A search is on for a new president at SCCA Pro Racing after Derrick Walker announced his resignation from the Sports Car Club of America’s for-profit subsidiary on Wednesday.

Walker will remain at the helm while a replacement is found. His resignation comes less than one week after Lisa Noble resigned as president and CEO of the SCCA.

Walker came on board to pilot the F4 United States Championship powered by Honda through its launch and opening season, in addition to overseeing the sanctioning of Pirelli World Challenge, Trans-Am Series, the Battery Tender Global Mazda MX-5 Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires, as well as the Atlantic, F2000 and F1600 Championship Series.

“I have enjoyed my time with the SCCA Pro Racing, and in particular the launch of the F4 Championship here in the United States,” Walker said. “After two successful race event weekends, it’s clear that the series has a great deal of potential. As for my future, I fully intend to continue on in racing.”

This year’s Grand Opening Breakfast, the traditional kickoff event of the annual Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, will feature as special guest four-time Indianapolis 500 winner and three-time IndyCar/CART series champion Rick Mears.

Mears is set to appear on stage with Dave Despain of MAVTV, who will host the Breakfast’s live AM wakeup program “Good Morning, PRI” in the Indiana Convention Center’s Sagamore Ballroom on Thursday morning, December 8, 2016. Along with a catered meal and the camaraderie of some 3000 racing professionals, the Breakfast is held just prior to the first day of exhibits at the PRI Trade Show.

A 1997 inductee into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, Mears’ Indy car success included 26 wins, 68 podium finishes and 38 poles, including a record six in the Indy 500.

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Mears and Despain live on stage, exclusively and free of charge for PRI Show attendees and exhibitors. Doors open at 7 a.m., and the program starts at 8 a.m. sharp. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so guests are advised to arrive early.

Road America President and General Manager George Bruggenthies announced Road America’s 2017 schedule.

“Road America is known for having the most active schedule of any road course in the U.S., and we look forward to hosting the MotoAmerica Series, Verizon IndyCar Series, Pirelli World Challenge Series, NASCAR XFINITY Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and three separate vintage events in 2017,” said Bruggenthies. “The 2016 season was incredible and included many new facility improvements to enhance the overall fan experience. From our new 7,500 square foot Paddock Shop, to our new main gate and especially the new victory lane we are all about making Road America more enjoyable for the fans, our competitors and our partners. Make no mistake about it, 2017 is going to be a great season full of exciting activities and we are already in the planning process of improving the facility even more. We encourage all our fans to get their season tickets early, so they can enjoy another season of great racing and fond memories at Road America and event tickets will for the 2017 season will go on sale in October.”

Road America’s first race weekend next year will be May 19-21, when it hosts SVRA Spring Vintage Weekend. Two-wheeled action takes to the track when the MotoAmerica SuperBike Doubleheader comes to Road America June 2-4. One week later, June 9-11, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts will be on track during the AHRMA Vintage Motorcycle Classic and the Rockerbox Motofest will entertain fans and enthusiasts alike during the weekend with on-track action and vintage motorcycle show. TheWeatherTech Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints returns to the 4-mile circuit from June 15-18 – Road America’s longest running annual sports car event.

The Verizon IndyCar Series takes center stage June 22-25, as an international lineup of drivers will have their chance to battle it out for glory on one of the world’s most revered road courses for the KOHLER Grand Prix. They will be joined by the Pirelli World Challenge featuring many of the world’s top sports cars and drivers in an all out wheel-to-wheel battle consisting of six classes headlined by separate GT and GTS races.

A mid-summer classic, The WeatherTech Int’l Challenge with Brian Redman presented by HAWK, takes place July 20-23, and has quickly grown to become one of the largest vintage racing events in the country. A Historic CAN-AM race with an impressive field of cars is also expected to gather and Road America will host a special reunion for the S2000 racer in celebration of its 40th Anniversary. The Nationwide Insurance Concours D’elegance on Friday and Saturday night in downtown Elkhart Lake rounds out the festivities to make The WeatherTech International Challenge with Brian Redman presented by HAWK a can’t miss spectacle for any racing enthusiast.

Aug. 3-6, the IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship takes over Road America’s 4-mile circuit for what will be one of the most incredible weekends of sports car racing in the world and the event is now appropriately named The Continental Road Race Showcase. Fans will get to see the IMSA Continental Sports Car Challenge Series race on Saturday, Aug. 5, with the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race on Sunday, Aug. 6.

The NASCAR XFINITY Series rolls into Road America Aug. 25-27, bringing intense door-to-door racing action to the nation’s most intimidating road course. The NASCAR XFINITY Series schedule and the event could prove to be a pivotal race for drivers looking to improve their standing in the championship points. New for 2017, the race will be held on Sunday and broadcast live on NBC.

Sept. 15-17, the Ariens Art on Wheels Weekend featuring VSCDA Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival returns, showcasing several impressive machines including many pre-war racers and Can-Am enthusiasts reliving history at America’s National Park of Speed.

IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced the relocation of IRGSE and IHRA to new and larger offices in West Palm Beach, Florida, and the addition of an IHRA marketing and team servicing office in Indianapolis, Indiana. The new office space will assist the recent and continuing growth of both companies as well as give the IHRA a presence in the Indianapolis market to assist with IHRA Dragster 1: World Series of Drag Racing Series planning.

"The move to new office space and the opening of an Indianapolis office will allow us to increase our capabilities in key areas that align with our current and future growth plans," stated IRGSE vice chairman and CEO Chris Lencheski. "The new space and location will also allow us to expand our core executive teams in supporting the growth we are experiencing within the IHRA as evidenced by our larger role in Australia and pending agreements elsewhere. Moreover, we are rebuilding the IRGSE and IHRA corporate culture and strive everyday to make IRGSE and our related companies a great place to work and we are thrilled to be able to punctuate that effort this year with a move to new executive offices."

The IRGSE and IHRA headquarters is located on the 11th floor of the Florida Community Bank building in West Palm Beach, Florida. The move is effective immediately and the new address is 1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

In addition, the new IHRA Indianapolis opens today, and is positioned in downtown Indianapolis at 201 North Illinois Street, 16th Floor - South Tower, Indianapolis, IN 46204. IRGSE chief revenue officer, Shawn Hackman and Dana Landry, IHRA director of new business & industry relations, will oversee the Indianapolis location as well as several key IHRA employees.

"The addition of the Indianapolis IHRA office will help us be closer to the core group of racers and teams in drag racing," stated IHRA president Mike Dunn. "We're excited to establish ourselves in a new home in West Palm Beach and Indianapolis. The expansion helps bring the IHRA to higher levels of success and puts us in markets where we can launch and grow the new IHRA Dragster 1: World Series of Drag Racing Series."

Skip Barber Racing School announced a new season of its iconic race series. The 2016-2017 Skip Barber Winter Race Series will host four competitive events with more racing per weekend than ever before. This series provides unparalleled opportunities for aspiring professional drivers as well as anyone else looking to test their skills in a race car.

The season, with an improved value proposition, promises to attract the best drivers across the globe in one of the biggest stages in grassroots motorsports. Additionally, the champion of the Skip Barber Winter Race Series will receive a fully funded ride into the 2017 Skip Barber Championship Race Series.

The 2016-2017 Skip Barber Winter Race Series Schedule

Rounds 1, 2 & 3 Road Atlanta

• November 10, 2016 - Lapping

• November 11, 2016 - Practice 1, Practice 2 and Qualifying

• November 12, 2016 - Race 1 and Race 2

• November 13, 2016 - Race 3



Rounds 4, 5 & 6 Palm Beach International Raceway

• January 18, 2017 - Lapping

• January 19, 2017 - Practice 1, Practice 2 and Qualifying

• January 20, 2017 - Race 1 and Race 2

• January 21, 2017 - Race 3

Rounds 7, 8 & 9 Sebring International Raceway

• February 16, 2017 - Lapping

• February 17, 2017 - Practice 1, Practice 2 and Qualifying

• February 18, 2017- Race 1 and Race 2

• February 19, 2017 - Race 3

Rounds 10, 11 & 12 Roebling Road Raceway

• March 29, 2017 - Lapping

• March 30, 2017 - Practice 1, Practice 2 and Qualifying

• March 31, 2017- Race 1 and Race 2

• April 1, 2017 - Race 3

Longtime Sports Car Club of America member Jeff Luckritz has been named the first Dean of the newly created SCCA Leadership Academy.

In his new role, Luckritz will focus on methods for improving the overall Club experience and helping Regions develop strategies to engage members.

To build on momentum from the 2016 National Convention, the SCCA Leadership Academy is being created to merge the various training, educational and informational sources within the Club. The goal is to unify these resources under one umbrella to bring consistency of tone, purpose and delivery to aid Regions. Additionally, the SCCA Leadership Academy will look to address rapid changes in programs and technology, as well as work with the BoD Planning Committee to develop an online help desk concept.

One of Luckritz’ first tasks will be to develop curriculum for the Leadership Summit aspect of the National Convention, and making that training content available for Divisional Meetings. He will also be seeking to coordinate a monthly webinar series for SCCA Leaders.

“I was thrilled when approached about being the new Dean of the SCCA Leadership Academy,” Luckritz said. “Strangely, I’ve been preparing for this role my entire life through my experiences as a high school chemistry teacher, as well as a football and softball coach. My goal is to help SCCA Region Leaders harness their enthusiasm, passion and love for the Club to build something great that others want to be part of.”

An SCCA member since 1989, Luckritz is currently the South Bend Region Majors Race Chair. He started autocrossing in the late ’80s before exploring track days and graduating in 1994 to Club Racing. Two years later, he began competing at National events in the Showroom Stock C Class, and also raced in Neon Challenge where he earned podium finishes. Currently, he campaigns a Spec Miata at SCCA Regional and Majors Tour races.

On the administrative side, Luckritz served from 2007 to 2015 as a South Bend Regional Executive where membership increased from 160 to over 300 persons. Additionally, he has experience in Flagging & Communication and has served as Chief Driving Instructor for SCCA Drivers Schools. He considers one of his proudest accomplishments as being able to construct a Region where the Solo and Club Racing communities work hand-in-hand to create a single Club that works toward the common goal of having fun with cars.

Heyward Wagner, SCCA Director of Experiential Programs, said Luckritz has also been instrumental in bringing Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack, the Tire Rack Street Survival and Staring Line programs to the South Bend Region.

“Adding Jeff to the Experiential Programs team gives us a chance to really build on the success of the 2016 National Convention and focus attention on SCCA Leaders and Leadership development,” Wagner said. “Jeff is a great fit for this role as he brings both SCCA savvy and a professional background in training and education.”

NHRA officials have announced that FOX Sports 1 is adding 30 minutes of live NHRA programming on August 20 during the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals to televise the postponed final rounds of Top Fuel and Funny Car from the Protect the Harvest NHRA Northwest Nationals presented by Lucas Oil.

The added telecast will air from 3 to 3:30 p.m. EST and will feature the Top Fuel final between Antron Brown and Steve Torrence as well as the Funny Car final between Del Worsham and Ron Capps. Both final rounds will take place during the third round of qualifying at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway in Brainerd, Minnesota. The Pro Stock final from Seattle between Vincent Nobile and Aaron Strong will take place during the Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis.

Persistent rain at Pacific Raceways on Sunday, August 7, forced the postponement of the Seattle final rounds in all three professional categories.

“This is another example of what a great partner FOX has been for us this year,’’ said Ken Adelson, NHRA vice president, executive producer & chief content officer. “FOX officials have stepped up for us every time we needed their help to do what’s best for all our fans and the television viewers at home. We truly appreciate the opportunity to bring to the FS1 viewers the final round live to see which drivers end up with the Wally from the Seattle event.”

The full television coverage of the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd includes the Sunday Finals live on FS1 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET, along with a qualifying show on FS1 Saturday night at 10 pm to midnight ET.

Danny Thompson, son of American racing legend Mickey Thompson, has set a land speed record at age 66. And it was a long time coming.

In 1960, Mickey hit Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats in a streamlined car called Challenger that was built to set a land-speed record. And it did. Sort of.

He made a single 406.6 mph pass, becoming the first American to break the 400 mph barrier. However, official speed records require two consecutive runs, one in each direction, and mechanical issues prevent him from making the second attempt.

Mickey returned in 1968 with a new car dubbed Challenger 2, but the event was cancelled due to bad weather and the car was eventually mothballed as he focused on other racing and business pursuits.

But about 20 years later, the bug bit again, and he and Danny hatched a plan to update the car and go for a record again, this time in the Southern California Timing Association’s naturally-aspirated, piston-powered, wheel-driven class. Tragically, before they could, Mickey and his wife were gunned down in what authorities later discovered was a hit put on Thompson by a former business associate, and the dream died with them in 1988.

At least it seemed like it did. A few years ago, Danny decided to finish the family business once and for all. So he dug the car out of storage, put in a pair of nitro-burning Hemi V8 engines with a total of 4,000 horsepower and an all-wheel-drive system, and went back to Bonneville Speed Week in 2014.

After nearly crashing when the fire suppression system went off as he pulled the chutes at the end of a 390 mph run, he followed with a blistering 419 mph pass the next day. Unfortunately, Thompson history repeated itself when a busted clutch kept him from making the required second run, and the event was cancelled in 2015 due to poor surface conditions.

This year, everything went off without a hitch, and on Saturday, August 13, Danny put in a problem-free 411.191 mph run, setting him up to break the record on Sunday. He did just that, crossing the timing lights at 402.348 mph to give him an average speed of 406.7 mph, clobbering the current class record of 392.5 mph.

But while the 406.7 mph result seems a fitting tribute to his dad’s 406.6 mph, Danny’s not done yet. His son Travis said that he’ll be back in September to go for the international FIA class record of 414 mph, with an eye on the overall wheel-driven mark of 439 mph.

It’ll be no easier feat, as the FIA only allows one hour between runs, and Thompson is wasting no time preparing for it.

Officials from the FIA and WRC Promoter are fighting to keep next month's Rally China from being cancelled.

WRC safety delegate Michele Mouton and a representative from the promoter flew to Beijing last week for two days of emergency meetings after it emerged the event was on the brink of being cancelled.

Rain-damaged roads in the Huairou region are at the heart of the problem for the September 8-11 rally—although there remains significant speculation regarding supposed financial difficulties.

The governing body and promoter issued a joint statement saying: "WRC Promoter and FIA are undertaking all necessary discussions and negotiations with the organizer to ensure the event continues.

"Both WRC Promoter and FIA were in China last week to make all necessary investigations and contingency planning for the event."

One source added: "This decision is in the hands of the Chinese organizers.”

Everybody has done what they can, but at some stage a decision needs to be taken on whether or not the roads will be fixed and the rally can run.

"And that decision needs to be taken sooner rather than later."

It’s understood that the weather hit the roads in July and the issue with fixing them lies with the reluctance from the local council to fund the repairs.

The container ship with the teams' kit docks in China this week—but the real deadline comes next week.

Rich Millener, who runs M-Sport's customer program said, "Most of the teams have chartered a plane to take the cars out to China.

"We have two and a half days to re-prepare the cars next week and send them to the airport.
"Obviously every day that passes is costing the teams money, but that's when we really need to know.

"We all want to go to this event. Everybody accepted China, understanding what an important market it is and we've all made a huge investment in this event already."

There's no firm timeline in place for any announcement, but news is expected during this week's Rally Germany.

There's a feeling between some in Beijing that Huairou wasn't China's strongest rally - the APRC round which ran earlier this month in Zhangye on the edge of the Gobi Desert was reckoned to be the preferred option.

Rally China is scheduled to return to the WRC for the first time since 1999.

Mazda announces the ten drivers representing the United States at the Global Mazda MX-5 Cup Invitational taking place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. The select group of US drivers are a diverse unit comprised of past champions, rookies, teenagers and retired executives. Racers will compete with others from across the globe in two non-points, invitation-only races on September 9–11, 2016, as part of a Mazda-exclusive weekend that features both the Mazda Road to Indy and the Mazda Road to 24.
 
The drivers representing the United States are the following:
 
John Dean II, Sick Sideways Racing, Sebring, Florida
John Dean II is the defending Battery Tender MX-5 Cup Champion. His championship earned him a Mazda Road to 24 scholarship valued at $200,000 and the right to race in a Mazda Soul Red machine. John is the winningest racer in MX-5 Cup history. He has earned more pole positions and has led more laps than any other driver in the first eight races of 2016. In addition to being a driver, John is the owner of Sick Sideways Racing.
 
Mark Drennan, Winding Road Team TFB, San Jose, California
Mark Drennan currently sits as the top Rookie in points this season, amassing multiple podium finishes and two wins; he is seventh overall in points. Mark earned a reputation as being the racer to beat in the fierce world of Spec Miata with multiple championships. He is a corporate recruitment executive taking a sabbatical to pursue his racing dream full-time.
 
Robby Foley, Atlanta Motorsports Group, Randolph, New Jersey
Robby Foley won last year’s Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge which earned him a Mazda Road to 24 scholarship valued at $100,000 and the right to race in a Mazda Soul Red machine. Robby has scored two race wins so far in 2016. He balances his racing career while being a full-time mechanical engineering student at Auburn University.
 
Ara Malkhassian, ALARA Racing, Houston, Texas
Ara Makhassian has been a competitor and team owner (ALARA Racing) in the series since its inception in 2006. He currently holds the record for most races started and has scored multiple race wins. Drivers for ALARA Racing have won the series championship in both 2013 and 2014. Ara currently sits in second in the 2016 Championship points standings. ALARA stands for Al+Ara for Alison and Ara Malkhassian, the husband and wife team owners.
 
Glenn McGee, Sick Sideways Racing, Tampa, Florida
Glenn McGee began his racing journey in front of a computer screen. In the 2015 iRacing Mazda MX-5 Cup, McGee tied for the most poles, most wins, and most world record times, becoming one of two iRacing’s Mazda MX-5 Cup champion representatives in the 2015 Mazda’s Road to 24 Shootout. Glenn left the shootout with the $100,000 Mazda Road to 24 Scholarship.
 
Sarah Montgomery, ALARA Racing, Lafayette, Louisiana
Sarah Montgomery is a recent college graduate and is the only competitor in the 2016 Battery MX-5 Cup sponsored by a city, her hometown of Lafayette, Louisana. She’s been racing for a decade and started in dirt oval go karts when she was 10 before moving into Spec Miata. After four years of competing in Spec Miata, she moved to the Skip Barber MAZDASPEED Pro Challenge in 2014. Since 2015, she has been racing with ALARA Racing in MX-5 Cup.
 
Tim Probert, ALARA Racing, Houston, Texas
Tim Probert has been racing in MX-5 Cup since the first season, always with ALARA Racing. In addition to MX-5 Cup, Tim races in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge. He is a retired Fortune 500 corporate executive. Tim was born in the U.K, but calls Houston his home now.
 
Nathanial Sparks, Sick Sideways Racing
Nathanial Sparks has been “Mr. Consistency” in 2016 to lead the championship after eight of 12 races having scored multiple podium finishes. Nathanial started racing in late 2008 and quickly became one of the top Teen Mazda Challenge Spec Miata racers. He is a two-time Mazda Road to 24 Shootout Finalist. Nathanial joined MX-5 Cup as an independent team before joining Sick Sideways Racing.
 
Chris Stone, ALARA Racing, Salt Lake City, Utah
Chris Stone currently sits in second of the Rookie point standings behind Mark Drennan. Chris’ consistent and clean racing has allowed for a successful rookie year in the series. Chris started his racing career at age six in motorcycle and progressed to karts. Away from the track, Chris is the operations manager for LYFE Motorsports.
 
Aurora Straus, McCumbee-McAleer Racing, Cold Springs, New York
Aurora Straus is competing in her second season in MX-5 Cup with support from the Monticello Motor Club. When not racing, Aurora is a talented high school student who is looking to study both engineering and English in college. Among her non-driving talents, she is a singer and songwriter.
 
The Global Competitors: The nine international racers, selected and hosted by Mazda affiliates in Japan, Europe, and Australia, are as follows:

Oliver Allwood – United Kingdom
Erik Blixit – Sweden
Anthony Crawford – Australia
Kamil Franczak - Poland
Gabriele Gardel – Switzerland
Enami Kitahira – Japan
Moritz Kranz – Germany
Mike Sinclair - Australia
Yuui Tsutsumi – Japan