VIR Super Tour Preview

The first SCCA Northeast Conference race and Northeast/Southeast combined event attracts big fields and outstanding racers

One of the biggest Hoosier Racing Tire SCCA Super Tour takes place this weekend at the scenic and challenging VIRginia International Raceway. Not only is it a combined event bringing together the Southeast Conference – where championship battles are beginning to form up – and the Northeast Conference, it is also the first Majors event for the Northeast. Already, the event has attracted more than 300 entries, including 48 in Spec Miata alone.

Mazda Motorsports will once again be on hand with its full support, as has been the case in Southeast Conference races this season, including the parts truck and a barbecue lunch on Saturday. In addition, Mazda Motorsports is offering something special: the opportunity to get coaching from Tom Long. A Mazda factory driver for many years, Long hails from North Carolina and is quite familiar with the nuances of VIR.

“The complimentary one-on-one coaching Mazda is offering their drivers at the VIR Super Tour is something Mazda has offered in the past at several Runoffs, including Indianapolis last year,” says Long. “It is really beneficial for the drivers as we can review video and/or data after their session, while also discussing potential setup changes beyond just driving tips. It’s something both they and I enjoy, getting to meet new faces and see old friends. You can book your timeslot in advance with Josh Smith at Mazda Motorsports.”

With a stellar field of drivers slated for several classes, a little coaching won’t be a bad thing. Spec Miata is attracting some of the best from the East, plus a few good shoes from farther afield such as Texan Chris Haldeman, fresh off a double win at the Hallett Super Tour. Haldeman’s biggest challenge will likely come from Tyler Kicera, who won both races at VIR last year. Add in Michael Carter, Nick Leverone, Dillon Machavern, Elivan Goulart, Jim Drago, Preston Pardus and Danny Steyn, and it’s a deep field of talented Spec Miata contenders.

Leverone won both STL races last year at VIR and set a new lap record, but this year’s STL field is stacked, boasting 19 early entries. Leverone is bringing Flatout teammates Craig and Hugh McHaffie in NC MX-5s and Amy Mills in an NB. An interesting newcomer is New Yorker Moisey Uretsky, bringing a 2010 NC that he introduced at the end of last year. Uretsky is also racing a MX-5 Cup car in Pirelli World Challenge this season.

Michael Kamalian had two victories in GT-Lite at VIR in 2017, but that car is now in the hands of Taz Harvey out West. This year, Kamalian will be looking for success in his F Production Miata. In GT-3, Jeff Dernehl and Stacy Wilson will put on a good show in two generations of RX-7.

Spencer Brockman scored a single victory in Formula Atlantic in 2017 at VIR, so he’ll be looking to double that in his first outing of the year – he’ll undoubtedly have some stiff competition from Alexander Lee, however. VIR will also mark the first appearance of a Formula Enterprises 2 entry with the Mazda new engine, and Rhett Barkau earns the distinction of bringing the first one to a Majors race. 

You can follow the action from the VIR Hoosier Racing Tire Super Tour at scca.com/live, and look for a report next week on MazdaMotorsports.com.