2019 SCCA Runoffs at VIR

Ron Reefman · Oct 23, 2019

I know there are a few car buffs and racing fans here. This is for you.

I just did a week long photo shoot at the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Runoffs at VIR (Virginia International Raceway. Three days of qualifying and three days of 15 lap races (or 40 minute time limit) for 26 different classes of cars. From 600cc glorified go-karts to real Trans-Am race cars and most everything in between.

Here are some of the 4000 photos I took. And if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to post them here.

This is the start of the Spec Racer Ford race coming out of Turn 1 and down the esses. There were 50+ identical cars in this race.

Mazda Miatas appear in about 6 or 7 of the 26 classes. This is F Production and 1/3rd of the field were Miata.

This the GT1 class for the fastest 'normal' looking cars. They are tube frame race cars with 'silhouette' bodies made of fiberglass or carbon fiber. Down the back straight these cars can do 160 mph! And yes, this is a Mustang passing a Cadillac! And notice the grass in the air intake of the following Mustang... not a good thing. He's been off track somewhere and is serious danger of overheating.

These guys race rain or shine (as long as there isn't any lightning in the area). This is the 17 year old son of a friend of mine. He finished 4th and his dad finished 10th. The class is called Formula F which used to be called Formula Ford as all the cars used Ford motors. But they now allow other manufactures into the class and this car has Honda power.

This class is Touring 4 which are MUCH closer to being like what we drive on the street. In fact some of the competitors do keep these cars street legal. I like this photo because I drive a Toyota 86 (on the left) and mine is the color of the Subaru BRZ (right). These cars are often referred to as the 'twins' since Subaru makes the chassis and drive train and Toyota makes the body and interior. BTW, these guys are dicing it up over 1st and 2nd place.

Eagle_Steve · Oct 23, 2019

Awesome pics.

I miss doing SCCA and NASA events. Once the kids graduate, I am definitely getting back into it.

C. Eymann · Oct 23, 2019

Great pics Ron! How often do you travel to do shoots? have you ever covered rally cross at all?
it's crazy how popular miatas are in the racing world, they're always the answer!
I used to do some solo AutoX at the kaufmann stadium and did a few track days in heartland park in my old built STi, tires aren't cheap though!
I was nowhere near skilled enough to be competitive, but it was a lot of fun.

I have a friend who has been trying to get me to do an event they do every few months at Sebring but I dont have that little STi anymore and I don't really want to thrash my current car on a track because parts availability in the US is becoming an issue and little fender benders are causing these SS sedans to get totaled out.
too scared I'd wreck it lol

Waters · Oct 23, 2019

Very cool....love that white mustang :D

Ron Reefman · Oct 24, 2019

Thanks guys. I ran in SCCA road races for nearly 20 years. And at 70 years old I still do auto-x in my street Toyota 86 (new version of the Scion FRS). I've been taking photos since I was 18 and got a Polaroid Swinger camera as a high school graduation present! I did a lot of photography for the Ohio Valley Region of the SCCA when I lived there. Currently I'm the editor of the SW Florida Miata Club online magazine called Wheels in Motion and that keeps me taking photos. Getting a photographer pass for this event was a nice benefit and did get me a couple of spots I couldn't have gone as a spectator, like up in the Start Tower where that first Spec Racer photo was shot from.

Here are some more of my favorites:

I just love the overall look of this shot. It's hard to get a crisp image of a car at speed with a slow shutter. And I love the new Acura NSX anyway!