SCCA Pro Press Conference at PRI

[Erik Skirmants]

Currently there is an SCCA Pro Press Conference scheduled (no I do not know where) for 1 pm Thursday at the PRI show. One topic is to release three of the four (possibly all four) of the double race Pro weekends for the FE and SRF series. The 5th weekend and kick off for both is the 25th Anniversary event at Road Atlanta.

All double race weekends are expected to be $1000 entry with $2500 in prize money per race (not per weekend) and 3 hours of track time (1.5 hours per race) a weekend.

Our FE series will not be in conjunction with Club races. These are "hard card" real all Pro weekends with all the trimmings including: spectators, instant session results, as well as the same Stewards and Tech at every event!

At PRI I can be reached at 248 761-3704. I suggest texting as I have 14 meetings already booked and I would love to be able to reply to everyone; but getting me to answer my phone at any particular moment is probably not going to be easy!

[Paul Schneider]

Erik, any idea what the payout breakdown will be?

And to everyone else, is there interest in this series?? I am fully committed ! Is anyone else ? As of right now, there are only 3 FEs registered for the Road Atlanta race. I know that's months away, but I want to make sure there's going to be some competition ! I think I can count on Robert Mumm being there since he ran the old SRF pro series and IMSA Lites L3 with me.

[Erik Skirmants]

Planned per race:

1st: $1000
2nd: $750
3rd: $500
4th: $250

It is a throw back to the old SRF payouts where if you ran third (in this case both days) you at least got your entry back. Pro may have to set a minimum car count or that may decrease some. But I am backing the entire FE and SRF deal with entry commitments (as a package FE and SRF combined) or we pay real penalty $$ to Pro. So the risk is all Enterprises!

There is a lot of activity with RMS and a few other CSR's with new interested parties. I expect Jay Motorsports guys (Nick too if he can) and hopefully Novak, Rettich and some One Formula combatants for you! Something like 5 used cars got snatched up recently and the used FE list is a hot item again.

[M Schneider]

I am definitely doing the full series

[J Mabee]

I'm hoping to run the Utah races at least. The article states 5 race weekends - any idea where the 5th race weekend will be?
Thanks for all your hard work Eric!

[Dan Aleckson]

aleckson racing will be at the Utah race also with 2 cars ..That track is a blast..Dan

[Paul Schneider]

I like Miller Motorsports Park, but I don't think I'll be able to make that race . My first wedding anniversary is that weekend and if I go racing, that'll be my last anniversary !! Erik had mentioned that 2 races would be dropped from the points total. Is that still true? Or will all races count towards the championship??

[mazda17]

I vote 2 drops because if we do run the pro series we will not be traveling to Miller. I've raced there a few times and its a great track, but its just too far. I feel bad for the west coast drivers, but there is just too much of a majority of drivers on the east coast/mid west.

[bwalsh]

did i miss something..
when and where are the races??


does anyone know when the central div schedule
will be coming out?

thanks
bryan

[Drew 13]

Announcement and pro schedule: http://scca.com/newsarticle.aspx?hub=4&news=3835

[mazda17]

The dates are
PRO FE, PRO SRF
Road Atlanta April 10th for the 25th (1st event)
NJMP May 8th
Miller Motorsports Park June 5th
VIR Sept 11th (final event)
Date to be named later.
5 weekends each with a double race
Mostly with Trans AM, TDI Cup, MX5-Cup, maybe World Challenge

[pschneider]

Questions about tires for the FE Pro series. Will we be running the same tires as SCCA races? Same tire rule; ie NO stickers for the race? It looks like there is a lot of interest for the Rd Atl race. My concern is the other events. With the large number of SRFs Goodyear can justify being there. Will Hoosier be at all the Pro events?, or do we need to arrange with our local rep? Erik, any input? Peter

[Erik Skirmants]

We will take care of either making sure we have a Hoosier dealer or annoucing when we won't hopefully one event prior. Hoosier tires, NO tire rules. We may, with competitor agreement, use the Pro Series to try a softer or more advanced tires. Again WITH competitor prior discussions. There is likley 1.5 to 2 seconds in just tires available and possibly without sacrificing usable cycles.

[Erik Skirmants]

SCCA Pro is very dilligently working on the final date. I am meeting with them at the SCCA Convention next week in Vegas.

[kgrammer]

Peter:

Per our supps for the 25th Anniversary event:

"Hoosier tire service is provided by Appalachian Race Tire. Contact Rodney Perry at (865) 681-6622. To reserve your tires, e-mail Reservations at tirereserve@racetire.com."

I am speaking SOLELY for the two Pro FE races at the 25th Anniversary weekend, but we are currently planning on running the standard SCCA National FE Hoosier tire at the 25th unless we are asked to run a different tire by Erik.

[iamuwere]

"SCCA Pro License Required"
What is the proper procedure to get such a thing? There is no info on the SCCA website I can find about upgrade/obtainment.

jim

[kgrammer]

SCCA Pro is providing a discounted Pro License to SCCA Pro SRF/FE drivers. Here is a comparison of their costs:

Pro Racing Standard Pricing
SCCA Membership - $85
Pro License - $140
Annual Credential - $175
Weekend membership/credential - $50

SCCA Pro SRF/FE Pricing FOR THIS EVENT
SCCA Membership - $85
Pro License - $25
Annual Credential - NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT
Weekend membership/credential - NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS EVENT

Since you are already SCCA members, you just need the Pro License. So instead of paying the regular SCCA Pro price $315, your cost will be $25 for this event.

Give Robin Prill at SCCA Pro a call at (785) 357-7223 with any questions you may have.

[iamuwere]

Thanks, Ken.

[RDRACING]

What are the qualifications for a Pro License? I currently have a Regional.

[kgrammer]

From the 2010 SCCA Pro Racing rules that are available at www.scca.com:

1.5.9.2: Requirements for Pro Racing Driver License and Renewal:
- SCCA Pro Racing Driver License application completed in full.
- Medical per Article 1.5.9.1.
- Current membership in SCCA.
- One (1) passport photo.
- Driver must have competed in an SCCA Pro Series, or at least three SCCA Club Racing National events, or equivalent, in the past 12 months prior to application, or have a letter of recommendation from another SCCA Pro Racing recognized sanctioning body and a resume of experience.
- SCCA Pro Racing licenses are valid for the calendar year, January to December.

When I was with SCCA Pro in 2003/2004, we considered most regional races as "equivalent" races and never hesitated if the driver had over six regional races under their belt. But since I'm not an official spokesperson for SCCA Pro, please check with Topeka for an official answer.

[M Schneider]

We have to have a passport?

[kgrammer]

Actually the "passport photo" referenced in the rulebook is for your SCCA hard card credential.

Oh, and I believe they prefer a digital photo now rather than an actual printed passport photo.

[RDRACING]

This sounded great at the beginiing, but it is becoming too much of a hassle and too much expense. Sorry, I'm out. Maybe I'll go to VIR

[Erik Skirmants]

Randy,

I don't see the hassle part with one extra phone call to join a Pro series, I am 100% sure those that run it will appreciate the "big boy attitude" of the series. Also sorry the $140 pushed you over the budget edge. Good luck with what your efforts end up being in 2010.

Matt,

Most club racers do the club hard card now too and the image I have uploaded in my SCCA profile meets the need for the Pro credentials.

We are two months out and launching a new product with the first event operating with yet a different group. Everyone has their "stuff" together and we are on track. Don't be surprised if we find some improvements, but cutting the costs by over 50% from the other SCCA Pro series was a great start. Ken's tireless work on the Anniversary will be rewarded. This won't be one to skip.

[Mick Robinson]

You won't believe the difference in Pro versus Club! Add to that, Ken is running this Pro event if I'm not mistaken. Go read the statements of the guys that ran his Lime Rock SRF Pro and you will begin to understand the way Pro is run.

An example, at the Reno SRF Pro race years back, we were gridded in the center of the track with a long way to walk to get out of the facility. Bob Anderson, an employee of SCCA Pro, came over and asked if there was anything we needed. I told him we had to walk a half a mile to get some ice for the coolers. He told me to hang on. 20 minutes later, a truck pulled up, unloaded AN ICE MACHINE and a generator and fired it up. Free ice for the rest of the weekend for all the folks in the paddock.

That's the difference in Pro and Club. Pro is very appreciative that you are there while some club events treat you like you are a problem. I have never felt unwelcomed at any Pro event!!

The hard card is a real pleasure, just show it, maybe sign one release, and you are on your way. Registration is smooth, friendly and usually very quick. Parking is arranged before you get there and they usually have someone escort you to your parking spot. (However, some time you have to get there a little early for the parking....)

IMO, for an additional $28 a weekend, it is more than worth it! You'll realize it especially at New Jersey and maybe the Autobahn, VIR and places like that....

Hope to see you there!!

[cooleyjb]

How to get your Pro License

It is very easy and here is all you need to do to get your licensing stuff taken care of.


I just spoke with Robin at SCCA Pro and got the lowdown on what needs to be done and where all the forms are.

Here is the license form.

http://www.sccatrans-am.com/wp/conte...ense_rev_2.pdf

If you have held an SCCA license for over a year or have 3 nationals/6 regionals in the last 12 months everything will be straight forward as they can pull your history up from club racing and you're good to go. If you don't meet those requirements they will require a racing resume to show that you've been keeping yourself on track in the recent past.

Here is the credential form.

http://www.sccatrans-am.com/wp/conte...ation-rev1.pdf

You can either include a picture or upload one to your SCCA profile.

Send those two forms in and you'll be good to go for any of the pro series events.

Robin was extremely helpful and knew all about what was happening for the SRF/FE pro series.

[Erik Skirmants]

Thanks Joe! First year series can be a process that takes a few minutes to learn, but as Mick pointed out the streamlined systems can also be a joy! With Ken "in charge" of the Anniversary and then the smooth pperational hand off to the SCCA Pro folks I am betting we get that "professional experience" that is so enjoyable!

Randy, I want to applogize, as you know from our private exchange (which you are welcome to post publically) I had no intention of making a new customer uncomfortable! But, as I always hope everyone would have the courtesy to do, you told me your concerns and listened to my reply! That is all I can ask! Looking forward to meeting soon.

(Ok, as I saw in my note to Randy (terrific first impression), does anyone else type so fast entire words are missed in your posts?)

[Drew 13]

The prices on the forms are the usual amounts. Are they going to automatically factor in the discount when FE is specified?

[Erik Skirmants]

Well then...I will suggest an updated or better yet a DIFFERENT form...so the other guys don't get torqued (like a club racer running a Trans-Am etc).

I would suggest not just filling in the form and providing a credit card number without at least marking up the fees (which were approved by SCCA Pro President and CEO, Robert Wildberger); just in case Robin is not processing al the forms at SCCA Pro!

[cooleyjb]

That's what I did and I'm addressing them directly to Robin as well.

[iamuwere]

Thanks, Joe. I had called Robin this afternoon as well. Very simple process. She did know without me even asking about the discounted price so it should all be handled (!).

I was going to do a similar writeup but you beat me to it.

Jim

[kgrammer]

I just got off the phone with Bob Wildberger at SCCA Pro. SCCA Pro is going to provide one event SCCA Pro licenses for the 25th Anniversary drivers in Group 1 and 2 for $25!

If you decide to run an additional SCCA Pro event in 2010, you will get a $25 credit on your full license.

You also will not have to purchase the SCCA Pro credential for the 25th Anniversary. So all you have to spend now is $25!

Robin should be up to speed on the change on Monday.

I've also edited the previous posts above to help reduce confusion for new readers of this thread.

[Drew 13]

Is the yearly half price discount still in effect?

[kgrammer]

I believe it is.

[iamuwere]

Is the yearly half price discount still in effect?

Some please help end a portion of my ignorance. What?

[kgrammer]

As I understand the deal (and remember I'm not an official with SCCA Pro... just relaying my understanding).. their standard pricing for an SCCA Pro license (excluding your SCCA membership and event credential cost) is $140. For the Pro Spec Racer Ford and Pro FE series, SCCA Pro had previously announced a special "half price" Pro license. So instead of your SCCA Pro license costing you $140, it will only cost you $70.

Now to make it even less expensive for members who are only interested in running the 25th Anniversary weekend, SCCA Pro is offering a one weekend special for just $25. If you decide later to run another SCCA Pro race, you will get that $25 credited towards your full license cost of $70. So you can upgrade to a "full" license later for $45.

You don't need the Pro "credential" piece for the 25th Anniversary, so you ONLY cost now to run the 25th weekend is $25!

I hope this helps. If you still have questions, e-mail me at ken@usenduro.com or call me at 434-797-1866 and I'll do my best to answer your questions. Better yet, go directly to the source and give SCCA Pro a call...

[iamuwere]

Aha, as I re-read the post and change the emphasis of the words around I understand the original post. I thought there was some yearly special that was run that I didnt' know about!

[Drew 13]

Has anyone recieved their pro license yet? I sent in my application and my check has been cashed but a new iicense hasn't appeared on my profile

[pschneider]

I sent an inquiry to Robin Prill yesterday, and she responded stating that there was a "small printing issue", and we should receive it in the next few days. Peter

[Drew 13]

Cool