Compiled by SEMA Editors
 Oklahoma is one of a handful of states that has fully reopened race tracks to the public. |
Oklahoma Among States Allowing 100% Fan Capacity
Although some race tracks have axed their 2020 plans due to coronavirus—noting that events without fans are not financially feasible—several facilities report healthy car counts and scores of spectators, thanks in part to state guidelines that support socially distanced activities. One of those is Oklahoma, which fully reopened race tracks, alongside movie theaters, bowling alleys, outdoor concerts, sporting events and rodeos, as part of its latest mandates issued on May 30. Social distance guidelines are at the discretion of the business owner or local officials, along with sanitation and disinfection, although considerations are mentioned. No fan capacity limits are enforced.
Of nearly 20 currently active Oklahoma-based facilities, all but one are hosting events in August, with most websites mentioning social distancing, face coverings and handwashing precautions. One of those tracks is Port City Raceway in Tulsa, which hosted its “Quarantine Make Up” points race, Saturday, August 15, a replacement for one of six events lost when gates were shuttered mid-March through mid-May. The remainder of its calendar includes six events, highlighted by the 21st Annual Pete Frazier Memorial, September 4-5, and the RUJO Rumble, October 2-3.
Oklahoma’s guidelines are similar to three other states’ in that they do not cap spectator attendance, according to language from the latest executive orders that affect racing found on PRI’s state-by-state race track reopening directory. Georgia, North Dakota and South Dakota also allow motorsports facilities to operate at 100% capacity.
 The Speed Demon 715 has made history by clocking 470.016 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats. |
Speed Demon Streamliner Breaks Land-Speed Record
The Speed Demon 715—the piston-powered land-speed streamliner—has made history by clocking 470.016 mph at Bonneville Salt Flats. The effort marks a record as the top piston-powered land-speed run to date. The streamliner, powered by a twin-turbocharged 555-cubic-inch Chevy, was piloted by George Poteet. The recent effort surpassed the previous record of 448.75 mph, secured in 2018 by Danny Thompson, the son of off-road racing and land-speed racing legend Mickey Thompson. Poteet and his crew previously clocked a five-mile speed of 469.298 mph last week, setting the stage for the record run. Figures are taken from two-run averages.
MOPAR Express Lane NHRA Nationals Canceled Due to Pandemic
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NHRA and Maple Grove Raceway have made the decision to cancel the 2020 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil. NHRA is optimistic that the remainder of the 2020 schedule will proceed as planned. The next event is the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA U.S. Nationals, September 3–6, at historic Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis. NHRA and Maple Grove Raceway have asked all ticket holders for the 2020 Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals, September 11–13, to reach out to the Maple Grove Raceway office by email at bwitmer@maplegroveraceway.com or by phone at 610-856-9200. For more information about the NHRA schedule and the COVID-19 protocols, visit www.NHRA.com.
 The Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Tour has added four additional Championship Tour events to the 2020 calendar. |
SCCA Solo National Tour Schedules New Events
The Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Tour has added four additional Championship Tour events to the 2020 calendar in an attempt to bring some autocross competition back to the world, despite the challenges offered during this calendar year.
The events currently planned for the remainder of 2020 are:
- September 4-6: Champ Tour in Bristol, Tennessee at Bristol Motor Speedway (registration opens August 19)
- September 18-20: Champ Tour in Maumee, Ohio at Toledo Express Airport (registration opens August 26)
- October 16-18: Champ Tour in Hitchcock, Texas at Grandsport Speedway (registration opens September 9)
- December 4-6: Champ Tour in Cecil, Georgia at South Georgia Motorsports Park (SGMP) (registration opens October 30)
These events have an entry cap of 200 participants. Each of these events have been scheduled with the understanding and expectation that National, state and local COVID-19 restrictions will not change. Entrants should keep an eye on SCCA.com for any changes to schedules or entry caps as events near. More information will be announced soon.
 The Sand Sports Super Show is rescheduled for October 17-18, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona. |
Sand Sports Super Show Relocated to Scottsdale
The Sand Sports Super Show presented by Nitto will have a new date and location this year for the annual show. Originally scheduled for September 18-20, at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, California, the Sand Sports Super Show will be moved to October 17-18, 2020, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Arizona. The show will be run concurrently and share the venue with the Off-Road Expo. Individual Spectator tickets to the originally scheduled Sand Sports Super Show that were purchased online will be refunded automatically within 30 days. For more information and to purchase tickets online for the reimagined event in Scottsdale, visit offroadexpo.com.
Formula DRIFT To Resume Schedule, September 4–6
Formula DRIFT has revised its 2020 PRO and PRO2 Championship schedule, which features several rounds at four tracks, and resumes September 4–6, at World Wide Technology Raceway in St. Louis, Illinois. The series will then visit Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, September 25-27, followed by a visit to Texas Motor Speedway, October 16–18. Formula DRIFT will conclude its PRO and PRO 2 Championships at Irwindale Speedway, November 20–22.
 The Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo at the Fairplex in Pomona has been postponed until 2021. |
Off-Road Expo in Pomona Postponed to 2021
As a result of continued concerns over COVID-19, along with county and state restrictions in place in the state of California, Bonnier Events has made the difficult decision to postpone the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo powered by General Tire, scheduled for October 3-4 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, to 2021. Exhibitors that have already booked a booth for the Off-Road Expo in Pomona can transfer booth space to Off-Road Expo Arizona, at WestWorld of Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona, October 17–18. Individual spectator tickets to the Off-Road Expo in Pomona that were purchased online will be refunded automatically within 30 days.
For more racing news, visit Performance Racing Industry’s (PRI) website.