The first of three qualifying days is underway for the 60th anniversary SCCA® National Championship Runoffs® presented by Sunoco taking place Sept. 28-Oct. 6, 2024, in Wisconsin at Road America.
The weather forecast is fantastic, and the scenery is stunning around the legendary 4.048-mile, 14-turn circuit as trees are shifting to fall colors in the beautiful Kettle Moraine region that includes the quaint towns of Elkhart Lake and Plymouth.
Each of 26 car classes will have 20-minute sessions on track beginning at 8 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to set race grids and reveal Tire Rack Pole Award winners. The opening day of qualifying is special as it is Sunoco 260 Tuesday, where drivers in each different class whose best qualifying time comes closest to including .260 receives 15 gallons of Sunoco race fuel free for their car.
Developments over three days of qualifying can be followed online at the Runoffs Live Timing/Scoring webpage. That’s where you’ll also find an audio-only qualifying broadcast, as well as current and archived Timing/Scoring data from all on-track sessions. That same audio presentation – featuring commentary from pro driver Tom O’Gorman, Road America announcer Eric Mueller, and Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour broadcasters Larry “Lefty” MacLeod and Gregg Ginsberg – will be heard around Road America on the public address system as well.
Formula Vee Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tuesday Evening
Bob Riley and Jonathan Weisheit will be officially inducted into the Formula Vee Hall of Fame during a special ceremony taking place at 6 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, Oct. 1, in victory circle at Road America. This prestigious honor celebrates their extraordinary contributions to the world of Formula Vee racing and their lasting legacy in motorsports.
Bob Riley, the visionary engineer behind the iconic Lynx Formula Vee, played a pivotal role in the development of this highly successful car. First introduced in the 1960s, the Lynx went on to dominate the Formula Vee class, capturing four SCCA National Championships and solidifying its place as a benchmark of engineering excellence. Riley's innovative designs and commitment to performance made him a revered figure in the racing world, with his influence continuing to shape the sport to this day.
Joining Riley in this year’s Hall of Fame class is Jonathan Weisheit, a true veteran and advocate of Formula Vee. Weisheit first made his mark in the 1976 SCCA Runoffs and has since enjoyed an illustrious career, competing at the highest level of amateur racing for nearly five decades. Beyond his on-track success, Weisheit has made an immeasurable impact behind the scenes, dedicating himself as a race worker and technician. His role in SCCA Runoffs tech and recent involvement with the Challenge Cup Series reflect his tireless efforts to support and grow the Formula Vee community.
Graham Loughead, founder of the Formula Vee Hall of Fame, said Riley and Weisheit have each left an indelible mark on Formula Vee racing.
“Riley’s engineering and technological innovations changed the course of the sport, while Weisheit’s long-standing dedication as both a competitor and a worker has enriched the Formula Vee community for decades. We are honored to recognize their achievements and contributions,” he said.
Go to formulaveeproject.com to learn more about the Formula Vee Hall of Fame.
Follow All Runoffs Action Online
All three Hagerty Race Days will include a multi-camera video broadcast, presented by Mazda, delivered directly to smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, or desktops and laptops around the globe. Catch all the Runoffs racing action anywhere with internet access as it happens live. Find the race action online Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in real time at SCCA.com and the SCCA Official YouTube channel, a link for which you’ll find below.
A four-man team familiar to fans will anchor the race video broadcast, splitting duties across Hagerty Race Days. Greg Creamer and John Fippin will share play-by-play responsibilities, and color commentary will be added by MacLeod and O’Gorman. Heyward Wagner will add insight from grid and pit lane, as well as capture the emotion from competitors immediately after races. For those at Road America during race days, audio from the Apex Broadcast-produced presentation will air live around the circuit via the public address system.
On top of live race coverage, Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour announcers Brian Bielanski and Gregg Ginsberg return in 2024 with the Inside the SCCA podcast presented by Goodyear, which offers additional insights from Road America prior to the first race of each day, as well as during lunch breaks.
There’s no excuse for missing any Runoffs action from Road America!
Photo by Philip Royle
