Joe DeLuca and Linda Gronlund

In 2006 the Northern New Jersey Region created the Joe DeLuca and Linda Gronlund Freedom Races, this event celebrates the love that both Joe and Linda had for the SCCA and motorsports. Traditionally this event was held at Pocono International Raceway on our Mother's Day double event. Due to a conflict in the 2010 schedule the Pocono event was cancelled for 2010. The 2010 Joe DeLuca and Linda Gronlund Freedom Race event has been moved the TeamDI.com Pro IT round 2 at Lime Rock on May 15th at Lime Rock Park.

The Northern New Jersey Region lost 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.

At that time, Linda was our region's Flag Marshal. She had joined the Sports Car Club of America in June of 1980 while living in Sag Harbor, New York. She quickly became active in SCCA activities at the Bridgehampton Road Race Circuit near her hometown and at other tracks all over the northeast. Linda earned a law degree and worked for several automotive companies over the years. She was on a business trip to the west coast for her employer, BMW North America, when she was killed. Linda and Joe planned to travel and sightsee in northern California after Linda's business purpose had been accomplished.

Joe DeLuca joined the SCCA in January of 1980. Joe was the NNJR Board Secretary. Previously, and at various times over the years, Joe had been a Trustee, Assistant Regional Executive, Regional Executive, and newsletter editor. Initially a rallyist, Joe later was also an active participant in Solo II and road racing. He enjoyed driving his Morgan and at that time was the president of the local Morgan club in New Jersey. Joe was the creator of "The Adventures of Raymond the Cat," a monthly cartoon feature in the Northern New Jersey Region's newsletter, "Pole Position." The cartoon is syndicated in many regional publications across the nation. Joe's cartooning was a spotlighted article in the July 2001 issue of SCCA's national publication, "SportsCar." Joe was on vacation from Pfizer Corporation where he was a systems analyst.

Active members in SCCA know what these two wonderful individuals knew: SCCA membership brings a friendship, a camaraderie, which borders on being family. The Northern New Jersey Region lost two very special members of our family. The entire SCCA organization feels this loss.

Come on out and celebrate your love of motorsports at this weekend or over the 2010 season or whenever you get the urge to have a great time.