For Immediate Release
SCCA Runoffs Television Coverage
Revs Up This Saturday
TOPEKA, Kan. (Nov. 17, 2004) – SPEED Channel kicks off four-consecutive
weekends
of its 2004 SCCA National Championship Runoffs® Presented by Kohler coverage
beginning this Saturday, Nov. 20.
The tape-delayed, 24-race Runoffs will be broken down into four groups, with
two races being shown each Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. (EST) and four shown
each Sunday starting at noon (EST). The GT-5 class leads off this weekend, and
the month-long SCCA Club Racing coverage wraps up with the GT-4 contest on
Sunday, Dec. 12 at 3 p.m. (EST).
Hard-chargers, hard-luck competitors and champions alike will make up each
hour-long show, giving complete, in-depth coverage to every minute of Runoffs
action.
Hosted by Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course since 1994, the 2004 edition of the
Runoffs saw a record 726 drivers take to the 2.25-mile layout, which removed
the chicane leading into the keyhole, first introduced in 2003.
For a complete listing of broadcast dates and times, visit
http://www.speedtv.com/schedule and search by keyword: Runoffs.

SCCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RUNOFFS

(All Times Eastern)
Sat., Nov. 20, 2:00 PM GT-5
Sat., Nov. 20, 3:00 PM GT-2
Sun., Nov. 21, 12:00 PM SSB
Sun., Nov. 21, 1:00 PM H Production
Sun., Nov. 21, 2:00 PM Formula Atlantic
Sun., Nov. 21, 3:00 PM Touring 1
Sat., Nov. 27, 2:00 PM F Production
Sat., Nov. 27, 3:00 PM Formula Mazda
Sun., Nov. 28, 12:00 PM Sports 2000
Sun., Nov. 28, 1:00 PM Touring 2
Sun., Nov. 28, 2:00 PM Formula 500
Sun., Nov. 28, 3:00 PM D Sports Racing
Sat., Dec. 4, 2:00 PM American Sedan
Sat., Dec. 4, 3:00 PM E Production
Sun., Dec. 5, 12:00 PM GT-3
Sun., Dec. 5, 1:00 PM Formula Continental
Sun., Dec. 5, 2:00 PM SSC
Sun., Dec. 5, 3:00 PM C Sports Racing
Sat., Dec. 11, 2:00 PM Formula Vee
Sat., Dec. 11, 3:00 PM GT-1
Sun., Dec. 12, 12:00 PM Formula Ford
Sun., Dec. 12, 1:00 PM Spec Racer Ford
Sun., Dec. 12, 2:00 PM G Production
Sun., Dec. 12, 3:00 PM GT-4

 

Touring 2 and Formula V are the races to watch. I used to think FV was kind of gay until I the race at the Runoffs this year. I really get it, now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I used to think FV was kind of gay until I the race at the Runoffs this year. I really get it, now.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Formula Vee at the Runoffs is somewhat akin to the social structure of a swarm of bees. Most are at the front bunched together and it is hard to tell which individual is actually in the lead. The lead at any given moment is in flux but it is almost totally immaterial until the exit of the last corner of the last lap. Quite interesting to behold.

 

Oh yeah...can't wait to watch the T2 race. Maybe it will help me figure out where i got the tire rub on 6 of the 9 body panels on the M Coupe.

Tecce

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cochise &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh yeah...can't wait to watch the T2 race. Maybe it will help me figure out where i got the tire rub on 6 of the 9 body panels on the M Coupe.
Tecce </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you ran anywhere in the vicinity of John Fernandez, I think you pretty well have an answer. He took out two leaders on half a lap and pretty well defined "Slam-Bang Theater". His teammate Grahovic had his fair share of battle scars as well although he had a pretty serious charge up from the back.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CRX Lee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you ran anywhere in the vicinity of John Fernandez, I think you pretty well have an answer. He took out two leaders on half a lap and pretty well defined "Slam-Bang Theater". His teammate Grahovic had his fair share of battle scars as well although he had a pretty serious charge up from the back.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Same with T.C. Kline.

No shortage of action in that race...

 

&lt;----------currently programming TiVo...and drooling.

Speaking of TiVo...I'm really irritated that DirecTV, or Speed Channel (whomever is responsible) lists all races in the program guide as "Auto Racing", so, other than Formula 1 which has it's own title, you can't Season Pass without getting a whole ton of crap and having to weed thorugh it anyways.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sean O’Gorman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Same with T.C. Kline.

No shortage of action in that race...</TD></TR></TABLE>

T.C. was the hittee repeatedly by Fernandez as he was the second leader Fernandez took out that lap. T.C. only made one hit when he showed Fernandez that he wasn't going to settle for that crap. I watched the whole things and spoke to him later. Fernandez started and continued it, T.C. put an end to it.

 

I really want to see the T1 there was a bad crash the first lap where a Neon hit a caddy and flipped it right in front of where I was. It looked pretty bad, fortunantly the guy was ok and was able to give the 1 finger salute to the guy in the neon

 

don't forget SSC where our SM leader Jim Daniels driving a Mazda 3 passed the Civic Si on the last lap, but Jim was DQ'd after the race for a "driving infraction." i want to see just how bad it was.

T2, GT2, SSB, SSC, DSR, FA, etc, etc........they're all good to watch.

 

damn it damn it damn it . . . . . I can't believe it's that time of year again and I don't have Speed . . . . Thanks *** Communications . . . . I really need to order DirecTV soon

 

Yeah, sporscar describes the incident and it sounds like it happened while Jim was working his way up to the front and wasn't involved in his actual pass for the lead.

I need a TiVo.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by trigun7469 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I really want to see the T1 there was a bad crash the first lap where a Neon hit a caddy and flipped it right in front of where I was. It looked pretty bad, fortunantly the guy was ok and was able to give the 1 finger salute to the guy in the neon</TD></TR></TABLE>

That was T2, and the reason that I mentioned that neon driver Toby Grahovic had to work his way up from back in the back.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yeah, sporscar describes the incident and it sounds like it happened while Jim was working his way up to the front and wasn't involved in his actual pass for the lead. </TD></TR></TABLE>

It was the pass for the lead, Daniels and the leader were solidly out front and Daniels stepped inside and hit him from behind in a low percentage pass from what I heard. I was down in the end of the back straight at the time and saw the cars and the dust in the keyhole from a distance. It was pretty obvious that Daniels had more car under him than he was letting on with and the Honda was doing his best to hold him back. Daniels misjusdged it and knocked the guy off, finished on the podium and then had the win taken away. From those who saw it up at the Keyhole, I hear it was pretty blatent as to what happened.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I need a TiVo. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Me too. I saw the races but liek to see the stuff that wasn't in front of me to piece the puzzle together.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TeamSlowdotOrg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I need a TiVo. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Why do you think I finally got mine today? Our cable company offers their own digital video recording box--$6/month with no equipment to buy.

 

Trigun-
The CTS V was Jordan Sandridge, from my hometown no less, and his dad has to watch the whole thing, lap after lap under yellow...that will be awesome to see on t.v. Sunday at 3pm EST.

I just so happen to have caught up with the flatbed on I-71 heading home that evening and got a real good look at the front end for several miles, OH MY!

I hear the car has or is being rebuilt and just might be re-entered into racing service for 2005. I believe it is done with scca racing, why go back and get it smashed again, would be a great car for Grand Am!

It will be interesting to see some amature racing instead of "CRASHCAR" this weekend....I am so damn sick of million dollar budgeted snobby crybaby drivers who blame Goodyear, or some other "extension" of their poor choice behind the wheel on t.v. and Dale Jr. commercials.

Happy Thanksgiving to all

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Roadracejunkie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Trigun-
The CTS V was Jordan Sandridge, from my hometown no less, and his dad has to watch the whole thing, lap after lap under yellow...that will be awesome to see on t.v. Sunday at 3pm EST.

I just so happen to have caught up with the flatbed on I-71 heading home that evening and got a real good look at the front end for several miles, OH MY!

I hear the car has or is being rebuilt and just might be re-entered into racing service for 2005. I believe it is done with scca racing, why go back and get it smashed again, would be a great car for Grand Am!

It will be interesting to see some amature racing instead of "CRASHCAR" this weekend....I am so damn sick of million dollar budgeted snobby crybaby drivers who blame Goodyear, or some other "extension" of their poor choice behind the wheel on t.v. and Dale Jr. commercials.

Happy Thanksgiving to all </TD></TR></TABLE>

It really wasn't the guy in the caddies Fault, I'm kind of suprised its fixable the front roof was totally caved in, front end damage, basically alot of damage. It looked like alot of work ahead, it will be intrested to see what he has to say, as he was getting interviewed after the accident , but of course I could not hear what he was saying. never the less good race to watch

 

I caught the GT5 and the beginning of the GT2 race. GT5 was so-so, didn't really seem to be much passing going on, and the lead guy (Dennis something-or-other?) was WAY in the lead the whole time. GT2 was way cooler, especially with that craziness right at the end at the last corner.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sscguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">GT5 was so-so, didn't really seem to be much passing going on, and the lead guy (Dennis something-or-other?) was WAY in the lead the whole time.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It was Doug Peterson, part owner of Acura/Honda tuner Comptech. There is your Honda connection even though he was driving a tube Mini. Good charge by Kirk Olsen who made the podium and set the fastest race laps after having an ignition failure and having to all but roll to a stop while he shut the car down to reset the electronics.

 

There was that, and yes, Kirk was driving extremely well, just a shame he was so far behind the other front runners for so long. That's sort of amusing that the part owner of Comptech drives a Mini...any idea on what they're setups are? I know a stock old Mini with a B18C5 swap is one hell of a quick car, are swaps between manufacturers allowed for that class?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sscguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There was that, and yes, Kirk was driving extremely well, just a shame he was so far behind the other front runners for so long. That's sort of amusing that the part owner of Comptech drives a Mini...any idea on what they're setups are? I know a stock old Mini with a B18C5 swap is one hell of a quick car, are swaps between manufacturers allowed for that class?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't have personal experience with the GT category myself but I cannot think of any SCCA road race category that allows swaps across brands unless they are unlimited classes like Sports Racing, or regional Super Production, etc.. GT is one of the more liberal and I know that that some cars are allowed swaps or idsplacement changes within a car's brand. GT basically allows a great deal of open rules that fit within a production based car's silhouette (plus flares) and used displacement, weight and intake as the balancing point. Most good GT cars are full tube frame cars as is the Fortech Mini Peterson drove although one can still find a few production tub cars remaining but rarely at the front. Although the Fortech car is an FWD, they do make allowances to change FWD cars into RWD (the black Huffaker Mini that dropped off the pole). Adam Malley's Civic that ran 3rd but dropped to 4th is a tub car (and for sale) but that car is atypical of the performacne of their like as car and driver are absolutely top notch and recently run out of tub-only H Production after several nationals championships.

Pretty much the GT classes are these days full-on to the hilt purpose built racecars under the image of a production car with an engine by that manufacturer.

 

Thanks for the heads up... marking my calendar for the T2 race!

 

That's something else I was wondering, the FWD/RWD and possible conversions. Thanks for clearing all that up

 

up for the weekend!

 

T2 was awesome to watch today. Just as you described it, Lee.

Keith, who needs to videotape it at Christmas, to watch again...