Northern New Jersey Region

Monthly E-Newsletter

Never Forget

September 11, 2001

Linda Gronlund and Joe DeLuca

Our region mourns the loss of two of our most active members in the tragic terrorist actions on September 11th. Linda Gronlund and Joseph DeLuca were traveling to San Francisco on United Airlines flight 93 when it was hijacked and subsequently crashed in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, killing all on board.

Linda was our region’s Flag Marshal. 

Joe DeLuca joined our club in January, 1980. He was most recently our region’s Board Secretary.

"Crew Chief"

By Linda Santangelo-Mosley, RE

STORIES PAST AND PRESENT

FROM OUR NORTHERN NEW JERSEY REGION ARCHIVES

September 2026

This month’s story is from the NNJR Pole Position dated July 1988.



THIS IS PART 2 OF LAST MONTH’S COLUMN.

I’m doing something different this month and showcasing a young artist from our NNJR family. His name is Robert Orofino, Jr, and he was 13 years old, a new member, when he drew the picture for the cover of the July 1988 issue! I hope Robert or his family or friends have a chance to read this column and know, years later, how much we appreciated his talent and hope that he continued sharing his artwork in some form as the years passed.

We would love to hear from Robert and/or the Orofino family.

We are delighted to have received this response from the Orofino Family. Thank you to the family and Robert Orofino for sharing this update with us.

NNJR NEWS 

• Elections are coming up in November for the NNJR Board. Several positions are up for re-election - consider joining us.

We are always looking for volunteers at events in our region and others in NEDiv. We will provide training, food, new friends and lots of fun!

Feel free to reach out to me with any ideas or suggestions at re@scca-nnjr.com.

If you've ever wanted to play a larger role in the future of our Region, serving on the Board is a great opportunity to do it. Board members help guide the Region's direction, support our programs and events, and ensure everything continues running smoothly. It's a chance to give back, meet more members, and have a voice in decisions that shape the club. The nomination deadline is October 10, 2026.

The following positions are up for election in November of 2026: Regional Executive, Secretary, and two (2) Trustees-at Large, the terms will begin January 2027 for a two year period.

Candidates must:

·    Be a Northern New Jersey Region member in good standing for at least two years as of August 1, 2026.

There are two ways to be placed on the ballot:

·    Submit your name and a brief SCCA resume to the Election Committee, or

·    Submit a Petition of Nomination signed by at least 5 Northern New Jersey Region members.

If you'd like to learn more before deciding, reach out to a current Board member or contact the Election Committee:

Chairman: Peter Schneider – PJSCHNEIDERNJ@GMAIL.COM

Sunday October 25th 2026

SCCA Philadelphia region presents There and Back Again (Taba) a 100-mile Time-Speed -Distance Road Rally with easy to follow route instructions. This rally starts at the Charles Price Memorial Park in Middletown,DE and ends back in Middletown,DE at Crooked Hammock Brewery. The rally has been designed with newcomers in mind. All turn instructions are supported by official mileage, and speeds are at or slightly below posted speed limits. No tricks or traps are present in the instructions, just pay attention to the route instructions to stay on-time and enjoy the drive.

United States Road Rally Challenge

October 9 - 11, 2026

The United States Road Rally Challenge (USRRC) is a multi-day, multi-event showcase Rally which moves around the country each year and stands as an esteemed event in the RoadRally schedule. 

When it started, the USRRC was a three-day, three-event National-level rally with maximum points available which could help propel a competitor towards a national championship. Over time the USRRC has evolved into an event which puts less emphasis on points scoring and more weight toward the experience itself or the historical significance of an event or location.

Whether your goal is to take advantage of multiple points-scoring days or to take part in the prestige of some of the oldest motorsports events in the country, the USRRC is a desire for many RoadRally participants.  

NEDiv 2026 Division Championship Race Series Event Schedule

POINTS

For additional details contact Chris Mosley - Chair at CHRISRACER71@Outlook.COM.

• Sept 19/20 - Watkins Glen, Fun One
• Oct 16/17 - Thompson Raceway, Season Finale (Fri/Sat)

2026 Mission Foods SCCA National Championship Runoffs @ Road America

The 63rd SCCA National Championship Runoffs will be held September 28–October 4, 2026, at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

CLICK HERE

SCCA-NNJR

Fall 2026 Dates

All at MetLife Stadium

Saturday - November 14 - Lot L - SCCA

Saturday - November 21 - Lot L - SCCA

Always check www.AutoX4U.com for the latest information.

Our 8/30 event was a sell-out, with about 130 drivers each getting five runs on one of the best courses Eric Simmons has laid out in this lot. The feedback was positive, especially from competitors heading to Nationals, who praised the flow, challenge, and how well it prepared them for the bigger stage.

Results - https://www.autox4u.com/results/nnjr-scca-solo-results-8-30-26/

Up to date 2026 Class and Pax standings.

Always check www.AutoX4U.com for the latest information.

The Sports Car Club of America™ is pressing “start” on the Sept. 7-11, 2026, Tire Rack SCCA® Solo® National Championships with an all-new theme you know and love: Super Solo Nationals! Inspired by the pixel-powered world of gaming, this year’s Solo Nats is ready to take drivers on a full-throttle trip they’ll never forget.

2026 Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships @ Lincoln Airpark

CLICK HERE

September 07, 2026 to September 11, 2026

Lincoln Airpark

Lincoln, NE

SCCA Streamlines Medical Requirements for Competition Licenses Starting in July

Area 1 Director - Peter Schneider

National Championship Runoffs

Region Party ~ January 17, 2027

CLICK HERE

Next year’s Region Party will be held on SUNDAY (instead of Saturday) January 17, 2027 at the Packanack Lake Clubhouse in Wayne, NJ. Join us for good food and drink with our NNJR friends and family as we present the 2026 season awards.

The 2026 NNJR Region & Awards Party was a success in spite of the weather. Thanks to everyone who braved the cold and snow to join us. We missed our friends who were unable to attend due to the weather and travel conditions.

Did you know that New Jersey was once the Caviar Capital of the World? - Link

Looking to get involved? Please reach out to Communications@SCCA-NNJR.COM