RACE REPORT #2, FROM SUNNY SONOMA
What a weekend! The cars! The sunshine! Good friends and fierce battles; exactly what we have come to expect from the Crossflow Cup over the years. There were stories from front to back on the grid, and there was racing from front to back as well. We had 42 cars take to the track for Qualifying Saturday morning. Danny Baker in his Lotus 61, and Kelly Heil in his Crossle 30f took the Historic Ford and Club Ford pole positions respectively, locking out the front row. Filling out the top 5 were the usual cast of characters: Steve Romak, Andrew Wait, and Nick Colyvas.
The lead group of five took off at the green and began duking it out immediately. But the real race was happening at the back side of the top ten...
A scrum of racers that included (at various points, and in no particular order as it changed every lap): Will Jackson, Mitch Roth, Paul Kitchen, Brian Swanson, Ed VanTassel, Mike Wirrick, Chris Locke, Brian Forster in his recently rebuilt Tiga, our long haul champ John Ballantyne and newcomer Greg Hoff as well as a few more that came in and out of this group. Kris Matheson and Ed Lauber both made appearances at some point in this dogfight, but managed to break free of it in the later stages. This pack was going at it hammer and tongs for the bulk of the distance and showed that the spirit of FF racing is truly alive and well in our series.
Returning to the FF ranks for the first time in 2 years was Tom Minnich who was welcomed back by being ensconced in a battle with Rob Thull's Titan, PNW'er Ron Bonham, Jim Lynn in his Crossle, and everyone's favorite bus driver Chris Schoap.
The race was not without some heartbreak however, as we lost a few drivers due to mechanical issues. Martin Lauber had an issue with a fuel leak causing him a lot of discomfort in the cockpit, Oliver Ramleth had an issue that prevented him from finishing, and Jonathan Kitchen lost a drive donut.
We still had 37 drivers running at the checker however, and we were complimented by Race Control as having an incredibly clean race. Not a single call of contact or passes under yellow, lots of drivers signalling to one another with raised hands, and overall exactly the type of racing we want to have in our events. Well done gentlemen, we knew you could do it!!!
Masters Division
1st - Jay Streets
2nd - Ed VanTassel
3rd - Mike Wirrick
Photo by James Kim
Club Ford Podium
1st - Kelly Heil
2nd - Brian Forster
3rd - Brian Swanson
Photo by James Kim
Historic Ford Podium
1st - Danny Baker
2nd - Steve Romak
3rd - Andrew Wait
Photo by James Kim
POINTS STANDINGS
HISTORIC
Baker, Danny - 26
Wait, Andrew - 14
Colyvas, Nicholas - 10
Romak, Steve - 10
Lauber, Martin- 10
Lauber, Ed - 9
Monahan, Tim - 8
Kitchen, Paul - 7
Matheson, Kris - 4
Streets, Jay - 3
*full list on website
CLUB
Heil, Kelly - 20
Dezzani, Alan - 15
Wise, Dan - 13
Lynn, Jim - 11
Forster, Brian - 9
Swanson, Brian - 7
Dupuis, David - 5
Posner, Quinn - 3
Keller, Mark - 2
Epifani, Paulo - 1
Hybels, Richard - 1
PARTY HIGHLIGHTS
Before we could get to the awards, we had 4 giveaways at the party. Once again, the crew at Ivey Engines gave us two $200 gift certificates to give away; this weekend being won by Dave Sandlin and Alan Dezzani. Shippert Racing Services gave away two Amsoil care packages of engine and gear oil which were won by Kelly Heil and Jeff Rothman. Remember guys and gals, you must be present to win!!!
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
Our very own racecar driver/producer, Mitch Roth has set up a Drop Box for the Crossflow Cup. Please send any onboard highlights you have, 10-15 seconds (or if a longer video note where to start to see the highlight of a good pass, restart, close finish, three-wide, etc). This will be a great way to capture some race highlights. Thank you to Mitch for collecting and producing this in advance!
UPCOMING RACES:
*Masters Speed Festival @ Laguna, May 15-16 Entry Form
(note, Crossflow Cup does not need to pay membership fee, just entry fee for Masters event)
CSRG @ Laguna, June 5-6
Rose Cup Races @ Portland, July 8-11
CSRG @ Sonoma, October 1-3
*Masters Speed Festival specifics and details email to follow next week!
FUN-DING THE FUN
Many people have asked how they can help the series, if you want to contribute, sponsor, donate to keep the good times rolling - please feel free to reach out or paypal ethan@shippertracingservices.com. On race weekends too, if you have some down time before the party, come on over to help set up, you can be the first to be served some wine or beer!