About this event
Start Your Engines for a Cause: Race Hard, Save Lives! Support Disabled Veterans and Compete for the Coveted Top Dog Trophy
The Rally4Vets Top Dog Championship is back for 2025. But bigger, and even better as a two-day event.
Day 1 is a fun, practice day. We will use the same half of the Shenandoah Circuit as we will on Sunday for the timed competition.
Day 2 is competition day. The format will be exactly the same as Day 1 but all laps will be timed. Drivers compete in their respective class individually for medals (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and as military service teams for the coveted Top Dog Trophy.
The Army team claimed the honor in 2021 and 2022. The Marine Corps captured the trophy in 2023, and the Air Force in 2024. Will Navy do it this year? The Coast Guard? National Guard? Space Force?
Drivers can register for Day 1 only, Day 2 only, or both days. But only Day 2 runs count for the Top Dog Trophy. Priority registration is offered to military veterans and active-duty personnel, but non-military but all drivers are welcome. Non-military drivers choose the service team they wish to compete with.
As always, the event will be filled with camaraderie, nostalgia, and great competition. The winning service team will have its name inscribed on the coveted Top Dog trophy.
All funds raised will be used to provide service dogs and suicide prevention programs to disabled veterans. The event charity recipient for 2025 is Veterans Moving Forward.
Full details on the event website: https://rally4vets.com
Camping overnight in the paddock is available on a first-registered basis. There will be a paddock party on Saturday evening.
The Format
Whether you are a regular track rat or looking to drive the track for the first time, this event is for you.
Drivers compete for the fastest lap times in their class with 30-seconds between cars. This eliminates the risks of door-to-door competition and lets you focus on getting that best lap time with no distractions. It will be just you and your car against the clock!
Drivers will get familiarization laps in the morning and then drive for time by car class and experience (novice and experienced). Morning sessions will run clockwise and afternoon sessions counter-clockwise.
Day 1
Day 1 is fun/practice day. The format for Day 1 will be the samel as competition day. Cars will run in groups by class and experience level at 30 second intervals. We will run clockwise in the morning and counter-clockwise in the afternoon. Day 1 is an un-timed, non-competition day. We will have ride-along instructors available as well as classroom sessions. Day 1 is ideal for drivers who have never driven on the track and for drivers who just want some seat time. Please note: we will only drive the full Shenandoah Circuit for parade laps at controlled speed. We will not use the section of the circuit with the Karusel on either day training or competition.
Day 2
Day 2 is competition day. The format will be exactly the same as Day 1 but all laps will be timed. Drivers compete in their respective class individually for medals (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and as military service teams for the team trophy.
We score five (5) positions deep in each class, in each category (novice or experienced). Class winners become “Top Dogs [aka Tog Dgz].” The team with the most points combined across all classes and experience levels will have their service name inscribed on the Top Dog Trophy.
Seat Time
If you like Trackcross or Track Sprints, this event is for you! You will get at least 8 runs for time on Day 2 and at least that many on Day 1.
Forming Your Team
Service teams are formed as drivers register. Slots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis with priority to veterans and active-duty personnel.
If, for example, all 15 Army team slots get filled, subsequent Army drivers will be placed on a waitlist for cancellations. Unfilled service slots will be allocated to the other services on a rotating basis beginning with the oldest service (official date of formation - Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force.)
You can connect with your teammates on the Rally4Vets private Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/groups/rally4vets
Class Your Car
We use the car classifications Jon Felton uses for his Get Fast Track Cross Program. Click the following link for details - https://www.rally4vets.com/classyourcar
Top Dog Trophy and Class Awards!
The overall “Top Dog” Team is determined by a combination of points scored across all classes. The winning team will have their Service name engraved on the trophy and will be able to present it to their Service Chief at the Pentagon! [We are working on this!] or at the annual VETTYS Awards Gala in January. In addition, each Top Dog team member will receive a Top Dog decal for their car.
Prizes for Individual Category Winners
We will also be giving out special awards in some very unique categories!
Questions?
If you have any questions, please email us TopDog @ rally4vets.com and we'll get back to you as soon as possible!
Event requirements
Requirements
- Drivers must possess a valid, full driver's license and be at least 18 years of age
- Any kind of car is acceptable if it passes technical inspection: Safety/Tech [Please note: All convertibles must meet Summit Point safety requirements. All Miatas - including the NC retractable hardtop and the ND RF - must have a third-party roll bar installed. Be sure to read the FAQs on the Rally4Vets website - https://www.rally4vets.com/faq.
- Both drivers and passengers in convertibles must pass the broomstick test. [You don't want your head to make first contact in the event of an inverted stop!]
- Porsche Boxster convertibles may qualify, depending on their production year. Porsche 911 convertibles will not because the roll over protection can't be verified at tech inspection.
- Participation in track events at Summit Point is not permitted for EVs and hybrid vehicles.
- Helmets certified as meeting the most current or the two most recent applicable Snell, FIA, or SFI standards are acceptable. Snell ratings: SA2020, SA2015, M2020, or M2015, are acceptable. Helmets with a 2005 OR 2010 Snell, FIA, or SFI date are no longer acceptable and will not pass tech inspection. DOT Motorcycle helmets are not acceptable. Please email us if you have any questions at all about your helmet.
- You do not need to be a veteran or on active duty to compete, but veterans/active duty have first priority. Do you have a relative who served? Then race on their Service team.
- During competition/performance driving events, all drivers must wear closed-toed shoes.
- Drivers must comply with Summit Point Motorsports Park and Rally4Vets Safety Rules - Click here for Safety Rules.
- Everyone must sign a release and waiver form.
- Action cameras are allowed as long as the camera is solid-mounted. If using any type of suction-cup mount, you must have a secondary tether securing the camera in case the mount becomes loose.
