LATEST NEWS:

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Street Survival

Posted September 18, 2016

It’s about more than driving – it’s about LIVING!

The primary emphasis of the Tire Rack Street Survival® is a “hands-on” driving experience in real-world situations! We use your own car to teach you about its handling limits and how you can control them. The students will become more observant of the traffic situation they find themselves in. They will learn to look far enough ahead to anticipate unwise actions of other drivers. As the students master the application of physics to drive their cars, they will make fewer unwise driving actions themselves. They will understand why they should always wear their own seatbelts, and why they should insist that their passengers wear seatbelts, too.

• Saturday, October 22nd 8:00AM-4:00PM
• Route 66 Raceway
• Joliet, IL

To enter a STUDENT, go HERE

To volunteer to help, go HERE.

Event contact:

Kevin Coulter
630-985-5996

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Racing Legend and Chicago Region Member

Posted July 7, 2016

CARL HAAS’ incredible journey came to a peaceful end on June 29, 2016, at his home that he loved, surrounded by family.

Carl Haas’ vast array of involvement in the motorsports industry has garnered him acclaim from USA Today, who has called him “one of the most powerful men in the history of auto racing” as well as earned him a place on the “50 Newsmakers of the Half-Century” list compiled by the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association (AARWBA) in 2004. The same organization also presented him with their prestigious “Pioneer in Racing” award for his contribution to motorsports at their annual banquet on January 12, 2008 and in August of the same year he became the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America’s ninth recipient of the Bob Russo Heritage Award for his contribution to motorsports. To close out that same year, he accepted Autosports Magazine’s prestigious John Bolster Award in London in December “for technical achievement on behalf of Newman Haas Racing’s IndyCar team.” Over the years Haas has been a race car driver, race team owner, racing car/parts distributor, event promoter, adviser and visionary. His experience in these diverse areas provided him a unique insight into the sport of auto racing.

Carl’s journey began when he first started racing himself in 1952 and won ten races at the Milwaukee Mile racetrack, which forty years later, he would successfully operate from 1992 – 2002. In 1955, Carl won one of the inaugural races at the Road America race circuit and many years later would serve on their board of directors, helping to grow the facility into one of the premier racetracks in the United States.

Before focusing his business skills as a team owner, Carl began as a race car driver and joined SCCA in 1952, an organization he would later serve as a board member and subsequently chairman. Carl was a member of the Chicago Region for 64 years. In 1985, Carl received SCCA’s highest honor – The Woolf Barnato Award and in 2007 Carl was inducted into the SCCA Hall of Fame.

While racing overseas in the late 1950’s, Carl recognized a business opportunity and became the U.S. distributor for several lines of race cars and race car replacement parts. Carl bought an Elva Sports Racer in 1959 and Frank Nichols invited Carl to drive in the Tourist Trophy Race at Goodwood in the U.K. Carl and Frank then agreed to distribute Elva’s in the U.S. through Haas Auto Imports. While at Goodwood, Carl was introduced to Mike Hewland, Hewland Engineering. Carl recognized Mike’s engineering talent and began representing Hewland in the U.S., a relationship that still exists today. At Goodwood, Carl also met Eric Broadley, the owner and chief designer of Lola Race Cars. In 1967, Eric recognized that Lola would best be represented by Carl A. Haas Automobile Imports, Inc., and Lola became the dominant race car in the U.S. for thirty years. Carl’s innovative concepts allowed Carl’s distribution business to blossom. Fifty five years later, Carl A. Haas Automobile Imports, Inc. still sets the gold standard; distributing cars and replacement parts for the racing industry.

In 1967, Carl started his own race team and over the next forty four years Carl’s teams won sixteen championships and over 140 races. Carl’s amazing ability to select drivers and engineers was a major factor in his team’s success.

Carl’s experience in team ownership included owning and operating: a Can-Am Formula 5000 team in the 1970’s; a Formula 1 team in the 1980’s; a NASCAR team in the 1990’s; the Milwaukee Mile race track: the Houston Grand Prix race from 1998-2001; and creating, owning and operating one of the most successful Indy Car Teams, Newman Haas Racing, from 1983-2011, where Mario Andretti spent the last eleven years of his illustrious racing career.

Carl will be greatly missed by all those lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at 8430 W. Bryn Mawr, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60631 (847/933-2413) or The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp at www.holeinthewallgang.org.

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Car Show

Posted July 4, 2016

Salute those who have served!

Steve Mosias, President of EMS ROADDOCS has extended an invitation the Chicago Region membership to participate in a Bar B Q party and car show to help say thank you to our veterans.

The Bar B Q is on August 6th at Hines VA.

Cars will be lined up at 10 am – 3 pm with lunch being served 12 – 2. Lunch is free to members of our club for coming out!

• Edward Hines VA Hospital
• 5000 South 5th Avenue
• Hines IL. 60141

If you have time, this may be the event you are looking to attend. Road racers, your race cars may be the hit of the show!

Please, let them know if you can be there to show our respects and thank you to those who served for us. The show will be at building 240. Mention you are with the Chicago Region SCCA.

For more information, check Facebook:

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July REmarks

Posted July 3, 2016

The July REmarks is posted!–

…about how busy June was!

…the awesomeness of the 61st June Sprints!

…to the return of Indycar to Road America!

…to hear about Rick’s inability to attend a Solo event!

…what fantastic Chicago Region events you can attend in July!

All this and more!

READ MORE…

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2016 Summer Tour

Posted June 2, 2016

John’s July Journey!

Come join us for an enjoyable day of driving, a car show, a picnic lunch, and shopping in one of many shops in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. The drive, approximately 2.5 hour 110 mile summer drive of enjoyable back roads in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin ending in Mineral Point. The car show, featuring vintage, antique and other interesting vehicles. We will arrive in time for the start of the car show and have made arrangements for show car parking, if you’re not entered in the show you will need to park in the street.

The picnic lunch: in Soldiers Memorial Park, bring your own or concessions and beer tent available.

The shopping: Historic buildings, working artists, locally owned gift boutiques and shops along with restaurants is just part of what makes this a special place.

Mineral Point, an architectural gem in the hills of southwest Wisconsin, is a place that is often described as magical. Enter online HERE, or see the downloadable entry form HERE.

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This event is brought to you by G.O.A.T.S., so don’t miss out its going to be fun!!!

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2016 Incentive Programs

Posted April 10, 2016

Announcing the 2016 incentive programsfor Chicago Region! The member incentive programs have been simplified for 2016. See details HERE.

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Chicago Region SCCA April Membership Meeting

Posted March 20, 2016

The Chicago Region SCCA invites you to join us at the Iron Gate Motor Condos for our April Membership Meeting on Wednesday April 20, 2016. This will be the last membership meeting prior to the beginning of the racing season.

We thought this would be something different and interesting that many would enjoy. The evening will begin at 7pm in Suite #101 which is the first unit by the iron gate as you approach the buildings. Tom Burgess our host will welcome us to his condo where the evening’s activities will begin. Wine, beer, soft drinks, and light appetizers will be available for you to enjoy. During the business portion of the meeting Tom Burgess will present a brief information session. Then it’s off to tour some of the condos and car collections. Please register on MotorsportReg if you will be attending, (see link below). We will need to provide Iron Gate with a count of how many will be attending.

Iron Gate is a proud sponsor of the Cal’s Angels foundation. Cal’s Angels is a 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer foundation established in 2007 by Tom and Stacey Sutter after losing their oldest son Cal to leukemia in 2006. During his treatment, Cal always cared about others before himself. Cal’s kindness inspired Tom and Stacey to start a foundation that would grant wishes for kids fighting cancer and provide financial assistance to their families. To date, Cal’s Angels has raised over 2.5 million dollars to support kids fighting cancer and their families at all Chicago area hospitals and assists over 400 families each year. Their Mission: Granting wishes and providing financial assistance to kids fighting cancer and their families.

To find out more about Cal’s Angels go to www.calsangels.org.

To support Cal’s Angels the Region has created two raffles with all the proceeds going directly to the foundation. Tickets will be available on MotorsportReg (see link below) and at upcoming club events and meetings prior to April 20th. Drawing will be held on April 20th and the winners will be announced at the meeting.

• Raffle #1: Solo Event 3pack, a $99.00 value, tickets will be 1 for $5.00 three for $10.00
• Raffle #2: PDX ½ Day Event at Autobahn, a $125.00 value, tickets will be 1 for $10.00 three for $20.00

Please help us support Cal’s Angels, so they can continue to care for needy children and their families.

Directions:
Iron Gate Motor Condos
2228 W. Ferry Rd. Suite #101
Naperville, IL. 60563

From I-88 exit north bound on to Rt. 59. Take Rt. 59 to Ferry Rd. (a stop light intersection) Turn left (west bound) on Ferry Rd. to the Iron Gate entrance. The entrance will be on your left (the south side of the road. The entrance looks like a construction entrance and the buildings are set back a distance from the entrance.

Parking:
Drive down the service road to the buildings. Turn right and pass through the gate. Please park on a diagonal facing the open field. The entrance to the building is back by the gate.

Online registration available HERE.

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The Learning Curve

Posted March 5, 2016

THE LEARNING CURVE – Solo New Drivers School

Chicago Region Solo driver’s school is an excellent way to learn about and become involved in Solo events. It is a two-part school that consists of a classroom session and a day and a half of in car instruction. Instruction will be provided by experienced, award winning drivers (many with National Championship credentials). Because the entry is limited to only 100 students, there will be a very favorable student/teacher ratio allowing for maximum driving time and personal instruction. The school is for novice drivers with less than one year or no solo experience. Students must attend both days. Loaner helmets are available.

Dates:	Saturday April 9	Sunday April 10
Check In:	7:30AM – 8:00AM	7:00AM – 7:45AM
School:	8:00AM – 5:00PM	8:00AM – 5:00PM
Where:	Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL (the drag strip) Gate 12 off Schweitzer Road.

Register on line: http://register.scca-chicago.com/ Please do not reserve a number.

Register by mail: Fill in both sides of the entry form HERE, include $135 registration fee payable to “Chicago Region SCCA”, mail to: Meghan Connelly, 17W235 Oak Lane Bensenville, IL. 60106 (no later than April 1st)

Questions: Call Greg Meier (630) 934-6157

Lunch: Furnished both days by
Participants will receive Subway Sandwiches, Chips and Pop.

See more information about the Learning Curve HERE

See more information about our 2016 Solo Schedule HERE

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The Chicago Region Spring Tour

Posted February 3, 2016
Updated March 5, 2016

The Chicago Region Presents “The April Fools Tour”

Sunday April 3, 2016 The Chicago Region will be hosting another backroads tour as part of the G.O.A.T.S. (Get Out And Tour Series). The tour will begin at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant, 730 N. Lyford Rd. (I-90 and State St.) Rockford, IL just north of State St. by the Clock Tower Resort. The restaurant will be open if you would like to have an early breakfast.

Event Schedule: Registration opens at 8:00 am, Drivers Meeting at 8:45, Tour Begins at 9:00 am.

John Sutton has laid out an exciting back roads route that will take you through northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin to our first stop on the tour, The Toy Train Barn. Located in Argyle Wisconsin, the Toy Train Barn is an actual dairy barn in southern Wisconsin that has been transformed into a toy train museum. The barn is owned by former Wisconsin & Southern / Wisconsin & Calumet Engineer Buck Guthrie and his wife, Jan. Buck is a lifelong collector of American Flyer Trains as well as other toy trains. Join us and walk into an amazing miniature world of animations created by Buck.

After our visit at the Toy Train Barn the tour will resume to our planned end point, the Minhas Brewery / Distillery in Monroe Wisconsin. The Minhas Craft Brewery is the Midwest’s oldest brewery (est. 1845) surviving the depression, prohibition, brushes with the mob and two major fires. The brewery offers guided tours, samplings, and a museum of Beer Memorabilia, featuring hundreds of brewery advertisements from the past, Lithographs and prints from the mid 1800-era. Brewery tours are $10.00 per person, which include, a gift pack of 4 beers, a Blumer Soda and a sampler glass (a pack of five sodas and a glass can be substituted), and free samplings of beer and soda. The Distillery offers product sampling, a take home sampler glass and a bottle their fine spirits as a “Thank You” for visiting. Distillery Tastings are $10 per person at as well. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase beer, clothing, glassware and souvenirs.

Lunch will be available in Monroe at two local restaurants within a short walk from the brewery, Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern, and Suisse Haus, both offer sandwiches and other fare at a reasonable price. If you chose, there are a number of fast food restaurants within a short drive of the brewery.

Entry Fee: $20 per car/ 2 people (non-members $25) that includes; tour instructions, two entry tickets to the Toy Train Barn (additional guests are $5 per person). Lunch and Minhas Tours / Tastings are on your own and not included in the tour entry.

Online registration available HERE.

Entry Form available HERE.

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March REmarks

Posted March 1, 2016

If you missed – the annual Chicago Region Checkered Flag dinner and awards banquet at Lake Forest Motorcars on Feb. 6, you missed a fantastic evening. The wit and banter of the Master of Ceremonies notwithstanding, the highlight of the evening had to be the opportunity to take a ride-and-drive in either a Ferrari or McLaren! As if dining among the exotic inventory in the Lake Forest Sportscars wasn’t enough. Many thanks to Rick Mancuso and his staff for opening the doors to us and for allowing our members to drive the cars of our dreams. It’s always a good time when we can get together to enjoy the company of friends and fellow motorsports enthusiasts, eat a good meal, have a few drinks and do a little off-season bench racing, and this year did not disappoint. A jazz trio added to the ambience
before dinner, while once again Goose Island Brewing provided the food and beverages.

Awards – The checkered Flag banquet is when we present the region’s major awards for the previous season to salute our champions and recognize outstanding achievement, and this year was no exception. This year our award winners included:

• Rookie of the Year – Marcel Berkout
• Driver of the Year – Pat Womak
• Soloist of the Year – John Azevedo
• Dave Morell Worker of the Year – Greg Meier

In addition, the Founders Club selected Bob Stone to join their ranks. Bob was also recognized for his 6 years service on the region board of directors.

Member’s Gathering – On Feb. 17 we held a member’s gathering at K1 Speed…

The Fun Committee needs your input…

Upcoming events – …there are a couple things on the March calendar worth mentioning. First, on Wednesday, March 16 we’ve got a Member’s Gathering set at K1 Speed in Addison…Then, on Saturday, March 19 is the annual CenDiv Spring Training event…On Saturday, April 2 we are hosting a Tire Rack Street Survival school for young drivers at RT66 dragway in Joliet…Sunday, April 3 is the second event in our GOATS (Get Out And Tour Series). This a casual, fun, non-competitive drive through some interesting backroad countryside with a stop at a very interesting model train museum, then continuing to the Minhas Brewery/distillery in Monroe, WI…

READ MORE…

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PDX Schedule Set

Posted March 1, 2016

It may still be cold out, but summer and track-day season will be here in just a few short months. If you haven’t driven in a Performance Driving Experience (PDX), make 2016 the year you take your street car on track.

Racers and advanced PDX drivers are invited to become PDX instructors. A good way to start is to attend the SCCA CenDiv Spring Training on Saturday, March 19, in Milwaukee. You can register at msreg.com/CendivST2016. Instructors drive in Chicago Region events for a greatly reduced fee and are eligible for an incentive payout at the end of the year.

Mark your calendars for fun on track:

• Friday, May 27, 5 p.m., Autobahn Country Club South Course
• Friday, June 10, 5 p.m., Autobahn Country Club South Course
• Friday, July 8, 5 p.m., Autobahn Country Club North Course
• Monday, July 18, Full Day Club Trial and PDX with Milwaukee Region, Blackhawk Farms Raceway
• Sunday, August 14, 5 p.m., Autobahn Country Club South Course
• Sunday, Sept. 11, 4 p.m., Autobahn Country Club South Course
• Grand Subaru Invitational, TBA – instructors needed (and drive for free)

Registration will open on motorsportreg.com at least a month before each event. For more information on becoming an instructor, contact Jim Marinangel (Jim.Marinangel@mchenrysavings.com) or Erik Vandermey (erikv@mac.com). For information on the PDX program, contact Roger Vilmur (rmv@vilmurnet.com).

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March Chicago Region Member’s Gathering

Posted March 1, 2016

Chicago Region Member’s Gathering
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 7:00PM
at
K1 Speed Indoor Karting Facility, Addison, IL

Join us for our March Member’s Gathering at K1 Speed. We will have a guest speaker from Smith Oil, a local distributor of Sunoco racing fuel and Penn Grade racing oil.

Come on out and bench race, congregate, and listen to car talk!

K1 Speed offers a full bar, full food menu, and of course Kart racing. Arrive early and/or stay late to enjoy something to eat, drink, and perhaps challenge friends to a race or two (if you plan to race, bear in mind K1’s no-alcohol-before-racing policy).

Information on K1 and how to get there can be found HERE.

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Timing is EVERYTHING!

Posted February 3, 2016

SCCA Timing and Scoring is not what it used to be. We use networked computers connected to electronic decoders to time and score the competitors. The new T&S is looking for some computer savvy people to help out in this specialty. Please consider getting involved in this high tech specialty.

For all of you non technical people, don’t worry. We still do the old fashioned scoring process as a backup to the computers. We still need lots of people to help out with the number taping and socializing that T&S has been known for.

CenDiv SCCA is again running an AWT (All worker Training) session on March 19. There will be dedicated T&S sessions for the attendees. This will be a great introduction for new workers and an excellent review and training for the not so new. Information on the AWT seminar can be found at the SCCA CenDiv web site:
http://www.cendiv-scca.org/

Toby Schuster
CenDiv T&S administrator
414-678-1710
tobin.j.schuster@gmail.com

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Spring Training

Posted January 10, 2016

Spring is around the corner! The first step in preparing our volunteer force for the race season is the Central Division All Worker Spring Training. It is time to make your hotel reservation if you plan to attend and stay at the event hotel.

We will again be at the Best Western with the dates being Friday through Sunday, March 18-20, 2016. Most specialties will conduct all of their training on Saturday, March 19 with some continuing on Sunday.

Best Western PLUS Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Center
5105 S. Howell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53207
414-769-2100
www.bestwesternmilwaukee.com

Our event is getting bigger and better than ever, your planners have been hard at work almost since the completion of last year. We look forward to even higher numbers than the 175 dedicated volunteers who attended in 2015.

For more information see the CenDiv website at http://www.cendiv-scca.org

Paula Spencer
Facilities/Coordinator (“Cruise Director”)

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2016 Solo Schedule

Posted January 10, 2016 – Corrected January 12, 2016 – Updated January 25, 2016

Back at Rt. 66! The 2016 Solo Schedule is now posted on the Solo page. The big news is the entire season is back at Rt. 66 and there will be 8 events! Check it out!

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2016 Concours for Sports Cars

Posted January 10, 2016

I know we really haven’t had winter yet, but it’s not too soon to begin planning for the 2016 Concours for Sports Cars, Saturday June 18, 2016 at the Chicago Region June Sprints®. The 2015 Concours was a success and the Region plans to build off of that event. New for 2016 there will be three classes, Vintage Sports Cars (25 years and older), Current Sports Cars (24 years and newer) and Vintage Race Cars. Trophies will be awarded for each class, along with one overall Best of Show, the RE’s Choice and Race Fans Favorite. So start polishing your car, bring a sparkle to the chrome and bring your pride and joy to the concours. Watch this site for more details and entry form as the event draws near.

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Randy Owens Artwork Raffle

Posted November 15, 2015

If you are into racing, you probably already own at least one piece of Randy Owens art in one form or another – a tee shirt, hat or maybe a limited edition print. Randy Owens’ bright colors and fluid lines have captured the beauty and speed of racing for a generation of fans, and have inspired and influenced countless other artists.

Now you have a chance to own a piece of Chicago Region and June Sprints History. Chicago Region is raffling the original Randy Owens artwork for the 60th June Sprints.

Only 200 raffle tickets will be sold, at a price of $25.00 per ticket. Tickets can be purchased on Motorsportsreg. The winner will receive the artist-signed original Randy Owens artwork commemorating the 60th consecutive running of the Chicago Region June Sprints, which was used on the cover of the 2015 June Sprints program, as well as on a limited edition 60th June Sprints poster and on tee-shirts given to workers at the 2015 June Sprints.

As a bonus, in addition to the original artwork the winner will also receive one copy of the limited-edition 2015 June Sprints poster, personally signed by Randy Owens, and a 2015 June Sprints program.

It isn’t often (if ever) you get the chance to own a Randy Owens ORIGINAL artwork for just $25.00! Give yourself, a friend or significant other the Christmas gift of a lifetime. Buy 1 or buy 10, there’s no limit to the number of tickets you can purchase. Heck, buy all 200 – you’re still getting a deal! And unlike the Illinois lottery, the winner WILL receive the prize!

The winner will be drawn at the Chicago Region Checkered Flag Party on Feb. 6.

Enter online HERE.

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October 21, 2015 Annual Meeting

Posted November 15, 2015

The October General Membership meeting was held on Wednesday, October 21 at the K1 Speed indoor karting facility in Addison. The October meeting is Chicago Region’s annual business meeting and Board of Director’s election. For the Board of Directors, Steve Laske and Jack Novak, both of whom had been appointed to fill vacancies on the board within the past few months, were elected to 3-year terms. Erik Vandermey will be joining the board as a newly-elected director, replacing Bob Stone who has served 2 consecutive terms on the board and must step down due to term limits as specified by our by-laws.

Other items in the annual business meeting included a recap of each of our club’s activities and a financial report presented by Treasurer Claire Ball. In short, the Region is financially sound and strong, despite challenges in both Solo and Club Racing. The Solo season saw 2 new venues, and every event came together last-minute, limiting entries. Club Racing has challenges to address as both our Divisional races showed financial losses. Meanwhile our PDX program saw its best season ever, with an average of 54 entries per event, up by 10 from last year. Overall the Region will probably lose about $10,000 this year, in line with what we expected. While financial losses cannot continue year-after-year, our cash reserves are such that we can weather an occasional poor year. Challenges for next year include stabilizing the Solo schedule and figuring out how to align revenues with expenses for the Fall Sprints and Kettle race weekends.

Entertainment at the meeting was a showing of the documentary film “Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman”. If you haven’t seen this film I urge you to find it and treat yourself. The archival race footage is great, and you’ll likely learn a few things about Paul Newman’s racing history that will surprise and amaze.

At the conclusion of the annual meeting the Board of Directors met in Executive Session for a short meeting, at which the board officers for 2016 were elected from among the 9 board members. All 3 incumbents were re-elected to their offices. For 2016 your Chicago Region board officers are Tracy Ramey – Secretary, Claire Ball – Treasurer, and Rick Bentson- Regional Executive.

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Fun With Cars, Friends, and the Club

Posted November 15, 2015

The Board of Directors has created a group made up of club members to begin the development of programs and events that will increase participation and social connection among the Region Membership. If you are interested in becoming involved with this group at some level or have ideas that you believe would add to this effort please contact Peg Ball (847-469-8589) or Steve Laske (630-459-3820) No idea is too small or too grand. It just may take some time to implement. So give us a call, we look forward to hearing from you

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2015 Rocky Waters Tour

Posted November 15, 2015

Chicago Region hosted the first event in the G.O.A.T.S. (Get Out And Tour Series) on October 18, 2015. The day broke with clear blue skies and a fall chill in the air. A perfect day which brought together thirty five club members and guest for an enjoyable back roads drive through northern Illinois. The tour began in McHenry, IL. At the local IHOP where entrant’s partook in an early breakfast and morning coffee. The tour began promptly at 9:00 am with cars leaving at their own pace. The route started off with straight roads bordered by acers of corn fields. But it didn’t take long and we found ourselves driving the kind of back roads the Sutton’s are known for finding. Roads lined with colorful fall foliage, elevation changes, and curves, enjoyable sweeping curves. The drive was just shy of 149 miles long and took about 3.5 hours to complete.

The end point was at Rocky Waters Vineyard/Winery located in Hanover, Illinois. Rocky Waters is an award winning small family owned winery on a bluff overlooking the vineyard and the Mississippi River valley. The group had the expansive deck and the great room with a two story stone fireplace to ourselves. Lunch was a build your own sub sandwich, with pasta salad and a large assortment of cookies for desert. Those that took part in the winetasting were presented with several small samples of the wineries best during the lunch as the owners went from table to table poring the wine and providing a descriptive narrative of each.

Everyone had a good time, with many compliments and accolades about the route and the drive. When the group was asked if they do this again there was an arousing YES shouted out.

Watch this site over the winter months as information becomes available for the spring G.O.A.T.S. event planned for April 2016. Just before the area racing season kicks off, it’s the perfect opportunity to shake off the winter doldrums, have a laugh with friends and some genuine FUN.

See pictures from this event HERE.

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2016 Checkered Flag Party

Posted November 15, 2015

It’s time to mark your 2016 calendar for the Chicago Region annual dinner party.

Our 2016 Checkered Flag Party will be held again at Lake Forest Sportscars beautiful dealership in Lake Bluff on February 6, 2016. This social get together is a must for all Region members and their guest to kick off the 2016 racing activities. As in the previous parties at Lake Forest, we again will be dining on the showroom floor among the Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, McLaren and Lotus cars. The cost this year will be $35, cocktails & social to start at 5PM.

Register now, and buy some raffle tickets at the same time!

REGSTER HERE!

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2015 60th June Sprints Concours

Posted July 28, 2015

The Chicago Region SCCA held a Concours for Sports Cars on Saturday June 13th during the running of this year’s 60th Chicago Region, June Sprints®. The concours was a return to our past when region members would hold a concours at the end of a day’s competition to showcase their sports and race cars. At this event there were fifteen cars entered in the concours and two race cars for display. Chris Pederson generously displayed his Formula-5000 Lola and Mazda provided one of their new 2016 Miata MX-5’s in full race preparation. David Hobbs, Grand Marshall of this year’s June Sprints also joined us, welcoming guests and fans alike and graciously signing autographs. At noon during the lunch break all of the cars went out on the track for a touring lap lead by Chris and his F-5000 car. Following lunch and more socializing, the judging was completed and votes were tallied and four trophies were awarded. The Best of Show award went to Ray Larson for his beautiful 1972 AMC Javelin AMX. Chicago Region RE Rick Bentson chose Milwaukee Region member John Luxon’s red 1967 427 Corvette roadster as RE’s Favorite. The award for the “Car we’d most want to take for a lap at Road America” went to Mike Woloszyn and his black 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera S and the Race Fans Favorite choice was Steve Laske’s red 1963 Corvette Split Window Coupe. For the full write up and all the pictures, see the full page HERE.

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2014 Season Celebrated!

Posted February 10, 2015

The 2014 Chicago Region Checkered Flag Banquet was held on February 7, 2015 to celebrate the 2014 season. The event continued its year-over-year growth with a packed house and well over a hundred attendees. All were treated to the sights afforded by the automobile elite on display in the beautiful showroom of Lake Forest Sports Cars.

The evening began at 5:00 PM, with open bar and appetizers. Goose Island’s Chicago signature brew, 312, was again a staple, but last year’s pale ale was replaced with a tasty IPA. Once again wine and soda were also served. A tasty selection of toppings for pita chips, to include a delicious olive spread and hummus, provided the appetizers, later to be followed by a buffet dinner featuring a winter salad, tasty pierogies, garlic mashed potatoes, chicken and beef entrees, and vegetables.

Rick Bentson, 2014 Chicago Region Regional Executive, welcomed the group and made special mention of Division Director Bruce Lindstrand, Blackhawk Valley Region Regional Executive Jeff Kulawinski, and Blackhawk Farms owner Paul Musschoot. A selection of awards were presented at 8:00.

This year’s award recipients were:

• Fred Wacker Driver of the Year: Rich Walke
• Dave Morell Workers of the Year: Jim and Janet Schmuck
• Soloist of the Year: Adam Hritz
• Founder’s Award: Mike Smith
• REcognition Award: Andrea Lacis
• REcognition Award: Toby Schuster
• REcognition Award: Erik Vandermey

Chicago Region was also honored to have two people who were chosen for SCCA National awards, and Bruce Lindstrand, Area 5 Director, was on hand to present them.

The Kimberly Cup is presented to one driver in the nation who is chosen by the National Club Racing Board as demonstrating the greatest improvement in that year. Former winners are like a who’s who of racing legends. Names like Augie Pabst, Mark Donahue, and Roger Penske are but a few of the great drivers to receive this honor. This year the National Club Racing Board chose Daniel Bender as the recipient of this prestigious award.

The SCCA Mechanic of the Year was also presented to Al Varacins. Bruce described Al’s long support and involvement in the club, as well as his willingness to share his talents with friends and competitors alike. This was even documented as having happened shortly following an extensive surgical procedure (and against his doctor’s orders!) To highlight how long Al has been a great mechanic in the SCCA, Bruce even noted that he had taken an FV to Al to work on back in the day! (I think you could probably still buy a swing axle VW from a showroom at that point!)

MORE… With Pictures!

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News Archives can be found HERE.

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