Texans haven’t covered the city of New Orleans this well since Willie Nelson did it, but the Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA® Super Tour at NOLA Motorsports Park, Feb. 17-18, 2024, will be hosted by a trio of Texas-based Regions: Lone Star Region, Houston Region, and Texas Region. And the roughly 200-driver-strong entry count confirms that the race weekend’s schedule is set to sizzle in The Big Easy for what has been dubbed the Voodoo Reboot Super Tour.
It’s the first time since 2018 that the SCCA Road Racing team has hooked up the Bravo trailer and towed into the bayou for a Hoosier Super Tour, and not a moment too soon – just days after Fat Tuesday. There’s little doubt that between the on-track action and the fun in town, SCCA members won’t have a problem filling their weekend to the brim.
Make Yourself at Home
NOLA Motorsports Park has lived an interesting life since its opening in 2011. The track has hosted everything from IndyCar to Superbikes, and currently is home to a regular stop for SRO World Challenge America and the SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned Trans Am Series.
Located just 20 minutes from downtown New Orleans, the track is a 17-turn, 2.748-mile circuit that twists back on itself and provides a clear line of sight for most of the track. In addition to three available track configurations designed by Alan Wilson, NOLA is home to a state-of-the-art events center and a seven-acre karting facility.
It also has an axe-throwing facility open on the weekends, which seems like the kind of after-hours gathering spot a racer blowing off steam might be searching for.
Cajun Cooking
Competitors come from all over the map for Super Tours, and this one is no different. But there are some hometown racers hoping to snag wins this weekend.
Richard Baldwin has to tow from Covington across the longest continuous span over water in the world on The Causeway to cross Lake Pontchartrain, but once on site, he’ll get to work in two classes: Spec Racer Ford Gen3 and Touring 3. Both of Baldwin’s cars have become famous in SCCA circles for the psychedelic livery – and for competing for wins. If Baldwin wins in SRF3, one of the cars he’ll beat will be another New Orleans resident, Fredrick Haas.
The Big Easy can bring some thunder, too, as Brian Himes and his American Sedan Ford Mustang is just a stone’s throw from the track in Slidell, LA. But this city is known for jazz, and nothing may be as free flowing and iconic as a Formula Atlantic machine. For a local flavor in that class, watch Stephen Lamana from Metarie in his Pro Formula Mazda.
Want to join the fun? Register today as a driver or a volunteer:
Things To Do In Town
Listen, at some tracks, a “things to do list” is necessary. But with downtown New Orleans just 20 minutes away, it’s a straightforward task.
The culture, the landscape, the cuisine, and yes, the French Quarter are legendary. But remember, if you enjoy a beverage or two at Pat O’Brien’s, be cognizant that we’re operating heavy machinery during the day at the racetrack.
Beignet, you say? Well, you can go to town on those.
Live Coverage from Home
Can’t get to NOLA Motorsports Park over the Feb. 17-18 weekend but still want to follow along? Don’t worry – like each and every Hoosier Super Tour, DriversEye Live and commentators Gregg Ginsberg and Brian Bielanski have you covered.
Both days of action – beginning with Saturday morning’s qualifying through all seven group races each day – can be found along with Timing & Scoring and results at SCCA.com, with the video feed also available on SCCA’s YouTube and SCCA Road Racing Facebook pages.
Photo by Mark Weber
