Now in its fourth year, GT-3 Challenge presented by MPI is primed for even more growth.
In 2019, the year Mazda RX-7 racer Jeff Dernehl won the SCCA Runoffs and GT-3 Challenge presented by MPI, participation in GT-3 Majors class racing rose 30%. Parity has been a highlight of the class, with Ford competitor Paul Young taking home the Challenge championship in 2020 just edging out Mazda RX-7 racer Michael Lewis, who claimed his 10th Runoffs championship. While Michael was unable to claim his 11th Runoffs championship in 2021 (though the favorite of many in 2022), his consistency of strong results in 2021 in the Challenge races earned Michael his first Challenge championship.
Knocking at the door have been Nissan competitors Ken Nelson and Troy Ermish, as well as Mazda RX-7 racers Stacy Wilson and Taz Harvey. Could the 2022 GT-3 Challenge Championship go to one of them, crowning a 4th different champion in as many years?
No matter who earns this year’s championship, two of the main story lines of the year are relative new-comers Blake Wilson (Mazda competitor and son to Stacy Wilson, the 2016 Runoffs champ), and Mazda driver Adam Janosek (mentored by 2X Runoffs champ Rob Warkocki – 2010 and 2013).
2022 is expected to be GT-3’s best year in recent memory, in large part to the ground swelling community effort to boost participation into one of the all-time most exciting classes featuring great rotary action and superb experience and talent behind the wheel. Racers and companies are continuing their effort to support one another. With racers supporting others with parts and even financially, to several companies showing their support with financial and product contributions.
Contingency awards for 2022 GT-3 Challenge:
The following partner bonuses are in addition to the other contingency awards provided. Those from by Mazda are found here.
Goodyear Rubber & Tire Co.:
- Offers one set of road tires per regular season event raffled at track during GT-3 Challenge dinner/BBQ, hosted by region lead. (A minimum of 10 racers must start race #1 of the event.)
- Offers one set of road tires at the SCCA Runoffs raffled at track during GT-3 Challenge dinner/BBQ, hosted by region lead. (Eligibility requirements: Must have started at least one race in two Challenge events during the regular season and start at least one on-track session at the Runoffs.)
Hoosier Racing Tires:
- Offers one set of race tires per regular season event raffled at track during GT-3 Challenge dinner/BBQ, hosted by region lead. (A minimum of 10 racers must start race #1 of the event.)
- Offers one set of race tires at the SCCA Runoffs raffled at track during GT-3 Challenge dinner/BBQ, hosted by region lead. (Eligibility requirements: Must have started at least one race in two Challenge events during the regular season and start at least one on-track session at the Runoffs.)
Mazda Motorsports:
- Offers a $100 bonus to each Mazda finisher, per race, in the top 20. (A minimum of 10 racers must start the race; award amount doubled if 12-13 racers start the race; awards increased 2.5X if 14+ racers start.)
- Offers $1,000 to overall GT-3 Challenge champion, regardless of make. (Determination for championship points: Racers accrue their top three best Challenge race finishes during the regular season along with the Runoffs points, which are multiplied by 4.)
Series Region Leads:
- Supported by Mazda, leads will pay $500 to the GT-3 racer with the furthest tow. (To be split between top 2 if tow distance is within 25 miles; leads to use: zip-codes.com/distance_calculator.asp; no minimum car count required.)
- Host a dinner/BBQ at each event (no minimum car count required)
AiM Sports:
- Offers $250 gift cards via raffle during dinner/BBQ. (One card per event; a minimum of 10 racers must start race #1 of the event.)
- Offers one $500 gift card via raffle during dinner/BBQ at the SCCA Runoffs. (Eligibility requirements: Must have started at least one race in two Challenge events during the regular season and start at least one on-track session at the Runoffs.)
MPI:
- Series trophies to the top three championship finishers. (Determination for championship points: Racers accrue their top three best Challenge race finishes during the regular season along with the Runoffs points, which are multiplied by 4.)
Region Leads:
- Buttonwillow = Chuck McKinney
- Portland = Joe Harlon (checking into any track restrictions)
- VIR = Team Wilson (Stacy and Blake)
- Mid-Ohio = 2nd Shift Motorsports (Rob Warkocki and Adam Janosek)
GT-3 Challenge Race Schedule:
February 18-20: Buttonwillow Raceway Park; Buttonwillow, California
(Cal Club Region – Western Conference)
April 8-10: VIRginia International Raceway; Alton, VA
(North Carolina Region – DUAL Southeast/Northeast Conferences)
May 14-15: Portland International Raceway; Portland, OR
(Oregon Region – Western Conference)
June 11-12: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course; Ohio Valley Region; Lexington, OH
(Milwaukee Region – Northern Conference)