SVRA Blue-Gray Challenge at Summit Point
October 1 - 3, 1999
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) made its sixth annual fall stop to Summit Point for its infamous Blue-Gray Challenge. The SVRA race is a unique event for MARRC. Not only because its for vintage cars, and not motorcycles, but because we work closely with the DC Region SCCA Chapter and the SVRA. The opportunity to learn more about how other motorsports organizations work is invaluable and can often be applied directly to motorcycle racing and safety.
Its a great event for Summit Point, and for vintage car enthusiasts. Muscle cars abound, along with rare racer cars once raced only in Europe or internationally. Of course, the cornerworkers love the ride-along program where they can get a high-speed tour of Summit Point in one of the race cars. There is a North-South costume ball and Blue-Gray cook-off on Friday night, and Summit Point hosts the SVRA awards banquet on Saturday.
The racers were pleased the repaving done to the facility, although there was some disappointment that the concrete, along with the bumps at the transitions, still existed in Turns 1, 5, and 6. However, no one could complain about how smooth the track now was, and how good the fall Shenendoah weather was this year. Cool breezes and clear skies greeted the racers, in what amounted to the finest weather imaginable for an October day.
For some background, Summit Point hosts 2 vintage car weekends a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Niether race is run by the SCCA, which has its own cornerworking organization, but by two different racing organizations. Therefore, cornerworkers are recruited from both MARRC and SCCA, and both clubs alternate planning the event. In return, MARRC is granted a full days' use of Summit Point sometime during the year. Thus the direct benefit to MARRC members in the way of MARRC Track Day.
A special note of recognition goes out to the group that comes in from Pittsburgh to assist us in hosting the SVRA. They have been coming to Summit Point for several years now, with valuable experience from the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix event, just to flag OUR event! They come down because they truly enjoy working corners with the MARRC. We certainly appreciate their enthusiasm and effort.
MARRC would like to thank the cornerworkers over the weekend for not only doing a magnificent job, but for coordinating so well with the SVRA and the SCCA. The teamwork was outstanding, especially in light of the fact that we work all work together only once a year! Remember that the MARRC safety crew is a volunteer group, and that the safety crew members listed below come out because the love the sport. No where else can anyone find a more dedicated group of people than these.
MARRC/SCCA Safety & Emergency Services Crew
Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) Blue-Gray Challenge
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