Calling all Spec Miata Road Course Racers with a flair for the dramatic!
On Friday, May 25, Memphis Motorsports Park will host a first-of-its-kind event for the area – our very own Dixie Australian Pursuit.
This road race creation is the brainchild of Memphis Motorsports Park, Jim Daniels, & Roger Johnson. It pits two competitors racing side by side from Grant’s Tomb to just past the “M”s on the championship road course in a bracket elimination format.
As part of the open track day this month, this event is open to any SCCA Spec Miata with road race tires, and any ITA SCCA racer with road race tires (exhibition only, no purse).
Entry fee is $20 per car, with a purse of $20 for each bracket victory, up to $300 for first in the winner’s bracket.
All contestants must participate in at least half of the track day ($90) and pay the $20 entry fee for the race. Registration for the Australian Pursuit is from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the 3:40 p.m. event. No pre registration for this event.
The regular track day ends at 3:20 p.m., which will allow all groups to have a minimum of 4 and up to 5 sessions on the track. And anyone registering between 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. will still get at least one practice session for their $90.
Thanks for posting this Jim. We have made progress working with the MMP. Significant repairs have been made to the carousel and other troublesome areas since the last SCCA race. If anyone has questions about this race, send them on. It should be fun. I am looking forward to seeing you all here on May 25th.
Region: MidSouth
Car #: 35
Year : 1990 Posts: 4
Status: Offline
posted
I see where there have been 214 hits on this announcement. How many of you guys are interested in this format and how many are going to participate? Jim Daniels will be on vacation but is looking forward to the next one.
Region: OVR
Car #: 08
Year : 95 Posts: 644
Status: Offline
posted
Indy Region SCCA had one of these a couple weeks ago at IRP (ok ORP). While the concept sounded great there was not alot of attendance within the race itself. In fact the only Miata was an ITA car and the race was billed as a SM vs. SRF battle that fizzled out. The track may have had something to do with it. The Miata did hold its own as he was first out and led most of the race before being caught by an ITS BMW and then the eventual winner an ITS Triumph TR8. The faster cars never came close. If I was closer I would try it. New concepts keep racing fresh.
Region: MidSouth
Car #: 35
Year : 1990 Posts: 4
Status: Offline
posted
Yes other classes are a problem. We have not figured out how to properly handicap other classes so for now it will be only for Spec Miatas. I just heard today that a car from california will be competing. We would like to see at least 10 local Spec Miatas. The event will be closed to any other class. We will have an exhibition ITA race that pays only $20 for each win. But it would be nice to hear how many are actually going to be here.
We did Australian Pursuits at MAR and SIR years ago, but they were different than this. Maybe that is the Dixie part. I looked at the link but didn't see specifics.
So, am I correct that this is to be a two car, standing start, wheel to wheel dash to a finish line just beyond the M's? How are the two cars picked to race against each other? Qualifying? Sandbagging? Luck of the draw for inside/outside? Stay in your lane? Any penalty for contact? And it appears you are allowing "road race tires", meaning anything goes, from Hoosiers to slicks?
For conversation, the pursuits I had participated in years ago were 50 laps, took any cars/classes, used qualifying times (reviewed for sandbagging concerns), and calculated when each car would have to start, to end with every car finishing at exactly the same time, IF they all ran every lap at their qualifying pace. Included was a 5 min. mandatory pit stop. Each car started from the pit lane at their designated time. Slowest cars first and a GT1 might start 15 minutes later. I enjoyed these, and they drew 50 entries or so, running with a regular Regional race schedule, kind of like the IT Tour races. With SM cars, it would be interesting to see how they could work together to maintain consistant laps until the end rather than duking it out and hurting their overall finish.
Region: MidSouth
Car #: 35
Year : 1990 Posts: 4
Status: Offline
posted
The track must have loaded the wrong pages in their "More Information" section. Here is the scoop. Dixie Australian Pursuit
What: The Dixie Australian Pursuit is a road race where two competitors race side by side from the Grant’s Tomb to just past the “M”s on the road course. Where: Memphis Motorsports Park When: May 25 at 3:40 PM during the open track day Who: any SCCA Spec Miata with road race tires Any ITA SCCA racer with road race tires (exhibition only, no purse) Cost: $20 per car entered Purse: $20 for each bracket victory $50 for second in loser’s bracket $100 for second in winner’s bracket $150 for first in loser’s bracket $300 for first in winner’s bracket
Format: Contestants enter the race at the gate when they register for the track day. All contestants must participate in at least ½ of the track day ($90) and pay the $20 entry fee for the race. (Registration closes at 2:00 PM. The regular track day ends at 3:20 PM. This will allow all groups to have 5 sessions on the track and anyone registering before 2:00 PM will still get at least one practice session for their $90.)
The race begins at a point near Grant’s Tomb on the drag strip. The starting point is clearly marked with cones or some other device. Two cars approach the starting line at no more than 15 mph. It is the responsibility of the car on the right to maintain this speed. It is the responsibility of both drivers to cross the start line together. If one contestant or the other substantially speeds up before the start line, he will be disqualified. After the start the race continues to a point just past the “M”s and racing must stop immediately after crossing the finish line. With the exception of the first qualifying round, the loser of any round in any bracket is done for the day and returns to the paddock. The winner proceeds around to the start line for another round of racing. Two main brackets are formed after the qualifying round. The losers of the qualifying round will race for a $100 prize and the winners will race for a $300 prize. Racing will continue in these brackets until only two competitors remain in each main bracket. The winner of the loser’s bracket gets $100 and the loser gets $50. The winner of the winner’s bracket gets $300 and the loser gets $150. At this point, the winner of the loser’s bracket gets the opportunity to challenge the winner of the winner’s bracket. If winner of the loser’s bracket chooses to challenge, he forfeits his $100 prize. If the winner of the loser’s bracket wins this challenge race, he is awarded $300 and the loser gets $100. If the winner of the winner’s bracket wins this challenge race, however, he is awarded $400 and the loser gets nothing. • Contestants draw for the first round of competition in groups of two. • The winner of the qualifying runoff goes to the winner’s bracket and the loser goes to the loser’s bracket. • The winner’s and loser’s brackets are then formed in pairs in the order that they ran in the first round. • Each winner in any bracket in any round wins $20. • Runoffs continue in rounds for each bracket with the loser’s bracket going first followed by the winner’s bracket. • Any time contestant loses after the qualifying round they are eliminated for the day. • Any unbalance in the ladder of a bracket may result in a bye for a contestant. • Any contestant who jumps the start will be disqualified for the day. • Any contestant who forces or otherwise causes a competitor to leave the racing surface will be disqualified. • Any car to car contact between contestants during the race will result in disqualification of one or both contestants unless one competitor declares the contact a racing incident and absolves the other one. • Track official’s decisions are final with no disputes.
Region: MidSouth
Car #: 35
Year : 1990 Posts: 4
Status: Offline
posted
The Dixie Aus. Pursuit was crazy! For our first time out we were short on cars but not excitement. Jim Drago, Mac Spikes, Ronnie Randall, Pat Sandlin, and Mike Hoover took to the track. Although we allowed a Spec Miata/ITA mix, the competition was tight with cars going into turn 1 side by side on most runs. Guys drove deeper than they had in the past and things got exciting - wheels in the dirt and nobody lifting. In the end it couldn't have been more crazy when Jim Drago cut the first corner of the M's in the grass. Mac Spikes saw him and not to be outdone he cut the second corner. both finished in the grass with Mac taking the win. While those antics normally would not be allowed, in this case a winner take all challenge had been taken so the track allowed the win. Both drivers said it was well worth it. All who participated would like to go at it again. We are planing more races this year after we work out a few potential problems. But it was a great time and we look forward to seeing more of you guys here in Memphis next time. Good track time and lots of fun!
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