The nationwide Summit Racing Equipment SCCA Road Racing program wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of volunteers that handle everything from event operations through technical inspection. Each year, a select few of these volunteers are honored as an SCCA® Worker of the Year presented by Mazda.
The 2023 SCCA Worker of the Year awards were presented on Thursday, Sept. 28, during the All-Participant Dinner conducted in The Gallery at VIRginia International Raceway as part of the 60th running of SCCA’s National Championship Runoffs®. Each of the honorees, coming from different road racing worker pursuits, receive a commemorative plaque, patch, and jacket, as well as an SCCA Gear merchandise gift certificate.
SCCA members submitted Worker of the Year nominations, and winners were selected by the SCCA National Staff with input from Division leadership. Award recipients have shown dedication throughout the season to their specialties, events, SCCA Regions, competitors, fellow workers, and the Club as a whole. They’ve exhibited strong skills, good leadership, and a willingness to go above and beyond what is expected to offer excellent customer service.
Registration
Betty Harrison, Washington D.C. Region. One of Harrison’s signature moves is the pre-work she does in advance of events, cleaning up registration data, checking memberships, licenses, and waivers. This proactive work helps ensure the drivers and workers that attend the event have a smooth check-in experience. She and her registration team have worked hard to set new standards in streamlining check-in, using technology where they can.
Emergency Services
Bonnie Lawler, Cal Club Region. Lawler serves as the primary dispatcher for her Region, not missing any events last year. Extremely knowledgeable about her track, the equipment, and her team, Lawler’s experience allows her to provide safe and thoughtful input to Race Control Stewards, and sound decisions when dispatching. A member of the Cal Club Board, Lawler works well with everyone and has earned the respect of her fellow members.
Scrutineer
Joseph Menowsky III, Washington D.C. Region. Menowsky has worked diligently to improve his Region’s Tech program, while maintaining the high standards and integrity of the GCR. He’s a true mentor to new drivers and volunteers, no matter the Region they come from. Recognizing there’s an important relationship between drivers, teams, and Tech, Menowsky is dedicated to making everything open and transparent, and is always looking for ways to streamline the tech process while ensuring all participants adhere to safety regulations and rules.
Pit & Grid
Brian Williams, Central Florida Region. Volunteering at several of the tracks in his area and working his Region events and many Pro events, Williams is always positive, extremely understanding, and supportive of his fellow workers. He’s inclusive of others and tries to get people in roles they’re comfortable in. One member who nominated Williams for this award said she would work for him anytime the opportunity presents because of the positive environment he creates at the event.
Start
John and Beth Burkhard, Washington D.C. Region. A husband-and-wife team, John and Beth Burkhard stepped up when their Region’s chief starter had to suddenly step aside to address a health issue – they began their role in the position the very next weekend. They continued to work in the role over the next several months, experiencing their own personal family loss of someone who was also a longtime SCCA member and flagger. When the Region and their fellow members were in need, John and Beth responded.
Race Administration
Julie Hammons, Land O’Lakes Region. Hammons is always calm and cool under pressure, while being easy to work with. In addition, she continues to work in Tech and has attended nearly all the Runoffs. At a Land O’Lakes event this year, the Region found itself short of workers, so Hammons worked with the RE to recruit drivers who had seldom or never volunteered, helping fill the gaps. She navigated the curveballs thrown at her, working together as a team to pull off a great event.
Timing & Scoring
Tim O’Brien, Finger Lakes Region. A member since 2000, O’Brien travels across his Division to work events. He arrived at the SCCA with a wealth of knowledge gained with other clubs, and has been a key reason that Regions in his Division can hold successful events. Timing and Scoring can be a daunting specialty that requires special knowledge, but he willingly heads to the track to share his talents and skills.
Race Data Technician
Todd Heilicher, Chicago Region. A member since 1978, Heilicher has been a racer, worked Emergency Services, driven a pace car, and recently took on a new challenge as a Race Data Technician. He supported the Hoosier Super Tours, traveling to events and managing the data box program with very limited resources. Heilicher has always been one to help wherever is needed, no matter his role, and does so in a selfless and kind manner.
Steward
Kathy McLeod, Washington D.C. Region. Joining the SCCA in 1972, McLeod has held licenses for Flagging & Communications, Registration, Tech, and is a National Steward. Extremely active in her Division and working nearly 15 events each year, McLeod serves as the Deputy Executive Steward and Training Steward as well as Conference Majors Race Director for her Division. She’s worked to build consistency across her Division’s events from the supplemental regulations and schedule formats to improve how Stewards perform at events. She’s also developed great relationships with drivers and earned the respect of her peers and fellow members.
Flagging & Communications
Donald Drennon, Atlanta Region. Coming to the Club in 1987, Drennon embodies the welcoming environment. He’s a teacher, a mentor, and a champion of the sport and the Club. He’s been corner captain, communicator, event chief, Divisional administrator, Runoff’s chief, and so much more. This year, Drennon took on one of his most important and impactful roles in the Club: lead specialty advisor, author, and voice of the new SCCA Flagging & Communications Training for Corner Marshals. A training that will be used by people across the country and organizations for years to come, countless people will be taught the craft of flagging by him.
In addition to the prizes awarded to all 2023 SCCA Workers of the Year, one randomly selected winner receives an all-expense paid trip to a race weekend supported by Mazda. That reward went to McLeod on Thursday night.
Photo: Just some of the 2023 Worker of the Year recipients, honored Thursday night at VIR during the 60th running of SCCA’s National Championship Runoffs.
Photo by Jon Krolewicz/SCCA Staff
