JOILET, IL - SCCA Pro Racing introduced former series Champion Neil Hannemann as its new World Challenge Competition Director today.

The new position will advise in the technical specification process of the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT and Touring Car Championships, working closely with SCCA Pro Racing Competition and Technical Director Ken Tripkos. Both Hannemann and Tripkos will report to SCCA Pro Racing President & CEO Robert Wildberger.

"We're excited to have Neil on board in this capacity,” Wildberger said. “I"ve known Neil for more than 20 years, both as a competitor in the series and fellow Chrysler employee. He has tremendous experience that will enhance our already solid technical efforts for World Challenge.”

A General Motors Institute Graduate, Hannemann spent time at all three major domestic automotive manufacturers. His 18-year engineering career with Chrysler was highlighted by serving as the Viper GTS-R Program Manager, that included both Le Mans and Daytona 24 Hour wins, and the NASCAR Winston Cup Program Manager. Following his tenure with Chrysler, he worked with Saleen, Inc., serving as Chief Engineer for the Saleen S7 supercar; Ford Motor Company, serving as Chief Engineer on the Ford GT project; and McLaren Automotive, serving as Executive Director of Engineering from 2004 to 2007. Since then, Hannemann has served as a consultant, working on various projects including the Aptera three-wheeled electric vehicle.

Hannemann began his racing career with SCCA Club Racing in 1979. Over the next 20 years, he successfully competed in SCCA Pro Racing and IMSA competition, winning World Challenge Touring Drivers’ Championships in 1994 and 1995 driving an Archer Brothers Eagle Talon. In 1998, he founded ViperSpeed, a World Challenge GT team which won the 1999 Drivers’ Championship with Bobby Archer.

“After being involved with the World Challenge series, and its predecessor endurance series, from the mid-'80s through the ‘90s, I’m excited to be returning to my ‘roots,’” Hanneman said. “I have watched World Challenge grow consistently and feel that it is poised to continue gaining recognition. I hope to be able to apply my experiences as a driver, engineer, team owner and experience at various auto companies to the series to help foster its growth and success.

“I helped out as a crew chief earlier this year in two World Challenge races and was very impressed by the level of organization and professionalism within the series. I am looking forward to being a part of it.”

Hannemann will work primarily from his Carlsbad, Calif., home, where he resides with his wife, Carla, and their four children.