2016 runoffs

[ajpastore]

It was very exciting to see Alex grab that pole position. He only did the test day Sunday and first qualifying session on Monday before having to return to school, missing the next two qualifying sessions. So he did it with only 2 sessions and minimal track time because that first qualifying session was a debacle.
In his last session, he masterfully worked his way through the field, lowering his lap time each clean lap and showed a level of speed that was awesome.
The only way one could get through a field like that was to be much faster than everyone. There was very little cooperation and everyone had their own agenda...which was too slow for Alex.

The best part about about it is Alex is one of the nicest people you'll meet and sharp as a tack. I know his father Dave couldn't be more proud and we were all beaming with joy when we found out he grabbed the pole position. You just can't be jealous when pure talent shines like that. I still don't know exactly what happened during the race to Alex but I know he also has excellent, unshakeable racecraft.

I can't wait to see where he goes from here!

-A

[Chris Elwell]

Yep, third generation. Father Buddy and uncle Jacques both started racing careers running Vs in our club. Jacques won a national championship in the mid 90s. Both went on to the Indy car series with Buddy winning the Indy 500 in '95. Their father Bob started in Vs way back and had a long run in our club and ended up in the old FB pro series.

Interesting that Buddy truly believes there is a lot to learn about driving and racing in FV. Flinn is only 17 or 18, has come up through karts and apparently a karting phenom. He ran only the minimum 4 divisional races this year. This is my now former car, the crew picked it up last Wed evening on the way to the Runoffs, still has my seat in it. For the kid to show up in a new car at his first Runoffs, finish second with the fastest race lap and new lap record is pretty amazing, especially when you compare it to the effort and experience of a lot of the others. Of course they got a pretty good car

I think the plan after next year is for Flinn to move up the ladder to another road to Indy type series. Doubt we ever see another Indy 500 winner start his kids racing career in FV.

Congratulations to Mike and Al for another championship, their work and commitment in the class is truly impressive.

This would be a great story for SCCA to use as marketing material to get people interested in FV. It shows FV is one of about 5 relevant classes at the runoffs anymore.

[Amon]

Chris,

To add to your post, they're too many classes at the runoff's which don't warrant participation. We (FV's) had nearly 40 cars and yet qualifying was only 15 minutes
per day which is too little considering the week's stay which is required etc... Many
of the other formula and several tin top classes had close to single digit entries which
should require additional combo of the classes in qualifying. If they don't like it and
the difference in speed isn't too much, they need to accept it or get more cars to
the Runoff's. Kicking the ball down the street for the next administration to deal with
isn't going to work in the long run, and something needs to be done sooner than later.


Mark

[pacratt]

Combining "small turn-out" classes (closely matched speeds/times, of course) for practices...maybe qualifying, too...would surely help with all the limited, tight scheduling.
Glenn

[Amon]

Pacratt,

I spoke with one of the grid workers who said the corner workers were grumbling due to the 30- 45 delays each day which extended the time they have to spend out on the course. I really appreciate what the workers provide so we can race and really have sympathy for them, especially when it's 85+ degree's and they're at the corner stations from 8 - 6 PM during the Runoff's.

Mark

[formulasuper]

Chris,

To add to your post, they're too many classes at the runoff's which don't warrant participation. We (FV's) had nearly 40 cars and yet qualifying was only 15 minutes
per day which is too little considering the week's stay which is required etc... Many
of the other formula and several tin top classes had close to single digit entries which
should require additional combo of the classes in qualifying. If they don't like it and
the difference in speed isn't too much, they need to accept it or get more cars to
the Runoff's. Kicking the ball down the street for the next administration to deal with
isn't going to work in the long run, and something needs to be done sooner than later.


Mark

Ya, FA with only 5 cars? Really?

[TJSFVGUY]

No vids of the race yet on YouTube, but Kim Madrid posted her in car on her FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/kim.madrid....7894867671451/

[veeracer98]

Nothing on scca site yet so here is the start from the back

https://youtu.be/pvJSv6gjqMs

[veeracer98]

Green after double yellow cleanup on aisle (turn) 2.

https://youtu.be/tdvc1nVwFiM

[veeracer98]

Video 3, Narrow escape from disaster.

https://youtu.be/_abm2he6AAM

[veeracer98]

Video 4, lots of action at the back. Needed a tear off on the camera!

https://youtu.be/CJsqhWqBpBs