SMX Does Not Belong at the Runoffs
#34314 from Chris Schaafsma · No action required · Minutes (2023-06 Fastrack)
Thank you for your letter. The Spec MX-5 Challenge has served to develop the SMX concept—a next-generation Spec
Miata-style class for newer cars—since its introduction in 2019. The Challenge has participated in multiple Regional and
Conference Majors weekends, and even a couple of Super Tours over the last several seasons to comprise its schedule.
Several things were taken into consideration when the request was made to include the final races of the SMX-5 Challenge
season into the Runoffs event.
1. There was some time on the race weekend schedule. Barring something well out of the norm, race days can
comfortably run nine race groups per day. Each of our 25 National Championship Runoffs classes has its own race
in the schedule, meaning there was some additional time available on race days.
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2. We have positioned SMX in the schedule to where it would have as minimal effect on the National Championship
classes as possible. SMX will only have one qualifying session and it is the last session of the day on Thursday, giving
a small buffer between the last Runoffs qualifying session, pole awards and the all-participant party. The second
SMX race is also last on the day on Sunday, taking a time slot that is typically not revered. SMX will handle its own
technical inspection, so it should not put any additional stress on that process.
3. Last year, we had a number of classes fail to put even 10 cars on track at the Runoffs. While not a National
Championship class, SMX’s finale projects 25-30 cars. This provides our workers, participants and spectators with
an opportunity to see some great racing.
4. As everyone knows, the cost of doing business has increased dramatically in the last couple of years. Conducting
the Runoffs at VIR is no different. Bringing in SMX as an exhibition/supplemental class to our National
Championship classes helps SCCA cover the rising costs, which have increased by 25 percent since our first visit to
VIR in 2019.