The Coronavirus Impact on Racing in 2020 - Engine Builder Magazine

The Coronavirus Impact on Racing in 2020

In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, several racing series and event organizers have decided to modify, postpone or cancel industry gatherings. The following is a running list of official statements from race organizations regarding their operations as of Monday, March 16. In addition to the major race organizations below, several tracks across the nation are also postponing and modifying their 2020 schedules. Reach out to your favorite track or team’s social media pages for the most up-to-date information.

ABB FIA Formula E
“Formula E and the FIA have announced that the 2019-’20 season will be temporarily suspended for a two-month period, considering the challenge the current health crisis poses to the organization of events in city-centers.“ The series is implementing a flag system traditionally used in motorsports to determine different phases and time windows where races could be rearranged or remain unaffected—with red representing no races, yellow keeping the opportunity open and green going ahead as planned.

“Months marked as red flags are March and April, with May currently categorized as a yellow flag and both June and July given the green flag, should the situation improve and stabilize.

“As a consequence of the suspension, it will no longer be possible to race in Paris and Seoul, or Jakarta as previously announced on the originally scheduled dates.”

For the latest information, visit fiaformulae.com.

American Drag Racing League (ADRL)
“After consulting with ADRL officials… [World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois] adjusted [its] event schedule and were able to move the ADRL Gateway Drags to the only available date that could accommodate such a large gathering, July 10-11, 2020. Tickets for the ADRL event will be honored on the rescheduled date.” For more information, visit wwtraceway.com or adrltour.com.

American Sprint Car Series (ASCS)
“Due to the most recent actions and recommendations by the state of Arizona, track officials have made the call to postpone this Saturday’s events [at USA Raceway featuring the San Tan Ford ASCS Desert Non-Wing Series.

“Anyone with questions about tickets that were pre-purchased through the World of Outlaws, please go to woosprint.com. The track did not handle any ticket sales.” In addition, “Devil’s Bowl Speedway officials have no choice but to cancel this weekend’s Spring Nationals with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series presented by the MAVTV Motorsports Network. “As of now, the event has not been rescheduled.” For the latest information, visit ascsracing.com.

ARCA
“Our top priority is the health and safety of our fans, competitors and racing communities. In conjunction with NASCAR, all ARCA Menards Series race events—including the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West—are postponed through May 3. We will share future rescheduling information as it is determined.” For the latest information, visit arcaracing.com.

CARS Tour
“North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper passed Executive Order No. 117 on March 14th, which banned public gatherings of more than 100 people within the state for thirty (30) days. The CARS Tour Old North State Nationals presented by Visit Orange County, originally scheduled for April 4-5th at Orange County Speedway, has been postponed indefinitely as a result. Additionally, “the Race Face Tel-Med 300, originally scheduled for March 21 at Hickory Motor Speedway, has been canceled.” For the latest information, visit carsracingtour.com.

FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC)
“…the decision has been taken to postpone the 7th round of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s 2019-2020 season. “The promoter, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the RACB are working together to find a new 2020 date and, as soon as this is finalized, it will be communicated.” For the latest information, visit fiawec.com.

Formula 1
“Following the cancelation of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the postponement of the races in China, Bahrain and Vietnam, Formula 1 and governing body the FIA have said they now ‘expect’ the 2020 season to begin at the end of May—though this will be regularly reviewed.” For the latest information, visit formula1.com.

FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3
“Following the announcement that the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix has been postponed, it has been decided conjointly with the FIA and F1 that the opening 2020 round of Formula 2 and Formula 3, scheduled to take place on March 20-22, will also be postponed.” For the latest information on Formula 2, Formula 3, and related FIA series, visit fia.com.

IMSA
“…guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and safety protocols have led IMSA to postpone all events through May 3.“… the Grand Prix of Alabama (April 3-5) will not take place as previously scheduled. This unfortunate news impacts the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA by Yokohama (GPSP and GPA) and Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America (GPA). IMSA also received public notification late yesterday afternoon from the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach organizers that this year’s event will not take place as previously scheduled from April 17-19.” For the latest information, visit imsa.com.

INDYCAR
“We are aware of the CDC’s interim guidance suggesting the postponement of events involving more than 50 people over the next eight weeks. Our priority is to do our part in protecting the public health while still conducting the 104th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge as scheduled on May 24. This continues to be a dynamic situation which we are monitoring constantly in coordination with federal, state, local and public health officials. We are planning for all contingencies and will be prepared to run the GMR Grand Prix and Indy 500 as the COVID-19 situation permits.”

“After careful consideration, including regular communication with our event promoters, health officials, and the city administrations in our respective race markets regarding COVID-19, we have made the decision to cancel all NTT INDYCAR Series events through April. This… continues through the AutoNation INDYCAR Challenge at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas [April 24-26.]”

In related news, Green Savoree Racing Promotions has made an announcement regarding those who purchased tickets for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg [March 13–15].“

Ticket purchasers on file for the March 13-15, 2020 event may choose to defer their purchased tickets for use at the March 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Alternatively, ticket purchasers may elect to receive a credit for the full amount paid plus an additional 10% to apply towards future Green Savoree Racing Promotions events, including, but not limited to, grandstand seating, general admission, camping, RV space, paddock access and pit passes at either the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Honda Indy Toronto or Grand Prix of Portland. This 110% credit can be used in a single transaction during the remainder of the 2020 or 2021 season, subject to availability. “Ticket holders will receive detailed instructions and next steps via email Friday, March 20, 2020.” For the latest information, visit indycar.com and gpstpete.com.

Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series
“…the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series officials announce the postponement of events for 30 days.

This postponement includes events at Atomic Speedway, Brownstown Speedway, 411 Motor Speedway, and Talladega Short Track. The series hopes to resume the original schedule on April 18 at Hagerstown Speedway and April 19 at Port Royal Speedway.”Rescheduled dates and events:

May 8 – Atomic Speedway (Chillicothe, OH) Buckeye Spring 50
May 9 – Brownstown Speedway (Brownstown, IN) 23rd Annual Indiana Icebreaker
June 26 – 411 Motor Speedway (Seymour, TN) Tennessee’s Action Track 50
June 27 – Talladega Short Track (Eastaboga, AL) E-Z-GO 50. For more information, visit lucasdirt.com.

Motovicity Never Lift 2020
“In compliance with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent executive order banning gatherings of 250 or more people, [Motovicity is] canceling the Never Lift event [set for March 21-22 in Coalinga, California] to help prevent the spread of the virus. Ensuring the safety and health of all individuals participating in our racing events is our highest priority.”

NASCAR
“The health and safety of our fans, industry and the communities in which we race is our most important priority, so in accordance with recent CDC guidance, NASCAR is currently postponing all race events through May 3, with plans to return racing in Martinsville [Sat., May 9]. We appreciate the patience of our fans and we look forward to returning to the racetrack. We intend to hold all 36 races this season, with future rescheduling soon to be determined as we continue to monitor this situation closely with public health officials and medical experts. What is important now transcends the world of sports and our focus is on everyone’s safety and well-being as we navigate this challenging time together.” For the latest information, visit nascar.com.

In related news, officials from Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway have announced details regarding ticket refunds or exchanges for the postponed or canceled NASCAR dates. For more information, visit texasmotorspeedway.com/ticket-exchangebristolmotorspeedway.com/exchange, or talladegasuperspeedway.com.

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour
“NASCAR and South Boston Speedway officials announced that the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour opener has been postponed inevitably. The WhosYourDriver.org 150 was scheduled for South Boston on Saturday, March 21. “No makeup date has been determined, and further details on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule will be announced at a later date.” For the latest information, visit hometracks.nascar.com.

National Hot Rod Association (NHRA)
“At this time, we are suspending all NHRA drag racing for 30 days in response to the coronavirus pandemic. This suspension includes events at all NHRA-owned tracks and any NHRA-sanctioned events such as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. We intend at this time to resume the original schedule on April 17-19 in Houston, and continue thereafter, subject to developments in the interim. The spring Las Vegas event is postponed with new dates TBD. Please go to LVMS.com for information if you have purchased tickets for the postponed event.” For the latest information, visit nhra.com.

NMCA/NMRA
“ProMedia Events and Publishing, the parent company of the Holley NMRA Ford Nationals and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, in association with Atlanta Dragway’s parent company NHRA, have decided to postpone the NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals. “The Holley NMRA Ford Nationals returns May 14-16, and NMCA jumps back to action May 28-31, at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison, Illinois.“[As of March 16], a new date has not been made for the NMRA/NMCA All-Star Nationals.” For the latest information, visit nmcadigital.com.

SCORE International Off-Road Racing
“SCORE International has elected to postpone next week’s 34th annual SCORE San Felipe 250. Round 1 of the four-race 2020 SCORE World Desert Championship has been rescheduled with the new race date of May 9 in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.“Additionally, SCORE has announced a date change for the 52nd SCORE Baja 500 race week from June 3-7 to June 16-21.” For the latest information, visit score-international.com.

Southeast Gassers Association (SEGA)
The SEGA Emerald Coast Race at Emerald Cost Dragway (Holt, Florida), is postponed. A new date will be announced.For the latest information, visit southeastgassers.com.

Trans Am
“The Trans Am Racing Company announced today that the SpeedTour Road Atlanta Grand Prix event featuring the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on March 28–29, will be postponed. The next event for the national Trans Am Series is currently scheduled for May 1–3, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.“

In addition, the series continues to monitor the developments in Northern California for the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli West Coast Championship event at Thunder Hill Raceway that is scheduled for April 3-5. As of [March 17], the event will go ahead without schedule interruptions.” For more information, visit gotransam.com.

United States Auto Club (USAC)
“As of now, races scheduled for the CRA and West Coast Sprint Cars, as well as the Western Midget Series and Eastern SpeeD2 Midgets have been postponed through the end of March. At this time only those events have been affected.” For the latest information, visit usacracing.com.

World Of Outlaws
“The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series is postponing all events through April 9, effective immediately, in the wake of growing health concerns. Updates on the World of Outlaws Morton Buildings Late Model Series, not scheduled to compete until March 27, will be provided at a later date.” For the latest information, visit worldofoutlaws.com.

News info shared from Performance Racing Industry (PRI).

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