The Racing Network

Motorsport’s Wake-Up Call: How Pitt Race Vanished Without Warning

Note: Near the end of this episode there is a discussion about mental health and suicide. When news broke that Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PITT Race) was sold and set to close — with no warning — the motorsports world was stunned.In this emotional episode of Inside the SCCA, host Brian Bielanski sits down with longtime racer and insider Dan Dennehy-Rodriguez to unpack the shocking truth behind the sale, what really happened inside those closed-door zoning meetings, and what it means for the future of grassroots racing in America.⚙️ We cover:How the sale blindsided the entire racing communityThe real story behind the zoning change and “data center” rumorsWhy this could happen to your favorite track nextWhat we can learn from Palm Beach, Willow Springs, and beyondHow racers can protect the sport’s most important facilities👉 This isn’t just a sad story — it’s a wake-up call for every motorsports fan, driver, and club in the U.S.#InsideTheSCCA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/insidethescca] #PitRace [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pitrace] #MotorsportsNews [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/motorsportsnews] #GrassrootsRacing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/grassrootsracing] #SaveOurTracks [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/saveourtracks] #RacingCommunity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/racingcommunity] #SCCA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/scca] #TrackTalk [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/tracktalk] #racelife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/racelife] Pittsburgh Area Food Bank: https://pittsburghfoodbank.org/find-f... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblltd3l0aE4tMEtQXzdlTG9FekFqUjZZNXB6d3xBQ3Jtc0ttV1VoNXJUaC0xSEhUV0phTHRWeHVzd010cURvX0xuLWFMbzhwV3VRQ1hpa3JhVHF5QlRIQU9pVTlWMndFcUlZNllBcGFHOG9aTVhPMXd3NGY2bTRmNXJNYzM3ZUNtOEZ4LTl5S1lkS21INXMtemRMOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpittsburghfoodbank.org%2Ffind-food%2Fget-help%2F&v=xVxwpW-TX5I]At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, they understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone. Dial 988 if you need help. Instagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracerPartners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbkdwRlJtemxXdkpQOEJPUVA4bmRQb0x6d1hvd3xBQ3Jtc0ttN3lZcTVLeWVBOGttcUh0dVAwcTdJZ1JQV2ZOVnFIUHh1LTdrMkRTSE9XOHFERDltYnU4SjFuSlhKckgyWDFRN3hvWC01bHdtWWtlelBPWjQ1MndXWG9DS2ZVZ0JZS1oxYUM3RnNPMk1kdkx3NnJPMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrpintaric.com%2F&v=xVxwpW-TX5I] Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFd5LWlhX1pRbWRWNnhjcEtQUnZ2aExyX0o3d3xBQ3Jtc0tsYkFIcDRJU0VtZGdCSWRoM3A2OUI0LVY5SzJvWkpLSlFGcDNfQmJHd1FrdEFsa3YteFhJUkhWYS1vYkRQNlgzd1BvcWc3MGlKSkNTU1AtZXhsNnJpT29XUXlSTWxxSHZaWHU2eHFyOWdCTEljREZSTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsoloperformance.com%2F&v=xVxwpW-TX5I] – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXhUdHZyM29uU3N2WFBaaTdKbVFJRG5pd05PQXxBQ3Jtc0tuNmNsYTJHb2tPWTdVUEtkWVdES1pON2t0ZXpoSEtVUHVaZS12MjdXa0YwY0pyajNkdWd2dHNMbDVnaklZVXdkQnRwVWREM3d4TENzc2pBNGIzNU1QenBnbmxhVm16c0NWZHFaODR4eDhrX0NtUlVYVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.babyfacefabrication.com%2F&v=xVxwpW-TX5I] – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnpBZzlWUnptQ0tyZGFlRDNSTFgxdmtrUTlIQXxBQ3Jtc0tsQ2hqLUIxTktUUzdUdnc4SzV2V0dEc1VMMmZhYmpXNmlxT0dyeFRQdmk2cllCdVI5Y3pjN1Rqdk1vZ216WDZvSlV1VWNxbFpiRTBZazZxaVQwenhHVGJuU3RLZW9lcW1ObkVDSnJjb29iQVFHbFFtZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffullsendsims.com%2F&v=xVxwpW-TX5I] Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. Go to rayesportsracing.com for all the info you need. About Brian: Brian has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

Running the Runoffs with Flag Chief Tiffany Bingheim | Inside the SCCA

👀 EVER WONDERED what it takes to run the biggest amateur road racing event in North America? 🏁In this Inside the SCCA episode, we sit down with Tiffany Bingheim, the Flag Chief for the legendary SCCA Runoffs at Road America! Tiffany pulls back the curtain on the massive volunteer effort required to run an event that fields 500-800 competitors over a full week of intense, national championship road racing.From the chaos of scheduling and managing a team of 100 flaggers to the vital importance of volunteer retention (and good trackside lunches!), Tiffany shares her journey. Hear how she went from discovering Road America at age 21 to becoming a division administrator and leading the Flagging & Communications (F&C) team for the Runoffs.We dive deep into:The "Come for the cars, stay for the people" reality of SCCA volunteering.Dispelling the myth: Are you experienced enough to volunteer at the Runoffs? (The answer might surprise you!)Why Road America is a bucket list destination for motorsports enthusiasts.A critical Tech Tip on fire extinguishers and kill switches that could save a driver's life!How to overcome the biggest bottleneck for prospective volunteers: the cost of travel and lodging.Whether you're a seasoned SCCA volunteer, a flagging enthusiast, or just curious about the inner workings of the Runoffs, this episode is your masterclass in event management and motorsports community. Don't forget to like and subscribe for more deep dives into the world of amateur racing!🔔 Future Episode Tease: Stick around for a sneak peek at the next episode where we dive into "Flagging 201: The Art of Blue Flagging."#SCCARunoffs [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/sccarunoffs] #RoadAmerica [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/roadamerica] #MotorsportsVolunteer [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/motorsportsvolunteer] #FlaggingAndCommunications [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/flaggingandcommunications] #SCCA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/scca] #RoadRacing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/roadracing] #AmateurMotorsports [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/amateurmotorsports] #RaceVolunteers [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/racevolunteers] #FlagChief [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/flagchief] #insidethescca [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/insidethescca] Instagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracerPartners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2tFRlVkeWd4SzlPZHdxTk1zQmZjbVl6SER5d3xBQ3Jtc0trZ1ZYeEg2TFh3UG1ucl9zaUhoRThWNm12TmJ1M0pCYmhELWhDYnVPdnYyRENwZHVQeHlpXzB5UUItT0NXV2xfVFNmX0ZJYTREN2pLUXJwTi14dDAyMV9BdkNxNjhKdTJrOUZ3MU1tYkdoTTE4bzNRRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrpintaric.com%2F&v=aXY3RNkeyHU] Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWRKbVRHU21GRWtRRWhfQ1ZVSHdnQUVWRnhid3xBQ3Jtc0trbTBXVGN5QVBZLWhwdEdna3djQ2U5NWZ5eEVuZktZMW5qRXR2Mmxpc0FLY3F2eEpKdkxRLUJSZDdOWW1CeTljaUhfTzVrdW5WTHFqZWhLZVRVbXZvTzR0QUQwcGpiblhBRVllSHA0aWJKU2xuVEVBbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsoloperformance.com%2F&v=aXY3RNkeyHU] – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWpMZ1RTYXVBN2ZMcS1XNTJibjhLRFVEM1NzUXxBQ3Jtc0ttZlY1amdBVHZ5U0x0QkhMaERwZVpXNHMtNU5HYlE1d3dBLUxIRGlMS01Mdzd1TlJvMDRLQ2MwSVl1YXRwdlR6VXptNXlTdFVUZFg2UzBvRTFRdl9qQzExb19mc3d2Wi0wRG9KMzM4ajdwOC0zOS1BRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.babyfacefabrication.com%2F&v=aXY3RNkeyHU] – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVZwYjVwX1o5YXNueUtWV3BUVjV6SlJkYW9Md3xBQ3Jtc0tuSV9HTUQ5MHdFaHVJN0RBQlhwNXNzY1ZYY0tiZ2lDemhtQXR3S0R4TXNsdEdXSFZkNElCaGltWnhKQjk4SE0wQ1BYRl9oOEVDckpmWXRkVUxDNFBRdzg0Q3RuTFVSS09aYS1FVEt2R3JESmRnVzJnTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffullsendsims.com%2F&v=aXY3RNkeyHU] Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. Go to rayesportsracing.com for all the info you need. About Brian: Brian has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

How Time Trials, Rally Cross & Targa Are Changing Grassroots Motorsports Forever | Inside the SCCA

What happens when Gridlife, Global Time Attack, and SCCA all start working together? In this episode of Inside the SCCA, host Brian Bielanski sits down again with Heyward Wagner, Senior Director of Rally/Solo and Experiential Programs at SCCA, to dive deep into how programs like Time Trials, Targa, and RallyCross are reshaping grassroots motorsports. 💥 From the upcoming Time Trials National Championship in 2026, to how Target events could become the ultimate “motorsports road trip,” this episode unpacks how SCCA is evolving to give drivers more seat time, more tracks, and more community than ever before.If you’ve ever wondered where SCCA fits in today’s motorsports landscape — and how it’s learning from the likes of Gridlife and Global Time Attack — this one’s for you. 🎧 Topics Covered: How SCCA reinvented Time Trials for accessibility and competition The “One Team” concept behind the next generation of events What the 2026 Time Trials Nationals might look like Targa : the perfect program for busy racers and “soccer-parent” schedules Collaboration with Gridlife & GTA — not competition, but cooperation The future of multi-track, multi-day events that bring the community together 👇 Tell us below: What track do YOU think Heyward teased for that secret Texas event? One lucky commenter will win a special Inside the SCCA care package! 📅 Subscribe so you don’t miss Part 3 with Heyward, covering Track Night and Solo! #SCCA #TimeTrials #Gridlife #GlobalTimeAttack #GrassrootsMotorsports #InsideTheSCCA #RacingCommunity #Autocross #TrackDay #MotorsportPodcast Instagram: @trnupdates Twitter: @TRN_Updates TikTok: trn_updates Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs. Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles. Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. Go to rayesportsracing.com for all the info you need. About Brian: Brian has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

Inside the SCCA: Hill Climbs, Road Rallies & How Grassroots Racing Shapes Motorsports with Hayward Wagner

n this special three-part Inside the SCCA series, host Brian Bielanski sits down with SCCA VP of Experiential Programs Hayward Wagner for a deep, candid dive into the club’s “street car first” programs — Hill Climb, Road Rally, Track Night, Time Trials, and Solo. In this first installment, Brian and Hayward talk about the soul of grassroots motorsports — how SCCA connects everyday enthusiasts to dream events like Pikes Peak and Baja 1000, why Hill Climbs are booming, and how SCCA events fuel local communities across America. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the SCCA keeps motorsports accessible, relevant, and just plain fun — whether you’re a first-timer in your street car or chasing championships at the Runoffs. Instagram: @trnupdates  Twitter: @TRN_Updates  TikTok: trn_updates  Twitch: @greybeardsimracer Partners - A big thank you to our partners who help make Inside the SCCA possible! William R. Pintaric and Associates. David Pintaric is a long-time SCCA racer. He's also the Principal at the investment and financial planning firm William R. Pintaric and Associates. Check them out at https://www.wrpintaric.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2hSaW54YWR4RXQwWHV0WGNhQmxmdGRfemRqQXxBQ3Jtc0tsVDh2QjNWbnZYdjFQNWY2R2ltVi10b0VKUDhudy1ZQnhmU1ZTY2pCeGJoZXFqR2pmalBicDNnVi1rOGhPSUJuRW9DYmZlRWZBbHV4dTE1UnhwWi1ReUtsOHJvNUNSdExYWV9WVTF4VGFmY2RmcTBpUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrpintaric.com%2F&v=Gg8BwjQXIFk]  Solo Performance Specialties - Learn more at https://soloperformance.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVAzdjlGMmFlaXhXampjdkthWDlvTTgycVpHQXxBQ3Jtc0tsUWlsQWlrSDk1a0lNaUtzdVh4TjVZYlZQdUdHeFhNMmRjd1J0enhXU1ZLb0c0YlAyVkloR0l3V21HNS1ncy1pU3RTbjlZWU9ndnVUbzZEbDlUNGJmNjI5dzBIdk5zWWJNUFg2bXNfbHl2aTRCT202SQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsoloperformance.com%2F&v=Gg8BwjQXIFk] – Check out SPS for all your autocross racing needs.  Babyface Fabrication – https://www.babyfacefabrication.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXBJOG9SeFdyNWhBcW1PUGxRbjgtdXBHVFF4UXxBQ3Jtc0tuS0xqREVKMU0wcHVqanF5NXYwTmVWZjNmVHRPR3U2WjRvZUV4VFMyYm9FeWZKZ1lTX1IzeXdWTV9idC0wZy05SXNwT2xaREYxTjhGTHB3dnJ3VHU1R29OWTFtalR1a0FkSlNnWVBaalN0clQwTFgyZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.babyfacefabrication.com%2F&v=Gg8BwjQXIFk] – Josh has two decades of experience as a fabricator, most recently working for championship winning NASCAR teams. He has more than 70 wins in the top three NASCAR series, along with multiple championships and a little success racing his own cars and snowmobiles.   Full Send Sims – The Official Sim Rig of Inside the SCCA. https://fullsendsims.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazFNOFl3Rkx2N1V4TjB0V0lwSlBaYm91ZFpmQXxBQ3Jtc0ttNzl3RS15SVZhZUI3Z0lYQnlQWVFtblFleENjTDBxX3lOX0JJQ1AzdGRQSy1UeFZJZVliMDNCSk56X1R6Y0RUeG1XVWVhWEZ3X3pDMlNydFZUVElNclBHS1NfanlHamVsSzEzNlB1aXBmZGNabS1wVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ffullsendsims.com%2F&v=Gg8BwjQXIFk]   Ray Esports is the official sim racing league of the Inside the SCCA podcasts -- from the "Unofficial SCCA eSports Racing Leagues on Tuesday nights, to the weekend warrior leagues on Saturday and Sunday. Go to rayesportsracing.com [http://rayesportsracing.com/] for all the info you need.  5About Brian: Brian has lived a parallel life of motorsports and journalism for more than 30 years. He started in motorsports in 1986 as his father’s 16-year-old “crew chief” on SCCA FV, Sports Renault and IT Honda CRX efforts. He has also competed in, and plans to compete again, in SCCA Club racing, Autocross and Road Rally. He's an award winning journalist who has worked in news in network staff positions with CNN and CBS and local news in seven markets from LaCrosse, Wisconsin to New York and Los Angeles. In 2009 he founded RacingWire, one of the first web-only motorsports news services given credentialed access at NASCAR, IndyCar, and NHRA events. He currently hosts several podcasts including “Inside the SCCA” and is an editor/producer for KNX 97.1FM NewsRadio in Los Angeles.

🏁 What really keeps champions coming back to the SCCA Runoffs? | Inside the SCCA

Go behind the scenes with 7-time National Champion Jesse Prather and Mazda Motorsports’ Senior Manager Jonathan Applegate as we uncover the passion, precision, and people driving success in grassroots racing. From one-man engine shops to 100+ Mazdas storming Road America, this episode dives into: How Jesse Prather builds championship-winning engines with unmatched attention to detail. Why Mazda Motorsports invests so heavily in grassroots racing. The evolution from rotary legends to Spec MX-5 dominance.What’s next for Mazda’s racing future — and how competitors are welcome to join.