SCCA – Page 3 – OpenPaddock.net

SCCA – BFGoodrich Tires Super Tour at NOLA Wrap-Up

February 11, 2014 Doug Patterson

The SCCA Mid-States Conference Majors Tour had their second event and Rounds 3 and 4 of racing this past weekend at the relatively new NOLA Motorsports Park just outside of New Orleans, LA. The new facility opened for business late in 2011 and is already starting to attract attention from many of US racing leagues including INDYCAR. The opening rounds of the Mazda Road to Indy Winterfest are coming up next weekend at NOLA Motorsports Park. The venue is a perfect place for club racing, and the warm climate makes…

SCCA – Q&A with MX-5 Cup Competitor, Joey Bickers

February 11, 2014February 11, 2014 Mike Shaw

Joey Bickers at the 2013 Mazda Club Racer Shootout, credit Mike Ditz

Newcomer Joey Bickers will be racing as the MAZDASPEED driver in the 2014 Mazda MX-5 Cup Presented by BFGoodrich. Bickers, from Moorpark, Calif., comes to the series after earning his spot by winning the 2013 Mazda Club Racer Shootout. The successful 21-year-old started his racing career at the beginning of 2012 and has since competed in the Mazda Club Racer Shootout, the Team USA Scholarship program and the NASA Teen Mazda Challenge. In addition, he has participated in karting and F1600 formula car racing. Having been interesting in cars throughout…

SCCA – Formula F 45th Anniversary Highlights Barber Festival

February 9, 2014 Doug Patterson

I know we talk a lot about the big cars whether it be IndyCars, Le Mans or Daytona Prototypes, or WRC rally cars, but let’s not forget the little machines that can! One of the things that attracts me to the Mazda Road to Indy is the raciness of the smaller formula cars especially on a tighter and more technical circuit like Barber or Mid-Ohio. They’re just a lot of fun to watch! This year is the 45th anniversary of the SCCA’s Formula F class and they’re throwing a party…

SCCA – NBCSN Adds the Pirelli World Challenge to its Line-Up

February 5, 2014 Doug Patterson

NBC Sports Network is now the home of nearly every motor racing series we love! The newly arrived network which was the evolution of the old Versus network after NBC acquired ComCast has quickly established itself as the new home for motorsport. When Fox’s SPEED channel became Fox Sports 1 (or 2 or the Foxy Ocho…whatever) it ceased being a racing-centric channel, although many would argue that it already had when the old Speedvision died. NBCSN which already had the IndyCar Series acquired the rights to Formula 1, they aired…

SCCA – World Challenge Participation Booms

January 3, 2014 Doug Patterson

Whitesell and I have been saying for a number of years now that the SCCA Pro Racing’s Pirelli World Challenge series is some of the best racing you’re ever going to see. It’s one of the things we look forward to the most when we go to Mid-Ohio. For a time, the World Challenge series suffered from small grid sizes and perinnial teams like Bimmerworld Racing moving from the SCCA’s World Challenge to Grand-Am’s Continental Tire SportsCar Championship. As the series retooled, redefined their classes, and took a close look…

Good Food, Good Beer, Great Company, And Racing – USGP Watch Party

November 26, 2013November 26, 2013 Mike Shaw

Friends and Competitors Gather To Watch The USGP So a short drive into downtown Leavenworth and you see a big sign that says High Noon Saloon and Brewery go that way (right), a couple blocks over and there you are parking outside an older building, that is hiding a nice little gathering place. The location has a very large view screen as you can see from the photo above, and plenty of room for a gathering of friends and competitors. As you enter the door, off to the left was…

Episode 209 – OpenPaddock.net Podcast

November 10, 2013 Doug Patterson

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhitesell, Patterson, and Shaw examine the news from INDYCAR and the organizational changes surrounding IMS and INDYCAR, and we’re agog at the stunning revelation that Dallara will produce the 2015 IndyLights chassis. Whitesell leads us through the news from Formula 1, the Kimi drama, and we review the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Shaw wraps up the show with all the news from the WRC, Rally America, and the Global Rallycross including a discussion of Kubica’s future, a recap of the Perryville Farms Rally, a…

SCCA – The KCRSCCA Halloweenie Event in Photos

October 29, 2013 Doug Patterson

Well, the 2013 Solo Season for the Kansas City Region of the Sports Car Club of America is finally at an end. The club closed out their autocross adventures this past Sunday in grand fashion combining a solo race with a Halloween party, a charity fundraiser, and a giant picnic. Many of the members came in costume, and several even crafted costumes for their cars. The Event Chair, James Cahill, wrote up a nice summary of the event over at the Kansas City Region’s newly refurbished website. It’s been wonderful…

SCCA – Drifting in the Dirt at the SCCA Rallycross Nationals

October 25, 2013October 25, 2013 Doug Patterson

Editor’s Note: Mark Hill is a member of the Kansas City Region SCCA and a regular competitor in the Region’s Solo racing events in his Evo IX. He also competes in Rallycross in his Subaru Impreza RS. Mark was kind enough to give us the following report from this season’s SCCA Rallycross National Championship held at Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We thank Mark for his contribution, and look forward to seeing him at the upcoming Solo and RallyX events. If the SCCA Solo National Championships in Lincoln take…

SCCA – Autocross at Ft. Riley

October 22, 2013 Doug Patterson

At least once a year, the Salina Region of the Sports Car Club of America holds a Driving School and Solo Racing event on the huge landing pad for the 1st Infantry Division’s Combat Air Brigade. On Saturday of the two-day event, soldiers and the public are invited to participate in a Solo Novice School in which the students learn the basics of the sport of Solo Racing, vehicle dynamics, and how to identify proper racing lines. Students are paired up with experienced veterans of SCCA Solo Racing, and, while…