December 9, 2019
TOPEKA, Kan. (Dec. 9, 2019) – With the recent release of the 2020 Tire Rack SCCA® ProSolo® schedule, some questions have arisen about how certain events would be conducted and information teased about a new tier for ProSolo registration.
As times change and traditional ProSolo facilities become unavailable, a solution was devised to allow ProSolo to occur at non-traditional locations. The single-course ProSolo (PS-1) format can be the way to use a broader range of sites to accompany the traditional dual-course format (PS-2) and maintain a full series schedule.
In order to provide product consistency, there are numerous iconic event elements which will remain intact. First, the “drag start” with a Christmas tree stage will remain, but without a partner on the opposing side. The fast pace of events will also remain as drivers will stay in the staging lane between runs, with three planned runs during each of the traditional three heats: Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. The three traditional Challenge rounds will also conclude PS-1 events, but with some procedural changes.
With only one course to manage, the average PS-1 course will be approximately 40- to 50-seconds long, with a 175- to 250-ft long straight at the start. Cars will leave at approximately 20-second intervals with no limitation on the number of cars on course at any given time. Each heat is planned to offer three runs for each driver with approximately eight to ten cars in the staging lane at the same time. The best run from each of two heats will be added together to determine class finishing positions.
Unlike a traditional ProSolo, grid will be laid out like an SCCA Championship Tour, except drivers will not return to grid following each run. Cars with a second driver would still return to grid. The gridded order would follow the ProSolo tradition with the first heat gridded ascending by car number and subsequent heats gridding by the current results.
During challenges, dial-ins will be determined in the same fashion as a traditional ProSolo but applied at the finish rather than the start with the time delta announced as drivers come to the start line and after they finish. All Challenge drivers will be offered a warm-up run immediately prior to the start of their challenge. Pairings will be determined as always, but each round will feature a single run from each driver.
In response to participant demand and the propensity for high-demand events to fill quickly, the Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo SuperPass is being unveiled for 2020. With registration for SuperPass opening on December 16th at 3pm CT, participants will have the option to purchase one of 185 passes, at a price point of $149 for the 2020 season. The purchase of a SuperPass is non-refundable and non-transferrable.
There are many perks associated with a SuperPass. The most notable is Tier 1 priority registration for all regular-season ProSolo events in 2020, excluding the Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo Finale. Additionally, the holder receives four free practice start tickets at each registered event and an exclusive windshield decal. There are other priority perks, including early access to on-site registration and practice starts, as well as an express line for registration and tech inspections on site.
Before showing up to their first event of the year, SuperPass holders will receive a unique Hard Card. Once checking in at their first ProSolo of 2020, they will also receive a special lanyard, an exclusive 2020 ProSolo Hat, T-Shirt and Backpack. They will also be eligible for special offers and discounts from SCCA partners.
These changes to Tire Rack SCCA ProSolo are exciting and updates will continue to be released as the offseason continues. Check back to SCCA.com/solo or Facebook.com/SoloMatters for the latest in program-specific news and updates.
Photo Credit: Rupert Berrington
