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41-674: The history of Formula Atlantic begins with the SCCA Formula B class, created in 1965 for single-seat formula cars with engines not exceeding 1600cc in capacity. Prior to Formula Atlantic, professional Formula B races were held in the United States from 1965 to 1972, firstly with the SCCA's poorly supported Formula A, then as part of the SCCA Grand Prix Championship in 1967 and 1968 , which Roger Barr won in

82-619: A Twin-Cam powered Crossle, and then in their own independent series from 1969 to 1972. Formula Atlantic as a class evolved in the United Kingdom in 1971 from the US Formula B rules, with 1600cc production-based twin-cam engines (initially Cosworth Mk.XIII based on Lotus-Ford Twin Cam and then Cosworth BDD ; however, other engines like Alfa Romeo were also eligible). Conceived by John Webb of Brands Hatch (who would later also develop

123-404: A program that doesn't take over the entrants entire weekend. TNiA goes to well known tracks like Road America, VIR, even Sebring and Lime Rock. There are also smaller club tracks like CMP, AMP and Pitt Race. TNiA puts on about 150 events a year, totaling nearly 10,000 entrants each year, and as of 2024 has been running for 10 years. In recent years, the SCCA has expanded and re-organized some of

164-504: A regional or a national racing license. Both modified production cars (ranging from lightly modified cars with only extra safety equipment to heavily modified cars that retain only the basic shape of the original vehicle) and designed-from-scratch " formula " and " sports racer " cars can be used in Club Racing. Most of the participants in the Club Racing program are unpaid amateurs, but some go on to professional racing careers. The club

205-536: Is Jerry Hansen , (former owner of Brainerd International Raceway ), with twenty-seven national championships. The fivve national classes of the formula group are Formula Atlantic (FA), Formula Continental (FC), Formula Enterprises 2 (FE2), Formula F (FF), and Formula Vee (FV). The SCCA dropped its amateur only policy in 1962 and began sanctioning professional racing. In 1963, the United States Road Racing Championship

246-468: Is a relatively recent split. The Great Lakes Division was split from the Central Division at the end of 2006. 4AGE The Toyota A Series engines are a family of inline-four internal combustion engines with displacement from 1.3 L to 1.8 L produced by Toyota Motor Corporation . The series has cast iron engine blocks and aluminum cylinder heads . To make

287-617: Is also the source for race workers in all specialties. The annual national championship for Club Racing is called the SCCA National Championship Runoffs and has been held at Riverside International Raceway (1964, 1966, 1968), Daytona International Speedway (1965, 1967, 1969, 2015), Road Atlanta (1970–1993), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (1994–2005, 2016), Heartland Park Topeka (2006–2008), Road America (2009-2013, 2020), Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (2014), and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (2017). In 2018,

328-704: The 1976 SCCA/USAC Formula 5000 Championship . Current SCCA-sanctioned series include Trans Am , the GT World Challenge America for GT and touring cars , the Global MX-5 Cup , and the F1600 Championship Series , F2000 Championship Series , and Atlantic Championship Series for open-wheel racing. SCCA Pro Racing has also sanctioned professional series for some amateur classes such as Spec Racer Ford Pro and Formula Enterprises Pro. SCCA Pro Racing also sanctioned

369-662: The International Motor Sports Association . The autocross program is branded as "Solo". Up to four cars at a time run on a course laid out with traffic cones on a large paved surface, such as a parking lot or airport runway, without interfering with one another. Competitions are held at the regional, divisional, and national levels. A national champion in each class is determined at the national championship (usually referred to as "Nationals") held in September. In 2009, Solo Nationals moved to

410-582: The Lincoln Airpark in Lincoln, Nebraska . Individual national-level events called "Championship Tours" and "Match Tours" are held throughout the racing season. The SCCA also holds national-level events in an alternate format called "ProSolo". In ProSolo, two cars compete at the same time on mirror-image courses with drag racing -style starts, complete with reaction and 60-foot times. Class winners and other qualifiers (based on time differential against

451-718: The Sports 2000 class) as a category for national competitors with the performance near a Formula Two car but running costs at or below that of a contemporary Formula Three car. A single Yellow Pages championship ran in 1971-2, with a rival BP backed series appearing in 1973. 1974 saw the BP series changing sponsor to John Player and the Yellow Pages series becoming backed by John Webb's MCD organisation and Southern Organs; in practice, most top drivers competed in both series, and there were no date clashes. Only one series ran in 1975-6, in

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492-610: The United States . Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers. The SCCA traces its roots to the Automobile Racing Club of America (not to be confused with the current stock car series of the same name ). ARCA was founded in 1933 by brothers Miles and Sam Collier , and dissolved in 1941 at the outbreak of World War II . The SCCA was formed in 1944 as an enthusiast group. The SCCA began sanctioning road racing in 1948 with

533-561: The Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup during its time. The SCCA is organized into six conferences, nine divisions and 115 regions, each organizing events in that area to make the events more accessible to people throughout the country. The number of divisions has increased since the SCCA's foundation. Northern Pacific and Southern Pacific started as a single Pacific Coast Division until dividing in 1966. Rocky Mountain Division

574-476: The World Rally Championship . At the end of the 2004 season SCCA dropped ProRally and ClubRally. A new organization, Rally America , picked up both series starting in 2005. Road rallies are run on open, public roads. These are not races in the sense of speed, but of precision and navigation. The object is to drive on time, arriving at checkpoints with the proper amount of elapsed time from

615-532: The fuel economy and emissions . All variants used belt-driven SOHC eight-valve counter-flow cylinder heads with a single downdraft carburetor. Output: Applications: Using Toyota TTC-C catalytic converter. Output: Applications: The 1.5 L 3A was produced from 1979 through 1989. The 3A engine is the successor of Toyota's first A engine, the 1A. All variants were belt-driven eight-valve counter-flow SOHC engines but no longer used Toyota's "Turbulence Generating Pot" pre-combustion system from

656-762: The 1A. Output: Applications: Using Toyota TTC-C catalytic converter. On some models marked as 3A-II. Output: Applications: High compression version with Toyota TTC-C catalytic converter. Output: Applications: Twin carburetted swirl-intake version with Toyota TTC-C catalytic converter, introduced in August 1984 along with a facelift for the Tercel (and its sister variants) in Japan. Features two variable-venturi carburetors, which Toyota wanted to test in Japan before launching them in export along E series engine, albeit in single carburetted version. Because of

697-587: The 4A-GE, and a later version of the same engine was one of the first production five-valve-per-cylinder engines. Toyota joint venture partner Tianjin FAW Xiali produces the 1.3 L 8A and resumed production of the 5A in 2007. The 1.5 L 1A was produced between 1978 and 1980. All variants were belt-driven 8-valve counter-flow SOHC engines with a single, twin-barrel downdraft carburetor . It used Toyota's Turbulence Generating Pot (TGP) lean combustion system to meet Japanese emissions standards at

738-789: The CASC in Canada (now ASN Canada), drawing much attention and large fields due to its national CTV television coverage. IMSA in the United States took advantage of the large number of teams and organized their own series in 1976. During these years, the series attracted guest drivers from Europe, including Formula One, particularly at the Trois-Rivières street race in Quebec, Canada. Guest drivers included James Hunt , Jean-Pierre Jarier , Riccardo Patrese , Patrick Depailler , Jacques Laffite , Didier Pironi , and Vittorio Brambilla . In 1977,

779-484: The Runoffs will go back west to Sonoma Raceway . In 2019, the race will be held at Virginia International Raceway a track where the race has never been held. It was announced on 15 June 2018 that the Runoffs would go back to Road America in the year 2020. On 25 May 2019, the weekend of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 , SCCA announced they will be returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2021. The current SCCA record holder

820-646: The SCCA sanctioned the US events, and in 1978 the CASC and SCCA series merged, and conducted the series jointly until 1983, when it ran as the Formula Mondial North American Cup and was won by Michael Andretti . The series could not sustain the success of earlier seasons and was cancelled for 1984. Formula Mondial was an international category introduced by the FIA in 1983 with the intention of replacing both Formula Atlantic and Formula Pacific ,

861-646: The SCCA will allow sealed Mazda MZR engines to be used in older chassis, such as the Swift 014.a, as parts availability for the Toyota engines has become an issue. The minimum weight of a Toyota or BDD powered Atlantic car is 1230 lbs. (558 kg) with driver. The SCCA considers it its fastest club racing class. Prior to gaining its own class, the Formula SCCA car raced in Formula Atlantic, where it

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902-528: The class winner) then compete in a handicapped elimination round called the "Challenge". Points are awarded in both class and Challenge competition, and an annual champion is crowned each September at the ProSolo Finale event in Lincoln, Nebraska. The SCCA sanctions "RallyCross" events, similar to autocross, but on a non-paved course. SCCA ProRally was a national performance rally series similar to

943-519: The engine as short as possible, the cylinders are siamesed . The development of the series began in the late 1970s, when Toyota wanted to develop a completely new engine for the Toyota Tercel , the successor of Toyota's K engine . The goal was to achieve good fuel efficiency and performance as well as low emissions with a modern design. The A-series includes one of the first Japanese mass-production DOHC , four-valve-per-cylinder engines,

984-558: The final year taking the title Indylantic and adopting Indianapolis-style single-car qualifying. But the formula was under threat from Formula Three , and no series ran in 1977-78. A BRSCC -organized club racing series returned in 1979 with initial backing from Hitachi and continued to 1983, with diminishing grids and few new cars appearing. As a result of its similarity to Formula Two and Formula Three in terms of chassis regulations, Formula Atlantic typically used chassis closely related to these cars—with performance somewhere in between

1025-469: The help of Air Force General Curtis LeMay , a renowned enthusiast of sports car racing. LeMay loaned out facilities of Strategic Air Command bases for the SCCA's use; the SCCA relied heavily on these venues during the early and mid-1950s during the transition from street racing to permanent circuits. By 1962, the SCCA was tasked with managing the U.S. World Sportscar Championship rounds at Daytona , Sebring , Bridgehampton and Watkins Glen . The club

1066-539: The higher-speed events under the Time Trials banner. These include Performance Driving Experience ("PDX"), Club Trials, Track Trials, and Hill Climb events. PDX events are non-competition HPDE -type events and consist of driver-education and car control classroom learning combined with on-track instruction. The Club Racing program is a road racing division where drivers race on either dedicated race tracks or on temporary street circuits. Competitors require either

1107-567: The inaugural Watkins Glen Grand Prix . Cameron Argetsinger , an SCCA member and local enthusiast who would later become Director of Pro Racing and Executive Director of the SCCA, helped organize the event for the SCCA. In 1951, the SCCA National Sports Car Championship was formed from existing marquee events around the nation, including Watkins Glen, Pebble Beach , and Elkhart Lake . Many early SCCA events were held on disused air force bases, organized with

1148-512: The latter being a variant of Formula Atlantic that had been introduced in a number of Pacific Basin countries in the late 1970s. SCCA Formula Atlantic cars are allowed wings and ground effects. They use either the Toyota 4AGE engine or the Cosworth BDD . Cars meeting Super Vee specifications were also allowed but are now rarely seen. Prior to 2006, these rules were also largely used in

1189-579: The older Toyota-powered cars. As of 2017, most nationals competitors were running the 016.a-Mazda combination. Also eligible for the class are Mazda rotary powered cars made for the Pro Mazda Championship . In 2018, the professional series will switch to a new car, and all of the rotary cars will be available for club racing use, although they appear to not be competitive with cars built to the FA specification, even older ones. Additionally, in 2019,

1230-589: The power and torque output figures vary between different regions of the world. in European versions, the combustion chambers were reformulated in early 1986, resulting in an increase of 2 hp, up to 63 kW (86 PS; 85 hp) at 5600 rpm, along with improvements in fuel economy and emissions. North American market engines: European (and other) market engines: (excepting Sweden and Switzerland) Australian/Swiss/Swedish market engines: Australia, Sweden, and Switzerland shared emissions rules for

1271-461: The previous checkpoint. Competitors do not know where the checkpoints are. Track Night in America is a track experience program sanctioned by the SCCA. The program is designed to be low barrier to entry, and accepting to all skill levels. Events happen all over the country, on week evenings usually between Tuesday and Thursday. SCCA planned week night track events to keep costs down, as well as build

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1312-524: The pro series were drastically different from the amateur cars. In 2009, to shore up small race fields, the pro series introduced a "C2 class" for amateur-level cars, primarily the Swift 014.a, the dominant chassis in amateur competition at the time. However, the C2 class saw few entries and was abandoned in the middle of the season. Since 2011, SCCA Club Racing has allowed the Swift 016.a and Mazda-Cosworth MZR, albeit with an inlet restrictor, to maintain parity with

1353-547: The professional series, except that all cars had to run a Fuel Injected 4AGE. This meant that competitive amateur teams could also participate in professional races and that old pro series equipment could be raced at the amateur level. However, in 2006 the pro series introduced a spec chassis, the Swift Engineering 016.a, and a new spec engine, the Mazda-Cosworth MZR . The result was that the cars used in

1394-423: The swirl-intake, the sealing surface between cylinder head and valve cover is different from other SOHC A-engines, featuring vertical curves on the manifold side of the head. Thus, those parts are not interchangeable between each other. The swirl was supposed to improve burning of the air-fuel mixture, thus enabling cleaner emissions, improving fuel economy, and increasing power. Output: Applications: The 4A

1435-561: The time with only an oxidation (2-way) catalyst . The 1A engine was only 550 mm (21.6 in) long. Applications: Using Toyota two-way catalyst . Output: Applications: The 1.3 L 2A was produced from 1979 through 1989. 2A engines in 1982 onwards AL20 Tercels have a slightly different valve cover and timing belt cover than early AL11 Tercels , as well as an automatic choke , and automatically controlled hot air intake (HAI) system. It also has higher compression ratio , and reformulated combustion chambers to improve

1476-543: The two—so most of the manufacturers were familiar with those classes, particularly the likes of Brabham , Lotus , March , and Chevron early on, with Ralt and then Reynard later. US manufacturer Swift came to displace the British imports and dominate in North America. Several smaller marques also appeared. The first professional races run under Formula Atlantic rules in North America were conducted in 1974 by

1517-483: The way to DOHC 20-valve versions. The power output also varied greatly between versions, from 52 kW (71 PS; 70 hp) at 4,800 rpm in the basic California-spec 4A-C to 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) at 6,400 rpm in the supercharged 4A-GZE . The basic 4A is a SOHC 8 valve carburated engine which produces 78–90 PS (57–66 kW; 77–89 hp) at 4800 rpm and 115 N⋅m (85 lb⋅ft) of torque at 2800 rpm, though

1558-662: Was also involved in the Formula 1 U.S. Grand Prix . SCCA Executive Director John Bishop helped to create the United States Road Racing Championship series for Group 7 sports cars to recover races that had been taken by rival USAC Road Racing Championship . Bishop was also instrumental in founding the SCCA Trans-Am Series and the SCCA/ CASC Can-Am series. In 1969, tension and infighting over Pro Racing's autonomy caused Bishop to resign and help form

1599-529: Was formed. In 1966 the Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) was created for Group 7 open-top sportscars. The Trans-Am Series for pony cars also began in 1966. Today, Trans-Am uses GT-1 class regulations, giving amateur drivers a chance to race professionally. A professional series for open-wheel racing cars was introduced in 1967 as the SCCA Grand Prix Championship . This series was then held under various names through to

1640-438: Was produced from 1980 through 2002. All 4A engines have a displacement of 1,587 cc (1.6 L). The cylinder bore was enlarged from the previous 3A engines at 81 mm (3.19 in), but the stroke remained the same as the 3A at 77 mm (3.03 in), giving it an over-square bore/stroke ratio which favours high engine speeds. Numerous variations of the 4A design were produced, from basic SOHC 8- valve all

1681-631: Was uncompetitive. In 2012 and 2014, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion historic automobile racing event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California , had a tribute to Formula Atlantic as a part of its scheduled groups. Sports Car Club of America The Sports Car Club of America ( SCCA ) is a non-profit American automobile club and sanctioning body supporting Autocross , Rallycross , HPDE , Time Trial , Road Racing , and Hill Climbs in

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