No aspect of the Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program happens without the hard work of the volunteer workers handling aspects ranging from event operations through technical inspection. Each year, a select few are recognized as SCCA Worker of the Year presented by Mazda.
Worker of the Year awards were presented on Thursday night during the all-participant dinner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the SCCA Runoffs. Each of the nine honorees, coming from each aspect of road racing workers, receive a commemorative plaque, patch and jacket, as well as an SCCA Gear merchandise gift certificate.
“We have over 850 racers and over 430 workers with us this year,” Deanna Flanagan, Director of Road Racing, said. “Since 1944, the SCCA has existed to provide a place for auto enthusiasts and motorsports fans to come together and enjoy our shared passion. We’ve heard stories and witnessed selfless acts of sportsmanship and teamwork. Last night, at the block party, we had drivers, workers, crew, family, friends from all walks of life gathering as one SCCA family. To all the workers, thank you for your dedication, commitment and support to this event and our members.”
Award recipients have shown dedication throughout the season to their specialties, events, regions, competitors, fellow workers and the SCCA; exhibited strong skills, good leadership, and a willingness to go above and beyond what is expected; and provided excellent customer service to everyone encountered. SCCA members submitted Worker of the Year nominations, and winners were selected by the SCCA National staff with input from Division leadership.
Flagging & Communications
Pat Prevenas, Blackhawk Valley Region. A member since 1971, Pevanas celebrates his 50th SCCA anniversary on Friday at the Runoffs. Respected as a long-time leader in the division, he serves as corner caption, a great teacher and mentor to others. He has worked seven divisional event weekends in 2021 and is consistent with this level of commitment in prior years. Working Flagging and Communications is a family affair for this dedicated worker, sharing event weekends with his brothers and children. He supports all types of events within SCCA with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Pit & Grid
Bonnie Wannarka, Lone Star Region. Wannarka joined the SCCA in 1987 as a member of the San Francisco Region. Nearly 20 years later, she began spending time on the East Coast and was recruited to work the grid at Summit Point with Washington DC Region. She continues to hold many specialty licenses, but grid is her home and Wannarka has worked at 22 different tracks across the country. Always willing to help when a Region needs it, she has been called upon several times to step in as Chief when the region she was visiting needed someone. She is a friend to all, sincerely sweet and helpful. You will always see her at the Runoffs and she even served as Victory Circle chief for several years. She now calls Texas home and has added Lone Star Region to her SCCA story. You never know where she’ll show up but you know she’ll have a smile on her face when she does!
Race Administration
Carol Deborde, Reno Region. A member for over 25 years, Deborde is truly a utility player. She holds licenses for registration, grid & pit, scrutineering and timing & scoring in addition to race administration. An amazing ambassador for the club, Deborde works tirelessly in every way possible to help everyone that needs information or assistance. Her attitude and helpfulness is weaved into everything she does whether she’s working registration, or assisting with lunches and socials or on grid. Her impact is reinforced by the number of people that seek her help or turn to her with a concern or thank her for her assistance. She has been a key supporter of the Runoffs, serving as chief for Victory Circle functions as well as Driver Information, often serving in both roles in the same year, oh and helping on grid on test days. In 2018, she and her husband, Dave, received the Woolf Barnato Trophy, the highest award presented to a member who has made the most outstanding long-term contribution. For her, it’s all about helping people and making sure she does her part to make sure people enjoy a great experience with SCCA.
Registration
Betsy Speed, Central Carolinas Region. Speed has been a member since 1978, and those that know her use words like positive, knowledgeable, leader, and helpful when describing her. She has been instrumental over the last 12-18 months to develop and implement safety protocols to help keep her fellow registrars and participants safe. She has developed best practices and procedures that were used at many tracks in her division. She is extremely proficient in registration programs, especially MotorsportReg and helps other Regions set up their events and answers questions about the system. She willingly shares her knowledge and expertise with her Division, trains new registrars and travels to events to contribute to their success. Speed serves as Southeast Division DA and Assistant Chief Registrar at the Runoffs.
Scrutineer
Chuck Knox, Cal Club Region. Joining in 1994, Knox has held specialty licenses in sound, start, F&C, but is most known for Tech. As a retired Navy A1 Skyraider and F4U Corsair pilot, he has always had a passion for hot rods and attended his first SCCA race at Willow Springs with friends and family. Eventually his car hobby turned into his life’s work, opening his own shop. This made him a perfect fit for the tech specialty, serving as chief for 15 years. He designed tech tools to make tech inspection easier, he prioritized getting drivers on track safely and became the “go-to-guy” because of his extensive GCR knowledge. He has been a mentor to members both new and experienced. He greets everyone with a smile and is dedicated to delivering a positive experience.
Start
Wayne and Pat Foss, Chicago Region. This year’s Start worker of the year award went to a team, the Foss duo. Members since 1980, they support the club working most Central Division events, whether it be a driver school or a Hoosier Super Tour, from Road America to Blackhawk Farms Raceway to Autobahn Country Club. They are a dependable couple who can be counted on to show up and do their job right. In addition to working start at club events, their commitment to the sport extends to Pro events, returning to their original specialty of F&C when starters aren’t needed. They are well-respected within their specialty and beyond for their contributions over the last 30 years.
Steward
Mike Beaumia, Milwaukee Region. As a steward, Beaumia has been described as a workhorse, relied on to do the work competently and confidently. Often Beaumia begins a race weekend in registration, greeting racers and workers as they arrive before moving to his steward assignment. He’s also a staple at the Runoffs working in nearly every steward role including serving on the SOM this year. With over 30 years in the club and as a driver himself, he brings additional perspective and experience to his interactions with drivers. He is a welcoming face, always calm and delivers textbook customer service to SCCA members.
Timing & Scoring
Carla Heath, Washington DC Region. The godmother of Timing and Scoring, Heath has scored cars in SCCA for nearly 40 years. She has worked as a local chief, divisional administrator, Runoffs chief, and for numerous pro racing championships. Timing chiefs across the country call anytime to answer questions, learn, and get advice. In 2021, she stepped in as Chief of Timing at the Pitt Race Hoosier Super Tour, and has set standards in the specialty. She’s created instructions and checklists that are used by many SCCA teams across the country. Heath strives for excellence and pushes those around her to do the same.
Sound
Rich Roberts, Milwaukee Region. Roberts has been involved in SCCA activities since 1993. Active in both flagging and communications and sound control, this worker has stepped up to fill a need in his division. He has worked with the sound team to learn the ropes and has become proficient in the specialty. His willingness to take on a job when asked was evident at the 2020 Runoffs when the specialty suffered some late cancellations due to Covid. This worker answered the call to serve as Assistant Chief at the Runoffs. He did an excellent job of preparing the site daily and managing the event. Not only is he extremely capable, but his warm smile is infectious.
In addition to the prizes awarded all 2021 Workers of the Year, one randomly selected winner earns an all-expense paid trip to either the Rolex 24 at Daytona or the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in 2022, two of IMSA Racing’s crown jewels. This year, that went to Carol Deborde.
Photo caption: Chuck Knox of Cal Club claims his Worker of the Year honors
Photo by: Jon Krolewicz, SCCA Staff
