senor honda

Congratulations to Amy Clark on winning $100 with one of her pictures in a photo contest.

Some of Amy's car pictures have appeared on Tampa Racing under event coverage:
Event Coverage

senor honda

Hot Import Nights was at the Tampa Convention Center on Saturday November 19th, 2016.
Tampa Racing Congratulates Miss Hot Import Nights Tampa, Samantha Mathias!

Hundreds of car enthusiasts saved money on discounted spectator admissions as well as saving
on car show entry fees by using the promo code as posted on Tampa Racing.

senor honda

Congratulations to Tampa Racing member Herblenny on getting
his RX7 into a magazine article.



Here is the entire build thread:
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/members-rides/766015-project-last-rx-7-herblenny.html

Here's the magazine article:
If you fancy a read... Here is the link to the PasMag feature: PASMAG | PERFORMANCE AUTO AND SOUND - Rotary Frankenstein: Phil Sohn's 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD3S

senor honda

Congratulations to Nico Rosberg becoming 2016 F1 World Champion
and immediately retiring.

The story: https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/a...-retiring.html


BUXTON: Hello, Goodbye

Tuesday, 06 December 2016


Will Buxton / Images by LAT

We'd joked about it, of course. When he held a 43-point lead in the early championship standings it looked clear that 2016 would be Nico Rosberg's best chance at winning the championship. If he didn't take the trophy he'd be finished. And if he did, he'd probably do best to retire.
But nobody, and I mean nobody, ever saw this coming.
There are few who could blame him for taking the decision he has. It takes a big man to take stock of his life at such a comparatively young age and to decide that he had achieved all he wanted to in the field to which he had dedicated himself since he was barely out of diapers. How many of us, were we in his position, with his bank balance, a wife and a baby, wouldn't love to have walked off into the sunset?
But from a sporting perspective, there's a dilemma. Perhaps it's our problem. That we don't see elite sportsmen and women as normal people like the rest of us. Their competitive desires run deeper, their dedication sets them apart. Their want and their need to fight is what makes them special, and it is that which made us put them on a pedestal in the first place. And so when we see that they're just regular folk, we feel a tinge of disappointment.
Rosberg's announcement filled me with such a quandary. Because while on the one hand I could completely understand his want and his need to stop the travel, end the separation and cease the single-minded focus that comes with racing around in circles, on the other hand, as a fan of his and of the sport, I'd hoped so much he'd hang around.

He had finally beaten Lewis Hamilton to a championship for the first time in his life. After soundly drubbing Michael Schumacher for three years as teammates, Nico Rosberg could hold his head up as having taken on and defeated two of the finest drivers this sport has ever seen. Freed from the constraints and the pressures that winning a first world championship places on a racer, I was so looking forward to seeing just how good he could become. I was excited to witness how Lewis Hamilton would react and redouble his efforts for 2017 and what incredible heights to which the two drivers would push each other next year and beyond.
Selfishly, I wanted more. And I'm so sad the sport won't ever get to see that.
I'm also sad because, even in victory, questions had been raised over whether Rosberg was a worthy world champion. Whether he genuinely deserved his crown. Debate had always raged over his overall racecraft and in particular his ability not only to attack but to defend. Did he ever truly have the stomach for a fight?
That he has walked away without taking on the defense of a title he had worked so hard to achieve will answer that question for some. For others, it will forever leave question marks hanging over whether he truly merits a place among the all-time greats. And that is a great shame.

It’s a great shame also for Mercedes, and in particular his side of the garage. Niki Lauda has spoken of how badly many on Nico’s team have taken the news. This was their championship too, but the man who helped them achieve it has simply taken the plaudits and walked away. Speaking to a rival team boss, he told me he’d have been devastated if his driver had picked up his trophy and quit. Having a world champion on your team is an unrivalled gift for your team and your partners. For the next 12 months, no matter what else happens, he and you are the focal point. It’s why Sir Jackie Stewart always said winning back-to-back titles was so hard. The increase in promotional responsibilities that comes with being world champion makes winning the title the next year all the harder. But you do the tour, you say the right things, smile when asked and take the photos, because you recognize your position, your good fortune and your responsibility. You pay your dues.
Mercedes, its partners, its sponsors and its staff have lost that.
They’ve also lost a damn fine driver.

senor honda

Congratulations to Cameron Das 2016 Formula 4 United States Championship

[h=2]F4 U.S.: Champion Das recognized at FIA Prize Giving Gala[/h] Tuesday, 06 December 2016


F4 U.S.
The 2016 Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda season culminated for inaugural season champion Cameron Das on Friday evening as the up-and-coming star was honored on the same stage as Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg during the FIA Prize Giving Gala at the Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna, Austria.

The year-end event celebrates the achievements of the FIA championship-winning drivers and teams from around the world.
Highlights of Das' evening were walking the red-carpet bordered by Austrian fans, meeting racing hero Rosberg and being seated next to F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and executive director of the Mercedes F1 team Paddy Lowe.
"Being around my racing heroes was surreal," said Das. "There was no longer a barrier between us, and I felt a part of the international racing community. It also made me realize just how small the world is."
Additional honorees were, F1 World Championship competitors Lewis Hamilton and Ricciardoo, four-time FIA World Rally Champion crew Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, victorious WEC Porsche LMP1 drivers Neel Jani, Romain Dumas and Marc Lieb, as well as all-conquering WTCC ace José María López, WRX champion Matthias Ekström and Formula E champion Sébastien Buemi.

senor honda

Congratulations to SCCA Hall of Famers





[h=2]SCCA: 2017 Hall of Fame class announced[/h] Monday, 05 December 2016


SCCA
Eight individuals who have made significant contributions to the Sports Car Club of America and the world of motorsports have been announced as the Club's newest Hall of Fame class, adding their names to a list of timeless superstars. Pete Brock, Dennis Dean, Larry and Linda Dent, Joe Huffaker Sr., Lyn St. James (pictured), Phil Hill and Jim Kaser comprise the latest class to join the select ranks.


As in years past, this group will be formally inducted to the Hall of Fame as part of the SCCA Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet. That event takes place Saturday, January 21 and serves as the capstone of the three-day SCCA National Convention taking place again in 2017 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Along with the accomplishments of the 67 previous inductees, these Hall of Fame members positioned the building blocks that have elevated SCCA's stature in the motorsports world for more than 70 years.
Pete Brock
At only 19 years old, Pete Brock was the youngest designer ever hired by General Motors. In November 1957, at only 21 years old, he drew the sketch which GM VP Bill Mitchell picked to become the Stingray. A native of the San Francisco Bay area, Brock also began racing with SCCA around that time.
Brock went on to work with Carroll Shelby. During his time with Shelby, he helped create the Shelby American brand logos, merchandise, ads, car liveries and more. He also designed the Shelby components of the Shelby Mustang GT350, as well as the iconic Shelby Daytona Cobra coupes that won the 1965 FIA World GT Championship.
In 1965, Brock started Brock Racing Enterprises which later became Datsun's West Coast factory race team competing in SCCA D Production races with Datsun 2000 roadsters. In 1970 and 1971, BRE took on C Production with 240Zs and earned national championships. He followed that up in 1971 and 1972 with 2.5 Trans Am national championships in Datsun 510s.
Dennis Dean
Dennis Dean began his involvement with SCCA as a tech inspector due to his interest in all things mechanical. Because of his insight as a tech inspector and his Navy training, his documentation with respect to tear down checklists and other procedures have kept many stewards out of trouble over the years.
At the Regional level, Dean provided Washington DC Region a wonderful set of standards that are still being used today. He later joined the SCCA stewards program where his unparalleled technical excellence served him and the Club well. But beyond that, Dean exemplified all the personal attributes that have been stressed to SCCA stewards.
After many years as an outstanding SCCA volunteer, he took on a new challenge in 1996 when he joined the SCCA staff as Vice President of Club Racing and Rally/Solo. And after his stint with the national office, Dean found time to further expand his impact with ever increasing involvement in the Runoffs, providing guidance and leadership to the Hall of Fame project, and serving on the SCCA Foundation Board. In each of these areas his impact has been felt both now and into the future.
Larry and Linda Dent
SCCA members Larry and Linda Dent designed the SCCA Safety Steward program, a vital initiative that has improved motorsports safety as a whole.
Since 1967, Larry has been an SCCA Chief Steward. He also served the SCCA for nine years as a member of the Board of Directors. He was a member of the Executive Committee, serving as liaison to the Competition Board. He also helped as Chairman of the Board of the SCCA Foundation, serving three years in that capacity during which time he significantly improved the Foundation's financial standing. And while Larry is the one that held the "official" titles, make no mistake that he and Linda worked as a team over the years to advance the Club.
In 2008, Larry received the Woolf Barnardo award, the top award for service to the Sports Car Club of America.


Phil Hill (pictured)
The only American-born racer to ever win the World Drivers' Championship, Phil Hill was one of the first dozen members of the California Sports Car Club. He began his storied career wrenching on others' cars and went on to compete in major SCCA races. He piloted assorted Alfa Romeos, OSCA's and various Ferrari's for wealthy car owners, and quickly gained a reputation as the man to beat in West Coast racing.
In 1955, Hill was the SCCA Champion in D Modified, driving a Ferrari to wins in 8 of 14 races, including the inaugural event at Road America. He began racing outside the U.S. that same year which later landed him a drive with Ferrari in Formula One. But beyond Formula One, Hill exhibited a great deal of prowess as an endurance driver. He was an overall winner at Le Mans and Sebring three times, and became Sports Illustrated's 1959 Sports Car Driver of the Year.
Joe Huffaker, Sr.
For more than 30 years, Joe Huffaker Sr. was one of the most successful racecar constructors. In 1954, he was contracted to build an Austin-Healey Special. The car, known as the Huffaker-Healey, was a common site in the late 1950s on race tracks in Northern California. In 1959, Huffaker joined British Motor Cars in San Francisco to open a competition department. Known as BMC Competition Department, this effort spawned a very successful string of cars including the BMC Formula Juniors and Genie Sports Racers. During this era, BMC Competition Department became one of the largest racecar manufacturers in the United States.
From 1964 to 1966, Huffaker's attention was turned toward Indianapolis 500 competition. He helped build the famous MG Liquid Suspension Specials, for which he received an engineering award for design and development. Huffaker also helped develop safety technology in the form of the deformable fuel cell.
Not forsaking SCCA racing, BMC Competition continued to build dominate production racecars such as MGBs and Jaguar XKEs. But in 1967, Huffaker left BMC and formed Huffaker Engineering where preparation of winning cars continued. These included SCCA championship winning MG Midgets, MGBs, Triumphs and Jensen-Healeys. In the 1980s, Huffaker Engineering built Pontiac cars for the Trans Am and IMSA series.

Lyn St. James
Lyn St. James started in Florida as a racer in Showroom Stock classes, and was the 1976 and 1977 Florida regional champion. A two-time class winner at Daytona, a class winner at Sebring, and a class winner at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, she has also competed at Le Mans and was a 1988 record speed holder of 212.577 at Talladega in a Ford Thunderbird. James entered 53 SCCA Trans Am races and was a top-five finisher seven times. She also entered 62 IMSA GT races, and was a top-five finisher 17 times. She is the only woman to win an IMSA GT race driving solo, when she won in 1988 at Watkins Glen.
The Indy 500 Rookie of the Year in 1992, James went on to form the Women in the Winner's Circle organization dedicated to the advancement and promotion of women in the motorsports industry. Outside of racing, she was also the President of the Women's Sports Foundation during the early 1990s.
Jim Kaser
The original head of SCCA Pro Racing, James E. "Jim" Kaser oversaw the first SCCA professional racing series, the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC). The success of USRRC led Kaser to organize a series initially involving two Canadian races, thus giving birth in 1966 to the Canadian American Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the Can-Am series. Soon after, Kaser's Pro Racing department introduced America's longest running road racing series, the Trans-American Sedan Championship, later known as Trans Am.
It was Kaser's success with these series that resulted in the most significant change ever to the Sports Car Club of America. The organization turned from being an amateur's club to a professional, international sanctioning body and organizer.
The new class of eight inductees join the list below of 67 previously-entered SCCA Hall of Fame members:
2005: Cameron Argetsinger, A. Tracy Bird, John Fitch, Arthur Gervais, Harry Handley, Vern Jaques, Bill Milliken, Sue Roethel, Art Trier, Rob Walker
2006: John Bornholdt, John Buffum, Mark Donohue, Denise McCluggage, Grant Reynolds
2007: Marge Binks, Marc Gerstein, Carl A. Haas, General Curtis E. LeMay, Theodore F. Robertson
2008: Roger E. Johnson, Don and Ruth Nixon, Kjell Qvale, Robert Ridges, Fred Schmucker
2009: Bill Chambres, Bill Johnson, Jim Kimberly, Paul Newman, John Timanus
2010: Nick Craw, Briggs Cunningham, R. David Jones, Burdette "Berdie" Martin, Wayne Zitkus
2011: Karen Babb, John Bishop, Jim Fitzgerald, Tracer Racing, Harro Zitza
2012: Charlie Earwood, Jim Hall, Gene Henderson, Dr. Peter Talbot, Bryan Webb
2013: Skip Barber, Bill Noble, Bobby Rahal, Carroll Shelby, Andy Porterfield
2014: Kathy Barnes, Robert "Bob" Bondurant, Dan Gurney, Dr. Robert "Bob" Hubbard and Jim Downing, Pete Hylton
2015: Roger H. Johnson, Oscar Koveleski, Ron Sharp, Dr. George Snively, Bob Tullius
2016: Hubert Brundage, Bob Henderson, Roger Penske, Randy Pobst, Alec Ulman
The SCCA National Hall of Fame was created in 2004 to preserve, protect and record the history and accomplishments of the Club by acknowledging those members who have made a significant impact on the development of SCCA, be it through service to the national organization, achievements in national competition, bringing national recognition to SCCA, or a combination of these factors. Nominations were submitted to, and reviewed by, the Hall of Fame Nomination and Selection Committees before the inductees were selected.

senor honda

Congratulations to Florida Racer Randy Pobst.
The last time I saw Randy was at the Florida State Autocross Championships where he ran
a "slightly" (1800 CC's) bigger engine in his VW than the class limit of 1600 cc's.
Still glad to see that you became a professional racer, a journalist and made it into the SCCA hall of fame.



Penske, Pobst among 2016 additions to the SCCA Hall of Fame

Five individuals who made indelible marks on the Sports Car Club of America and the world of motorsports were announced as the Club's newest Hall of Fame class today, adding their names to a list of eternal superstars. Hubert Brundage, Bob Henderson, Roger Penske, Randy Pobst and Alec Ulmann comprise the latest class to join the elite ranks. As in years past, this group will be formally inducted to the Hall of Fame as part of the SCCA Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet, Jan. 23. That event will serve as the capstone of the three-day SCCA Convention taking place at the South Point Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas.

Along with the accomplishments of the 62 previous inductees, these Hall of Fame members laid the building blocks that have elevated SCCA's stature in the motorsports world for more than 70 years.

Brundage is credited with the creation of Club Racing's Formula Vee race class and the famous Brumos Racing brand. The class came to be as a distant result of a 12th-place finish in the 1952 12-hour endurance race at Sebring International Raceway. Hubert envisioned a single-seat, open-wheeled racecar using a standard VW engine, transmission, brakes, wheels and suspension that would allow a low cost entry into the world of formula car racing. By 1964, the Formula Vee class was recognized by the SCCA and a year later there would be more than 1,500 cars in competition around the world.

Brundage also became a distributor for Porsche in 1959 and started his company, Brumos. His racing team went on to become one of the most storied organizations in professional sports car endurance racing. Brundage died Nov. 9, 1964 as a result injuries from a motorcycle accident.

Henderson is a long-time Club Racing driver, Steward and Club leader. His most significant contribution to the Club was the creation of the Showroom Stock category of Club Racing classes during 1972. The class, and its derivations running today, became the starting place for many racers in that day. Even Henderson's fellow inductee, Pobst, began his storied fender-to-fender racing career in the Showroom Stock classes during the 1980s. Though hard to imagine today, the idea of a "stock" racing class was controversial at its beginning.
************************************************** ***************
The Penske name is synonymous with motorsports around the world. Before becoming one of the most successful businessmen and team owners anywhere in motorsports, Penske started his racing career as a driver. Between 1960 and 1965, Penske claimed three National Championships – before the Runoffs era – and three President's Cup awards. He also earned accolades outside the Club after being named the Sports Illustrated 'Driver of the Year.'

The Penske racing story is here:
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/v...ml#post9384291

After leaving the driver's seat in 1965, Penske's focus rested on his business interests and his startup racing team. The team consisting of Penske and fellow SCCA Hall of Famer Mark Donohue would go on to win in SCCA Trans-Am and Can-Am, and the Indianapolis 500. That history included a foray into Formula One. The team has captured championships in IndyCars and sports cars, stood in victory lane at the Daytona 500 and 14 times following the Indianapolis 500, won in Formula One and remain regular contenders for championships in the top forms of racing in the United States, today.

Pobst is often revered as the ultimate example of what is possible within SCCA. Starting as an autocrosser during his college days, Pobst honed his skills and took home six Tire Rack Solo National Championship titles during the 1980s. Pobst moved to SCCA Club Racing capturing two SCCA Runoffs titles and finishing second three more times. After moving to the professional ranks, Pobst has scored four SCCA Pro Racing-sanctioned Pirelli World Challenge championships and won more than 90 pro races.

While Pobst is still an active driver, he has spent the last handful of years developing into a respected automotive journalist. SportsCar magazine and Autoweek are two examples of the publications for which Pobst works. His behind-the-wheel feel, and ability to communicate those sensations, speak to both the auto enthusiast and novice.

Ulmann was a Russian immigrant whose family was forced out of the country following the Bolshevik revolution. After graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Master's in Aeronautical Engineering, in 1928, Ulmann held several technical positions with firms like Goodyear, Dewy Almy Chemical and Aviquipo. He later went on to start his own company.

In June of 1944, four months after the official formation of the Club, Ulmann joined. He went on to win the SCCA's first road race in 1947 and was the first chairman of the SCCA Activities Board. Ulmann also won the first Tom McKean award and served as chief steward for initial events at Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton, Floyd Bennett and Westhampton. Ulmann was also responsible for bringing endurance sports car racing to Sebring, Florida, the first post-World War Two international race in the United States.

senor honda

Congratulations to FIA's Outstanding Official Award Floridian Adrian Fawdington



[h=2]SCCA member wins FIA’s Outstanding Official award[/h]
Adrian Fawdington, of England by way of Davenport, Fla., was awarded the FIA's Outstanding Official of the Year Award for 2015. Aside from that, he is also an SCCA member who has worked numerous races in and around the Central Florida Region.

Fawdington said he has been involved in motorsports for more than 45 years. His history with SCCA goes back to 2004 and he currently holds a national flagging and communications license. As a result, Fawdington can often be seen as a corner captain at professional and amateur racing events in the United States.
Like many involved in the sport, Fawdington was exposed to motorsports at a young age by his parents. His family would ride their bicycles to the local track – Mallory Park in Leicestershire – to see the local club racers take to the track. Even through a period when Fawdington lost his eyesight, he went to the track to hear the cars.
Spending the winter months in the warmer temperatures of Florida, Fawdington has a history of working several events at Sebring International Raceway, through SCCA. When in England, Fawdington spends his time as an event organizer and trainer for the Motor Sports Association – the governing body of motorsports in Great Britain recognized by the FIA.
When comparing the events he works in the States and those in Europe, especially the amateur ones, Fawdington said there are some noticeable differences.
"Here in the United States I work many Florida events, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring," Fawdington said. "But, I also work out of state club events in Georgia and Alabama. What I love about the American events is the all-inclusive atmosphere and clean, respectful racing with little judicial compliance. American club-level motorsport is very much a minority category, versus in the UK it's much more mainstream. I think NASCAR oval racing has contributed to this perception."
Additionally, Fawdington said he enjoys working at races with SCCA and MSA, back in the United Kingdom. The differences are surprisingly small and easy to overcome.
"I love working both type of events and it's very easy adjusting," Fawdington said. "The flags are very similar, with local interpretations. Views on personal safety are similar, costs are helped a little here, is the U.S., where as in UK they are not."
Fawdington also said he likes the red flag rules in the SCCA which bring all cars to a stop on track as soon as possible, and in a safe manner. He also pointed out the shared camaraderie and respect between competitors and workers at the corner stations. From a big-picture standpoint, Fawdington also said he applauds the amount of training and assessment that hopeful driver must go through before getting their license to race. As a result, he said the level of driver discipline and respect for the rules and regulations regarding the event is very high. In the end he said what's left if good, clean racing.
As a long-time member of the motorsports community, Fawdington has some important views on what makes the sport so interesting. He also discusses some of the drawbacks that he's run into over the years.
"To me motorsport is thrilling, dynamic, dangerous to a degree, exciting, demanding and ever changing," Fawdington said. "It is a highly-charged, state-of-the-art sport full of thrills and excitement surrounded by great like-minded people.
"What I don't like is the occasional disregard for workers/marshals demonstrated by competitors, or very serious incidents to drivers.
"Without doubt in my 50 years in the sport, everything has changed for the better. Circuit design is a huge improvement as safety features are always changing for both car and driver. The end result is a huge difference to safety and reduced injury rate.
"Training of marshals and officials has gone from zero to hero, substantially improving personal care and incident response. The sport is still demanding, highly competitive, spectacular and substantially better managed and controlled. It is in great shape, as safe as ever, but still exciting and dynamic. Bring it on and give me more."
With his recent accolades and long history in the sport, Fawdington has no plans to slow down, or step away from the racetrack anytime soon.
"I see my time in motorsport staying with my till my dying day," Fawdington said. "It's in my blood and it's a bug for which there is no cure, thankfully. I have so much to enjoy and a huge amount to contribute with so much knowledge. The passion only dies when you depart planet earth."

senor honda

[h=2]Silent auction to benefit Wilson Children's Fund raises almost $10K[/h]With the invaluable help and donation of time and effort from Paul Zimmermann at The Motorsport Collector and the staff at Sonoma Raceway, the eight 16x20 prints being auctioned to benefit the Wilson Children's Fund were successfully sold. A bid for a ninth print was also accepted by the parents of one young Verizon IndyCar Series driver, and altogether, $9,808 was raised.


Payments for the nine prints (seen in full, below) were made directly to the Wilson Children's Fund. The charity site, which was created to provide enduring support for the daughters of the late racecar driver Justin Wilson, also received numerous donations from those simply wanting to support the Briton's family during the holidays.

Signed by all 22 drivers who completed the 2016 IndyCar season finale at Sonoma Raceway, along with additional autographs from legends Mario Andretti, Roger Penske, Rick Mears and Dario Franchitti, the generous outcome of the first holiday-themed photo auction on behalf of the WCF has ensured it will return in 2017.
Although the first auction print centered on open-wheel racing, the next auction will add a second, separate sports car print signed by contemporary and legendary drivers in honor of Wilson's passion for both forms of the sport.
If you'd like to donate to the Wilson Children's Fund, click here.

senor honda

[h=2]Stock Car racers donate $750,00 to fire relief effort[/h]