Las Vegas, Nev. (Jan. 18, 2019) -- The 2019 Sports Car Club of America® National Convention is well underway at South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the SCCA® officially opens the yearlong celebration of its 75th Diamond Anniversary. And while the Club eagerly looks forward to the future, it is at the annual convention that awards are given out in recognition of wonderful work conducted during the past year. Below is a rundown of awards presented so far at the 2019 National Convention.
Member of Excellence: Lori Vitagliano, Florida Region
Selected by SCCA’s Board of Directors, this award is presented to the volunteer who shows the greatest commitment to SCCA activities. The recipient can be involved in Solo, Rally and/or Road Racing. This person personifies the SCCA volunteer who gives of his/her time and effort to helping organize, work in a specialty or any volunteer role necessary to a motorsports event.
John McGill Award: Jim Wheeler, Kansas City Region
Presented for significant contribution to the Road Racing Program. The winner is chosen by the Club Racing Board and the Vice President of Road Racing.
Driver of the Year: Jonathan Lugod, Cal Club
Presented to the Solo® driver who has demonstrated exceptional skill or has overcome major obstacles to produce an outstanding performance at the Solo National Championship. The winner is selected by the Solo Events Board from nominations submitted by the membership at large.
Rookie of the Year: Ryan Field, New England Region
Presented for an outstanding performance at a first Solo National Championship by a driver with limited competition experience.
Divisional RallyCross Achievement: Midwest Division
This award is presented in recognition of a Division’s activities in RallyCross for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any Rally participant, with the recipient being selected by the RallyCross Board.
Regional RallyCross Achievement : St. Louis Region
This award is presented in recognition of a Region’s activities in RallyCross for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, event participation, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any RallyCross participant, with the recipient being selected by the RallyCross Board.
Robert V. Ridges Memorial Award: John Emmons and Lois Van Vleet, Land O’Lakes Region
Bob Ridges was Secretary of the RoadRally Board from the inception of the National program in 1957 until his death in 1965. This award is presented to the SCCA member who exemplifies the highest degree of dedication and sportsmanship in the sport and who has made an outstanding contribution to the success of an event. This award is not intended for sitting RRB members, Official Observers, Rallymasters, or Officials unless they have clearly demonstrated extraordinary dedication, achievement, and/or sportsmanship above and beyond the duties and responsibilities of their office. The recipient is selected by the RRB based on recommendations of any Rally participant or Board member. This is the highest honor within the SCCA Rally Program and may not be presented each year.
Arthur J. Gervais Award: Roads Scholar; Jim Crittenden, Milwaukee Region
Arthur Gervais was a longtime Rallymaster of the Historic New York National RoadRally. The award is presented annually to year’s outstanding National Course Rally. The winner is chosen via a vote of the top 20 competitors in each class who have competed in at least four events. Prior to 1989, this award encompassed all National Rallies each year.
David Teter Tour Rally of the Year: Laurel Run; Richard Beattie/Jeff Hutzelman, Steel Cities Region
David Teter was the editor of the modernized and comprehensive RoadRally Rule Book, Rallymaster of seventeen consecutive March Lamb Regional rallies, and an outstanding competitor on the NTR circuit. This award is presented annually in recognition of the outstanding NTR. Selection is made by vote of the top 20 competitors in each class who have competed in at least three events in that class.
Divisional RoadRally Achievement: Northeast Division
This award is presented in recognition of a Division’s activities in RoadRally for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any Rally participant, with the recipient being selected by the RoadRally Board.
Regional RoadRally Achievement: St. Louis Region
Presented in recognition of a Region’s activities in RoadRally for a new or on-going program. This may include events, promotions, attendance, innovation in public relations, event participation, etc. Nominations clearly indicating the qualifying details may be made by any Rally participant, with the recipient being selected by the Road Rally Board.
The Tom Burke Awards
The Tom Burke Awards are presented to Regions for exemplary efforts to activate and grow the SCCA. Formerly named the Chairman’s Award prior to 1987, one award is given to the RE of a Region in each of the Region Size categories from the preceding year. The awards are given in honor of SCCA member Tom Burke. His love of SCCA and passion for what we do not only ignited in others a desire to become SCCA members, but also served as a call to engage in SCCA activities. Mr. Burke’s ambassadorial approach to prospective and current members served as a model for the spirit of the SCCA.
- Small Regions (under 200 members): Yellowstone Region; Bill Blaquiere, Regional Executive
- Medium Regions (201-400 members): Eastern Tennessee Region; Mark Pilson, Regional Executive
- Large Regions (401-800 members): Susquehanna Region; Kristen Poole, Regional Executive
- Jumbo Regions (over 800 members): Central Carolinas Region; Brian Gause, Regional Executive
Region of the Year Awards
The Region of the Year Award gauges Region’s management team performance relating to the SCCA’s Goals and Business Strategies. Winners are as follows.
- Small Regions (under 200 members): Big Island of Hawaii Region; Tim Minick, Regional Executive
- Medium Regions (201-400 members): Tennessee Region; Brian Sowders, Regional Executive
- Large Regions (401-800 members): Philadelphia Region; Jeff Jacobs, Regional Executive
- Jumbo Regions (over 800 members): Oregon Region; Tim Ferrick, Regional Executive
The Sports Car Club of America®, Inc., founded in 1944, is a 67,500-member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both Club and professional levels. With headquarters in Topeka, Kansas, the SCCA annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 116 Regions and subsidiary divisions. Much of the SCCA’s activities are made possible with support from the following Official Partners: Hagerty, the Official Insurance Partner of SCCA; Hawk Performance, the Official Brake Products of SCCA; Sunoco, the Official Fuel of SCCA; and Tire Rack, the Official Tire Retailer of SCCA. To learn more, please visit www.scca.com.
