While this weekend’s action at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) is the fifth of 10 stops on the 2023 Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour (HST), it’s actually a singularly significant event for a lot of drivers. It’s the very first SCCA road race of the year for some, providing an opportunity for drivers and vehicles alike to get back in tip-top shape. For others, the VIR HST weekend is solely preparation for the SCCA National Championship Runoffs taking place at VIR this fall.
Devin Anderson, who joined SCCA in 2005 and is a member of the North Carolina Region, is amongst that second group of drivers. He has already been out on track several times this year, but is looking forward to the HST VIR event to hone his Touring 4 (T4) car for the Runoffs.
After qualifying second last year for the National Championship race, he went on to finish third in his very first Runoffs appearance. He has every intention of being back at VIR this fall to take another crack, but wants to move up a step or two on the victory podium.
“We’re just trying to dial in the car,” said the driver from Mooresville, NC, who turns 24 years old this weekend. “Last year at the Runoffs, we felt we had the best car in the dry. Unfortunately, it ended up being a rain race, and I struggled a little bit as a driver.”
Motorsport aficionados know that ‘dialing in’ a racecar can imply any number of adjustments. But Anderson’s team is specifically playing with tire selection at VIR.
“Throughout a race, we experience tire degradation and drop-off,” Anderson noted. “At the beginning of a race, we are by far the fastest car. But as the race goes on, I become a second or two off. So, we’re trying different tire options … to make the car last throughout the race at a consistent pace.”
Where Anderson is already full speed ahead toward the National Championship, F Production expert Charlie Campbell is just beginning his season. A member of the Mohawk Hudson Region, Campbell joined SCCA two decades ago, and claimed the final podium position last year at the National Championship, increasing his third-place count to four. The driver from Corry, PA, also has one runner-up Runoffs finish.
On the cusp of 67 years old, Campbell has 20 Runoffs race appearances. But he has not yet stood on the top step at SCCA’s premier road racing event. He’s at VIR this weekend -- with magical race engineer, car owner and brother Tom Campbell – claiming they’re just sorting things out for the upcoming season. But the cagy veteran is coy as far as Runoffs prep plans.
“I don’t want to give all my secrets away,” he said with a cheery chuckle. “But it’s good to get track time at VIR with the Runoffs being here again this year, although I already have a lot of previous track time at VIR.
“We had the car torn down and put back together again, so we’re going to use VIR as a shakedown because it’s our first time out this year,” Campbell continued. “And we’ll use this weekend to get myself back into racing mode. We’re also trying a few tiny, little things different.
“We’re doing nothing drastic,” Campbell added. “Honestly, we’ve got a very, very good car. There isn’t anything big we can swing at it. It’s down to the little things you can come up with. Like everyone, we’re just always looking for something better.”
Watch What Happens
Want to watch how Anderson, Campbell and others do this weekend? Follow the free Hoosier Super Tour enhanced video and audio package available online. Find the broadcast at the SCCA Official YouTube channel and SCCA Inc. Facebook page.
Race group one is where you’ll find Campbell driving the No. 89 Campbell Bros. Racing/Jesse Prather Mtrspts/Hoosier/Carbotech Brakes Mazda Miata in the FP class. Race group three is where T4 exists, and there you’ll find Anderson and his No. 11 TechSport Racing/Redline Oil/Goodyear Tires Subaru BRZ.
The familiar voices of Gregg Ginsberg and Brian Bielanski will be calling the play-by-play action from VIR, and DriversEye Live will present the live video broadcast featuring up to 12 cameras – plus in-car video where possible. Post-race video interviews with some Saturday winners, and Sunday victory podium celebration videos can also be viewed at the SCCA Road Racing Facebook page. Live Timing and Scoring will also be available throughout the weekend at www.scca.com/live.
Photo: F Production ace Charlie Campbell stands warm and dry alongside his FP Mazda Miata at the VIR Hoosier Super Tour. (Not Pictured: Tom Campbell -- brother, car owner, genius engineer – laughing at his sibling.)
Photo by SCCA Staff
