RACE: June Sprints preview

June Sprints Highlights SCCA Club Racing's Sizzling Summer

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. (June 22, 2007) -- Summer traditionally means barbeques, family reunions and spending time outdoors. This weekend, SCCA racers, families and fans will do that and more at the largest Club Racing National event of the season--the Piggly Wiggly June Sprints®.

Chicago Region's gem again kicks off the summer season this weekend, with over 400 cars and an even dozen defending SCCA National Champions heading to the famed four-mile Road America circuit nestled in the Kettle Moraine, near Elkhart Lake, Wis.

For the 52nd-straight year, some of SCCA's best Club Racers become the focus of Road America's devout fanbase. Here are just a few of the stories on tap for the weekend:

Chicago Region SCCA Triple Crown®

- The June Sprints are the first leg of the Chicago Region SCCA Triple Crown, awarded to any driver that wins their class race at the Sprints, their SCCA Divisional Points Championship and the National Championship at the SCCA Runoffs®. Since being formally recognized in 2001, the Triple Crown has been awarded 12 times. In 2006, Hans Peter (C Sports Racing), Niki Coello (Formula Continental) and Mark Mercer (Sports 2000) won the Triple Crown. All three are entered in this weekend's event, and Coello is shooting for his third-straight honor in 2007. Brad Stout (Formula Vee) is the only three-time winner and is also entered in this year's event.

Defending National Champions

- It is unlikely that any other race preceding the Runoffs will have as many former SCCA National Champions competing (29) and defending National Champions (12) as the June Sprints. Defending Champs entered to compete this weekend include: the aforementioned Coello (Formula Continental), Mercer (Sports 2000) and Peter (C Sports Racing), as well as Jim Dentici (GT-Lite), Jim Goughary Jr. (Formula Mazda), Wayland Joe (GT-2), Lance Knupp (Touring One), Lawrence Loshak (E Production), Chuck Mathis (G Production), Mike Miserendino (Spec Racer), Philip Simms (GT-1) and Mirl Swan (Formula Atlantic).

Huge Entries

- Spec Racer is no surprise as the class with the largest field, with 58 cars, but the next several classes may be a surprise for those who frequent SCCA Club Races across the country. Formula Atlantic has the second largest entry, with 28 cars, followed by Formula Continental and GT-1, each with 27. Formula 500 will get a big boost in its participation numbers (which are set to determine Runoffs eligibility in 2008), with 20 cars entered in the race.

The Schedule

- Many cars mean many race groups. The 2007 June Sprints will feature practice, qualifying and nine races over the three days. Friday's activity includes practice for all nine races as well as opening round qualifying for the first five groups. Saturday includes more qualifying, with the first three races held in the afternoon. Sunday's activity will conclude with the final six races.

SCCA will cover the event through SCCA.com, and additional information can be acquired through the event's Web site, www.junesprints.com.

-credit: scca