Road Racing Championship Kicks Off Sunday
2007 Oregon Region SCCA Road Racing Championship is backed by Fluge Global Adventures at Portland International Raceway.
Portland, Ore. (PRWEB) March 2, 2007 -- Round one of the 2007 Oregon Region Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Road Racing Championship presented by Fluge Global Adventures kicks off this Sunday at Portland International Raceway.
Eight different race groups begin the season-long championship with 25-minute races beginning at 2:00 p.m. and concluding at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Practice and qualifying for each group starts Sunday at 9:00 a.m. Spectator admission is free.
Two of the most hotly contested classes are Spec Racer Ford and Spec Miata. The Spec Racer Ford (SRF) is a one-design, single seat car utilizing a sealed Ford engine under a full fiberglass body. It is among SCCA's largest classes and continues to provide cost effective racing for over 800 competitors. By limiting the modifications and preparation costs, this class emphasizes driver ability over spending. Top championship contenders racing Sunday include Chris Jackson of Vancouver and Gary Manchester and Jim Flynn of Portland.
First and second generation Mazda Miatas have been fitted with all the usual safety equipment and a specific suspension package to keep the field level. Spec Miata is the largest and fastest growing class in SCCA Club Racing. The Spec Miata class features wheel-to-wheel and fender-to-fender competition with Vancouver's Will Schrader defending last year's crown. He expects a season-long battle with Portland's Kevin Brinkley and Fenn Bourland, Ken Sutherland of Sherwood, and Brian Towey of Hood River.
All six race events counting towards class championships take place at Portland International Raceway. Portland International Raceway is owned and operated by the City of Portland through its bureau of Parks and Recreation. The raceway is operated as an Enterprise Fund, meaning that its operating expenses and capital improvements are covered by the revenues that it generates, as Portland International Raceway receives no general fund tax dollars. The raceway's varied, year round activities contributes over $45 million and 690 jobs to the surrounding community each year.
Individual event sponsors all hail from the Portland metropolitan area, including Monte Shelton Jaguar, Temp-Control Mechanical Corp., Gran Prix Imports, Pro Drive Racing School, and Brewer Construction. Race cars range from exotic purpose-built sports racers and open-wheel formula cars, to GT, sedan and vintage cars.
2007 Race Calendar
March 4
Fluge Global Adventures Regional Races
April 21-22
Monte Shelton Jaguar Regional Races presented by Fluge Global Adventures
May 11-13
Gran Prix Imports Festival of Speed presented by Fluge Global Adventures
June 1-3
40th Annual Rose Cup Races Presented by Temp-Control Mechanical Corp.
June 30- July 1
Pro Drive Regional Races presented by Fluge Global Adventures
August 25-26
Brewer Construction Regional Races presented by Fluge Global Adventures
About Fluge Global Adventures
Fluge Global Adventures consists of a series of events and adventures sure to please anyone wishing to rekindle their relationship with adrenaline and excitement. These include a 19,000 foot summit run at Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, a cross country road race in The Cannonball Run 2007, a very serious hike to Base Camp at Mt. Everest in Nepal, a full scale onslaught on the World Series of Poker, and High Octane Adventures in the SCCA behind the wheel of full-on Super cars. These are just some of the events already in progress for 2007 with more to come. Their Web site can be found at www.flugeadventures.com.
About Oregon Region SCCA
The Oregon Region of the SCCA was established in the 1960's and has grown to its present membership of over 1,200 members. The Region obtained its charter from SCCA in 1962. It is a member oriented, member operated club with the primary purpose of "promoting, maintaining and improving automobile sports and interest in the ownership, operation of, and safety of sports cars."
The roots of SCCA and Oregon Region run deep in racing history. The origin of SCCA can be traced back to the pre-World War II "Auto Racing Club of America" which disbanded because of World War II. Originally, the State of Oregon was included in the territory of Northwest Region, SCCA (NWR), and it remained that way until the official creation of Oregon Region in 1962.
From its beginning, Oregon Region SCCA has been organizing and administering sports car/club racing events at Newport, Goshen (South of Eugene) and Portland's West Delta Park (now Portland International Raceway - PIR). The Region's first race was held at the Newport municipal airport (an ex-WWII air base) in 1962.
Currently, Oregon Region has active programs in Club Racing, Vintage Racing, Road Rally, Rallycross, and in Solo II - SCCA's autocross program where competitors compete against the clock in a controlled atmosphere. The Oregon region also provides workers and officials to major professional international racing competitions here in Oregon and across North America. Their Web site is www.oregonscca.com and may also be reached at 503.224.9469.
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