Goodrich is giving the green flag to an expanded contingency program for five classes in the 2010 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs.
The endeavor offers SCCA competitors the chance to get behind the wheel of the BFGoodrich Tires/Wide Open Excursions “Baja Challenge” race car for the 43rd Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 in November.
Seats in the racer, equipped with Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 tires, will be awarded to drivers who win their class using Goodrich tires at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs in September.
“Because of our legendary success both on- and off-road, BFGoodrich tires is uniquely qualified to offer a program like this to our racers,” says motorsports manager Roberts Kukainis.
“One thing we know,” he explains, “is that those who race on our tires are all about fierce competition, and we expect this contingency program to become a race in itself among our SCCA racers.”
The Championship Runoffs are Sept. 20-26 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis. More than 600 drivers will participate in the event, making it the country’s largest amateur championship. Those who bolt on a set of the company’s tires and display the required decals will be eligible for the contingency.
“BFGoodrich Tires has definitely sweetened the pot for the track guys this season,” says Joel Lipperini, 2009 SCCA SSC class winner. “We are very passionate about racing and winning – we aren’t out here to get rich, we do it all for the excitement on the track,” he adds.
“The chance to win championships on the track and in the desert, in the same season, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Lipperini points out. “I’ve never raced in Baja, but you better believe that I’ll be at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs pushing my car, my tires and myself to the limit.”
The new SCCA Wide Open Excursion contingency is in addition to the current program that offers SCCA Club Racing National drivers two g-Force R1 tires for first place and one g-Force R1 tire for second place. Eligible classes include AS, T2, T3, SSB and SSC.
“Not only does this program set BFGoodrich Tires apart from the competition, but it also honors the 35th anniversary of BFGoodrich Tires’ competition in SCORE International’s Baja races,” Kukainis says. “To have the motorsports legacy of BFGoodrich Tires enables us to reward those who push the limits with an unforgettable opportunity.”
The Baja 1000 starts on Nov. 18 in Ensenada and will finish in La Paz, running the length of the Baja peninsula the week of Nov. 15-21.
For more information, visit www.bfgoodrichtires.com, www.wideopenbaja.com, www.score-international.com and www.nationofgo.com.
