Before we get down to business and tell you why you need to attend the April 5-7, 2024, Tire Rack SCCA Oklahoma ProSolo at Frederick Regional Airport in Frederick, OK, here’s an awesome history lesson.
It’s the turn of the 20th century, and resourceful and determined (and gutsy) Texan John Abernathy is making a name for himself selling wolves to zoos, circuses, and traveling shows…because, you know, that’s what people did back then. Abernathy’s exploits as a barehanded wolf hunter catches the attention of none other than President Theodore Roosevelt who, in 1905 (less than four year’s into his presidency), travels to the Frederick, OK, area to go on a wolf hunt with “Catch-‘em-alive Jack” Abernathy…because, you know, that’s what presidents did back then.
It was around this time that many of the buildings in the Frederick area burned to the ground because they were made of wood. Then, two years after Teddy and “Catch-‘em-alive Jack” bonded with wolves, Oklahoma became a state, Frederick became a city, and tourism to the area increased, spawned in large part by the president’s wolfy exploits with the very cool "Catch-'em-alive Jack."
Roughly 120 years later, Frederick is a modest city sporting a population just north of 3,400 in the five square miles that make up the area, and the buildings are largely made of brick (some pasts you don’t want to repeat).
But while Frederick retains much of its early-years quaint qualities, there’s unfortunately no modern-day equivalent of “Catch-‘em-alive Jack” – unless that person is you.
It’s Your Turn
The fourth stop on this year’s Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo Series is the Oklahoma ProSolo that takes place at Frederick Regional Airport, a hidden gem of a facility just outside of the Texas panhandle. Located a little over two hours from both Fort Worth and Oklahoma City, this is the second time SCCA’s ProSolo Series has made the trek to Oklahoma’s southwest corner, and if it’s anything like last year, the event is one you won’t want to miss.
Tillman County Historical Society and Oklahoma Region will team up to host a welcome party at the nearby Plains Technology Center, setting the tone for a fantastic weekend – but that’s not all. Frederick Regional Airport doubles as home to the World War II Airborne Demonstration team, which last year had its hanger open with lunch available for purchase in the mess hall (some pasts you do want to repeat).
This year’s ProSolo competition will utilize a different section of the airport, but rest assured that the concrete you’ll be competing on will offer just as much grip.
Online registration for the April 5-7, 2024, Tire Rack SCCA Oklahoma ProSolo is open through 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 2. After that, the entry price jumps from $205 to $235 for on-site registration.
So, long story short, be cool like "Catch-'em-alive Jack" and sign up now.
And if you have some spare time while you’re in Frederick, maybe you can spot a wolf or two.
Photo by Christopher Dunn
