Gap is the driver's best lap in a session against the fastest lap in their class in that same session (zero is fastest in class), shown as time lost and as a share of the lap, so conditions cancel out and tracks can be compared. Typical is the median session.
The decisions of recent years have been analyzed and scrutinized by many stakeholders in the Club, and while some felt the decisions were valid and necessary, others felt they were not the direction Road Racing should be heading. Ultimately a decision was made to reverse course to ensure maximum participation by all who wish to race at Hoosier Tire SCCA Super Tours. For 2026 and beyond, these matters will fall under the purview of the Road Racing Planning Committee (RRPC), a group made up of staff, board, and at-large members, many of whom are racers like those reading this response. The directive for this group is to create a strategic plan for the future of Road Racing. That plan could be something that we’ve seen before, it could be something radically different. It could be something that some members support, and it could be something that some don’t. Member input is always paramount, but not every solution works for everyone.
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Any changes that are proposed by the RRPC going forward will be in step with the SCCA’s Strategic Program Plan (outlined here: https://www.scca.com/articles/2020449-scca-sets-strategic-direction-for-growth-and-evolution-across-programs), adhering to the Operations Manual process. As for the idea of the RRCC issuing Race Memos and Technical Bulletins with a 90-day waiting period, it is something worth discussing further, but at this time the consensus is that it would have a negative impact on the participants since these are used for technical clarifications, safety emergencies, or parts shortages, as you mentioned in your letter. Leaving competitors in limbo for that long doesn’t seem like the best choice.
The Road Racing Competition Committee recognizes the confusion that some letter responses cause when there is no context to the request. Moving forward, the RRCC and its Advisory Committees will be striving to provide more transparency in answers to non-recommended letters. Our goal is to allow readers to understand what was asked, what was decided, and why it was decided. There are multiple options for letter writers to make the contents of their letters visible to the membership, should they choose to do so. The newly created SCCA Road Racing Facebook Group is a perfect example of a two-way platform to discuss topics. Members of the RRCC and their ACs have additional collaboration with BOD members and staff, all with the common goal of providing a safe, fun, racing experience to as many drivers as possible. Collectively, we hope that these new developments will provide the additional transparency you are requesting.
In GCR Section 9.3.22.A, change as follows: "It is recommended that all other cars employing onboard fire systems that meet the following requirements:"
In GCR section 9.3.14, make the following changes: “Cooling systems shall be equipped with coolant catch tanks with a minimum capacity of 1 US Pint to prevent the spillage of coolant onto the racing surface. An oil catch tank with a minimum capacity of one U.S. quart may also serve as the coolant catch tank, except for cars that are equipped with working OEM pressurized coolant reservoirs, which may use an additional catch tank. If the coolant catch tank is separate from the oil catch tank, the coolant catch tank shall have a minimum capacity of one U.S. pint.” In GCR section 9.3.37, make the following changes:
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“Oil holding tanks and engine breathers, whether directly or indirectly ventilating the crankcase, and all transmission/transaxle breathers shall be equipped with oil catch tanks. The oil catch tank may also serve as the coolant catch tank. Minimum catch tank capacity shall be one U.S. quart for the engine, and transmission/transaxle, and cooling system. Oil holding tanks and oil filters may be mounted in the driver/passenger compartment.”
In GCR section 3.7.4.A.1.a, add wording to Runoffs participant requirements as follows: “Participate on track in a minimum of three (3) separate U.S. Major Super Tour and/or Conference event weekends and have a minimum of three (3) individual race starts, all in the same class. Events may be a part of any Conference. A driver may substitute two (2) Regional-sanctioned weekends for one (1) of his three (3) Majors weekend participation requirements. Eligible Regional weekends shall occur between January 1st of that year and a date not less than three (3) weeks prior to the start of the Runoffs or as otherwise specified in the Runoffs supplemental regulations. Endurance races
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are not eligible. Drivers in the following classes may replace participation in one up to two (2) Majors weekends with an SCCA Pro Racing weekends in the corresponding class. Drivers who substitute one (1) Majors weekend with an SCCA Pro Racing weekend must have three (3) Majors/Super Tour race starts. Drivers who substitute two (2) Majors weekends with two (2) SCCA Pro Racing weekends must have two (2) Majors/Super Tour race starts. Drivers must request this replacement through the Club Racing Department, and pay the entry fee to a the Majors event(s) of their choice, to be collected and distributed by SCCA.”