Region Update for 6/2/2020

Discussions with track facilities, both Dominion Raceway and Summit Point Raceway, on cooperative guidelines for event operations are in progress. We have a moving target, but the advantage is that it's an improving picture that keeps changing for the better.

Most everyone is aware we are on schedule with our Track Events programs for June 20-21 at Summit Point and June 27-28 at Dominion Raceway. Rumors have it that places are booking up fast. At each of the Track Event HPDE/TT Programs, we will also be hosting a Tech Days program to sign off Annual Inspections on Competition car Log Books prior to the 25-26 July MARRS Race at Summit Point.

Our Region's Road Racing Committee has put out a general survey, we've received very positive response about scheduling a school this season and we are looking seriously at a combination school/regional event in July. Saturday 06 June our Road Racing Committee is meeting in full to lay the plans for that very special July date.

Our Program leadership has been working hard on outlining what we have to do to keep everyone safe and in compliance with all directives, guidelines, and best practices.

Unexpected nationwide civil disruptions have thrown a curve in the COVID-19 plans and recovery processes. Political focus has shifted considerably. We still anticipate week to week progress in things improving toward normalization. However, through the balance of the 2020 season a few things are a given. There will be no spectators and minimization of guests. There will be some operational changes we will all have to adjust to.

Virginia has brought the entire state into the step-one return to normal operations as we move into June. We still have a 10-person gathering restriction, but we believe we have a solution in place applicable to track environment open spaces.

West Virginia is continuing progress toward returning to the next step, but limiting the maximum gatherings to 25 at the moment, we also believe a solution is reachable and applicable to track environment open spaces.

Additional communicable disease waiver will be required upon sign in at registration for the remainder of the 2020 season. This is in an effort to reduce the COVID-19 or other disease related liability issues.

In a late breaking announcement, Washington DC Region has appointed a Region Health Safety Coordinator to aid in guiding us through the necessary steps and routines that are important. Ron Shellenberger, a long time F&C Official is stepping in as our Region Health Safety Coordinator. Ron is a retired health professional willing to step into a much-needed role. We want to thank Ron for his willingness to keep us running! 

Wayne Armbrust
C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive
WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

Region Update for 5/26/2020

We are going HOT!

Gear up, set up, and load up! Wheels on the track before June is out! 20-21 June at Summit Point our Track Events Program is putting on a season opener HPDE and Time Trials Weekend. Immediately followed by the Dominion Raceway Group with the premier of our DR-HPDE/TT Program 27-28 June.

Our Region's Road Racing Committee is currently working on the format for the July 25-26 RACE weekend at Summit Point. Several options and mixes of format are under consideration, but the bottom line is; have your race tires on and ready to run. It's coming!

This process has been long and difficult, it is not over yet. We still have to consider the environment in which we are operating. As such, we will be requiring some specific protection measures and steps be taken and proper PPE utilized as needed. As part of that process we will be offering guidelines and defining requirements that must be met.

Rules and directives are in a state of flux and change almost daily. We will be staying current with those adjustments. Please make every effort to understand and assist with meeting the requirements we must all live up to.

Current changes include Virginia mandate for use of masks in indoor public environments until further notice. However, at the same time, Virginia is bringing the entire state into the step one return to normal operations as we move into June. The "Stay at Home" order is being transitioned to an advisory in lieu of an order.

West Virginia is continuing progress toward returning to the next step, but limiting the maximum gatherings to 25 at the moment.

Other plans include a July 12th Road Rally event. If you have not had the pleasure or opportunity to join in on a Road Rally, this is an opportunity to "Get The Dust Off" and join in! It is a riot with a lot of great people involved.

Unfortunately, Autocross has been deferred due to facilities availability. Property assets have been placed on hold through the month of July.

______________________________________________

Some discussion on additional wavers; current advice is wavers presently used are adequate unless a specific requirement is established by contract facilities. Some revision to include communicable disease is under consideration, but not considered a road block at this time.

In another area, the CDC has developed some interesting news:

COVID-19 Update:

On March 12th, CDC established an update that should help considerably, but it was not published until 21 May, It states (in part) the COVID-19 is not easily spread via hard surfaces. That helps narrow the focus. 

The new coronavirus "does not spread easily" from touching surfaces or objects, according to updated wording on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) website.

This change was made on May 11 from the organization. The change, which was made during an internal review, was meant to "clarify other types of spread beyond person to person," CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund. Coronavirus spreads "very easily and sustainably between people," and that is the main route of transmission, the CDC says. However, "the virus does not spread easily in other ways." Touching surfaces or objects and then touching the mouth, nose or eyes or between animals and people are not thought to the main routes of transmission, the CDC agency.

______________________________________

SCCA Guidelines are in place. Our Program leadership has established use policies and had ordered or obtained PPE assets. That leaves the State, facilities, resources, and tracks as the primary driver of any additions to our procedures. 

Masks are recommended in areas where distancing cannot be maintained, unless the facilities mandate otherwise.

Current supps. at both facilities, SPR and DR spell out requirement of mask use and PPE. Any question should be resolved on the side of safety and protection. Anyone not supporting proper protective measures will not continue to participate. 

_______________________________

Wayne Armbrust
C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive
WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

Region Update for 05/20/2020

Region Executive COVID-19 Summary & Status Report

One good sign is there were no major setbacks or changes this week. Our SCCA National conference call has been scaled back to every other week (a good sign in itself). In general terms we are starting to see motion in a number of areas. Restrictions are being loosened along with businesses restarting in almost all areas. Virginia is experiencing some tight control issues in the highly populated area of Northern Virginia. Shenandoah Valley and the remainder of the state are on track with the return to work plans. Most all the rest of the state is showing a relative low exposure rate.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice unveiled a number of announcements Monday during his daily coronavirus briefing, including the removal of counties from the hotspot list, the opportunity for local governments to apply for grant funding, and a list of additional businesses set to reopen over the next few weeks.

Justice announced that Monongalia, Marion, Harrison, Jefferson and Berkeley counties would be removed from the executive orders that tightened social distancing restrictions in the state's stay-at-home executive order.

Those counties were required to limit groups to no more than five people and businesses and entities are required to have employees work from home as much as possible. Those counties will now be under the newer safer-at-home order, which allows for groups no larger than 25 and encourages people to remain home whenever possible and wear masks.

Stay at Home Orders as related to the individual states:

Maryland
Expires: 05/13/2020 (superseded)
Conditions: 10+ Prohibited

New Jersey
Conditions: N/A 

North Carolina
Expires: 05/08/2020 

Ohio
Expires: 05/01/2020 

Pennsylvania
Expires: 06/04/2020 

Virginia
Expires: 06/10/2020
Conditions: 10+ Prohibited

West Virginia
Expires: 05/04/2020
Conditions: 25+ Prohibited

We anticipate a weekly loosening of restrictions as recovery continues. With our operational guidelines in place and a chance to practice use of the process on 20-21 June at Summit Point (Main Circuit) where we intend to operate a Track Events High Performance Driving Education (HPDE) program and a concurrent Time Trials (TT) event. We will take what we learn to Dominion Raceway the following week and put on a similar program there 27-28 June. Registration is open for the Dominion Raceway event and will be open for the Summit Point event shortly.

Summit Point is putting on a "Seat time" event under the current West Virginia Limitations, this experience will help in establishing a process on the track management side we can use to help make our events run smoothly.

PPE and social activity restrictions will likely remain in place through the remainder of the 2020 season.  Each of our event Supps will include new safety guidelines.

Road Racing is scheduled to kick off on July 25-26. Discussion is underway on the format of the July Road Racing event. By August the MARRS program should be back on the rails and clicking hopefully along with the regularly scheduled NJMP race on the 22-23 Aug.

September 5-7 Labor Day Event should be more exciting than ever. October 3-4 is still on the schedule with any additional program changes to be announced as/if/when they develop.

Rallycross will be returning to action in July.  Watch for the confirmed schedules to be coming up in the not too distant future. RX Events.

Update on Autocross; FedExField site has withdrawn the facilities from use through July. Alternative locations are still too restrictive to operate an event efficiently. We are still exploring options, but July may not have an Autocross date.

SCCA Inc. will be going live via Face Book with Runoffs Announcement: SCCA With staff members Eric Prill and Deanna Flanagan for an announcement and discussion on 2020 Runoff qualification requirements, today, Wednesday, May 20 Noon central time.

Safe and healthy programs will be the key for the remainder of the season.

Please stay safe and healthy. See you at the track!

Wayne Armbrust
C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive
WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

Region update for 5/12/2020

As we continue to feel our way through this process of limitations and return to routines, opportunities are becoming more apparent. Caution is still the centerpiece in any plan, but progress is real. 

First, the difficult news. Washington DC Region MARRS Road Racing Program restart has been delayed until July 25-26 at Summit Point. The form and format are yet to be determined. MARRS Road Racing was deferred due to the number of people from areas still under tight regulatory control and consideration for the numbers of volunteers that may not be readily available or concerned about exposures prior to total Regional influence and influx from outside areas. MARRS will not resume racing operations until July at the earliest. 

Spectacular side of the news is our mid-Region HPDE Track Events and Time Trials programs are raring to go and will hit the ground running on a full go status beginning 27 and 28 June at Dominion Raceway for their mid-season kickoff.

Registration is open through MotorsportReg.com: www.motorsportreg.com/events/track-event-2-hpde-w-time-trial-jun-27-28-2020-dominion-raceway-scca-848357

July 18 & 19 will see our Region's northside HDPE Track Events and Time Trials at Summit Point, Shenandoah Track.  This event registration is also now open:www.motorsportreg.com/events/track-event-3-hpde-w-time-trial-jul-18-19-2020-summit-point-raceway-844107

However, this is not all of the news, our Summit Point team is considering running an additional (early) HPDE and Time Trials event on the 20 and 21 of June dates formerly reserved for the MARRS program.
Autocross events are canceled through June with the likelihood of a strong start of events in July. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements. Rallycross will kick off on 11/12 July and continue with events through August, October, and November. Polish Mountain Hill Climb is in the process for permitting for running August 1&2.

All events will be operated under best practices for health and individual safety. Each of our operating programs will be appointing Health and Safety Compliance Officers with the job of insuring health exposure protection for all participants and operating personnel. Health standards and guidelines will remain at levels established by regulatory agencies, facility, and SCCA guidelines and directives. Any changes, relaxation, or sunset of these controls will be dependent on CDC information and recommendations.

We also ask if you have to deal with the National staff, you be patient and understanding. Unfortunately, the situation has forced a reduction in available staff to the point that a very few are caring for the masses. Please be kind and graceful when asking for services. It may take a little longer than usual, but it will happen. They are doing an outstanding job with the limited number of people and access to resources available right now. 

In another arena, The Region is starting a search for interested and likely candidates for the Board of Directors. Three positions are coming up for election in October. Please Contact Alan Olson, or any other Board member if you have interest or would suggest a potential candidate.

Please stay healthy! See you at the track.

Wayne Armbrust
C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive
WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

Washington DC Region Executive Weekly Report for 5/5/2020

All concerned;

Many plans are pending and events awaiting the nod to move ahead with scheduling, sanctioning, and opening. We are all waiting the moment we are given the decision to move ahead.

Summit Point Raceway released the following notice on Monday 04 May: 

Track re-opening date remains in flux pending government guidelines.

(May 4, 2020, Summit Point, WV) - In light of the re-opening timeline released by the governor, Summit Point Motorsports Park will extend the closure of the facility through May 18th. Some events beyond the 18th have also been postponed or cancelled by the individual organizers. Track officials will continue to monitor official state recommendations and will follow all guidelines as issued by the state of West Virginia.

The governor has released a 6-week time line, each week additional business categories will be added to the list of those that may return to business. Summit Point is working with state and local officials to determine what week our business category will be added to this list. In addition, track officials are working on a "modified event program" that may allow the facility to re-open earlier to smaller groups with certain safeguards in place.

As Illustrated above, West Virginia is phasing in returning businesses on a very controlled schedule.

• State of Virginia has extended non-Essential Business closure for another week to 15 May. Stay at Home Order remains in place through 10 June. 

• Maryland is still not clear on the restart program plans. 

• As the NEDiv Region most likely to restart programs in the near future, we also have to take into consideration Regions and areas in proximity such a SJR, NNJR,Steek Cities, etc. New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and North Carolina all have a degree of influence on our judgement. 

Some reservations in getting involved with events early after the quarantine have been expressed. Many are concerned with the risk of exposure continuing. There is a validity with the concern. Washington DC Region, along with guidelines from SCCA and in cooperation with Summit Point Raceway, Dominion Raceway, and other facilities will be following all recommendations to minimize the risk of exposure. The governing issue is, if you do not feel comfortable in participating, please do not feel obligated to take unnecessary risk. If there is any question as to how you feel, headache, dry cough, unexplained temperature rise, please do not attend. 

As we continue looking at the remainder of the season, our Program Chairs and Directors are doing their best to anticipate volunteer support, participation, and cost of events. Not an easy thing to do with limited information. Proposed schedules and events will be submitted to the Region Board of Directors for review and final disposition. Tuesday, May 12 will be D-Day (next BoD mtg) for the immediate future. The following regular Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 09 June. 

On another issue, due to the difficulty in making arrangements for a physical or medical visits, Competition Licensed Drivers with renewals due are eligible to complete this form and email it to membership@scca.com in lieu of the medical for this year.  It will be valid for one year aligned with their membership expiration date.

Stay safe and healthy. See you at the track!

Wayne Armbrust
C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive
WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

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WDCR News

Region update for the week of 4/27/2020 - Pandemic Status & Forecast

There is light! As calendar pages are turning, we are coming closer to returning to hosting Track Events including Road Racing, Time Trials, HPDE, Autocross, Hill Climbs, Road Rally and many other activities. As of this moment, West Virginia has introduced a plan for returning the state to commercial activities based on the continued low and slow growth in the number of COVID-19 cases. This means, although Summit Point is officially closed until May 7th, there is a likelihood of returning to operating events in three to six weeks. 

In Virginia, the Governor has extended small business closures until May 8th, although the "stay at home" order (based on Virginia Executive Order #53) is to remain in place until June 10. 

Maryland cases began peaking on the 25th of April. Governor Hogan's closure and control orders will continue to remain in effect until further notice.

Summit Point management will be sharing a conference call with Washington DC Region Road Racing Program Directors and Chairmen over the coming week to discuss reopening plans and event needs. Xator Corporation has expressed sincere interest in working with motorsports programs such as our in the best interest of keeping the sport active and viable at Summit Point.

SCCA National Office has issued a set of guidelines for operating events within the current environment. 

SCCA National Office has been struggling to maintain operations via working from the homes of the staff and management members remaining on the job. It has been a difficult objective, but is being met. Plans are, with confirmation from the Kansas governing agencies, to reopen the SCCA Topeka Office on May 4th.

Combining these guidelines with our events will be vital to ensuring the remaining season's activities will be executed in as safe a manner as possible.

A realistic look at the programs may require some innovation or combining of resources or Programs, perhaps portions of programs. Financially, the season has been devastating to the National office. We are working in unison to build a program aimed at recovery for the club overall. SCCA Unite is the call going out, three significant components form the base for returning to an active and healthy club and programs.

1. Membership - Renew, Encourage others to join or renew, and there is a push to open access to a lifetime membership program.

2. Support SCCA Merchandise Program and the #SCCAUnite theme.

3. PPE: Help provide and find sourcing for needed protective equipment and materials for our people at each event.

Many thanks for your patience and tolerance for some difficult decisions we have had to make in a tough time. We will be doing everything we can to bring our Programs back up to speed as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Wayne Armbrust
C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive
WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

Region update for the week of 04/20/2020

We are steadily keeping  finger on the pulse of the situation. Slowly but steadily we are moving toward returning to a time we can again bring events back to a full schedule. Currently, plans appear to be bringing some businesses back into operation in Virginia beginning 28 April. However, the shelter at home order remains in place through June 10th. Surrounding states within the WDC Region vary broadly in schedule and restart plans. Further out in our area of participation and influence, there is not any fixed forecast on return to routine operations for any given entity. 

Due to scheduling conflicts on the National Office end in Topeka, the National Region Conference call scheduled for this evening was canceled. With ever moving developments related to the pandemic, and many state and local governments are announcing the start of easing restrictions.  Message from Topeka is "While we don't expect to the green flag to be waived everywhere, we believe that our Race Safe guidelines for our programs will be paramount in conducting events." Guidelines are being developed on safe event operations.

With our "Best Guess Hat" on, we are looking at a restart of a suspended season by the latter part of June. Washington DC Region has asked our Program Directors to reassess the potential season ahead with the probability of starting in late June. Reassessment of the season will begin with a clean sheet approach to what we have available to us for the remainder of the year. Our target date for the reassessment plan is the May Board of Directors meeting on May 12th via teleconference.We all face the difficult part of what this situation has done to our membership's ability to participate. In general, the world and U.S.economy has taken a devastating hit. Results are not pretty and has a direct affect or influence on every member of the Region.

We will update any information as it comes available or changes. Tuesday reports will continue at least through June 9th Board of Directors Regular Meeting.

Wayne Armbrust
C.W. Armbrust
Chairman & Region Executive
WDCR - SCCA
Mobile: 540-539-6379
WDCR-RE@Outlook.com

The Washington DC Region SCCA welcomes a new sponsor - Motorsport Solutions!

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

The DC Region of SCCA is pleased to announce a new sponsor for the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series. We are very happy to have some "tough" members of our club, coming through to sponsor our series when racing is in doubt. Please consider them when you have a need for their products and services.

Race Car Preparation-Construction-Service and Track Side Support www.motorsportsolutionsinc.com
571-229-9044

T.J. Huston and Kevin Rychlik, co-owners of Motorsport Solutions, Inc. are proud sponsors of the 2020-2021 SCCA-WDCR Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series. Motorsport Solutions is a full-time race support company dedicated to excellence. We offer full Track Support, Custom Builds, Race Car Preparation, All Services and Restoration. If it has to do with racing, we are available for any job or task. We have garages and storage at Summit Point and our main facility at 10594 Redoubt Road in Manassas, Virginia. Call to arrange a visit or get a quote at any time. We will have track support services available for most races and can transport and provide you with exceptional track-side support, suspension tuning at the track as well as transportation. We are committed to exceptional customer service and driver support.

Email: TJ@motorsportsolutionsinc.com or Kevin@motorsportsolutionsinc.com.

The Washington DC Region SCCA welcomes a new sponsor - RP Performance!

"Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do."

The DC Region of SCCA is pleased to announce a new sponsor for the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series.  We are very happy to have some members of our club who love what we do, coming through to sponsor our series when racing is in doubt.  Please consider them when you have a need for their products and services.
  
RP Performance is proud to announce that it will be a sponsor of the Mid Atlantic Road Racing Series for 2020.
Bret de Pedro, owner/operator of RP Performance and a 25 year member of the Washington DC Region of the SCCA, said "It has truly been an honor and pleasure to serve and be a part of the DC Region family."

Based on-site at Summit Point in Gasoline Alley, RP Performance is the only premiere race car shop that specializes in Mazda's. With hundreds of wins in multiple classes, and full service capabilities, RP is able to help with all your race support needs.

Allan Olson accepts the sponsorship check from Bret de Pedro and Dave Gambino of RP Performance on behalf of the Washington DC Region Board of Directors

Contact RP Performance:
https://www.facebook.com/rpperformanceracing1/?ref=bookmarks
https://www.rpperformanceracing.com/
https://www.instagram.com/rpperformanceracing/?hl=en

BOD meeting report from 04/14/20

Washington DC Region SCCA Announcement

In the meeting of the Board of Directors Tuesday evening 14 April, several issues were discussed. Over the last two weeks, Region leadership along with several volunteers have been developing program of continued i-Racing and the concept of a Racing info-webinar. These programs will continue to be developed and brought into operation over the next few weeks. Some are already in progress.

These programs have significant potential beyond off season and down time. They may offer the opportunity to develop another self sustaining program under the Washington DC Region Umbrella.

In our current state of suspended operations, the Board was presented with three likely scenarios that were developed using anticipated conditions and developments. Discussion within the framework of the forecasts developed an understanding of the considerable financial exposure the Region is facing.

One direction the Board has decided to pursue is to make application to SBA (Small Business Administration) for an interim loan for continuous employment of staff. There was no further discussion of anticipated schedule changes. Status quo will remain unchanged through 31 May 2020.

No other actions or changes are to be made at this time.

Next Board meeting will take place via Teleconference 12 May 2020. Assessment of changes is ongoing. As or if warranted, the Board will be called back to special meeting to reassess any further schedule or business changes.

Wayne Armbrust

C.W. Armbrust

Chairman & Region Executive

WDCR - SCCA

Mobile: 540-539-6379

WDCR-RE@Outlook.com