Tour and Conference events -- will again count toward Conference Championships and be scored the same as 2016, with the best eight race finishes going toward deciding overall winners. Point totals for both the Hoosier Super Tour and U.S. Majors Tour will be managed by SCCA national office staff online.

Both the Hoosier Super Tour and U.S. Majors Tour serve as a gateway to the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, presented by Garmin VIRB, being held in 2017 at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Precise details of the Runoffs qualification path are being finalized by the SCCA Board of Directors and will be announced shortly.

The Sports Car Club of America, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,000-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the SCCA annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 115 Regions and professional subsidiary.

WC Vision, producers of the Pirelli World Challenge, has announced its 11-weekend racing schedule for the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge Championships featuring North America's biggest GT Production-based road racing campaign. 
 
In 2016, the PWC campaign, with over 22 auto manufacturers and 38 separate models through its eight racing divisions, GT, GTA, GT Cup, GTS, Touring Car, TCA, TCB and Sprint X, enjoyed sensational racing action in its 27th year as one of the world's most competitive and entertaining sports car racing series.
 
For 2017, the Pirelli World Challenge season will host 11 weekends through North America including a new venue in Virginia International Raceway (VIR) with the popular 3.27-mile, 17-turn permanent road circuit set to host all eight PWC classes on April 28-30.
 
In addition, the series season-opener the past two years, Circuit of the Americas (COTA), will host all eight categories in a Labor Day headliner weekend set for September 1-3.
 
Pirelli World Challenge also revealed that five GT weekends will feature live telecasts on the CBS Sports Network beginning with the season-opening weekend in the streets of St. Petersburg, FL, on March 11-12.
 
As usual, PWC will visit many of North America's most prestigious and legendary race facilities starting with the season opener scheduled for the streets of St. Petersburg, FL, on March 10-12, at the annual Indy Car race.
 
"After a successful 2016 season including 127 entries in the season finale last weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, we are pleased with the 2017 Pirelli World Challenge schedule," said Greg Gill, president and CEO of WC Vision. "There are a few remaining contracts and venue details to be worked out. We will work through those details in the coming days."
 
"We want to thank North America's most iconic and legendary road racing venues in bringing the best GT Production-based motorsports racing to their racing facilities in 2017. We expect another outstanding season in 2017 for the fans, teams, drivers and sponsors."
 
The complete class participation for each PWC weekend will be announced in the near future as GT single-driver sprint events will continue to run in conjunction with the Verizon IndyCar Series weekends.
 
Those 2017 weekends will include St. Petersburg, Long Beach (April 7-9), Road America (June 23-25), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (July 28-30) and Sonoma Raceway (September 15-17).  All except Long Beach (GT single race) will be doubleheader weekend.
 
In the five PWC headliner races, VIR (April 28-30), Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (May 19-21), Lime Rock Park (May 26-27), Utah Motorsports Campus (August 11-13) and COTA (September 1-3) will feature all eight racing divisions.
 
The Pirelli World Challenge finale again will take place at the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with a unique weekend set for racers and fans on October 13-15. Working in conjunction with the popular European-based SRO Blancpain GT Series, the SRO Motorsports Group Intercontinental GT Challenge will include an eight-hour GT endurance contest with GT3 machines. The PWC classes for MRLS will be announced soon.