REGION NOTICE: Road Closure

The Opequon Creek bridge on Old Charlestown Road, west of Summit Point, is CLOSED and will remain so until November 25. The existing low, one-lane bridge, which is prone to flooding, is being replaced with a higher, two-lane bridge.

If you usually travel from that direction or stay at hotels near I-81 and Route 11, please be aware that your commute to the track will be significantly longer. You will need to detour south to Route 7, then east to Crumms Church Road, and finally back

north, or choose another alternate route. For the location of the bridge, follow this link

2024 WDCR Awards Banquet Raffle Winners

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the remarkable 2024 Awards Banquet! The event, expertly organized by our dedicated sponsorship committee and graciously supported by our banquet sponsor, The Paddock Group, was a night to remember at Dominion Raceway. Attendees enjoyed a fantastic evening filled with awards, a delightful dinner, and dancing! A special shoutout to all our award and trophy winners - your hard work truly deserves the spotlight! Below is the list of our raffle winners from the evening. Congratulations to all!

FATT (Friday at the track summit point) - Deb Albrecht

HPDRE ( Dominion Raceway ) -  Patrick Harvey

HPDE ( summit point ) - Chuck Van Norstrand

Trackout Accommodations ( air b&b) - Karl Burghardt & Kerry McElwee

Basket of Cheer - Sam Eyer

50/50 - Steve Pairo, who graciously gave the money back to the Vintage Racers for Rescue.

Thanks to everyone's support, we raised an impressive total of $985.00 ($550 from the 50/50 and $435 from the raffles). We hope to see even more of you at the next banquet, where we can aim to raise even more funds while celebrating our incredible community! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

2024 Region Awards


A huge thank you to all who attended the 2024 Awards Banquet, brilliantly organized by our sponsorship committee and powered by our banquet sponsor, The Paddock Group. Fun was had by all at Dominion Raceway during an evening of awards, delicious dinner and dancing! A special congratulations to each award and trophy winner- your hard work deserves the spotlight! A big thank you to Sissy for taking photos and capturing the night's best moments. Below you’ll find the recipients of region awards.


Dave Roethel Member Achievement Award

The David Roethel Member Achievement Award was donated in 1963 when he, as Regional Executive, felt that there should be recognition of members of the region (not officers or committee chairpersons), who gave unstintingly of their time and effort in contribution to the many activities sponsored by the region. This award contains the names of individuals who are some of the "unsung heroes" of the region. They have worked behind the scenes in many different capacities, frequently without recognition, to see that the programs have succeeded. 

One of the critical areas of club growth is to lower the barriers to entry for women.  WDCR HPDE Women on Track Scholarship program, founded by Alpex International, LLC, is one such opportunity.  The program awarded 11 entries into the HPDE events last year (one for each event held at Summit Point and Dominion) and looks to at least duplicate that effort in 2025. Every such effort requires a champion who does the hard work to make things happen. The region is proud to recognize Natalie Haizlip with the David Roethel award for her work with the women on track program and her enthusiasm for the sport and our region.

 Most Valuable Player Award

The Most Valuable Player "MVP" is awarded to the individual who has rendered outstanding service to the Region while acting in an official capacity.  In essence, this award is intended to recognize an individual who is ineligible for the Member Achievement award.  The donor of this award hoped that this "award would fill the void that exists for those hard-working individuals who are always there, who continually serve at an outstanding level, and whose only recognition is an occasional ‘Thank you’ if we think of it."

This leader jumped into the region autocross program with both feet. He made a significant and successful effort to bring in new venues for autocross. His programs were well attended and he lead the only region program to exceed goals to fund region overhead. He worked hard to bring in bring autocross back to the region wide banquet. I am proud to recognize the 2024 region most valuable player, Ryan St. Louis.


Public Relations Award

The Public Relations Award is presented annually to a person, ‘normally a driver’, who has, in the opinion of the Board of Directors has done the most to promote the Region’s activities. 

This award winner is no stranger to road racers. She is there at every region road race, independent of rain, snow, or sweltering summer. She has been a key figure on Grid for Super Tour, Marrs, and this year she took the reins and was Chief at the Runoffs. Usually this is done by 2 individuals, but due to unforeseen circumstances, she did it on her own and did a fantastic job. Everywhere she goes, she is a great emissary for the Washington DC Region. The 2024 Public Relations Award winner is Shirley Thompson.

  

 RE Awards – Chosen by the Board of Directors to recognize individuals who supported the region in unique but critical ways. The RE Awards allowed the board of directors to recognize two unique regional contributions.

 The first is a leader in our Track Events program.  He served as the novice class instructor with near-universal student accolades. Most novice groups now have a waiting list for all HPDE events. He pushed to bring data-guided coaching to our HPDE events. In 2024 he stepped up to the role of Program Chair for our Summit Point Track Events program. I am happy to recognize as a 2024 RE award winner, David Miller.

            

Despite our efforts to ensure that everyone shows up with a support crew at the Road Racing Competition License school, some do not, and some need more help than they brought. The result is missed sessions that can add up to a failed school.  A handful of region racers started showing up with tools and a desire to help. This is one of the things that makes our driver’s school one the best in country. I would like to recognize the members of Pucker-Up Racing and Half-Fast Racing for their effort to make every student successful.

Chris Fox Spirit of the Sport Award – best exemplifies the spirit of Chris Fox

The friends of Chris Fox have donated an award to be presented in Chris’s name to a DC Region member who best exemplifies the spirit of Chris  –  her great enthusiasm, her endless generosity, her mentor-ship skills, her drive for excellence, and her sense of fun. These qualities represent the true Spirit of our Sport. Mike Kelly was the winner of the Chris Fox Award.

Sue Roethel Award Life time achievement award

The Sue Roethel Award shall be awarded from time to time to a member of the Region whose lifetime record of service to the Region reflects dedication to the Region, its members, and its programs; who is always cheerful and ready to work, regardless of the nature of the job, and who displays excellence in everything he or she undertakes for the Region. The Sue Roethel Award was awarded to Lin and Janet Toland.

SCCA Turns 80!

We're celebrating 80 years of SCCA history! It all started in 1944 when seven enthusiasts gathered to establish the groundwork of what would become the SCCA.

Did you know the Washington DC Region is the Club's oldest region? Here's the intriguing part... While WDCR recently celebrated its 75th anniversary, it's noteworthy that when SCCA was founded in 1944, there wasn't a concept of regions. Four years later, the Washington DC Region was established as the first region, and WDCR was subsequently recognized as the inaugural region within SCCA.

Check out the full article here.

WOT Scholarship

Announcing the WDCR HPDE WOT Scholarship!

The WDCR High Performance Drivers Education Program has partnered with Alpex International LLC to create the WDCR HPDE Women on Track Scholarship Program presented by Alpex International LLC.  The Women On Track (“WOT”) Scholarship is designed to facilitate and encourage women motorsports enthusiasts to try their hand at High Performance Driving at the events put on by the HPDE program.  Inspired by the national SCCA Women on Track initiative, whose mission is to expand participation of women in all facets of SCCA programs and activities, the WDCR WOT Scholarship will cover the entry fee for one recipient in each of the HPDE events in 2024.  Each event will feature a new scholarship recipient.  The goal of the scholarship program is to allow the recipients to further their participation in motorsports and to increase the number of women participating in the HPDE program.



Any driver or volunteer that has previously participated in an SCCA motorsports event is eligible. Scholarship applicants with prior participation with the Washington D.C. Region will be given priority. 



WDCR’s leadership team is blessed with three members of the National SCCA WOT program.  Taylor Hyatt, vice-chairman of the Board of Directors, Natalie Hazlip, Ambassador for the Dominion HPDE and TT program, and Kerry McElwee, Ambassador for the Summit Point HPDE and TT program, all serve on National Women on Track committees.  Taylor, Natalie, and Kerry will bring their experience and expertise to bear in administering the WDCR WOT Scholarship program and working to advance the participation of women in all the events in the WDCR region.  Taylor, Natalie and Kerry will be assisted by the HPDE Program Chairs, David Miller and Trey Albrecht.



To apply for the WOT Scholarship, fill out this short form.  When completing the form, applicants are encouraged to select each event they would be able to attend if they were awarded the scholarship.  Each scholarship winner is limited to one event scholarship per year.  The scholarship award covers only the admission fee into the event; the participant is responsible for her car, travel to and from the event, and any other costs associated with participating in an HPDE event.



2023 Region Awards

David Roethel Member Achievement Award

The David Roethel Member Achievement Award was donated in 1963 when he, as Regional Executive, felt that there should be recognition of members of the region (not officers or committee chairpersons), who gave unstintingly of their time and effort in contribution to the many activities sponsored by the region. This award contains the names of individuals who are some of the "unsung heroes" of the region. They have worked behind the scenes in many different capacities, frequently without recognition, to see that the programs have succeeded.

 

Bob Hasychak

Bob has been driving in Road Racing Big Bore competition for a long time. He and his wife Cheryl have traveled the Division and surrounding Regions and areas becoming well known among many other competitors and SCCA members. Bob is always a good ambassador for the Region. But wait, there is more! About four years ago, he agreed to take on a new project. The challenge was to develop a Track Events program at Dominion Raceway. The short story is he achieved the goal. Establishing a popular HPDE program and opening the opportunity for another Time Trials venue, has resulted in another full-size program the Region can be proud of. Bob has also volunteered time and effort to build a storage facility on the grounds of Dominion Raceway to make life easier in storing and managing Track Events equipment.

Most Valuable Player "MVP" Award

The Most Valuable Player "MVP" is awarded to an individual who has rendered outstanding service to the Region while acting in an official capacity.  In essence, this award is intended to recognize an individual who is ineligible for the Member Achievement award.  The donor of this award hoped that this "award would fill the void that exists for those hard-working individuals who are always there, who continually serve at an outstanding level, and whose only recognition is an occasional ‘Thank you’ if we think of it." 

 

Betty Harrison

If you are a road racer you know our next award winner. She saved more racers from lost race weekends than any other individual. Her countless hours before every race and again during every race weekend, may not be understood by everyone but the racers know. “Chuck your medical is about to expire.” “Chuck don’t forget to renew your membership before the end of June.” “Son, you need a medical for tomorrow’s Driver’s School. Here is how you are going to get it done.”  She is our expert on waivers and she is the SCCA’s 2023 Registrar of the Year. The Washington DC Region’s Most Valuable Player is Betty Harrison.

 

Public Relations Award

The Public Relations Award is presented annually to a person, ‘normally a driver’, who has, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, done the most to promote the Region’s activities. 

At the time of the banquet the Board of Directors gave this award to Gregg Ginsberg. After a great deal of careful consideration after the fact, the board of directors has agreed that they acted in error by not including Brian Donati in the award. The decision was unanimous. Brian, on behalf of the board, please accept our apology for our oversight in acknowledging your remarkable contributions.

 

Gregg Ginsberg and Brian Donati

Greg and Brian have developed a live streaming online broadcast of Washington DC MARRS events. The viewership is rapidly expanding and carrying influence on a national scale. Greg and Brian are former drivers that understand the details of race craft and competition. They know both what is important to the audience but also understand the importance to the drivers, families and crew. Gregg and Brian are Region members shaping the future of amateur road racing. 

 

Jeanne and Tom Hoffman Exemplary Leadership Recognition Award

This award goes to the Road Racing community member who demonstrates extraordinary service above and beyond expectations in delivering performance that enhances the overall objective of stewardship and the Region Road Racing Program.

 

Bob Crawford

Bob Crawford is recognized for propelling the Steward organization into the modern digital world. Bob is no stranger to raising the performance and efficiency of big organizations. New to stewarding, he immediately saw a need for improved communications and records. Bob is already shaping the future.

  

2023 Region Executive Awards

 

Scott Hank

Scott has become a key piece of every MARRS weekend as well as extra time at the track and many other events making things happen for our volunteer staff of officials. The phrase “He delivers,” is an understatement. One of the most recognized and popular people to see in your area of the track any day any time. When he is on site, he is providing an outstanding service meeting needs resulting in great relief on the part of everyone.

 

Sissy Connelly

Sissy has become our favorite documentarian and photographer. She has taken roughly 4,000 photos of WDCR people and cars at the Runoffs, and many thousands more during the MARRS season at all venues. She is a common site with camera in hand, smiling as she captures the real side of every event. She shows immense care and support for our track family. Sissy produced a photo book for the 50th anniversary of the MARRS program. A copy of that book now rests with the SCCA National Office, IMRRC racing archives in Watkins Glen, and the Jefferson County Public Library in Summit Point, West Virginia. She has most recently been publishing the “Trading Card” pictures identifying each driver and the car they drive. She delivers smiles in the paddock.

 

Bruce Shelton

Years ago, Bruce took note of the trophy struggle in supplying enough trophies on time in the right place for the MARRS events. Since he stepped in, he has also taken on the care, accounting, and maintenance of the Region’s perpetual trophies. A championship driver in his own right, he ensures every winner has an award available and in hand before leaving the event. Bruce deserves recognition for his efforts and success. Bruce exemplifies teamwork, sportsmanship, and involvement. He is always ready with advice and guidance as well as a natural leader in competition. Thanks to Bruce, we have a lot of happy campers in Pinto Alley.

 

Jim Rose

 

A reliable and respected engineer applying knowledge, time, and accuracy to a critical component of our existence in the sportscar racing world. Jim has established expertise in the area of sound monitoring and reporting that SCCA requires. He has applied his knowledge in aiding and teaching other organizations and track management how to understand what they are trying to control. He has promoted SCCA standards to the point they are now the standard that Summit Point Management has accepted. Jim was a key figure in 2014 when track management proposed lowering the decibel limits. His input was critical in preserving the SCCA standard.

 

Jim Harrison

 

A long-time competitor and highly respected Steward, Jim has taken a focused approach to setting a standard format in the position as Safety Steward. His ability to focus and organize is another benefit that the Washington DC Region has come to rely on for his decades of contributions.

 

2023 WDCR Time Trial Champions!

Congratulations to our five 2023 championship winners!

Max 4 - Bryan McCrea
Bryan's Pennsylvania hillclimbing efforts payed off in a faster car this year. Resetting records at 2 of the bumpiest tracks, besting the Jefferson record by almost a second. Looking to 2024, Max 4 is going to be red hot with who's fired up and the number of participants that will be involved.

Max 5 - Faraz Ahsan
The winner was determined at our final event with Faraz taking not only the class win over but also resetting his class record. He took the win over Jeffrey Walters by .438 of a second and 2 points. Was amazing season battle of aero vs no aero between 2 talented drivers as they duked it out on who could reset the most records.

Tuner 3 - Muzafar Umarov
Pull a full house sweep of resetting records at every track this year. This man was a rocket ship that was too fast to catch. Definitely a class to watch for 2024 as RWD is looking to make a response.


Tuner 4 - Vincent Mak
For another year in a row, Vincent continues to dominate Tuner 4 in WDCR's most competitive and largest class. 7 wins and 3 records across the 9 events.

Sport 4 - Andrew Lunsford
Andrew pulled a very successful season, also doing a full house sweep capturing all 4 of the flags and reseting Sport 4 records as he went.

This was our second most successful season ever by participation numbers, resetting those record numbers at 3 of the 4 tracks. This is also the most classes we've had qualify for the championship, ever. Thank you to everyone who came out and made this possible. We are all very excited for what 2024 will bring in competition and tracks we will be visiting. Please have patience while we formulate the 2024 season.

-Matt Greenland

2023 SCCA Worker of the Year

We are deeply grateful to our volunteers for their achievements on a national scale. 

Yesterday, at the SCCA Runoffs, the achievements were acknowledged.

In a message from Bob Crawford, 

“We can be very proud of our four award winners at the SCCA Worker of the Year awards tonight at the Runoffs.  WDCR really cleaned up showing what a truly great team we have in the DC Region!!

Betty Harrison:  Registration 2023 Worker of the Year
John and Beth Burkhard:  Start 2023 Workers of the Year
Kathy McLeod:  Stewards 2023 Worker of the Year
Joe Menowsky:  Tech 2023 Worker of the year. “

We are absolutely overwhelmed by the achievements of our team.

C.W. Armbrust, RE
Washington DC Region 

It’s not too late to vote for your favorites for the three open positions on the WDCR Board of Directors

It’s not too late to vote for your favorites for the three open positions on the WDCR Board of Directors.  But it will be too late after online voting closes on October 9, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET.  Paper ballots must be received no later than 7:00 pm on October 10. 

All Regular members in good standing of the Region as of the close of voting, both Individual and Family members, are eligible to vote.

Voting is being conducted online through MotorsportReg.  The ballot can be found here.  You must have an account with MotorsportReg to vote online.  Click here to set up a free account with MotorSportReg.  Voting is also being conducted through paper ballots, which are available upon request at the Club office. 

The six candidates for the three vacant Board positions in order of their member number are:

Barry Brown

Lin Toland

Taylor Hyatt

Shawn Roberts

Valerie Farret

Trey Albrecht

Biographies of the candidates can be found on the WDCR website, click here.

If you need help with voting, please contact the Region Administrators through the Club office at cluboffice@wdcr-scca.org.  .