Speed World Challenge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Speed World Challenge | |
|---|---|
 2009 Speed World Challenge season |
|
| Category | Sports car racing |
| Country or region | North America |
| Inaugural season | 1972 |
| Prototype Classes | |
| GT Classes | Grand Touring Touring Car |
| Current Drivers' champion/s | GT: Randy Pobst TC: Peter Cunningham |
| Current Teams' champion | GT: K-Pax Racing TC: RealTime Racing |
| Current Makes' champion | GT: Porsche TC: Acura |
| Official website | World-Challenge.com |
The Speed World Challenge is a North American auto racing series that is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). It consists of two classes: touring car and grand touring. A second touring car class was announced on June 9, 2009.
The series was founded in 1972, and was called "showroom stock".[1] A revised version of the series came about in 1984. In 1985, the series acquired sponsorship from the magazine Playboy[2]. Escort radar detectors also sponsored the series from 1986 — 1989[3].
Each season usually consists of 10 rounds, with each class running a race at separate times. Each round is started from a standing start, as opposed to a rolling start as seen in NASCAR or the American Le Mans Series.
The series is named for the network that broadcasts it: Speed Channel. Speed Channel commentator Leigh Diffey was the voice of the series until the end of 2004. Beginning in 2005, Diffey was replaced by Greg Creamer.
A rival series organized by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), the Firestone Firehawk Racing Series, also featured two similar classes of competition and existed in the 1980s and 90s.
Each race has a 50 minute time limit.
Contents |
[edit] Classes
[edit] Grand Touring
Grand Touring (GT): Includes a variety of production displacements with no maximum. Forced induction is permitted and is used to equalize individual models. Sedans, coupes, convertibles, and two-seat models are permitted. The cars can be rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Class horsepower range is 350 - 550 bhp.[4]
[edit] Touring Car
Touring Car (TC): Cars up to 2.8 liters that are naturally aspirated are permitted. Forced induction permitted as if it came that way from the factory. The cars can be front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. The cars must be able to seat four adults, and convertibles are not allowed. Class horsepower range is 240 - 290 bhp.[4]
[edit] Touring Car 2
A Touring Car 2 class was announced on June 9, 2009. It will feature vehicles with fewer modifications, with tight restrictions on engines and drivetrains.[5] The series will also forbid aftermarket aerodynamic devices such as wings and splitters. The power-to-weight ratio will be lower than the TC class. Aftermarket racing shock absorbers, sway bars, and springs are permitted. The class planned to debut at the Watkins Glen race, but the only entry crashed in practice.
[edit] Television
In recent years, the Speed World Challenge has been broadcast on weekdays as opposed to the traditional weekends. For 2009, the races have been combined into an hour-long block.[6]
[edit] Current Vehicles
[edit] Grand Touring
Sourced from: [7]
- Aston-Martin DB9
- Audi S4
- Audi RS6
- BMW M3
- Cadillac CTS-V
- Corvette C5
- Corvette C6
- Dodge Viper Competition Coupe
- Dodge Viper GTS
- Ferrari 430
- Ford Mustang Cobra
- Lamborghini Gallardo
- Lexus IS
- Lotus Exige S
- Pontiac GTO
- Porsche 996 GT3
- Porsche 997 GT3
- Saleen SR
- Volvo S60
[edit] Touring Car
Sourced from: [8]
- Acura Integra
- Acura RSX
- Acura TSX
- Audi A4 (B5)
- BMW E46- 325i
- BMW E90- 325i and 330i
- Dodge SRT-4
- Honda Civic
- Honda Civic Si
- Lexus IS300 2.8 and 3.0 liter models
- Mazda6
- Mazda Protege
- Mitsubishi Evolution IX[9]
- Scion tC
- Subaru Legacy GT
- Subaru WRX STi[10]
- Toyota Celica GTS
- Volkswagen Jetta Mk 4
- Volkswagen Jetta Mk 5
- Volvo S40
[edit] Touring Car 2
Sourced from:[11]
- Acura RSX
- BMW E36- 328 and 330
- BMW E46- 328 and 330
- Chevrolet Cobalt SS
- Dodge SRT-4
- Honda Civic Si
- Lexus IS
- Mazda RX-8
- Mini Cooper S
- Saturn Ion
- Scion tC
- Subaru Legacy
- Volkswagen GTI
- Volkswagen Jetta
[edit] 2009 Schedule
Sourced from:[12]
- March 18-20 - Sebring
- April 17-19 - Long Beach (GT)
- May 1-3 - New Jersey Motorsports Park
- May 15-17 - Mosport (TC double & GT)
- July 3-5 Watkins Glen
- July 24-26 Autobahn Country Club
- August 7-9 - Mid-Ohio
- August 14-16 Road America
- September 23-25 Road Atlanta
- October 9-11 Laguna Seca
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/series.php?page=history
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/series.php?page=history
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/series.php?page=history
- ^ a b SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge - Car Facts
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/news/story.php?ID=1319
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/news/story.php?ID=1187
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/files/competitors/2008_GT_Appendix_A_Ver_10.pdf
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/files/competitors/2008_TC_Appendix_A_Ver_4.pdf
- ^ http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090129/FREE/901299987
- ^ http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090129/FREE/901299987
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/news/story.php?ID=1319
- ^ http://www.world-challenge.com/season.php?year=2009
[edit] External links
- World-Challenge.com The Speed World Challenge's official website
- SCCA Pro Racing
- World Challenge Drivers Roster
