F600 Challenge: Mid-Ohio Results

[jim murphy]

F600 CHALLENGE RESULTS AT MID-OHIO THIRD ROUND

The weather was unusually cool and windy the 4th of July weekend however, the action on the track was hot. Of the ten entries, there were four newcomers to this series, Brian Novak (F1000 and F500 Champion) in Tom Edwards’ Maverick, 15 year old Hunter Brayton in Fred Edwards’ Maverick, Craig Laprade in the F6R Scorpion (June Sprints winning car) and Brandon Reed in the newly upgraded KBS Mk.5.

Qualifying for the Saturday race had Clint McMahan on the pole, Matt Strand in 2nd, Hunter Brayton in 3rd, Craig Laprade in 4th, Ryan Barth in 5th, George Bugg in 6th, Carl Maier in 7th and Brandon Reed in 8th. Brian Novak did not qualify and started at the back of the field. Cal Stewart does not race on Saturdays. Clint again checked out (fastest lap of 1:29.658) leaving Matt Strand to finish 2nd, Craig Laprade taking 3rd, Ryan Barth 4th, Carl Maier, driving with a broken right wrist with no cast, in 5th, Brandon Reed in 6th, Hunter Brayton in 7th, Brian Novak in 8th and George Bugg in 9th.

For the Sunday race, qualifying became more interesting as both Calvin Stewart and Brian Novak were able to take a serious shot for the pole position. Clint McMahan took the pole with a 1:29.489, Calvin Stewart was 2nd with a 1:29.691 (about 2 tenths back) and Brian Novak, 3rd, about 6 tenths back with a 1:30.247. The remaining field was Matt Strand, Hunter Brayton, Craig Laprade, Ryan Barth, Carl Maier and Brandon Reed, showing improvement every track session.

Clint McMahan pushed into the lead not to be challenged throughout the race. The next 3 positions were a surprise as both Matt Strand and Brian Novak had jumped on a slow starting Calvin Stewart to take 2nd and 3rd respectively leaving Calvin in 4th with Hunter Brayton following close behind. The positons traded throughout the race. The final results are: Clint McMahan, 1st with a fast race lap of 1:29.257, 2nd – Calvin Stewart lapping at a 1:29.977, 3rd – Brian Novak, 4th – Hunter Brayton 5th – Craig Laprade, 6th – Ryan Barth, 7th – Matt Strand and 8th – Brandon Reed.

Our next round will be at the Formula F Speed Festival, Barber Motorsports Park on August 8 – 10.

We are very thankful for our sponsors who have made this series possible:

Metalloid Corporation of Sturgis, Michigan (www.metalloidcorp.com)
Shrieve Chemical Products of Houston, Texas (www.shrieve.com)
Hoosier Racing Tire (www.hoosiertire.com)
Cool Shirt and Luna-C (www.coolshirt.com and www.lunaclothing.com)
Solo Performance Specialties (SPS) (www.soloperformance.com)
Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies (www.PegasusAutoRacing.com)
Dallas, Texas area AMSOIL dealers
ZIBEX, Inc. of Duluth, Georgia (www.zibexwater.com)


The Formula 600 Challenge series was developed to help promote an affordable open wheel formula car to showcase talent without large financial race budgets. The Formula 600 open wheel cars use a 600cc motorcycle engine and a 6 speed sequential transmission revving up to 15,000 rpm with speeds capable in excess of 135 mph. The sound of these cars is likened to F1 cars.

Please visit our website at www.theformula600challenge.com
For more information please contact:

Jim Murphy
jdmurphy47@aol.com
770-861-2337

Fred Edwards
f.edwards@metalloidcorp.com
260-438-4295

[Jnovak]

Great stuff. here is a quote from an Atlantic buddy of mine who was racing at Mid-Ohio and sent me an email on Monday

"Even though I couldn’t watch the F600’s start at Mid-Ohio I had no doubt when the race started. My conclusion is that a field of 10 F600’s sounds better than a field of 22 F1 cars. And the whole F600 field probably didn't cost 100th of the cost of one F1 car. It seems to me that should end up being a very successful class"

This is the same thing all of us have heard many times. lets keep up the great work that all of you have done and the class will continue to grow. This is the only entry level class that has a chance of continued growth and it is because of all the hard work and enthusiasm all of us have shown.

Illigitimi non carborundum!