Author: Rocky Entriken
Gateway National RoadRally Weekend, Sept. 2-4 – See listing in Calendar
The rallies mark the return of SCCA National Championship road-rallying to St. Louis after an absence of three years because of the pandemic. Registration is now open at MotorsportReg.com. The trio of Labor Day rallies will offer teams an enjoyable weekend of rallying over the rural roads of southwestern Illinois, across from St. Louis and the Gateway Arch.
The three rallies:
• Tulips by Night Divisional Touring Rally, Friday, Sept. 2
• Kaskaskia Trails National Touring Rally, Saturday, Sept. 3
• Avenue of the Saints Divisional GTA, Sunday, Sept. 4
Kansas/Salina Regions join to add Solo Divisional event
The Kansas and Salina Regions have joined to rescue the MiDiv Solo Series’ fifth 2022 Divisional Championship event at Salina Region’s site, the Berkley Family Recreation Area. The season finale is scheduled for October 8-9, 2022.
Kansas Region will bring their event organization expertise including course design and event operation, while Salina provides the site and equipment and acquires local permits.
The event replaces the round originally scheduled a week earlier for Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka, which was cancelled after the race track had ended its Solo events contract with the region.
The 2022 MiDiv Solo Series is sponsored by Solo Performance Specialties and R&S Racing.
How to deal with Electric Vehicles – *Important safety information*
Last year SCCA formed the Electrified Vehicle Advisory Committee (EVAC) to create unified procedures across SCCA programs for Electrified Vehicles (EVs). The committee has produced a 19-page PowerPoint of information about EVs and how to deal wih them in emergency situations. It is reproduced HERE in PDF format, recommended for anybody who may encounter EV emergercies in all of SCCA’s programs.
The nine-member committee is led by SCCA Area 4 Director Dayle Frame – an EV owner and Solo competitor – and is comprised of representatives from Road Racing, Track/Time Trials, Rally/Solo and industry experts. The first tasks the EVAC has been charged with are to create basic safety rules for EVs at SCCA events and to help guide regions and facilities when it comes to training and being equipped for EVs.
Topeka Solo Divisional cancelled
The Midwest Division Solo Series event scheduled by Kansas Region for October 1-2 has been cancelled.
Kansas Region’s season at Heartland Motorsports Park will not happen other than its two-day event May 14-15 because of the deterioration of the solo pad. HMP has cancelled its contract with the region, including its Solo Divisional in October and its Sunflower Showdown challenge with Salina and Wichita Regions in June.
“The surface is no longer in a condition to be suitable for our events, and with no plans for a repave or overlay of asphalt, it was no longer a mutually beneficial relationship,” said region solo chair Brian Tefft Jr. in answer to a Facebook query. “Unless there is an unforeseen change, May will be the last HMP autocross for the foreseeable future.”
The 2022 MiDiv Solo Series, sponsored by Solo Performance Specialties and R&S Racing, begins with the Wichita Region rounds April 30-May 1 at the Road Yoder Solo Site near Hutchinson, KS. Registration closes Wednesday April 27.
Cliff Ira receives the 2021 John Saucier Award
Cliff Ira with the John Saucier Award, 2021 MidAm Driver of the Year. Third in MidAm FP points and 2021 National Champion. Presented at the 2022 Hallett Super Tour.