Twice the Majors Fun – Two SCCA U.S. Majors Tour Conferences are set for action this weekend. The Western Conference reaches its midway point in the 2016 schedule with a visit April 8-10 to Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows, California. On Saturday, drivers will race counterclockwise on the “Three Mile Track,” which actually comes in around 2.8 miles in length. Then on Sunday, racers encounter a whole new counterclockwise challenge when they face the “Five Mile Track,” which settles in at a distance of 4.1 miles. Meanwhile, in the Midwest, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit is the site April 9-10 for Round 3 and Round 4 of the Mid-States Conference season. There, competitors will traverse the 1.8-mile track featuring numerous elevation changes.
Western Conference Championship Chase – A quick glance at the entry list reveals the likelihood for some significant action at Thunderhill with Conference Championship implications. In Formula F, Ed Erlandson and Chuck Horn are at the top of the Championship standings with only five points separating one from the other – and both are scheduled to appear at Thunderhill. Also predicted to be at the track are Street Touring Under drivers Oscar Jackson Jr. and Michele Abbate who are currently tied for the Championship lead.
SRF3 Hallett Hoedown – Twenty-Three Spec Racer Ford Gen 3 (SRF3) drivers are flocking to Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, giving them the largest class entry of the weekend. We have our eyes on new SCCA Enterprises President and CEO, Robey Clark along with Richard Stephens who calls the Hallett racetrack home. This class will undoubtedly be one to watch throughout the weekend.
Super Touring Lite Hallett Highlight – Many remember the 2014 Super Touring Lite (STL) Runoffs race for the dramatic fashion in which rookie Cliff Ira claimed the National Championship in his Acura Integra GSR. The silver medal was claimed by Brian Laughlin in his Mazda Miata. In 2014, Ira followed up his championship with a second-place finish at the Daytona Runoffs, while Laughlin took a year away from SCCA racing. The two meet up for the first time this weekend since their 1-2 finish at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We will be following the nine-car STL field very closely at Hallett.
The More the Merrier – Executing two Majors events in one weekend is no problem thanks to the nearly 200 SCCA members that have stepped forward to volunteer their expertise and time at Thunderhill and Hallett. No matter where the SCCA races in the United States, the dedicated member volunteers can be found organizing, registering, scoring, officiating and flagging during race weekends. No event is possible without the help of these dedicated volunteers.
Western Conference SCCA U.S. Majors Tour April 8-10, 2016: Thunderhill Raceway Park: Willows, California
Mid-States Conference SCCA U.S. Majors Tour April 9-10, 2016: Hallett Motor Racing Circuit; Jennings, Oklahoma
Events/Circuits:
- U.S. Majors Tour Western Conference – Rounds Five and Six of 12; Thunderhill Raceway Park
Saturday: 2.8-mile layout (Three Mile Track); Sunday: 4.1-mile layout (Five Mile Track)
- U.S. Majors Tour Mid-States Conference – Rounds Three and Four of 12; Hallett Motor Racing Circuit
1.8-mile, 10-turn course
Practice:
- Thunderhill Raceway Park; Six Groups
Friday: 25-minute morning practice sessions (Three Mile Track); Saturday: 25-minute afternoon practice sessions (Five Mile Track
Qualifying:
- Thunderhill Raceway Park; Six Groups
Friday: 25-minute qualifying afternoon sessions (Three Mile Track); Sunday: 25-minute qualifying morning sessions (Five Mile Track)
- Hallett Motor Racing Circuit; Seven Groups
Saturday: 25-minute qualifying morning sessions; Sunday: 15-minute qualifying morning sessions
Races:
- Thunderhill Raceway Park; Six Groups
Saturday: 25-minute races beginning at 8:00am (PT); Sunday: 13-lap or 35-minute races beginning at 12:20pm (PT)
- Hallett Motor Racing Circuit; Seven Groups
Saturday: 25-minute races beginning at 1pm (CT); Sunday: 28-lap or 35-minute races beginning at 10:30am (CT)
Live Timing and Notes: Live Timing & Scoring, lap notes and more via the SCCA® Pit Board are available for all sessions through www.scca.com/live.
Entry lists, full event schedules and more information available at www.sccamajors.com.
Attached Photo: SRF competitors make their way around Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings, Oklahoma.
Photo Credit: Mark Weber
