2021 WDCR Region Executive Awards + Region Awards (Congratulations!)

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14 December 2021

2021 WDCR Region Executive Awards:

Award Definitions can be found at: Annual Region Awards — WDCR SCCA (wdcr-scca.org)

Matt Greenland : 
Matthew Greenland, member since 2018, has made immense contributions to the WDCR Region in 2021.  Most notably, this past year Matt stepped up and took the reins on the startup WDCR Karting program in the role of program lead.  Through Matt’s efforts, the Karting program continues to gain significant momentum.  As a note, the last event that was held at United Karting garnered over 40 participants.  As the face of the program, Matt is always out front, talking to the membership and fostering the spirit of our club (as well as competition!).

In addition to the Karting program, Matt is also engaging on the HPDE front, where he has recently become a competition director for the Time Trials program.  Working in concert with our other competition directors, Matt has consistently fostered the spirit of competition in one of our most valuable competitive feeder programs within the region.

Matt Greenland embodies the spirit of what the WDCR stands for, and all that we try to accomplish with our membership.

Ron Shellenberger:
Long time Flagger for the Road Racing Program has helped train and develop new F&C members for many years as well as countless hours of volunteer work. As a retired doctor (DDS) he agreed to step into the role of COVID-19 advisor for the region and helped locate and secure PPE supplies and keep tabs on state and local policies and regulations through the 2020-2021 period. Ron volunteered extra hours in advising our leadership and monitoring procedures and results. We were able to put on a few events in the peak year of the pandemic in 2020 then return to a near normal season with basic precautions under the advice of Dr. Shellenberger. 

Dominic Mandile:
Dominic has become our voice in the mass social media forum and delivers the ability to envision action through use of his family’s shared photography and other sources. He has driven the social presence and internet contacts to a high population and response. His energy and ideas are driving the Region in a very good direction. He is also working as an announcer with our Road Racing Program and delivering a knowledgeable and sharp performance.

Region PR Award: Alan Claffie - for mastering the Straightpipe Publication. Producing a well-presented newsletter in a style that gets and keeps attention. His communication touches thousands of members and interested people. Through the Straightpipe and Alan’s work we can link our people to each other in stories, news, and upcoming plans.

Dave Roethel Award: Mike Kelley - Multiple area involvement and success. Volunteering is support of the Road Racing as F&C as well as in the Tech Program and as a Driver Rep. Mike spends a significant amount of coordinating with and advising drivers, communicating with the leadership, and enthusiastic guiding hand for novice entries, and a thousand other points of involvement. 

MVP: Heidi S. Weir - 14 years of excellence in delivering Region Administrative work and establishing a high bar on performance standards. We couldn’t have done it without her.

*Newly Established Award:

Jeannie and Tom Hoffman Exemplary Leadership Recognition Award: Kathy McLeod - (WDCR Stewards Representative - Road Racing Program) Kathy has a strong reputation for her pre-event organization and communication in addition to the additional work with the Executive Steward and others within NEDiv. She has introduced or lead several changes on and within the RR program. She has been offering well-reasoned advice to the CRC for a long time. Kathy is accomplished and knowledgeable as well as proactive and encouraging to participants and entrants in all of our events.



Washington DC Region SCCA Announcement Annual Membership Meeting held 10/12/2021

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Election for the WDCR Board of Directors was completed at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday.

Congratulations go out to new Board member, Mhyar Alzayat,

as well as re-elected incumbents Kate Claffie and Mike McKee.

We thank all the candidates for their participation.

We also want to thank Kahlil Natirboff (still active with region but chose not to be up for re-election on the board) and Heidi Weir (retiring) for all their hard work and dedication to our region and wish them all the best in their new adventures.

Wrap-up notes from Region Executive, Wayne Armbrust:

We are back!

Not only are we back, but we are back in a big way! In spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic issue, we hit the ground running going into the 2021 season and we did it in style. We have just experienced the most active year in history for the Washington DC Region. Including Out of Region Sanctions for joint events with WDCR, we have been part of and participated in 52 sanctioned events resulting in 85 event days. That is almost 3 solid months of track time

There is room for everyone, almost. The only reason there is not room is we have run out of space for a couple of our HPDE events through the year. Sold out!

This season was not without its challenges, we started the season under relatively tight COVID-19 controls, and managed to deliver a high-performance year in the overall picture.

Road Racing, Track Events, and Rallycross stepped right up in starting up their 2021 Season programs, our Autocross team was breaking new ground in restarting the program after a forced year’s hiatus. Autocross events have proven popular at the Summit Point facility in the early stages of establishing a presence at a new venue. Summit Point Motorsports Park has expressed the intent to modify their Washington Circuit into a more compatible format allowing added flexibility to the pad as a multi-event type resource.

This year we also introduced a Tour Trek event with a cruise through the extended countryside of the Washington DC Region territory. Positive feedback encourages the likelihood of a similar event going through the 2022 season.

Early in the year, working in cooperation with the Apple Blossom Mall in Winchester, Virginia, we placed a display of competition cars. Some interest was shown. We are reconsidering a repeat and if the effort was productive.

On the financial front, we are indeed back. With 2020 leaving our account cash outflow the primary direction of cash flow, 2021 has turned the tide. We are looking at a strong financial performance as well as remining financially sound.

One area that has slipped considerably over the last two years is the Labor Day annual charity fund raising program. Combined forces, including COVID-19 issues, have resulted in suspension of the generous program. Re-evaluation of the overall objective and means is underway. Hopefully we will return to a healthy and hardy fund-raising program in the near future.

Having received notice of planned retirement of our long serving Region Administrator, Heidi S. Weir, we have brought two well founded people to the staff position. Job development has been very successful in bringing our new Region Administrators up to job duties and responsibilities. Transition will be complete by the end of the calendar year.

We continue committed to SCCA policy maintaining a welcoming environment. We are working hard to see that everyone is given the opportunity to have fun and be a valuable part of what makes the SCCA special.

Wayne Armbrust

C.W. Armbrust

Chairman & Region Executive

WDCR - SCCA

Mobile: 540-539-6379

WDCR-RE@Outlook.com


The 58th SCCA National Championship Runoffs: Top finishers & Awards

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The Washington D.C. Region (WDCR SCCA) would like to extend a huge congratulations to our top finishers during The 58th SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

SM - Nicholas Bruni (Finishing: Second place)

AS - Gregory Eaton (Finishing: Third place)

T1 - Brian Kleeman (Finishing: Third place)

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The WDCR SCCA would also like to acknowledge our SCCA Worker of the Year Award winners. Thank you for everything you do and have done for our fine region! Read more about this prestigious award.

Worker of the Year awards were presented on Thursday night during the all-participant dinner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as part of the SCCA Runoffs. Each of the nine honorees, coming from each aspect of road racing workers, receive a commemorative plaque, patch and jacket, as well as an SCCA Gear merchandise gift certificate.

Pit & Grid
Bonnie Wannarka, Lone Star Region (and Washington DC Region)

Wannarka joined the SCCA in 1987 as a member of the San Francisco Region. Nearly 20 years later, she began spending time on the East Coast and was recruited to work the grid at Summit Point with Washington DC Region. She continues to hold many specialty licenses, but grid is her home and Wannarka has worked at 22 different tracks across the country. Always willing to help when a Region needs it, she has been called upon several times to step in as Chief when the region she was visiting needed someone. She is a friend to all, sincerely sweet and helpful. You will always see her at the Runoffs and she even served as Victory Circle chief for several years. She now calls Texas home and has added Lone Star Region to her SCCA story. You never know where she’ll show up but you know she’ll have a smile on her face when she does!

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Timing & Scoring
Carla Heath, Washington DC Region.

The godmother of Timing and Scoring, Heath has scored cars in SCCA for nearly 40 years. She has worked as a local chief, divisional administrator, Runoffs chief, and for numerous pro racing championships. Timing chiefs across the country call anytime to answer questions, learn, and get advice. In 2021, she stepped in as Chief of Timing at the Pitt Race Hoosier Super Tour, and has set standards in the specialty. She’s created instructions and checklists that are used by many SCCA teams across the country. Heath strives for excellence and pushes those around her to do the same.

SCCA National COVID-19 Updates

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All Programs and concerned members,

COVID-19 Guidelines are being revised this week and updated as needed going forward. Current status

Based on the revised CDC guidelines surrounding COVID-19 released May 13, 2021, the SCCA National Office and senior staff are revising the SCCA COVID-19 Event Protocol for participants, event support, staff and drivers as follows for all National-led events. We recommend this course of action for Regions as appropriate, and as local/venue guidelines allow.

Guidelines

  • If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors UNLESS local regulatory authorities or venues have specific mask requirements in place.

  • If you are not vaccinated, you may still attend and participate in SCCA events. However, in line with the latest CDC guidelines, it is recommended that you continue to wear a mask indoors and when near others. This is subject to any mask requirements by local regulatory authorities and/or venue management.

  • When in doubt, all event organizers should continue to “look local” to ensure we meet any and all local COVID-19 protocol requirements.

  • Regardless of any national or local directives, all individuals remain free to wear a mask in any setting at any SCCA event, should they choose to.

Additional Guidelines
SCCA National Staff is reviewing and updating special-case guidelines for loaner helmets, passenger ride-alongs and similar event-specific elements. We expect to publish those on this page later in the week of May 17. Watch scca.com for further updates. 

View Updated CDC Guidelines

Washington DC Region SCCA Announcement 2021 Winter/Spring Virtual Racing!

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In a few weeks we’ll get our 10th season underway and we hope you like what we have planned. The season will include three points championships across two distinct race groups...lost you yet? Here’s how the two groups breakdown:

Group 1 - Global MX-5 Cup + Ford Mustang FR500S

Group 2 - GT3

  • Audi R8 LMS

  • BMW M4 GT3 Prototype

  • Ferrari 488 GT3

  • Ford GT GT3

  • Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO

  • Mercedes AMG GT3

  • McLaren MP4-12C GT3

And here’s our schedule - note that we are racing every two weeks and alternating between the two groups:

  • Round 1 - 2/17/21 Group 1 Lime Rock Park

  • Round 2 - 3/03/21 Group 2 Road Atlanta

  • Round 3 - 3/17/21 Group 1 Watkins Glen (Cup)

  • Round 4 - 3/31/21 Group 2 VIR (Full)

  • Round 5 - 4/14/21 Group 1 Summit Point

  • Round 6 - 4/28/21 Group 2 Road America

  • Round 7 - 5/12/21 Group 1 VIR (South Course)

  • Round 8 - 5/26/21 Group 2 Watkins Glen (Boot)

Group 1 - 30-minute sprint races, open setups and a 20x incident limit.

Group 2 - 60-minute races, single driver, open setups, fuel limits and a 25x incident limit.

(You don’t need to participate in both group events to be eligible for one of the three Championships.)

We won’t stray far from our familiar format and I’ll have more information available shortly.

Register now for all 2021 MARRS Events at Summit Point!

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Register now for all 2021 MARRS Events at Summit Point! 

Register today and you will be automatically entered in all the 2021 MARRS at Summit Point. Keep your car # and save - great deal!!

Some things to know about the MARRS Season Subscription:

1) The price is just $1625 and includes all five 2021 weekends at Summit Point. 2nd entry for same driver in 2nd class = $850. This is a savings of $450, more than 1 free weekend!! Your credit card will be charged now for the full amount.

2) There are no refunds. The deal here is, you pay up front and get a great price, but if you miss an event for a family wedding or your car is not ready, there is no refund or partial refund. But - you get more than 1 event for free, so you could even skip 1 and still get a better price.

3) The event Supps for each weekend will be emailed to you prior to the event.

4) Once registered for the Season Subscription, you will not need to register in MSR for any of the 2021 MARRS events at Summit Point - your Season information will automatically be transferred to each individual event. No late fees, no watching the calendar - You're in! If you need any changes during the year (crew names or car # - or whatever), simply contact me in the Region Office and I will take care of this for you. You are not able to make any changes yourself.

5) We have scheduled MARRS "away games" at VIR & NJMP which are each part of the MARRS 2021 season but are not included in this Season Subscription. You must still register and pay for those events separately.

SCHEDULE of Season Subscription - includes 5 events at Summit Point:

April 24-25 MARRS @SP
June 19-20 MARRS @SP
July 24-25 MARRS @SP
Labor Day Sept 04-06 MARRS @SP
Oct 09-10 MARRS @SP

Lots of drivers run all our home events anyway, why not register now and save?

SCCA Member of Excellence and Woolf Barnato Award Winners

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Two of Washington DC Regions finest were recognized  as the 2021 SCCA National Convention opened on Saturday, with the traditional SCCA Hall of Fame and Awards Ceremony.

SCCA Hall of Fame inductees were joined by the newly selected SCCA Member of Excellence and Woolf Barnato Award Winners, Bob Crawford and Dennis Dean.

The Member of Excellence is annually presented to the volunteer who shows the greatest commitment to SCCA Motorsports activities. The recipient is given the opportunity to attend any motorsport event of their choosing—with an expense cap of $5000—anywhere on the planet.

Crawford, a Washington DC Region member, was introduced by SCCA President Michael Cobb as the “poster child of the welcoming environment that we are striving to deliver to members” for his work throughout his Region’s road racing program. 

“I’m honored, humbled and grateful for this award,” Crawford said. “It is a privilege to serve as a leader in this great organization and an opportunity I cherish.”

The Woolf Barnato Award is recognized as SCCA’s highest award and is presented to a member who has made an outstanding, long-term contribution to the Club. Dean, already a part of the SCCA Hall of Fame, received the 2020 edition of the award.

“I still feel like the widow who listened to the preacher’s kind eulogy and then whispered to one of her children, ‘run up there and make sure that’s your daddy in that box,’” a humbled Dean said. “As I look at the list of prior Woolf Barnato Award winners, the vast majority of who I can consider personal friends, I am humbled beyond words. To be placed in the same category as any of them would honor any Club member. To now join the ranks of the entire group is almost unimaginable.”

Road Racing Tech Days!

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Hey Racers! Avoid the lines - come out to get your car's safety and tech inspection before the season starts - get your annual signature and be ready for MARRS.

 Get your 2021 Tech Sticker at one of our Pre-season Tech Days!

2021 Road Racing Tech Days:

Date & Time: Saturday, February 13 from 9AM to 3PM+/-
Location:
Dominion Raceway
Main Facilities Building – Groove Music Hall
6501 Dominion Raceway Avenue
Thornburg, VA 22580
Contact: Wayne Armbrust, cwarmbrust@hotmail.com

Date & Time: Saturday, February 27 from 8:30AM - 4:00PM
Location:
RP Performance (Bret de Pedro's shop)
Gasoline Alley at Summit Point
(304) 728-6749

Date & Time: Sat & Sun, March 6 & 7 from 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Location:
HPDE & TT Track Events Program
Summit Point (Main Circuit Tech Shed)
Note: drivers attending this event get priority

Date & Time:
Friday, April 2 from 7:30PM - 9:00PM
Saturday, April 3 from 7:30AM - 4:00PM
Location:
Racing School for Competition License
Summit Point (Main Circuit Tech Shed)
Note: drivers attending this event get priority

Date & Time: Saturday, April 10 from 9AM to 3PM+/-
Location:
Dominion Raceway
Main Facilities Building – Groove Music Hall
6501 Dominion Raceway Avenue
Thornburg, VA 22580
Note: drivers attending this event get priority
Contact: Wayne Armbrust, cwarmbrust@hotmail.com

 

Contact Tech Chief Joe Menowsky @ jmenowsky72@gmail.com or (540) 676-5691 to inquire about setting up other dates by appointment.

Possible additional dates and venues may be announced later if/when they become available.

Please remember that if your vehicle received a tech inspection last season it is valid for 1 year from that date. If the vehicle was inspected in July of 2020 it isn't due again until July 2021.

 Your personal protective gear will require a current inspection prior to the first event of the season.