Phil Clarke to become next SCCA

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (July 24, 2002) -- The Sports Car Club of America, Inc. has announced that Phil Clarke, of San Diego, Calif., will assume the position of Director of Club Racing September 3. Current Director of Club Racing Patc Henry will step down when the company moves to Topeka, Kan., November 15.

The current Regional Executive of the San Diego Region SCCA, Clarke joins the National Staff after 23 years with SeaWorld San Diego, most recently serving as the Director of Park Operations.

"Phil's understanding of the SCCA, Club Racing and the challenges facing its regions, participants and workers makes him a perfect fit to direct SCCA Club Racing into the future," said Steve Johnson, SCCA, Inc. President and CEO. "The operations expertise he has gained over the last 23 years with Anheuser-Busch Adventure Parks and SeaWorld will benefit all of the SCCA's businesses."

"I'm really looking forward to joining the SCCA team," said Clarke. "I've learned a lot from Anheuser-Busch/SeaWorld, and it's been an excellent company to work for. I've also had some wonderful mentors in the San Diego Region that have taught me a great deal about the Club. I'm looking forward to working with great members from other regions now as well.

"I'm pleased to bring my experience as a member, participant and competitor to help the membership move their programs forward."

Clarke has been an active SCCA member since 1987, holding licenses for Flagging and Communications and Regional Competition, as well as serving on the San Diego Region Board of Directors. In 1999, Clarke was named the San Diego Region Worker of the Year, and was elected the region's Regional Executive in 2000.

A graduate of the University of California, San Diego with an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Clarke has been a career SeaWorld employee, from his year of undergraduate study through today.

Clarke will start September 3, working alongside incumbent Director of Club Racing Patc Henry up until the company's relocation to Topeka, November 15, including the SCCA Club Racing Valvoline Runoffs® National Championships, September 16-22.

"Patc Henry has made considerable contributions to SCCA over several decades, and, thanks to her efforts, Club Racing is now poised to move on to the next level," said Johnson.

Clarke and wife Karen currently live in San Diego, and will be relocating to Kansas permanently in November.

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