So many know-it-alls keeps saying amateur racing is dying for a variety of reasons. But the numbers say otherwise. And we see this positive trend continuing.
For the first time in its 52-year history this year’s SCCA National Championship Runoffs will be held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on the same 2.59-mile, 15-turn road course that hosted F1 2000-2007 and the Verizon IndyCar Series since 2014.
The hallowed grounds at the Brickyard may be the most important reason the SCCA received a record 783 driver entries the first day registration opened, breaking last year’s record of 413 entries in 24 hours when the 2016 Runoffs were announced for Mid-Ohio.
In an SCCA Press Release, Mike Cobb, SCCA President/CEO, said, “We knew the 2017 Runoffs at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was going to be a huge event. But to have more than 760 entries on the first day of registration exceeded even our expectations.”
“There has been tremendous buzz about this year’s Runoffs since the SCCA announced back in 2015 that the event was going to make its first-ever visit to Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Cobb continued. “The SCCA firmly believes the Runoffs offers up the absolute best three days of amateur racing in the United States, if not the world. Wednesday’s opening of registration was quite a milestone in what promises to be a historic event in Indianapolis.”
National Champions will be crowned in all 28 Runoffs-eligible SCCA car classes. Each class will have a 20-minute qualifying session on the Monday through Thursday before the Sept. 29-Oct. 1 finals.
Attesa is pleased by the buzz and excitement in anticipation of this year’s runoffs, especially the number of entries. The figure confirms what we’ve always believed; amateur racing is strong and thriving, with newer cars replacing older ones even as vintage machinery is being refurbished for extended service. Participation is also growing thanks to online games, simulators, driving schools and ‘Pro’ personal coaching.
“We’re planning on creating the perfect home for amateur racers and grassroots events,” said Dan Erickson, Member/Manager of Attesa and SCCA Formula Mazda owner/driver. “While our 2.8-mile, FIA 2 Circuit 1 road course will mainly be used for automotive research, development and testing, we’re looking forward to opening the track to NASA, SCCA, SVRA and other amateur events on weekends.”
For some drivers, our Circuit 2 road course, also FIA 2 -compliant and 2.8 miles in length, will be an available-year-round practice track when they join our exclusive club. Members will also be able to buy or build their own, two or three story ‘garage majal’ as a permanent residence or a ‘when I need to drive fast’ second home. With plenty of space for cars, bikes, toys and tools on the ground floor and the kitchen, bedrooms and living areas above.
“Two tracks, a member’s club, a driving school and skidpad will make our community the ideal destination for a lot of today’s amateur racers,” said Pat Johnson, President of Attesa. “There are more than 67,000 SCCA members, including my partner Dan, and we want to provide the most appropriate with a home or home-away-from-home; somewhere they can feed their passion securely, safely and with world-class guest services and amenities.”
Attesa is now completing the entitlements phase and plans to break ground in second quarter 2018. Phase 1 is scheduled to take 30-36 months, including circuits, hotel and convention center, plaza and some residential and commerce developments.
