Lincoln, Neb. (Sept. 3, 2014) ā Three of the Tire Rack SCCA Solo program's highest honors were given out Wednesday night at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, as part of the Wednesdayās Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships awards banquet. The Solo Cup, Spirit of the Sport and Driver of Eminence award were all awarded prior to the official coronation of 26 National Champions.
The Solo Driver of Eminence award was given to Shelly Monfort, of Saratoga, California. The award is given yearly to the Solo driver who not only displays a high degree of skill behind the wheel, but also promotes sportsmanship, dedication and unselfishness. The winner is selected by the Solo Events Board, from a pool of nominations made by the general membership.
Behind the wheel, Monfort has competed in Solo, Club Racing and even professional-level racing. Throughout her time in the sport she has put in time as a driving instructor for beginning and experienced racers. In addition, Monfort was part of the committee responsible for selecting the recipient of the Wendi Allen Scholarship. The scholarship was created to assist up-and-coming female soloists further their motorsport ambitions.
āI started racing when I was 16 years old,ā Monfort said. āI wasnāt very good at it for a long time, but I stuck with it. Talent is fortunate, but tenacity is whatās earned. Iām still learning it, and Iām sure all of you all. I would say, if nothing else, just donāt ever give up on yourself.
āIām just one person, and I know so many other people in this audience that have put in so many hours and you put your heart into this. I hope I can live up to what all of you have done. Itās a gift that we all bring to this sport, and itās what makes it great. I thank all of you for that.ā
The Solo Cup was given to Robert Chrismas, of Genoa, Ohio, for his lifelong contributions to the Solo Events Program. Like the Driver of Eminence title, the recipient is selected by the Solo Events Board from a group of membersā nominations.
Chrismas served as the Northwestern Ohio Region SCCA Regional Executive in 2004 and 2005. Currently, he serves as a Director at Large for the region.
āAbout three sentences into that, I looked over at my wife and said āno, really?āā Chrismas said. āThe Northwestern Ohio Region has given me a platform to work with some wonderful people who make me look good. Iām deeply honored and completely thrilled by this, and hopefully the rest of my week will go this well.ā
The Johnson Spirit of the Sport award was given to Van Townsend, of Arvada, Colorado, for the fun-loving spirit he has displayed and promoted throughout his time in the sport. The award, selected by a committee of the three previous winners, is named in honor of the initial recipient, Roger E. Johnson. The award is given to anyone in the Solo community that āupholds the spirited virtues of FUN, CAMARADARIE, and TOMFOOLERY,ā as it is engraved on the trophy itself.
The SCCA Nebraska Region presented an $8,000 check to the SCCA Foundation, during the evening. The check represented the donations made my competitors who utilized the practice course on the north side of the competition site.
The SCCA Foundation is the not-for-profit 501(c)(3) arm of the SCCA that supports select automotive educational and safety programs. Currently, the major efforts are directed towards several youth educational and safety initiatives including the Tire Rack Street SurvivalĀ® Program, Formula SAE, the Carroll Smithās Mentor Cup and the Bob Woods Cup.
The remaining National Champions will be decided following the final day of competition on Friday, at the Lincoln Airpark. The banquet for the second wave of winners will be held Friday evening, again, at the Lancaster Event Center.
Follow the action through live timing at , live audio from the east course at and from the west course at , on the SCCA Facebook page at Facebook.com/SCCAOfficial, or on Twitter @SCCAOfficial.
More information on the Tire Rack SCCA National Championship is available at .
2014 Solo National Championship
