Formula Ford Challenge Series
Round #1 -- VDCA 'Wild Hare' [EVENT RECAP]
Twenty Fordsters started the weekend at VIR and twenty competed in the Royale Challenge Cup feature race on Sunday. The attrition rate of zero was made possible by the creation of a “hardship award” for an unlucky race competitor. This known principle also guarantees no rain during race hours if everyone brings a raincoat – and that proved true as well. There were the few usual carburetion problems that got solved, one penurious racer testing the limits of lead-acid batteries (seven years, apparently), and a cylinder head swap. Who carries a spare cylinder head just-in-case? The ever-prepared Fairchilds, of course. One mysterious, confounding clutch hydraulic problem threatened the attrition rate, but once armed with a summary of William Hewland's white paper on clutchless shifting, Chris Cogswell (a relative newbie of admirable skill) took lever in hand and, with left foot on dead pedal, dramatically improving his lap times. Speaking of Fordster newbies, Storm Field had his first-ever outing in the Crossle 30F and went quicker every session. Absolutely unwilling to put a wheel wrong under any circumstances, Storm coasted to a stop on-line in the exit of turn 3 when he ran out of fuel in the enduro.
Saturday was cold and blustery, with high wind gusts keeping everyone from the right, mostly leeward side of the road up the south straightaway approaching turn 13. Sunday morning was a nippy 26 degrees, but warmed to 50+ by race time at noon. Scott Fairchild and Doug Meis resumed their on-track rivalry, with both turning 2:08.4, swapping lead position every lap and Scott edging Doug at the line (fair enough . . . Doug won on Saturday). Joe Griffin and Bob Bruce – if not for their own rivalry – may have been up with Scott and Doug. Bob is also the first racer at the pointy end of the field to run the new Hoosier Vintage FF tires, and he was neutral about them compared to Avons – which is the highest praise for Hoosier's hard work to make a tire promoting competition. Behind them the field clustered into groups and the mid-pack drafting battles raged on. Most everybody had somebody to race with. Winner's wreaths and ribbons were awarded to Bernard Bradpiece in Historic Ford and Scott Fairchild in Club Ford. If somebody had shown up with a post-club, pre-aero Ford they would have won a wreath for the Formula Ford class (and could have won a free pair of Hoosier tires, too).
Three pairs of Hoosier tires were given away in raffles during the Friday evening cocktail party, along with a case of Amsoil motor oil from Cloverleaf Auto to the racer that came the furthest (Mike Taradash, from California) and the racer that towed the furthest (Mark Daniele – over 800 miles from Maine). Amidst the raffles we enjoyed Tammy Calef's excellent meatballs and sauce (an exceptional sauce recipe that's safe with me). Bill Hollingsworth won a set of KFP brake pads donated by Powerslide Motorsports, and generously gifted them back to the Royale Series for future use. (Writer's note – very appreciative this generosity may help out again next year in outbraking Bill in to turn one).
So on to Summit Point and the Jefferson “500” May 12th to 15th . Just a reminder that the early bird free practice day offer ends April 17th so get booked in. We expect 34 Fords to date with more to come. Chris and Van have plans for a big Friday night party and of course we have the Hoosier Tire raffle for 3 pairs of tires, the Powerslide Motorsports brake pad set raffle and Cloverleaf Autos case of oil awards.
It’s shaping up to be a Formula Ford only run group with the Royale Formula Ford Challenge Series race on Saturday afternoon. 3 * 25 minute sessions Thursday test day, 25 minute each, qualifying session and Sprint Race Friday, a 20 minute and a 25 minute sprint race Saturday + the 30 minute Royale Formula Ford Challenge Series race, and a 20 minute and a 30 minute sprint race Sunday – 4 hours 10 minutes total - enough track time?
www.formulafordchallengeseries.com
-- Updated Points Leaders
-- Updated Schedule (Dominion / PVGP - ADDED)
-- Added Regalia
See you at the races!!
