History of Region 105

Reprinted from the 2002 NorPac Convention program.

Montana's region history goes back to the late 1950s, when Montana Sports Car Clubs were formed throughout the state. Three divisions were designated at that time. The Western Division was based in Butte, Southern in Billings and the Northern in Great Falls. Out of all that alliance, three popular events emerged becoming part of the scoring for the Montana State Championship. Butte was the home of Pipestem Hill Climb. Billings hosted the Black Otter Hill Climb, and Great Falls was the host of Town & Country. Of the three events, Black Otter is still run under the alliance of Northwest Hill Climb Association. The two Hill Climbs would be Solo I events today. Town & Country was a two-day Solo II event, using the perimeter road of the fairgrounds. The fairgrounds encompassed 116 acres. The second part of the event,, a T & D Rally, of approximately 75 to 100 miles, ran on Saturday night. To win the weekend, you had to compete and do well in both events. In the late 70s, rising insurance costs and other factors pretty well dictated that the independent clubs needed a national alliance. SCCA was the choice, and movement was set afoot to make it so.

Since becoming a region in 1980, Montana has done itself proud. In the early years, the Commanders Cup Solo II event was established. This two-day Solo II event was used as a fund-raiser for the State MS Chapter, with Malmstrom Air Force Base as the host site. Our best fundraising year netted about $1,800.00 for MS.

Montana also takes great pride its continuous involvement in the Northwest Region & Montana Double National Races. This Memorial weekend will the 21st year we have shared this event with NWR. In 1986, Montana Region received the SCCA Chairman's Award for Membership Growth and the Formation of Yellowstone Region-Rocky Mountain Division and Big Sky Region-NorPac Division. We co-shared the award with NWR.

As to the present, Montana has proudly developed a three region challenge Solo II event, Top Gun. This past year was the 14th running of this two-day event. The region is also very much involved in the community with their development and manning of the Demo Derby in connection with Montana State Fair week. No, it is not a SCCA sanctioned event.

Montana region continues to look for ways to improve the quality of our events and our continued community involvement.

This region covers the large cities of Great Falls, Helena and Butte, in the Central section of the state. Montana is the 4th largest state in the US and has 3 SCCA Regions; two are members of NorPac. The current membership is 53.