14 Races in 2 Days America`s Best Racing! GingerMan Raceway

14 Races in 2 Days
America’s Best Racing!
July 9-10 at
GingerMan Raceway
61414 County Rd 388 (Phoenix Rd)
6 miles E of South Haven, MI
This Bert Olson Memorial SCCA Majors Race is one of just
26 SCCA Majors events held this year, and one of only 6 in
the SCCA Northern Conference. The Detroit and South Bend
SCCA regions have been staging road races in the upper midwest for over 50 years.
Each race weekend features racing both days, rain or shine,
for very talented amateur drivers in a wide variety of race cars
from modified street cars to open-wheel single-seater race cars.
The drivers have come from all over the U.S. and Canada to
compete for points leading to a National SCCA championship.
Presented by
SPECTATOR INFORMATION
Free parking • Admission $10/Day • Children under 12 Free
Camping Available
THE SCHEDULE
(times are approximate)
SATURDAY: 25-minute practice and qualifying sessions begin at 8:00 AM for
all cars in 7 run groups and last until 11:30 AM. Saturday races (each 25-minutes long) begin at 12:55 PM and continue for the 7 race groups until about 4:55
PM.
SUNDAY: 15 minute qualifying for all 7 groups begins at 8:00 AM, with a
1-hour lunch break at 11:00 AM The 35-minute races for all groups begin at
12:00 PM and run until about 5:30 PM.
LEGEND
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REGISTRATION/TICKETS
TIMING/SCORING TOWER
LA DOLCE VITA
JUST RACING/TRACKSIDE
CONCESSION / INFORMATION
RESTROOMS/SHOWERS
HELI-PAD
RENTAL GARAGE
MAIN OFFICE
BARN WEST/RENTAL GARAGE
CGI
SOUNDSENSE
SOUND BERM
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SPECTATOR
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WHERE TO GO
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Special spectator areas are located where you can see almost the entire track.
Concessions and rest rooms are available near the north end of the paddock.
The track map shows the details. Spectator parking is allowed in the spectator viewing area but not allowed in the race paddock area. Feel free to walk
around the paddock area and talk with the contestants. Dogs must be on
leashes, and children should be closely watched. Please don’t touch the cars
or equipment. No spectators allowed in the working pit area.
RACE GROUPS
All but one race group includes multiple classes of cars of similar speed and construction to insure plenty of close wheel-to-wheel action on the GingerMan course. There may be as many as
7 class winners in race group 2, for instance.
1. GT1, GT2, GT3, AS, T1
2. FV, FF, F5
3. SM
4. FA, FB, FC, FE, FM, P1, P2
5. EP, FP, GTL, HP
6. STL, STU, T2, T3, T4, B-Spec
7. SRF3, SRF
THE CARS
There are 28 classes of racing cars that can participate in this SCCA Majors race event. Each
car has class letters on both sides so that you can quickly identify it during the race.
PRODUCTION classes feature series-proTOURING classes are for high performance
duced cars, which are allowed a wide range
sports cars. They are allowed some modificaof performance modifications while retaining
tions to the tire/wheel package and suspension.
original design, structure and drive layout.
Classes include: T1 featuring Vipers, Corvettes,
There is no age limit, so some Production cars Porsches, and Ferraris; T2, which offers Subaru
are as old as 50 years and some may be curWRXs, Nissan 350Zs, and Mustang GTs; and
rent models. The three production classes at
T3 & T4, which include Mazda Miatas, Mini
this event: EP, FP and HP.
Coopers, and Chevy Cobalts.
SPEC classes are designed to keep car develA-SEDAN is based on Camaros, Firebirds, and
opment costs down and focus on driver skill.
Mustangs, and allows some brake, suspension
SCCA Spec classes include: Spec Miata (SM), and engine modifications. Engines are 302 and
Spec Racer Ford (SRF & SRF3),and B-Spec 305ci carbureted V8s.
for small street cars.
FORMULA classes include 8 single-seat, open
SUPER TOURING features late model
wheel racing classes. They are built to detailed
vehicles with a series of modifications to their
specifications for weight, size and engine disdrive train and body work. Forced induction
placement. From fastest to slowest, they are
and engine swaps are permitted. No models
Formula Atlantic (FA), Formula 1000 (FB), Forolder than 1990 are allowed. Performance
mula Continental (FC), Formula 5 (F5), Formula
potential-based classes include STU with
SCCA (FE), Formula F (FF), Formula Mazda
horsepower targeted at 250, while STL is for
(FM), and Formula Vee (FV).
cars 2 liters and under, with minimal modifica- PROTOTYPE classes are purpose-built racing
tions allowed.
cars with full fiberglass or carbon fiber bodywork.
GRAND TOURING or GT cars are purpose- Underneath they are pure racing machines and
built, modified “silhouette” replicas of series
in many ways similar to many of the formula
produced cars and are permitted a tube-frame categories. Prototype 1 and Prototype 2 (P1
chassis. GT-1 cars are the fastest in the series
& P2) differ mainly in the greater construction
and are closest to the Pro Racing “Trans-Am” sophistication permitted in P1 cars.
series. Additional performance based classes
include GT-2, GT-3, and GT-Lite (GTL).
THE FLAGS
The flags displayed to the drivers each have a specific meaning:
GREEN means GO! and racing is at full intensity.
YELLOW means there is a problem and no passing is allowed in that immedite area. A waving yellow
means the problem is more severe. Drivers must reduce speed and not pass. TWO YELLOWS displayed side-by-side mean no passing anywhere on the track.
A YELLOW & RED striped flag warns of fluid, dirt, or debris on the track surface immediately ahead
and caution should be observed.
BLUE with a diagonal YELLOW stripe tells the driver a faster car is close behind and wants to pass.
BLACK or black with an ORANGE dot tells the driver he must return to the pits immediately for consultation or car repair.
WHITE indicates a slow moving vehicle is on the track ahead. It may be a race car or emergency vehicle. It is not an indication of the last lap as in other forms of racing.
RED means the race is stopped.
The CHECKERED flag is shown only at the Finish line when the race is over.
THE RACE OFFICIALS
It takes a lot of enthusiasts to put on a race. Almost all are members of the Sports Car Club of America who volunteer to fill the
specialties needed. It starts with the REGISTRAR who signs in
workers, drivers, and crews and assigns credentials to all. The cars
enter the paddock where PADDOCK CONTROL assists them.
The cars then go to the TECH INSPECTORS who check the cars
for safety and compliance with the rules. Before entering the course
each entrant comes under the control of the GRID STEWARDS
who make certain that the drivers have the proper safety equipment
and are lined up in the correct order before entering the course.
The cars then enter the course where the CORNER WORKERS
watch for problems and use flags and hand signals to warn drivers
if a problem is ahead. Each corner has a radio to advise race officials of any problem. The STARTER uses flags and signs to inform
drivers during the race. All cars are measured on track by SOUND
Bert Olson
CONTROL, and cars that are too loud are required to modify their
sound output or be disqualified. During practice and the races, TIMING & SCORING times every lap
of every car, using electronic transponders attached to each car. They then rank every driver in order of
their speed to create a starting grid and finishing position, and publish results for all to see. If the car or
driver has a problem they may come into the pits where the PIT STEWARDS assist them as needed.
During the entire event RACE STEWARDS observe and direct the workers and control the operation.
If an accident should occur, professional AMBULANCE and MEDICAL crews are dispatched to assist,
as well as any EMERGENCY SERVICES and FIRE and SAFETY crews as needed.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE FUN
While it is great to watch road races, it is even better to become part of the action. The SCCA is always
looking for more drivers, more crews, and more race workers. The SCCA offers driving schools and events
that can lead to full-scale professional racing. And race workers can learn on the job and can participate at
local tracks and are welcomed at major race courses like Road America, Watkins Glen, and Sebring where
they are able to get close to the action and excitement. The SCCA also offers rallying and autocross events
where you can have fun with your car without the expense and risks of wheel-to-wheel racing. If you are
interested, any SCCA member will be happy to give you more information about the opportunity to become a part of this exciting sport. Check out the South Bend & Detroit Regions on Facebook or visit our
web pages at www.sbrscca.org, or the Detroit Region at www.detroit-scca.org.