Of the next three venues announced, Mid-Ohio has the most recent Runoffs records and the second most appearances in history. With 12 previous engagements, only Road Atlanta, with 24, has seen the Runoffs more.
Sports Car Club of America has announced the host sites of the next three SCCA National Championship Runoffs, including a 2016 return trip to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the first time since 2005. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will host the 2014 event, followed by Daytona International Speedway in 2015 event.
“Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Daytona, and Mid-Ohio are three of the premier race tracks in the country, if not the world,” SCCA President & CEO Jeff Dahnert said. “Each is a true test of our racers and all have unique qualities to help us crown our National Champions. We’re looking forward to our return to Mid-Ohio, where we still carry great memories from our last visit.”
The single-year stop, a break from recent tradition, came from lengthy discussion among the SCCA Board of Directors – as did the trip to the west coast.
“The future of the Runoffs has been a topic of discussion amongst the SCCA Board of Directors and the National Staff for well over a year,” Dahnert said. “We had two goals for the event moving forward – to move the event around the country geographically, and to continue to visit the country’s top tracks. We’ve accomplished both.”
Dates have yet to be confirmed for the 2016 SCCA National Championship Runoffs. The 50th Runoffs will be held September 16-22, 2013, at Road America for the fifth consecutive year.
“It’s great to have the SCCA Runoffs back at Mid-Ohio as amateur racing helped build the history of this track,” Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course President Craig Rust said. “Over the past few years many of our fans have asked about the Runoffs returning so we know they will be excited to welcome them back in 2016.”
In addition to Mid-Ohio from 1994 through 2005, Riverside International Raceway (1964, 1966 and 1968), Daytona International Speedway (1965, 1967, 1969), Road Atlanta (1970-1993), Heartland Park Topeka (2006-2008) and Road America (2009-2013) have previously hosted the Runoffs.
The SCCA National Championship Runoffs has crowned Club Racing National Champions in a winner-take-all single race format since 1964. Through 24 separate races over three days, the 2013 edition will crown champions in 28 Runoffs-eligible classes.
For more information about the SCCA and the Runoffs, visit www.scca.com.