By SEMA News Editors
SCCA Runoffs Returns to Road America
The Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Championship Runoffs are returning to Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, for 2024 and 2025.
Additionally, the preliminary 2024 qualifying and race schedule has also been released. Scheduled for September 27 to October 6, several practice days will precede qualifying sessions, which will begin on October 1. All 26 Runoffs classes will feature single-class races from October 4-6.
For more information or to see the full schedule, visit scca.com.
INDYCAR Adds to Medical Team
INDYCAR and Indiana University (IU) Health have appointed Angela Fiege, MD to director of medical services for INDY NXT by Firestone and added sports neurologist Bert Vargas, MD to the INDYCAR Medical Team.
Angela Fiege (left), Bert Vargas (middle) and Julia Vaizer (right).
IU Health is the official healthcare provider for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the INDYCAR Medical Team is comprised of IU Health physicians and nurses who are experts in motorsports medicine.
Fiege is a veteran critical care and emergency medicine physician at IU Health and is also a longtime motorsports physician. She has served in various roles in motorsports, including the INDYCAR Medical team since 2010 and the AMR motorsports physicians' team for NASCAR. She has also worked at Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a track physician since 2007. She will continue her role as deputy director of medical services for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, alongside Medical Director Julia Vaizer, MD.
Vargas is the first neurologist dedicated to the INDYCAR Medical team, and his position is funded by Rev proceeds. Rev is the IU Health Foundation's annual fundraising event which takes place each May at IMS. Working in medical affairs for Eli Lilly and Company in Indianapolis, Vargas is a sports neurologist and who has led the AMR neurotrauma team for NASCAR since 2017, serves as a member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and is also a sideline unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant for the NFL.
For more information, visit indycar.com.
Beth Paretta Joins Formula E as VP of Sporting
The ABB FIA Formula E has appointed Beth Paretta, a distinguished leader in motorsports, as the new vice president of sporting, effective May 1, 2024.
Paretta will oversee all sporting and championship activities at Formula E, driving key stakeholder relationships and cultivating new business opportunities--working closely with the FIA, existing teams and manufacturers while attracting new participants to the series' ecosystem.
"Beth's extensive background in motorsport management and her commitment to innovation and inclusivity are invaluable assets for Formula E. As we advance into a new era with our GEN3 Evo cars and look towards the GEN4, Beth's leadership will be pivotal in steering our sporting operations to new heights and enhancing our global fan engagement," said Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E.
As owner of Paretta Autosport and a trailblazer for gender equality in racing, Paretta brings more than two decades of experience in the automotive and motorsport industries to the role.
Paretta has left a significant mark on the industry, leading the women-forward Paretta Autosport team to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and serving in executive roles at major automotive firms, including Volkswagen Group, Aston Martin Lagonda and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis). Her pioneering work also includes being the first woman to lead a performance brand and motorsport for a global automaker as director of marketing and operations for street and racing technology (SRT). In addition, Paretta co-founded the Women in Motorsports North America, the community of professionals devoted to supporting opportunities for women across all motorsports disciplines.
"I am thrilled to join Formula E, a pioneer at the forefront of motorsport innovation and sustainability. This role presents an exciting opportunity to influence the future of electric racing and extend the series' impact on global [electric vehicle] development and sustainable practices. I am particularly excited to continue my advocacy for gender diversity within the industry under Formula E's progressive platform."
Read the full announcement on the FIA Formula E website.
David Sanchez Joins BWT Alpine F1 Team
BWT Alpine F1 Team has appointed David Sanchez as executive technical director.
In the newly created role, Sanchez will oversee the technical department based at the team's Enstone, England, headquarters and will have overall responsibility of the performance, engineering, and aerodynamic areas of the team.
He will manage the three key areas that fall under the recently announced three-pillared technical structure, with technical directors Ciaron Pilbeam (performance), Joe Burnell (engineering) and David Wheater (aerodynamics) all reporting to Sanchez.
Sanchez will report directly to Bruno Famin, team principal and VP, Alpine Motorsports.
For more information, visit alpine-cars.co.uk.