RACE: Club racers receive new incentive

SCCA Club Racers to Compete for iRacing.com Cup
Drivers in All Classes and Divisions Eligible for 2008 Awards

SAN ANTONIO, TX. (February 9, 2008) --Sports Car Club of America, Inc. and iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations today announced the iRacing.com Cup, a season-long contingency program that will crown a single champion among the more than 5000 licensed SCCA national racers across the country. The program, which spans all of the Club's nine geographic divisions and all 30 competition classes, will award more than $20,000 in cash and merchandise, including $3000 and a professional-grade racing simulator to the winner.

"iRacing.com's new motorsport simulation software is one of the most innovative products coming on the market, something that actually helps a driver develop his or her skill behind the wheel, and we're excited to announce the first part of what we expect will become a multi-faceted relationship," said Eric Prill, SCCA vice president of marketing & communications. "The new iRacing.com Cup gives drivers an opportunity to see how they stack up against everyone else across the country, regardless of their competition class. The inaugural iRacing.com Cup Champion will have accomplished something very special in 2008."

Prill, speaking at the Club's national convention in San Antonio, Texas, explained that drivers who register for the program will accrue points for race finishes in accordance with the regular SCCA national points system. To equalize the effects of class size, program participants will be awarded one bonus point for each starter (in the same class) listed behind them in the final race results, with a maximum of 10 bonus points per race. A driver's best six results in regular-season races will count toward the Cup.

Even more points are at stake at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs®, with double base points for the top nine finishers and no limit on bonus points. Throughout the season, competitors and fans will be able to follow the chase for the iRacing.com Cup with regular updates on www.iRacing.com. Contingency registration information is available at SCCA.com under the Club Racing header. Points will be awarded retroactively to drivers that have already begun their racing seasons. Drivers must register for the program to participate.

"This program carries with it some great cash and prizes, but I think the bragging rights may be the best motivation of all," said Scott McKee, iRacing.com vice president of marketing and an SCCA-licensed racer. "We don't expect the winner of the iRacing.com Cup to be determined until the conclusion of the 2008 Runoffs in October, but whoever wins will go home with a serious ego boost!"

In addition to the contingency program, Prill and McKee also announced the inclusion of the SCCA Enterprises Spec Racer Ford vehicle in the iRacing.com simulation service.

"No one ever gets enough seat time," said McKee. "Our simulation software has been designed with people like the SCCA Club racers in mind, to provide a truly beneficial training tool and a way to go racing when you can't get to the track. It only makes sense that we would model the Club's most popular racecar."

With the Spec Racer Ford, SCCA joins a growing list of iRacing.com partners that already includes more than 60 racing facilities and a variety of both road- and oval-track racing machinery. iRacing.com's racing simulation service is expected to launch later this spring.

iRacing.com exists to create the world's most authentic racing simulations, enable and organize real-time, online racing, and advance and expand motorsport. It invents the tools and provides the environment to enhance the skills of racers -- novices to experts -- around the world, deepening their understanding and enjoyment of the sport.

The company was founded in September of 2004 by Dave Kaemmer and John Henry. Kaemmer was co-founder of Papyrus Racing Games, Inc., developers of award-winning racing simulations including NASCAR Racing: 2003 Season and Grand Prix Legends. Henry is principal owner of the Boston Red Sox, one of the most successful investment managers in the futures industry and an avid simracer. The iRacing.com team combines more than 100 years of real-world racing experience with more than 50 years of successful racing simulation development

SCCA -- Founded in 1944, Sports Car Club of America, Inc. is a 50,000-plus member motorsports organization that incorporates all facets of autocross, rally and road racing at both club and professional levels. It annually sanctions over 2,000 events through its 112 regions and professional subsidiary. Landmark events and series for the Club include the Club Racing National Championship Runoffs® presented by AT&T at Heartland Park Topeka; and The Tire Rack® SCCA Solo National Championships and ProSolo Championship at Topeka, Kan. For more information, please visit www.scca.com.

-credit: scca