In only a few short days, nearly 1,300 SCCA® autocrossers will descend upon Lincoln Airpark in Nebraska to enjoy the 51st running of the Tire Rack SCCA Solo® National Championships. Ratcheting up the excitement, winners of the 2024 Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award and Dick Berger Perseverance Award have been revealed, with both recipients representing the welcoming values we hold dear to us in the Club’s Solo program.
The Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award recognizes Solo community members who bring the spirit of fun to their fellow participants, as symbolized by the message engraved on the perpetual award: "Johnson Spirit of the Sport Award, presented annually by the Royal Order of the Sheep to a member of the flock that upholds the spirited virtues of Fun, Camaraderie and Tomfoolery.”
This award, selected annually by the previous three winners, is named in honor of the inaugural recipient: Exalted Grand Shepherd, Roger E. Johnson. The winner in 2024 is David Nolan, a man who always dives into the spirit of themed events and demonstrates an unwavering commitment to making sure everyone around him is having a wonderful experience.
“I’m super excited about receiving this honor,” said Nolan, who is a member of SCCA’s Atlanta Region. “Creating an atmosphere and culture of fun and camaraderie is critical to this sport. It’s what drew me in, and I’ve tried to replicate that experience over the years for others.”
The Dick Berger Perseverance Award recognizes someone each year who is undaunted by limited success over many National Championship events, but keeps coming back to enjoy the camaraderie, community, and hopes for a trophy in competition. Past Dick Berger Perseverance Award recipients include Phil Alspach, Francis "Frank" Miller, and Roger H. Johnson.
Robert Chrismas is the ’24 Dick Berger Perseverance Award winner. He has been involved in autocross for more than four decades and made it to 27 Solo National Championships, but only trophied once. He has also served as support staff for Solo National Tour and ProSolo® events, which earned him Solo Cup honors in 2014 as recognition for his outstanding contribution to the Solo Events Program.
“There are two ways to earn respect in this sport. You either win a National Championship and a jacket, or hang out long enough that people assume you’ve won because why else would you still be around,” joked Chrismas, who is from SCCA’s Northwestern Ohio Region. “It’s nice to be noticed for enjoying what I do and sticking to it for what will be my 28th Solo Nationals this year.”
Celebrate with Nolan and Chrismas at Solo Nats
Official recognition of Nolan and Chrismas will occur at the 2024 Solo National Championships during the Solo Nationals Morning Show, which takes place about an hour before each day’s competition begins and are streamed live on SCCA’s Official Facebook page.
And if you’re on site at the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships on Wednesday, Sept. 4, head to the Tire Rack Event Center around 5:45 p.m., where SCCA will continue to celebrate major achievements, this time with the presentation of the Driver of Eminence and Solo Cup awards.
Photo caption: Thanks to their determination and great attitudes, Robert Chrismas (right) and David Nolan (left) have earned significant Solo awards that will be presented at the 2024 Solo National Championships.
Photos courtesy Robert Chrismas and David Nolan
