Michael Cobb, President & CEO of SCCA, Details Record Participation, Grassroots Growth and Future
Michael Cobb, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), joined EPARTRADE’s Race Industry Week for a wide-ranging discussion on the health, momentum and future direction of grassroots motorsports in the United States. The conversation highlighted record participation across SCCA programs, the continued strength of entry-level motorsports, and new national initiatives designed to expand access for the next generation of racers.
Cobb reported that SCCA is closing out 2025 in a position of strength, with more than 1,800 events across 115 regions and over 100,000 total participations nationwide. These events span autocross, club racing, rally, hill climb, time trials, time attack and track days, underscoring SCCA’s mission to provide a full “motorsports buffet” for its 70,000+ members. At the center of that ecosystem remains the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, widely regarded as the pinnacle of amateur road racing in North America.
A major theme of the discussion was access and participation, which Cobb described as the foundation of the club’s long-term growth strategy. Programs such as Track Night in America continue to be key gateways for new drivers, delivering over 10,000 annual participations at more than 50 tracks across the country. Designed as non-competitive, high-experience track events, Track Night consistently posts recommendation scores near 99%, and serves as a critical on-ramp for drivers who later progress into time trials, endurance racing and full club competition.
Cobb also highlighted the enormous scale and cultural impact of SCCA Solo Nationals in Lincoln, Nebraska — an event that now welcomes more than 1,500 drivers over seven days and has been described as “the largest amateur motorsports gathering in North America.” Built from the ground up each year on more than 100 acres of concrete, the event has become a defining celebration of grassroots performance driving, blending elite competition with unmatched camaraderie.
On the road racing side, Cobb addressed SCCA’s ongoing work to balance class structure and participation in a changing economic environment. After seeing softer-than-expected participation in some formula classes in 2025, SCCA acted mid-season to reintegrate Formula F, Formula Vee and F600 into the Hoosier Super Tour and Majors program for 2026. He emphasized that flexibility and responsiveness to member needs remain central to SCCA’s governance approach.
Cobb also pointed to the continued success of spec racing platforms, particularly the SCCA Spec MX-5 and Spec Mustang programs, which have attracted strong participation and younger drivers entering the sport. These classes, he noted, provide a cost-controlled and technically accessible pathway into road racing, while also serving as important feeder systems for professional series such as the MX-5 Cup. Discussions are currently underway regarding the possible addition of a future club-spec platform.
Another major initiative gaining national prominence is Time Attack Nationals, which will take place at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Texas. The event represents a growing aspiration point within the SCCA ladder, expanding beyond traditional wheel-to-wheel racing and offering high-performance competitors a national championship showcase in a rapidly growing discipline.
Beyond drivers, Cobb reinforced SCCA’s role as a national training and development pipeline for officials and volunteers, many of whom go on to work at the highest levels of professional motorsports, including IMSA, IndyCar and Formula 1. He emphasized that SCCA’s marshal, steward and race control programs remain critical to the sport’s safety and operational continuity across North America.
Looking ahead, Cobb previewed the upcoming SCCA National Convention, which will be held virtually from January 15–23. The online format has expanded attendance by as much as five times compared to past in-person conventions, allowing members, volunteers and partners across the country to participate without travel expense. The convention will also feature the 2026 SCCA Hall of Fame induction, highlighting individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport.
As Cobb concluded, SCCA’s mission remains unchanged: to serve as the nation’s premier gateway to motorsports by delivering safe, affordable and meaningful competition for drivers, volunteers and enthusiasts at every stage of the journey.
“Whether someone wants to autocross on weekends, earn a competition license, race for a national title, or work their way into professional motorsports, SCCA is where that journey begins,” Cobb said. “Access, participation and experience will always be our north star.”
