RACE: June Sprints preview

Calling all cars: 485 set to run 48th Kohler/SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints

TOPEKA, Kan. (June 17, 2003) -- For most, June means the onset of summer temperatures, the splashing of swimming pools and the sweet aroma of barbeques. June means all of those things to SCCA Club Racers too, but only if they can be squeezed around the Kohler/SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints.

Back for its 48th year, the Chicago Region event has once again made its call to SCCA Club Racers to meet in the Wisconsin countryside at Road America, and they have answered with a whopping 485 entries set to compete over the three-day event, June 20-22. This is the largest Club Racing National event of the year, outside of the Valvoline Runoffs.

Somewhere between 100 and 200 entries are expected to show up and help celebrate the 40th birthday of Formula Vee as an SCCA class. Others are back for a chance to repeat as champions from last year's event. And everyone involved wants to notch the first mark in 2003 on their Chicago Region Triple Crown belt. Winning this weekend is the only way to do that.

As difficult as it may appear to racers, winning this weekend pales in comparison to winning the actual Chicago Region Triple Crown. To do that, competitors must not only win the Sprints, but then emerge on top in their respective division's season point standings and, finally, claim the title after winning the Valvoline Runoffs® at Mid-Ohio. Since its inception in 2001, only three drivers have worn the elusive crown. In the crown's inaugural year, both FV Driver Brad Stout, of St. Louis, Mo., and T2 competitor Brian Kelm, of Plymouth, Mich., were able to sweep the field, and last year, after 11 drivers (including Stout and Kelm) completed the first two legs of the honor, only GT-3 driver Mike Cyphert, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, won at the Runoffs to become the newest inductee into the Chicago Region Triple Crown club. All three are entered in their respective classes again this year, ready to make an attempt at another Crown.

However, to be a champion at the Sprints, competitors will have to not only battle each other, but the track as well. And the four-mile loop of smooth asphalt at Road America, with its 90-degree turns, famous Carousel and infamous Canada Corner, is again primed to serve as a worthy opponent throughout the weekend.

The Kohler/SCCA Chicago Region June Sprints begin at 8:00 a.m., Friday, June 20, with FV Qualifying session one. For more information about the Sprints, including entry lists, practice, qualifying and race results, please visit www.scca.com/amateur/club_racing/03junesprints. For other SCCA information, visit www.scca.com.

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