SVRA and HSR announced a restructuring in which ownership and management of SVRA and HSR have been revised so that each of these sanctioning bodies will be managed independently to better build on their separate formats and unique histories.
Both organizations began operation in the late 1970’s and evolved developing uniquely different focuses in the vintage/historic racing arena. SVRA, with Carl Jensen as Director of Competition, will concentrate on its long standing focus on the Classic eras including the 1950’s -1970’s and special features (which allow for Indy Lights etc.) with a very strong emphasis on period correctness.
HSR, along with Ken Fengler as Vice President of Race Operations, will continue to include a broader spectrum, with sports cars from the 1950’s and thereafter, but with heavier emphasis on the later eras of the 1980’s–early 2000’s, including Historic Stock Cars, GTP/WSC and the early Daytona Prototypes. Over the many years of evolution, the two organizations have always been different and being combined was clouding their unique identities.
With this restructuring, cross ownership between the two organizations will remain and the litigation between one of the existing principals and a former principal has been settled. Going forward, the management of both HSR and SVRA will continue to support each other in the coming years to minimize the recent fragmentation of vintage organizations and events, which in the long term, only escalates costs and eventually increases track rental and ultimately entry fees of vintage racers. Our goal, as it has been for over 30 years, is to support vintage and historic racers with a predictable, high quality racing experience and we look forward to your support of both SVRA and HSR.
“We are very pleased that this restructuring has now been effected and believe it will benefit all HSR and SVRA members” said Steve Simpson of HSR. “And we look forward to continuing cooperation with SVRA in all we do, including at our upcoming joint event at Road America in May”
“SVRA is a great organization and I am pleased to resume my former position at its helm,” added Peter McLaughlin. “SVRA will be moving dramatically forward with its 2010 schedule and beyond and I believe both SVRA and HSR will be much stronger as a result of this move.”
Update: Due to conflicting reports, there seems to be confusion as to what direction SVRA will be taking now that ownership has been reacquired by Peter McLaughlin. There are no anticipated changes to the racing format, race groups, rules and regulations, or car eligibility in the foreseeable future.
[Source: HSR/SVRA; photo credit: Al Wolford]
