A great finale for A Year to Remember

As we all packed up to go home after the season opener at Laguna, it would have been an easy bet, that given how things looked, that would have been the end of the season. That same weekend Formula 1 packed up and left Melbourne unraced and toilet paper became a tradeable commodity. But in the face of cancellations, lock downs, and more… somehow, 2020 provided not just a full race season, but perhaps as gripping a championship as we have ever seen. Thanks to the F4 group, The CSRG board, the team at Sonoma Raceway, Jim Cody, and the amazing support of folks like Cynthia Torp, Ethan Shippert, The Ivey Family, Martin, and Ed Lauber, Roger Kraus, Henk Buverhuis, Lyndsay Patton, Veronica Oshea, Dave Zurlinden, Art Hebert and the Motorsports Market Team, Jay Streets, and many more, the racing experience was as good as ever.

The Season Finale

33 cars gathered for the final race of the Crossflow Season. From all over Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, drivers made comebacks (Neil Porter in his lovely Crossle 16, Dave Sandlin in his Titan) and came from afar (Mike Keller, Ron Bonham, Russ Werner) or raced with us for the first time (Jack Bitton, Alex Dodd).

Danny Baker and Bob Lesnett went into the last race of the season, just 4 points apart in Historic Ford. Ultimately only a win would settle the question about the top two steps, and for Ed and Martin Lauber and Steve Romak, the math was the same… a P3 for any of them, meant a P3 for the season. Scorekeeper Jim Cody prepped the math in case of ties… but the obvious outcome was not how it all played out. At the start, pole sitter Danny Baker, grabbed the lead from Bob Lesnett and held it through the first lap. Going into turn 11, Bob slid past Danny under braking and kept a small, but controlling lead for another 2 laps… then going into turn 7, Danny got halfway past Bob under braking and spun.

Art Hebert, Steve Romak, Nic Colyvas, and Joe Hopkins all flashed past as Danny got back underway. Within half a lap, Danny was within sight of Club Ford leader Joe Hopkins, with his hopes not entirely dead, but certainly, challenged. At the front, Bob Lesnett stretched his lead to 3 car lengths and in a nice rythm, was starting to consider, that just maybe, maybe he could end a sterling season as hoped. And then… Steve Romak lost his engine, leaving him stranded. A full course yellow, while Steve’s stricken Titan was collected, meant 2 laps behind the pace car, bunching up the grid and eliminating Bob’s cushion, with Art Hebert in P2, a resurgent Nic Colyvas in P3, Joe Hopkins leading club Ford, and Danny Baker now P4 in class. Right behind him was an epic battle between a much improved Kris Matheson, Jay Streets, and Neil Porter.

As the grid circulated on the safety car laps, in P2, Art Hebert’s mind worked hard on what if any opportunity the restart might present. But calling on his years of experience, Bob Lesnett timed the restart perfectly and drove away into an immediate 2 car lead, that disappeared halfway up the hill to turn 2. A fuel pump died, as did Bob’s hopes for the top step. A completely gutted Bob Lesnett coasted to a stop, ending a brilliant 2020 campaign. Art Hebert, Nic Colyvas, Joe Hopkins and Danny Baker swept by and the order remained as it was, with Art in P1, Nic Colyvas in his comeback race in P2, new HF Crossflow Champion Danny Baker in P3. In Club Ford a very rapid Joe Hopkins won with ironman Jeff Roth in P2 and Jim Lynn in his revived Crossle a very happy P3.

Danny Baker’s video of the race here.

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The Awards

This year, it was incredibly hard to pick recipients. Every race was full of great performances, driver Athletes at every level improved, worked hard, and contributed. From the happiest man on the Grid, George Jewett, and Kelly Heil’s sparkling debut season to the incredible consistency of Rob Thull to the massive improvements of Ed Lauber and Jay Streets. The 38 regulars who showed up all year long, all contributed to an epic season.

Series MVP - Ed Van Tassel would have been forgiven for quitting the sport a long time ago. But from adversity and challenge, and with the support of his family and Ethan Shippert, he rose up to become the fast consistent driver he is today. Ed and his spouse and crew chief Dana are wondeful people to hang out with and there for any competitor that needs help.

Best Formula Ford - Chris Heil. When Kelly Heil entered his car for the first race, it was breathtaking. His secret weapon was his mechanic/fabricator brother, Chris. The car is beautiful and prepped to as high a standard as is possible. Chris’s focus and dedication are evident in everything about it.

Most improved Formula Ford - Michael Wirrick’s car was always nice. But over the last year, he decided to dig in and bring it to the highest level he could. The result is as pretty a Lola T 204 as exists, and all done in Michael’s garage at home. The massive amount of work and effort are clear for all to see.

Rookie of The Year - Oliver Ramleth has been quietly developing into a fine driver. Lap times tell a big part of the story, but consistency, superb reviews by the drivers around him, and a mistake-free year add up to the rookie performance of the season.

The John Streets Garagiste Award - Chris Schoap received $1000 in cash, being the self-supporting drivers with the most laps this season. In honor of Super-Garagiste John Streets, the Streets family created this award to recognize the dedication, hard work, and on-track performance of the drivers that do it all on their own.

A well deserved Crossflow Cup by Ivey engines award winner, Jay Streets presented by Colin Ivey

The Crossflow Cup - Jay Streets is another in a series of drivers that make this community as great as it is. From his willingness to help, fantastic on-track performance and sportsmanship, Jay is emblematic of what makes this sport, this community such a joy. Massive congrats to Jay and as always a huge thanks to the Ivey Family for crafting a beutiful trophy.

The Champions

2020 Historic Ford Crossflow Champion, Danny Baker

Club Ford Championship - Proof again, that showing up is 99% of the game, a rapid and consistent Jeff Rothman emerged as the 2020 Club Ford Champion, joined on the end of season podium by Russ Werner in P2 and still making the podium in spite of DNF’s and a season limited injury, is Kelly Heil in P3

Masters - Probably the most inspirational championship, is the Masters Podium. This is a group of fast, tough competitors that set the standard for driver/athletes over 60 we should all aspire to. Bob Lesnett is the 2020 Masters Champion, joined by Chris Schoap in P2 and Jonathan Kitchen in P3.

Historic Ford - For the second year in a row, Danny scores the overall win, with a measured, intelligent campaign, followed by Bob Lesnett in P2. A really interesting part of this story is Martin Lauber in P3. Martin has been on the Championship Podium 3 out of 4 years.

Bob Lesnett Masters Champion and P2 in Historic Ford

Looking Ahead

2021 will be a very busy, very cool year in Formula Ford. It will also be a year of transition for the Crossflow Cup. We are working on new leadership and ways of running the program that maintain the integrity (legality, sportsmanship), high-quality standards, and support of the group, but that also open new venues (support pro races, enter exciting new events and formats). So stay tuned, there will be more to come in 2021. In the meantime, below are the 2021 provisional dates for group. Pencil the dates in, we will confirm everything shortly.

March 13-14 Laguna Seca (unconfirmed)

April 9-11 at Sonoma Raceway

May 15-16 Laguna Seca (unconfirmed)

June 4-6 Laguna Seca (unconfirmed)

July 9-11 Portland (unconfirmed)

October 1-3 Sonoma Raceway