SVRA STRENGTHENS MANAGEMENT TEAM
Rick Parent, Roger Linton Appointed National Directors
Southlake, TX (June 30, 2015) – The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) today announced two important appointments that better position the rapidly growing company for success. Roger Linton who has served for three years as SVRA National Director for Tech and Rules Compliance is moving into the new position of National Director of Business & Race Operations. Rick Parent will replace Linton. Both men will report to SVRA President & CEO Tony Parella.
“I am excited to welcome Rick to our growing team,” said Parella. “He has vast experience supporting our racers as competitors and that makes him superbly qualified for this important job. I am equally thrilled to give Roger the chance to grow with our company by taking on a new, equally important role.”
In the newly created position Linton will assist Parella with business development, national event management and overall SVRA operations. The SVRA’s aggressive growth plan has exceeded initial expectations, with an expanded 18-race schedule and increased sponsorship that includes widely recognized brands such as the recently announced significant investment by Jaguar.
The series last year became the first organizer of a vintage race event at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway with its Brickyard Invitational and this year took on both the West Coast speed festivals at the highly coveted venues of Sonoma Raceway and on Coronado Island off the coast of San Diego. The latter speed festival runs during the North Island Naval Air Station’s prestigious Fleet Week. Recently endorsed by Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance and Foundation Founder Bill Warner, the SVRA will, in 2016, bring its show to the upscale island the same week as the famous Concours d’ Elegance.
“We have so much going on Roger’s transition to a new role will be crucial,” Parella added. “His knowledge of our business will enable him to provide tremendous service to our partners and to help me better manage our growth.”
Rick Parent comes to the SVRA with a wealth of industry experience and knowledge. Most recently he prepared cars for SVRA owner/driver Pat Ryan and his son Sean of the Prisma Collection for their racing team. He worked for Prisma for 18 years, dating back to an earlier time when the organization also ran an auto museum where Parent was curator. Prior to Prisma, Parent operated his own company, Specialized Fabrication. He launched his career working for John Collins Automotive Restoration in 1980.
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“Rick has the industry knowledge and the customer focus attitude to help SVRA in its push to standardize a national car compliance rules package and continue to grow our Gold Medallion Program which recognizes race cars held to the highest standards of authentic restoration,” Parella said.
About SVRA
– The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association is the premier vintage racing organization in the United States. Founded in 1981 by Ford Heacock III the SVRA has 2,000 members. It currently sanctions 18 events at some of the finest racing venues in the United States, including: the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sebring, Road America, Watkins Glen, Auto Club Speedway, Road Atlanta, Pocono Raceway, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Sonoma Raceway, Portland International Raceway and Virginia International Raceway. The rapidly growing organization hosted the first U.S. Vintage Racing National Championships at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas in 2013. For further information see the SVRA website. Also be sure to check our Facebook page and YouTube channel which currently boasts a library of over 90 actionpacked videos of our events.