MANSFIELD – The 2016 SCCA National Championship Runoffs, presented by Garmin VIRB, returns to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the first time since 2005, and the area is welcoming the event and its fans back with open arms.
From Sept. 19 through 25 the most prestigious amateur road racers in the United States arrive for the 53rd annual SCCA Runoffs. There are 28 different classes of cars running at Mid-Ohio, known as one of the greatest road courses in the country.
“Mid-Ohio is such a rich part of SCCA’s history with the Runoffs, it feels like coming home for many of our racers, volunteer workers and families,” stated Deanna Flanagan, SCCA Director of Club Racing. “Additonally, the Mansfield/Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau set the bar high for hospitality at the Runoffs in the ’90s, and that has carried into this year’s event.
“Monday’s welcome party was always a highlight of the event and we look forward to heading back out to the Richland County Fairgrounds.”
Lee Tasseff, CVB President, said the area rolls out the red carpet for the show.
“The drivers, crews, volunteers, families and fans call the area home between 10 and 14 days,” Tasseff said. “Since they are here for an extended stay the business activity generated goes way beyone lodging and restaurants into grocery stores, auto repair shops and even dog kennels to name a few.
“The estimated impact on the Richland County area is around $7 million. The CVB, along with community sponsors, hosts the legendary Richland County ‘Welcome Dinner’ on Monday, Sept. 19 for the drivers and workers to thank them for hosting the SCCA National Championship Runoffs at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.”
According to many SCCA members, no other community treats them as well as Richland County, Tasseff said.
“Our volunteers at the track and pork chop dinner have become legendary,” he said. “In fact, much of what the Runoffs’ participants have come to expect at any Runoffs was started here back in 1994. This type of hospitality wouldn’t be possible without local partners and sponsors.”
The other key part of the high level of hospitality is the Welcome Booth located in the heart of the Runoffs village at Mid-Ohio. It serves as a concierge to the community, helping visitors find services, make dinner reservations and even providing a cup of coffee throughout the week. The booth is staffed by CVB staff and volunteers, mayors, county commissioners, business owners, and local race fans.
“Having community leaders and knowledgeable people interacting with our out-of-town guests is key to making great first impression,” Tasseff said. “It emphasizes the community’s commitment to making the experience the best so our guests will remember how wonderful the people here are.”
In addition to high-caliber competition, the group showcases exceptional camaraderie including the 5K and Checkered Flag Dash,open to the public, on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and runners get to hit the track
Tickets are available at www.midohio.com.
About the CVB
As the only tourism focused economic development organization in Richland County, The Mansfield/Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (M/RCVB) is chartered to promote the area’s facilities, attractions and events as a destination for group tours, meetings and visitors, and to developing new visitor markets.
Tourism, the 4th largest employer in Richland County, supports 4,432 jobs with a payroll of $86 million, while generating spending of $304 million and local taxes of $8.9 million.
A local employer of four full-time and one part-time staff, the M/RCVB uses the talents of volunteers and interns to accomplish its mission. Its website can be found at the following Internet address: www.mansfieldtourism.com.
