ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (June 22, 2007) -- Summer traditionally means
barbeques, family reunions and spending time outdoors. This weekend, SCCA
racers, families and fans will do that and more at the largest Club Racing
National event of the season—the Piggly Wiggly June Sprints®.
Chicago
Region’s gem again kicks off the summer season this weekend, with over 400 cars
and an even dozen defending SCCA National Champions heading to the famed
four-mile Road America circuit nestled in the Kettle Moraine, near Elkhart Lake,
Wis.
For the 52nd-straight year, some of SCCA’s best Club Racers become
the focus of Road America’s devout fanbase. Here are just a few of the stories
on tap for the weekend:
Chicago Region SCCA Triple Crown®
- The June
Sprints are the first leg of the Chicago Region SCCA Triple Crown, awarded to
any driver that wins their class race at the Sprints, their SCCA Divisional
Points Championship and the National Championship at the SCCA Runoffs®. Since
being formally recognized in 2001, the Triple Crown has been awarded 12 times.
In 2006, Hans Peter (C Sports Racing), Niki Coello (Formula Continental) and
Mark Mercer (Sports 2000) won the Triple Crown. All three are entered in this
weekend’s event, and Coello is shooting for his third-straight honor in 2007.
Brad Stout (Formula Vee) is the only three-time winner and is also entered in
this year’s event.
Defending National Champions
- It is unlikely that
any other race preceding the Runoffs will have as many former SCCA National
Champions competing (29) and defending National Champions (12) as the June
Sprints. Defending Champs entered to compete this weekend include: the
aforementioned Coello (Formula Continental), Mercer (Sports 2000) and Peter (C
Sports Racing), as well as Jim Dentici (GT-Lite), Jim Goughary Jr. (Formula
Mazda), Wayland Joe (GT-2), Lance Knupp (Touring One), Lawrence Loshak (E
Production), Chuck Mathis (G Production), Mike Miserendino (Spec Racer), Philip
Simms (GT-1) and Mirl Swan (Formula Atlantic).
Huge Entries
- Spec
Racer is no surprise as the class with the largest field, with 58 cars, but the
next several classes may be a surprise for those who frequent SCCA Club Races
across the country. Formula Atlantic has the second largest entry, with 28 cars,
followed by Formula Continental and GT-1, each with 27. Formula 500 will get a
big boost in its participation numbers (which are set to determine Runoffs
eligibility in 2008), with 20 cars entered in the race.
The Schedule
-
Many cars mean many race groups. The 2007 June Sprints will feature practice,
qualifying and nine races over the three days. Friday’s activity includes
practice for all nine races as well as opening round qualifying for the first
five groups. Saturday includes more qualifying, with the first three races held
in the afternoon. Sunday’s activity will conclude with the final six
races.
SCCA will cover the event through SCCA.com, and additional
information can be acquired through the event’s Web site, www.junesprints.com.
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