Draft:Track Night in America

SCCA Track Night in America
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) introduced its Track Night in America Driven by Tire Rack (TNiA) program in 2015 as a means of offering U.S. enthusiasts a way to drive on road racing circuits during weekdays in their street vehicles. [citation: https://racer.com/2015/03/18/scca-opens-tracks-to-car-enthusiasts-with-track-night-in-america-driven-by-tire-rack/ ]

At launch, TNiA participants needed to be at least 18 years old with a valid state driver’s license and have access to an approved helmet and a street car. No race cars were allowed, and no previous on-track experience or SCCA membership was required. At the time, the cost was never greater than $150 per entrant, with that allowing for three 20-minute track sessions plus feedback from SCCA driver coaches. The entry fee has increased through the years, and in 2023 was roughly $170. [citation: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/just-announced-2023-scca-track-night-in-america-schedule/ ]

TNiA participants are encouraged to drive within their comfort zone and be considerate of others on course. Entrants are divided into novice, intermediate or advanced groups. As a non-competitive activity with no timing or records, coaches instruct participants to focus on enjoying the experience. Passing zones are set up at circuits, and drivers are instructed to point others by who are quicker. [citation: https://www.imsa.com/news/2021/06/03/whats-it-like-out-there-find-out-at-track-night-in-america/ ]

Support from Tire Rack and the FIA Sport Grant Programme enabled TNiA to host a total of 4,200 entrants across 90 events at 15 race circuits in its first year. By 2020, SCCA states that TNiA put a total of 40,000 cars on racetracks. According to SCCA, the close of 2023 saw TNiA reach the overall mark of 71,000 entries. [citation: https://www.scca.com/articles/2018023-track-night-big-numbers-big-savings-big-fun ]

While TNiA is designed to be non-competitive outlet for those wishing to drive on track, some drivers have utilized TNiA as a gateway to competitive motorsports. SCCA Solo, SCCA Time Trials and SCCA Road Racing routinely include entrants today who began building performance driving skills through TNiA events. [citation: https://performanceracing.com/magazine/featured/03-01-2024/creating-pathway-competition ]

Some racing circuits TNiA visits, or has visited, include:

·       Atlanta Motorsports Park

·       Blackhawk Farms Raceway

·       Carolina Motorsports Park

·       Charlotte Motor Speedway

·       Dakota County Technical College

·       Daytona International Speedway

·       Dominion Raceway

·       GingerMan Raceway

·       Harris Hill Raceway

·       High Plains Raceway

·       Lime Rock Park

·       Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta

·       MotorSport Ranch

·       Nashville Superspeedway

·       NCM Motorsports Park

·       Nelson Ledges Road Course

·       New Hampshire Motor Speedway

·       New Jersey Motorsports Park

·       NOLA Motorsports Park

·       Palmer Motorsports Park

·       Pikes Peak International Raceway

·       Pittsburgh International Race Complex

·       Pocono Raceway

·       Portland International Raceway

·       Ridge Motorsports Park

·       Road America

·       Sebring International Raceway

·       Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park

·       Thunderhill Raceway Park

·       VIRginia International Raceway