Going to the SCCA Runoffs this year? Plan ahead

When it came to hosting SCCA's 2015 National Championship Runoffs at Daytona Speedway, there's never been a better location for affordable, convenient lodging at SCCA's title event. There's even an airport next door to the racetrack. But things will be quite a bit different this year when the Runoffs goes to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Nestled in the rural Ohio hills of Mansfield and Richland Counties, the area around Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course could hardly be more different from Daytona Beach. And considering there could be 700 competitors making the journey to the championship ship event in September, it's best to start planning the logistics of your trip now. Like, right now!

The nearest towns to Mid-Ohio are Lexington, Bellville, and Mansfield –Mansfield being the largest by far. Ashland is a few miles farther up the road. Rooms in Lexington and Bellville are going fast for the Sept. 19-25, 2016, Runoffs week. At this time, only the Mid-Ohio Inn in Bellville is showing any available rooms, and those are listed at $140 per night.

Mansfield has many hotels, ranging from $50 per night for the Rodeway Inn, up to $148 per night for the La Quinta, and that's a 10-mile drive to the track. Offerings get even better the farther you go from the track. Ashland, Ohio, has many affordable hotels, but it's a 30-mile drive to the track.

Racers who became accustomed to the nearby B&B culture in Elkhart Lake, Wis., over the five years that the Runoffs were held at Road America are likely to find accommodations thin on the ground near Mid-Ohio. There are several nice B&B inns around Mid-Ohio, including the Paddock Inn, The Inn on Smith's Hill, and others, but getting a room at this late date will prove difficult.

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course also offers a limited number of RV spaces, and also has a campground available for tent and camper camping. Additionally, there are KOA campgrounds north and south of Mansfield with full RV and tent spaces available, along with a pool, hot tub, and other amenities.

But with the weather as changeable as it is in Ohio in the fall, camping is always going to be a fairly risky proposition at the Runoffs.

If you're looking to rent an RV for the week, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course recommends Craig Smith RV at (866) 462-1746.

If you have more specific questions about the area, you can also contact the Mansfield and Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 642-8282, or via www.mansfieldtourism.com.