Thompson Residents Invited to SCCA Race on October 9 & 10

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park (TSMP) is inviting all Thompson, CT residents to the Sports Car Club of America race on October 9 & 10, with free admission. The John Stim Memorial and NERRC Championship Finale will take place Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 and will feature a wide variety of sports cars, open wheel cars, vintage race cars, and GT cars racing on the 1.7 mile road course at TSMP. With two full days of racing action, this event will see close to 100 cars take to the track. Admission to the race also includes access to the pit area for spectators of all ages, giving fans an up close look at the race cars participating in the event. Tickets are also available for non-Thompson residents, and can be purchased at the gate on Friday or Saturday for $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for Seniors, US Military or Veterans, or $5.00 for Juniors. As always, kids 5 and under are free. Thompson residents must show valid ID or proof of residence in order to receive free admission. For more information about the John Stim Memorial at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, click here.

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What

Club trials track event

Where

Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

205 E Thompson Rd

Thompson, CT

When

Saturday, July 11, 2015

8:00-5:00

 Come and enjoy this historic and challenging track, and experience SCCA’s camaraderie and sportsmanship.

We welcome drivers of all abilities

 Who can participate in the time trial event?

Participation is open to any SCCA regular or weekend member. If you are not an SCCA member, weekend memberships will be available at registration.

What types of cars are allowed?

Econo-box sedans, performance cars, tuner cars, imports and domestics. Even convertibles (no roll bar required) Yes, this means you Miata guys and girls!

 How much does this cost and what do I get for it?

The event cost is only $160. For that you get (2) 20 minute on-track sessions plus appropriate class room instruction. In addition, time trial participants are allowed full access to the paddock and garage areas of the track to see the drivers and club racing cars up close. Participants are also invited to be a part of the driver/worker party after the conclusion of the day’s racing events. The time trial participants rotate as a separate run group at this club racing event so you’ll also get to see the finest club road racers in the northeast compete in a variety of cars and classes when you are not on track or in the classroom.

Registration is open at

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/scca-club-trial-thompson-speedway-motorsports-park-mohawk-hudson-750472#.VXtrE0ZQDEY

 You can find everything else you need to know including complete rules here:

http://cdn.growassets.net/user_files/scca/downloads/000/003/452/2015_PDX_CTRules_.pdf?1432133568

 Questions? Event Chairperson Jim Bucci 518 944-4371 or hdjimbu@gmail.com

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The Power of Our Sport and Racing Family

Posted on by Dave Gran

Club Racing extends so much farther than just what happens on the track. Sure, racing cars side-by-side and pushing to the very edge on-track is absolutely amazing! It’s a place where you are purely living in the moment. You cannot focus on the daily stress of work or financial worries, not even a terminal illness. It goes so much further than outsiders can even begin to imagine. It’s about sharing something we are so passionate about, helping others at the track – even our strongest competitors – and enjoying a true racing family.
While Tim Dugan just passed away from cancer, it’s vital that we celebrate the amazing message and attitude he displayed. He wanted to share with others how much of a positive impact racing had on his, and his family’s lives through his brief story below. In life, he’s truly an inspiration; on track, he was equally in a class of his own.

Below are the words of a truly amazing guy, Tim Dugan.

“It has been such a crazy year of fighting cancer and winning on the track. I have taken a car that is a stock ITS car, stuck it in ITR [article note – ITR is a class consisting of faster race cars than ITS] so I could race with my ‘brother’ Stephen Blethen, and won three races hands down!

I have conquered so many things this year. My goal was to keep up with Glen Lawton and Bob Blake in ITS and I beat them both. My next goal was keep Tom Capizzi in my sights. I out qualified him and then drove away from him. Next goal, keep Rob Nimkoff from lapping me and I passed him on the start and battled with him.

I turned my fastest laps I have ever turned at NHMS and LIMEROCK. It is just an amazing year! I have been at the track and contemplated packing the car up and going home because I was so sick I didn’t think I could drive the car. I would convince myself to get in and drive, and competed with some of the best on my worst days!!

There were so many people that helped me this year that I can’t thank them all. Blethen boys, Kelly family, Dave Maynard, the entire 7′s racing Crew, just everybody. They all kept me pushing when I wanted to quit. A smile, a thumbs up, or just being silly helps me push through. But most of all, my family, they have not let me say I can’t do it any more! My wife has been there when all I can do is sleep because I’m that sick. My kids sit with me in bed and rub my back because I can’t get out of bed.

I’m no hero, I’m just a man with a dream – my dream is to win!! On and off the track, teach my kids that if you put your mind to something you can do anything. I owe my success this year to my family. That includes my racing family who change my tires get me water and cheer for me in the stands. Love them all!!!”

While I fight back the tears, all I can see is Tim with a big grin on his face. He’s truly an inspiration and reminds us what an amazing racing community we have.

The amount of support he’s received throughout the racing community has been incredible, and a reminder why this isn’t such a silly hobby after all. Tim would want people to recognize that with hard work, determination, and even without a large budget, you can and will succeed. So go out and live your life its fullest!

Tim, I am lucky to have called you my friend. I don’t say this lightly, but you are truly my hero. You will be greatly missed, though I am expecting to feel your presence at the track, and in life, for many years to come.

-Dave Gran

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3/13/15 – New England Region SCCA Club Racing Board is excited to announce the 2015 New England Road Racing Championship (NERRC) presented by Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.

NERRC - Thompson logo 2015

In 2015 NER will see one of its most exciting championship seasons with 4 unique tracks making up the championship season.  Each track will require completely different driving techniques and car set-ups if you plan on winning the championship.

  • Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park’sroad course was reborn in 2014.  This track features a 1.7mile road course that utilizes a portion of the 5/8 mile oval track.  Prior to racing on this road course one might have wondered how much you can do with only one and half miles of track…  Thompson proved you can make a track completely different than the other tracks in the region.  The long front straight requires a perfect entrance to maximize your speed and the rest of the track shows off your ability to navigate tight hairpin turns. To find more information about Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, please visit www.thompsonspeedway.com
  • Lime Rock Park features a 1.5 mile road through the hills of the Berkshires with a park like atmosphere and all but 1 turn being to the right.  Every turn from the double apex “big bend” through the diving downhill has a name that would be familiar to race fans from around the world.  Lime Rock has a long history in the racing world and is known as a high speed bullring favoring those that know how to carry speed/momentum and hit their marks in every turn. To find more information about Lime Rock Park, please visit www.limerock.com
  • New Hampshire Motor Speedway features a 1.6 mile road course that utilizes ¾ of the NASCAR one mile oval.  This unique track blends long straights and banked turns with huge elevation changes and sharp 3rd gear turns.  If you have a car with a lot of power and the right gearing all you need to do is hit that apex every turn and hold on!  To find more information about New Hampshire Motor Speedway, please visit www.nhms.com
  • Palmer Motorsports Park will be new in 2015 and will be our first track over 2 miles long.  It will actually be 2.3 miles long, 40-feet wide, with over 190 feet of elevation.  It is literally carved out of Whiskey Hill and features some magnificent granite cliffs that will surely provide some breathtaking views around this 15-turn rollercoaster ride in the secluded alpine wilderness.  Who will hold the track records when the checkered flag drops for the first time?  To find more information about Palmer Motorsports Park, please visit www.palmermotorsportspark.com

This year’s race season will be made up of 7 race weekends.  The final weekend of the championship will be held at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park and will feature a double points race to finish off the season.  Your best 12 race finishes count toward the Championship.  For official rules and eligibility please visit NER.org

The title sponsor for the 2015 New England Road Racing Championship is Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.  Every eligible Champion will receive a free track day to be used during the 2016 season at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park.  Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park is excited to not only host SCCA events but be actively involved in our racing efforts to drive participation and excitement in our sport.  They understand what it takes to be a champion and the dedication each racer has.  We are thrilled to have them join us in this partnership for 2015!

If you or your company is interested in joining us in rewarding our champions in any class please contact Stephen.Blethen@gmail.com

2015 NERRC Schedule Announced

New England Region is proud to announce the club racing schedule for the 2015 season.  At this time the schedule is tentative, but includes seven weekends at four tracks.  This should prove to be our most diverse and exciting schedule in years.
You can view the schedule by visiting the Club Racing Schedule page, or by clicking here.

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2014 NERRC Club Racing Final Points Released

The numbers have been tallied and the results are now official.  Thanks to all of our competitors for racing with us this year and congratulations to the class champions.

Please make sure you join us at the annual meeting and help us celebrate the class champions at the awards ceremony.

View the results here.