Scharch moTorsports and More...

Chevrolet Monza Road Racer

2012-03-09T21:48:00.003-06:00

Andy Thomas' Monza at Laguna-Seca track day on Nov 25, 2011

This 1975 Chevrolet Monza silhouette bodied tube-frame road racer belongs to Andy Thomas. He lives in California and has owned the car since 2009. He has invested time, money, and plenty of joy into returning the car to its former state as a high-powered V8 Monza road racing machine.

It is more likely the car was built for SCCA Trans-Am racing, given that it has a Trans-Am bulkhead. A protective firewall with a window port behind the front seats separates driver from fuel cell. It didn't come with a log book or sales records, but is believed to been built by a well known road racer from Oregon in 1980.

The history of this chassis and its past ownership is a little fuzzy. Andy purchased the car from Richard Stice through Gary Eichman. Stice was owner of Ricks Hot Rods in Oregon, but only drove it on the street to local car shows. Puttering around town in a '70s muscle car with wide slicks and no power steering was probably a bit challenging.

Purportedly, the car was built by a well known racer in northern Oregon who built his own cars. The last name is thought to be St. John, but has not yet been confirmed. According to Thomas, "He made the chassis, roll cage etc. For some reason he never raced it." The car was placed in storage for a few decades before Stice got it.

Thomas continues to make restorative improvements to his Monza like a new Borg Warner Super T-10 4-speed transmission. He runs his Monza at open track days at Laguna-Seca and in the historics.

He would like to have race legends like Greg Picket and Willy T. Ribbs drive his Monza. Who knows, maybe Tony Adamowicz would get a ride.

New Race Track! The Ridge Motorsports Park

2012-02-28T17:49:00.001-06:00

New track is almost complete and ready for 2012 season.

Who says you can't go racing in this economy? Well, developers of The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Mason County, WA seem to think so.

The new 2.5 mile (counter-clockwise) road racing circuit is located just about 25 miles Northwest of Olympia, WA. It would only be about 10 miles if not for Puget Sound being in the way. It is an easy drive or tow from Seattle –Tacoma, Portland and Vancouver, B.C. The 170-acre property is in a beautiful remote rural “park like” setting with spectacular views of Mt. Rainer and the Olympic Mountains. Rental garages, control buildings, fuel sales, quality food services, camping and other amenities will be added later this year.

The Ridge Motorsports Park track includes a 16-turn, 2.47 mile road course that is 40 feet wide with an elevation change of over 300 feet. The Ridge Complex drops 60 feet in less than 300 feet. It will has a minimum of 50 feet of runoff in most areas, averaging 100 with some exceeding 300. It is a five-year ongoing project that will see continuing progress with amenities.

Steve Crawford, who designed Thunderhill Raceway Park, in Willows California, designed it. The signature Ridge Complex along with the Leemer Complex will keep drivers wanting more. Add to that the Carousel (turn 6) and the down hill turns that lead to the blind turn in to turn 10 and you are going to be grinning from ear to ear.

Pending certification, NW Region SCCA will host their inaugural race on this track on April 14-15, 2012.

BMW M3 in-car: video
Read more at: www.ridgemotorsportspark.com

Group 44 Dodge Dart - Rags to Riches

2012-02-27T21:24:00.000-06:00

The very first SCCA Trans-Am race was won by Bob Tullius in Group 44's Dodge Dart.
More about Group 44's Dart at: Tony Adamowicz's website

Out-cornering the Ford Mustang despite less horsepower (and body roll) the Dodge
Dart won the first SCCA Trans-Am race at Virginia Int'l Raceway in 1966.

2012 IIRA Race Schedule

2012-02-25T21:00:00.000-06:00

International Ice Racing Association 2012 Race Schedule

The season is evidentially off to a slow start due to unseasonably warm temperatures and ice conditions. Verify all race dates with IIRA.

Website: http://iira-icerace.org/
Email: IIRAIceRace@gmail.com
Hotline: (612) 330-0080

~~Round 1: January 14-15~~

~~CANCELED!~~

~~Garrison, MN - Lake Mille Lacs~~

~~Round 2: January 21-22~~

~~CANCELED!~~

~~Madison Lake, MN - Lake Madison~~

~~Round 3: January 28-29~~

~~CANCELED!~~

~~Lindstrom, MN - So. Lindstrom Lake~~

~~Round 4: February 11-12~~

~~CANCELED!~~

~~Madison Lake, MN - Lake Madison~~

Round 5: February 18-19
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - Lake Superior
RACE RESULTS

Round 6: February 25-26
Garrison, MN - Lake Mille Lacs

Midwest AutoSPORTS

2011-12-26T12:58:00.005-06:00

News about autosport racing events for all participants, drivers, work staff and enthusiasts in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa region.

Website

2012 SCCA CenDiv Race Schedule (tentative)

2011-12-14T20:36:00.000-06:00

Tentative schedule (v2) for SCCA Central Division 2012 racing season.
Volunteer Training, Drivers School, Regional, National and Pro Racing

2012 SCCA CenDiv website
Tentative schedule: here

Land O' Lakes Region SCCA Annual Banquet

2011-11-19T12:11:00.000-06:00

The Year-End Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting

Friday, January 6, 2012

DeGidio's Restaurant

425 West 7th Street - Saint Paul, MN 55102

6:00 pm Social Hour
7:00 pm Buffer Dinner
8:00 pm Welcome, Silent Auction, Guest Speakers, and Awards

Cost is $25 per person
More information: scca-lol.org

Open House - Land O' Lakes Region SCCA

2011-09-20T12:30:00.000-05:00

Land O' Lakes SCCA invites all car enthusiasts and its members to our fifth open house of the year at Maaco. There will be snacks and beverages, race talk, information about membership and what we do. Contact Mark Kaufman at (612) 721-6448

Thursday, October 6th at 6:00 pm

Maaco Auto Body

2005 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407

See Map

SCCA Pro Racing at Brainerd Int'l Raceway, MN

2011-08-21T21:06:00.000-05:00

SCCA Pro Racing, Rounds 7 & 8
September 2-4, 2011
Trans-Am Series, Mazda MX-5 Cup, SCCA Pro Spec Racer Ford, and SCCA Pro Formula Enterprise at Brainerd International Raceway on Labor Day weekend: race schedule

You can work this race!
Volunteer sign up at: MotorSportReg

Land O’ Lakes Region - Results of Jack Pine Sprints

2011-07-12T17:27:00.000-05:00

2011 Jack Pine Sprints - was hosted by Land O' Lakes Region SCCA at Brainerd Int'l Raceway, MN on July 9-10, 2011.

Race Results

Over 72 entrants in 6 groups competed in this regional event, which included vintage race cars. There was also an "Australian Pursuit" trophy dash for all closed-wheel cars. Each driver was given a handicap based on their best time for this 7 lap race, which took place at the end of day Saturday. Faster cars started from the back, giving every one a chance to cross finish line at same time. A few more laps were needed for the dash on BIR's 2.5 mile road course. It was different and very interesting to watch.

Land O’ Lakes Region SCCA - Jack Pine Sprints

2011-07-07T13:20:00.002-05:00

2011 Jack Pine Sprints

Land O’ Lakes Region SCCA - Double Regional

Brainerd Int’l Raceway, MN

July 9-10, 2011

Club course 2.5 miles, 13 turns

Land O' Lakes and CenDiv SCCA Championship Points

ALSO...

"Australian Pursuit" Trophy Dash

Last session Saturday (open to all closed wheel cars)

Registration drivers and volunteers: Register here

Official Entry and Supp. Regulations: Forms here

Weekend Schedule v3.1: Here
List of Entrants: Attendees

BIR Test and Tune Day
Friday, July 8, 2011
Contact Gary Curtis at: gary@birperformance.com

Land O' Lakes Region SCCA - Memorial Day Results

2011-05-30T17:07:00.010-05:00

Harvey West Memorial Day Classic - was hosted by Land O' Lakes Region SCCA at Brainerd Int'l Raceway, MN on May 28-29th.

Over 80 entrants competed for regional and national points. Race results

Land O' Lakes Region SCCA - Memorial Day Races

2011-05-26T17:00:00.002-05:00

"Harvey West Memorial Day Classic"

Presented by Land O’ Lakes Region SCCA

Regional/Rational races at

Brainerd International Raceway, MN

Saturday, May 28 - Regional races

Sunday, May 29 - Rational races

Ra-tion-al n. a Sports Car Club of America sanctioned club race with both regional and national licensed drivers racing together for respective points.
Register here for Club Racing (volunteer workers too)

PDX (Performance Driving Experience) Both days during lunch break. Perfect if you have a race car and a crew, or family member who would like to drive (easy) miles in a safe environment.

View Larger Map

Brainerd International Raceway - Paddock Map

2011-05-23T17:00:00.007-05:00

Map work I did for Land O' Lakes Region SCCA. This is the competition paddock area for BIR's 2.5 mile competition road course at Brainerd Int'l Raceway. I starting with part of an existing track map and added some access roads, technical areas and buildings.

It shows competitors and race officials the locations of parking, information, tech inspection, scales, false grid (car line-up), pit areas, and post-race impound for race cars. All areas necessary for the function of SCCA club racing. (By Stacy Scharch)

Land O' Lakes Region SCCA - Open House

2011-04-14T20:42:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Maaco Auto Body
2005 E. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55407

View Larger Map

Land O' Lakes Region SCCA - 2011 Road Racing

2011-03-22T22:43:00.013-05:00

Land O' Lakes Region SCCA - 2011 Schedule
Club Racing at Brainerd Int'l Raceway

May 28-29 - Regional/Rational races w/ Level 2 - Club Time Trials
July 09-10 - Double Regional, "Jack Pine Sprints"
Sep 02-04 - SCCA Trans-Am Pro-Racing

2.5 mile course at Brainerd Int'l Raceway, MN

IIRA Ice Race - Madison Lake, MN

2011-02-27T16:19:00.000-06:00

Round 4, International Ice Racing Association on Madison Lake, MN, February 12-13, 2011. This was the perspective from my corner while working flagging and communications. The cars really do get this close. Mark Utecht's Impreza #83 (below) won Sunday's Enduro. These cars run on studded wheels and grip lake ice as good or better than on dry pavement, so there are some G-forces felt. Drivers slide through turns at a slip angle of 30 degrees or more, often with wheel hang on inside rear. The course was over a mile in length with several left and right hand turns. I was able to snag a ride in one of Mayhem Racing's Subaru Imprezas, identical to one featured below.

Suburu Impreza #83 sliding into frame of photo from left.

2011 International Ice Racing Association (IIRA)

2011-02-05T12:27:00.001-06:00

Racing Schedule

January 8 – 9th, 2011

Garrison, Minnesota Mille Lacs Lake

January 15 – 16th, 2011

Mankato, Minnesota, Correction – Madison Lake

January 29th – 30th, 2011

Lindstrom, Minnesota, moved to Mankato – Madison Lake

February 12 – 13th, 2011

Mankato, Minnesota, Correction – Madison Lake, Dan Burhans Memorial Race

February 19th – 20th, 2011

Thunderbay, Ontario, Lake Superior

February 26th – 27th, 2011

Garrison, Minnesota, Lake Mille Lacs, Mega Ice Racing Weekend

March 19th, 2011

Banquet, Guldens on Hwy 61

2010 Holiday Lights Tour

2010-12-19T16:47:00.006-06:00

The 2010 Christmas Lights Tour is an annual event hosted by members of RallyMaster Pro and other rally clubs. It was a low-key informal rally tour open to anyone, no clubs, no sanction fees and no trophies.

Registration was at the starting point at 6:00 pm on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at the Shoreview Community Center in Shoreview, MN. There was also a small $2.00 fee to cover printing costs of maps and instructions. Registrants received a list of instructions, a map and questions to be answered at each Christmas light display.

The tour began at 6:30 pm and and traversed 24.3 miles through several residential neighborhoods in northern Ramsey County, MN. In several instances many participants had to get out of their cars to answer questions such as the number of snowmen, elves, Santas stars, trees and penguins on display in front of residences. In some situations flashlights came in handy to find answers. Some displays were buried by a recent snowstorm that dumped over 18 inches of snow making it difficult to see over snow banks.

The tour end about 9:00 pm at Acapulco restaurant in Blain, MN where everyone gathered for dinner and to tally points for the correct number of answers provided by Mark Larson, the event master.

SCCA CenDiv 2011 Schedule

2010-11-06T10:45:00.009-05:00

SCCA Central Division (CenDiv) 2011 Schedule

Land O' Lakes Region has 2 races at Brainerd Int'l Raceway (BIR)

May 28-29, Regional/National combined on Memorial Weekend
July 9-10, Double Regional race

CenDiv Club Races for 2011
Revised 2/3/2011

Date	Host/Event	Sanction	Track
03/19 - 03/20	CenDiv "Spring Training" Milwaukee
04/29 - 04/30	CenDiv (Double) Drivers School	DS	BHF
05/01	CenDiv (dbl pts)	Regional	BHF
05/13 - 05/15	Milwaukee/Blackhawk Regions	National (D)	BHF
05/21 - 05/22	Milwaukee Region	Regional (D)	RA
05/28 - 05/29	Land O' Lakes Region "Rational"	Reg/National	BIR
06/17 - 06/19	Chicago Region "June Sprints"	National	RA
07/02 - 07/03	Chicago Region	National	ABJ
07/09 - 07/10	Land O' Lakes Region	Regional (D)	BIR
07/23 - 07/24	Milwaukee Region	National	RA
07/30 - 07/31	Blackhawk Valley Region	Regional (D)	BHF
08/13 - 08/14	Chicago Region	Regional (D)	RA
08/27 - 08/28	Milwaukee Region	Regional (D)	MM
09/17 - 09/18	Runoffs Testing (09/12-18)	National	RA
09/24 - 09/25	Runoffs (09/19-25)	National	RA
10/08 - 10/09	Chicago Region (dbl pts)	Regional (D)	BHF

Track Codes
ABJ Autobahn - Joilet, IL
BHF Blackhawk Farms Raceway - Rockton, IL
BIR Brainerd International Raceway - Brainerd, MN
MM Milwaukee Mile - West Allis WI
RA Road America - Elkhart Lake, WI

2010 SCCA Runoffs at Road America

2010-09-27T10:04:00.001-05:00

2010 SCCA Runoffs at Road America are now in the books. Three days of racing started Friday, September 24th and finished on Sunday. Weather was cool partly-mostly cloudy and very windy on Friday and Saturday. The cool dense Wisconsin air helped engines to perform well, while the wind presented some challenges for a few drivers. Lots of good racing and great online coverage by SpeedCastTV. See Race Results

GT-3 drivers at Turn 2 at start of 2009 Runoffs at Road America.

SCCA Trans-Am Race Results at Brainerd

2010-09-07T13:23:00.008-05:00

Ave Earns Fifth Win of Terrific 2010 SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series Season at Brainerd

Tony Ave (No. 4) took his fifth victory of the season at Brainerd. Credit: Willa Stein/SCCA

BRAINERD, Minn. -In the first SCCA Pro Racing Trans-Am Series race at Brainerd International Raceway in 21 years, championship leader Tony Ave, of Maiden, N.C., added another victory in an already outstanding season on Sunday afternoon. See Results

SCCA Trans-Am Series returns to Minnesota

2010-09-01T19:00:00.000-05:00

Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Racing is returning to Brainerd International Raceway when the 2010 Trans-Am Series headlines a race Sept. 4-5 on BIR's new 2.5-mile, 13-turn Competition Road Course. Land O' Lakes Region SCCA will be on hand. See race Schedule.

If you want to work track-side, volunteers are still needed in all specialties. Just sign up here: Registration

Healey Hillclimb IX 2010

2010-08-15T14:11:00.005-05:00

Healey Hillclimb IX was at Afton Alps recreation area Afton, MN. Hosted by the Minnesota Austin-Healey Club the the autocross style event with timed runs was on a nice hot, humid and sunny Saturday, August 14, 2010. Video Clip - Photos by Stacy

AC Cobra

Dog Daze of Summer RallyCross

2010-08-08T14:33:00.010-05:00

2010 SCCA RALLYCROSS NATIONAL CHALLENGE

The Land O' Lakes RallyCross event was Saturday, August 7th, 2010

Hot and sticky at Corcoran Lions Park at Corcoran, MN for the 2010 Land O' Lakes Region SCCA RallyCross National Challenge. The mercury hit 88°F and dewpoint 71°F as some 31 drivers battled each other for best in class or overall. Classes were made up of Modified, Prepared and Stock two and four wheel drive vehicles with Subaru and Volkswagen cars being the most prevalent. Timing and Scoring was performed in a small wooden open air "shack".

Here are the official results:
Class Results Overall Results

2010 LoL-SCCA Jack Pine Sprints Race Results

2010-08-03T12:36:00.025-05:00

Here are the final results of Land O' Lakes Region SCCA's quad regional the 2010 Jack Pine Sprints at BIR for July 2-3, 2010.

Jack Pine Sprints

Final Race Results

Photos and video

2010 Land O' Lakes Region SCCA Jack Pine Sprints

2010-07-04T18:25:00.010-05:00

This club racing event was the first for Land O' Lakes Region SCCA in 10 years at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR). Great effort and time was had by all who attended. Arrived and helped setup on Friday morning and worked in TS through Sunday. Some 105 competitors mostly from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and as far away as eastern, southern and western states were on hand to drive BIR's new 2.5 mile competition road course. It was topped off by a nice dinner party for volunteers, competitors, family and friends.

Final race results at: MyLAPS

Land O' Lakes Region SCCA, Jack Pine Sprints Quad Regional Races Brainerd Int'l Raceway July 3- 4, 2010 Photos by Chris Ward

2010 June Sprints SCCA Races - Road America, WI

2010-06-25T17:01:00.078-05:00

Another picture perfect day for the SCCA national race at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI. First time I volunteered and worked inside the hallowed walls of R/A's race control building for Timing and Scoring (TS) on Friday. There were over 440 entries in 10 race groups. Augie Pabst was event Grand Marshal for the 55th annual Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints. TS is a fun group of people to work with in race control. There was a dinner party for workers that evening with good food and company. The rolling hills of Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine area is the place to be if you like road racing. This four mile long road racing circuit with 14 turns is guaranteed to grab you! Race Results

View upstream from race control at R/A.

Chicago SCCA Fall Regional at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, IL

2009-10-11T21:43:00.007-05:00

The 2009 Chicago SCCA "Fall Sprints" Regional at Blackhawk Farms Raceway, IL was on October 10-11. Race Results

First time I worked an SCCA event and in Timing and Scoring.

There were four races, this driver won three in the highly competitive class of Formula Ford (FF).

Jacques Schnauzee #10 Formula Ford (FF) of Land O' Lakes Region SCCA

Car Craft Summer Nationals Autocross

2009-07-17T10:21:00.021-05:00

Car Craft Summer Nationals, QA1 Autocross was staffed by Land O' Lakes SCCA volunteers. It took place at the Minnesota State Fairgounds in St. Paul on July 17-19, 2009. I'm wearing the blue shirt and was one of three cone marshals from first run to last on Friday. This autocross event at the CC Summer Nationals is quickly growing in popularity.

Car Craft magazine article

2009 June Sprints SCCA Races - Road America, WI

2009-06-21T22:04:00.004-05:00

The national club race was on June 19-21, 2009, my first visit in 25 years to Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI. There were over 500 entries in 10 race groups for the 54th annual Chicago Region SCCA June Sprints. Weather threatened to rain though out the day but held out between partly sunny day.
Race Results

GT-1 Corvette entering Carousel at Road America

Scharch.org

2004-09-05T11:48:00.008-05:00