Points-Based Endurance, Sprint Championships Set for 2017 Season
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) today announced that for the first time ever America’s premier vintage racing organization will offer season-long championships for both their short sprint races and their endurance contests – commonly referred to as “enduros” – of a set distance or timed competition of up to 90 minutes in duration. Previously, the season-long SVRA points championship has been centered in the eastern United States.
“This is clearly another example of how the SVRA has expanded into a national platform,” said Tony Parella, SVRA president and CEO. “We’re proud to be the first and only vintage racing organization to make this kind of recognition for our drivers and car owners possible.”
Points awarded to drivers for finishing positions are the same for both the sprint and endurance competitions. They range from 16 for first place to a single point for tenth. Race weekends awarding points will vary, however. The sprint race schedule includes 13 event weekends for all SVRA groups. The endurance championship includes ten weekends and each of those enduros may have unique classes to be announced. When co-drivers participate in an enduro, they can be eligible for points.
To be eligible for any season championship, drivers must be SVRA members. For the sprint race championship, a driver’s best six finishes of the 13 races awarding points will be counted. To qualify, a driver must participate in at least three races during the season. Points are awarded for both Saturday and Sunday feature races with the exception of Sunday of the weekend at COTA. The season champions will be recognized at the Saturday evening banquet at COTA.
COTA is the host track for the SVRA’s established gold Bell Racing National Champions Helmet. Unlike the new season points championship announced today, the Bell Racing National Champions Helmet is a single-event competition and is open to all competitors from any vintage racing series in a run-off style contest. The Bell Racing National Championship Helmet races were first established in 2013.
The SVRA endurance series championship will take place at the following tracks: Sebring International Raceway, Amelia Island Vintage GP, Willow Springs, Road America, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Open Wheel Challenge), Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Brickyard Invitational), Mid-Ohio, Portland International, Watkins Glen, Virginia International Raceway. In addition to those venues, the sprint race championship series will include weekends at Roebling Road Raceway, Auto Club Speedway, and COTA. For full details on the structure of these national season points championships, see the SVRA website.
“I believe this kind of innovation and our growing national platform has a lot to do with the increased interest we are seeing with sponsors,” Parella added. “The accessibility of our product throughout the country at marquee venues naturally translates to greater visibility and awareness.”
SVRA officials report consistent annual triple-digit growth since 2012. The sport has rapidly grown from a regional activity largely concentrated in the southeastern United States to one that spans the continent at most of America’s top race courses. Leading brands partnering with America’s premier vintage racing organization include Jaguar, Land Rover, Zenith Watch, and Robert Talbot as well as recent additions Hoosier Tire, TRITEC, Safecraft and National App.