Topeka, Kan. (Nov. 20, 2017) -- With an amazing Indianapolis Motor Speedway Runoffs in the record books, the Sports Car Club of America® now looks ahead to the 2018 SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® taking place October 16-21 at Sonoma Raceway in California -- the Runoffs’ first-ever visit to that Northern California venue. But to be part of all the Runoffs action in 2018, competitors need to meet certain qualification criteria.
The process by which racers receive invites to compete at the upcoming Runoffs remains relatively unchanged. Three distinct paths again exist for racers to gain eligibility. For those involved in Hoosier Super Tour or U.S. Majors Tour Conference events, drivers must first participate in a minimum of three separate weekends, in any Conference, and have a minimum of three individual race starts, all in the same class. Competitors again have the option of substituting two Regional race weekends for one U.S. Majors Tour event.
A Divisional Championship path to a Runoffs invite also remains an option. Here, a competitor must first participate in the same class for a minimum of four weekends within a single Divisional Championship. Then, racers must finish in the top three positions within a class point standings, except for Spec Miata and Spec Racer Ford Gen3 where the top five will be invited to the Runoffs. A competitor must qualify in the same class in which he/she is entering the Runoffs, though he/she may compete in any car eligible for the class.
In addition to the top three (top five in SRF3/SM) Divisional Championship point earners, drivers in the top 50 percent of the NorPac and SoPac Divisions in 2018 will be eligible for Runoffs invitations dictated by available space.
If a Divisional Championship is not concluded at the time of the Runoffs, invitations will be extended to competitors meeting the requirements three weeks prior to the start of the Runoffs, thus allowing Divisions to run programs year-round.
As usual, defending Runoffs winners also get an invite. Such drivers who have not met requirements as stated above may be accepted as a Runoffs entrant. But in such an instance, the driver can only compete in the class or classes being defended, though he or she may compete in any car eligible within the class. However, a driver may not invoke this provision two-consecutive years in the same class, even if he/she repeats as a National Champion.
As was the case in 2017, SCCA Pro Racing drivers may substitute one participation in a U.S. Majors Tour event with a Trans-Am Series or F4 United States Championship event in the corresponding class.
So, check calendars, make travel plans and get races in to make sure you are at the first ever SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Sonoma Raceway alongside California’s beautiful Napa Valley.
