Calling FRP F1600 Masters Drivers

[problemchild]

In the last three years, over 25 drivers have competed in the Masters class in the F1600 Series. Some have moved on, and some have jobs and commitments that prevent regular participation. But the majority of drivers on this list still have good cars, the ability to race them competitively, and can finish on the same lap as the young leaders in F1600.

I am creating a contact list for potential F1600 Masters racers in 2017. I believe that we can get organized among ourselves to support the Series and get a good turn out. Surely, we can get double digit fields of Master racers to some of the events. I have contacted some of you already. Please contact me with your info if I don't have it, or you would like to join the fun. And certainly, contact the F1600 Series for all the info about the 2017 season.

RiceRacePrep will be bringing at least two Masters entries to each event.

Rather than sit around and see who might show up, lets get organized to show up together and make sure that there will be good racing throughout the field. Hopefully we can also attract some good club racers who may not have reached Masters status.

Here, in no particular order, are the Masters F1600 Series racers from the last 3 years.
Mike Scanlon
Jim Gaughary
Art Foster
Steve Bamford
Joel Haas
Sam Lockwood
Dan Pyanowski
Cliff Johnson
Scott Rubenzer
Tom Schweitz
Lewis Cooper III
Doug Voss
Joe Colasacco
Bob Perona
Gord Ross
John Dole
Greg Rice
Rob Albani
Jim Oseth
John LaRue
Bill Kephart
Keith Joslyn
Steve Roux
Donald Bagget
Jason Clunie
Bob Melvin

[CF56]

You can add me to the list. I more than qualify for FRP F1600 Masters. I raced a number of events the first few years of the series.

Kevin Brumbaugh

[EACIII]

Wow, it has been over 3 years since I stopped running the F1600 series? But then I never thought of myself as a Master, just a race car driver.

Ed Callo

[Mike Scanlan]

Stay tuned for a Series announcement soon regarding the Masters program that will hopefully make the series more appealing to a wider range of participants.

[problemchild]

April 28-30: VIRginia International Raceway
May 12-13: Mid-Ohio
June 8-11: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
June 30-July 2: Mid-Ohio
July 28-July 30: Pittsburgh
August 25-27: Summit Point
October 6-8: New Jersey Motorsports Park

The schedule is out.
I am following up by on my original post by creating a spread sheet to track potential entries.
If you are a potential Masters or non-Masters F1600 racer who would like to do some or all the races in 2017, please send an email to riceraceprep-at-gmail.com. Tell me which races are probable for you. Also tell me if there are some others you would like to do (possible) if you had things go well for you.
I think if we organize as a group, we will attract others to make the effort to do FRP events rather than race at other lame multi-class events. I think it is realistic to see over 10 Masters drivers racing at 20+ car F1600 events.
Let's make it happen!

[Robert J. Alder]

So. . . . . what's required to be considered for the Masters Series. Old car? Old Guy. Both?

[gfastr]

So. . . . . what's required to be considered for the Masters Series. Old car? Old Guy. Both?

Any FF, driver age 40 and older.

[Mike Scanlan]

No car is turned away but the driver needs to be a good deal above a regional skill level. Masters aren't expected to be able to keep up with the kids, although some do, like Bamford. But being on track with that level of competition will sure up your game.

[ric baribeault]

Anything for those of us over 60? Ensure, teeth, hair, a walker for Rand?

[CF56]

Anything for those of us over 60? Ensure, teeth, hair, a walker for Rand?

Ric:

I also qualify for the 60+. Maybe we unofficially refer to ourselves as the "Grand Masters".

[car7316]

Unfortunately, I'm out this season. The schedule overlaps the Indycar schedule so as much as I'd like to be there, I won't. Maybe next year....

[Robert J. Alder]

"Over 40." Hmm. Forty year-olds are just kids!, an unfair advantage. How about age-adjusted lap times? That would level the playing field. Just sayin'.

[Raceworks]

The good news is I've got at least 1 customer confirmed for a very full slate of club racing. The bad news is that preempts half the FRP schedule. I should be at Indy, though.

[EACIII]

xx

[problemchild]

From the feedback I am receiving, I anticipate averaging 20+ cars per F1600 event for the first half of the season. Hopefully, everyone will be having such a great time they will travel further east for the later events.

[ric baribeault]

We'll be there for a couple with the Dulon and a case of Geritol

[rick payne_75]

I will probably do the Indy race

[Larry Hendrickson]

There should be a real master class of 60 years of age, which in racing years is really something like 175. Larry Hendrickson

[Wes Allen]

Hi Greg, I haven't ran with the Pro FF group in at least 5 years. So that makes me even more of a master! I should be at Indy with Drivers Services.
Thanks Wes Allen

[swiftdrivr]

I am a former (now grand old) master. Been a while. I might be able to make VIR. What's the cost now?

[Bob Wright]

http://f1600series.com/news/1394-new...-atlantic.html

[problemchild]

Planning on doing atleast one FRP F1600 race:
Mike Scanlon
Joel Haas
Lew Cooper 3
Chris Smith
Dan Pyanowski
Kevin Brumbaugh
Andy Brumbaugh
Sam Lockwood
J.D. Reims
Steve Bamford
Greg Rice
Rick Payne
Cliff Johnson
Doug Voss
Rob Albani
Wes Allen
Chris Horan
Dave Petzko
Rob Deitz
John Dole
K-Hill 1
K-Hill 2
K-Hill 3
Pelfrey 1
Pelfrey 2
Pelfrey 3
Executive 1
Executive 2
Executive 3
Rice 4

I have not been able to contact:
Tom Schweitz
Scott Rubenzer
Dexter Czuba
Ryan Bjerke
Ken Boquillion
Jeffery Bartz
Joe Colassaco
Bill Kephart

I have been in contact with all the teams/drivers in the top list.
I have unsuccessfully tried to contact some on the second list.
I have targeted drivers who have done previous races and who have good cars.
If I have missed you, or you have changed your plans, please contact me so I can keep the list accurate and realistic.

Here is the pep talk.
We have a potential field of over 40 drivers. The racing will be unparalleled for F1600 in North America in 2017 because we get over half these drivers to show up at the same events, and 25+ at the better ones. It is not dependent on FRP, Bob, Hoosier, or any Prep Shops. It is totally dependent on the people listed and others lurking around who have good cars that can be brought out.
So, if you prep your own car, get working on it! If you don't, make/save some money so you can do more events. Get your brownie points stored up. Book your vacation days. Do what it takes so you can be at VIR on April 26th. There is no better way to start the race season than spring in Virginia.
And .... chase your buddies. The one's that never seem to make it despite their best intentions. Challenge your enemies. Contact people that have issues with their car and help them fix those issues. Let's get some of those SEDIV FFs to do a few races with us after they finish their season in early April.
It is all in our hands. Lets get it done!

Please contact me if I can help anybody make it out. I will do my best to hook you up with the parts, sources, or people that can help.

For specific info about racing with FRP, check out the F1600 Series website:
http://f1600series.com/faq.html#3

What a race we could have if everyone on the lists above showed up on the same day!

[gfastr]

Planning on doing atleast one FRP F1600 race:

. Do what it takes so you can be at VIR on April 16th.

What a race we could have if everyone on the lists above showed up on the same day!

Thanks for your enthusiastic support Greg, but the opening race for the F1600 Formula F Championship at Virginia International is April 28-30, not 4/16. See you there!

[Garey Guzman]

I've wanted to race in this series but as I recall, there is only a 1 event "grace" for all the team rules. I don't typically have crew, much less "team" shirts or the budget for Team entry. I'm tentatively interested in the June events.

[Steve Bamford]

I've wanted to race in this series but as I recall, there is only a 1 event "grace" for all the team rules. I don't typically have crew, much less "team" shirts or the budget for Team entry. I'm tentatively interested in the June events.

I can't speak for the series but I am pretty sure they will let you run without giving you a hard time over your team uniforms. Don't let that hold you back from entering as the series does a great job working with competitors to ensure an enjoyable weekend & season.

If you're on the podium weekend after weekend then you will likely get a reminder on the team uniform rules.

[swiftdrivr]

Gary,
Draw up a design, [I can sketch you up something, if you need help] and find out who makes shirts for the local church baseball teams. Have them print you up a few T-shirts, and viola', you're a race team!
[at least, that's what I did.]

[problemchild]

Attachment 65246
I think we have lost our way a bit over the past few years, but let's get back to this.
Watkins Glen 2011. Club racers having a blast racing with each other!
Not a FV or F500 in site.

[rickrep]

I did not see 2 time National Champ John Robinson name?
Did i miss it or is he too young- he certainly is a Master FF Racer!
Respectively, just a master

[problemchild]

It would be awesome if we could get JR2, Tim Kautz, and the Valets, to come back and do some races. Now that the tire is common, that should be an easier transition. Those of you who know them, please apply some peer pressure.

I will be in Florida next month and will work on those SEDIV FF racers. I expect we will see some at Indy. Maybe we can try and find some place in Indiana or Ohio where people could leave their rigs and hit the M-O and Pitt races as well. Perhaps we could find somewhere at VIR for people to park their rigs and do both the ST and FRP events. As I continue to say, it is up to the community to work together, be creative, and get others to go to the same races we will go to.

I have suggested to the Series, that they organize some kind of generic team t-shirt that small teams can buy to meet the uniform rules. If that does not happen, I will organize for my group, and make available to others.

[Purple Frog]

I thought a few years ago Team Sweitz declared grungy flannel as their team uniform, and continued on racing.

I only hung around the Series for seven years, so I'm no expert, but I know of no penalties for lack of uniforms. Don't let that be an excuse.

[Bob Wright]

Tom was most likely the source of the rule... "something better than matching dirty T shirts"... what's really behind it is multi leveled. We have an obligation to our sponsors that logos be displayed by teams in the paddock (in the contracts) as well as trying to present a good image to other series we share weekends with (PWC, Trans Am, etc), fans and the track management. We try not to be too draconian about it.

[Beartrax]

If you don't have your own uniform, you can get by with wearing official series swag....

[Bob Wright]

You had to dredge up that picture....

[Purple Frog]

Bob probably likes dredged up pictures like this:

[problemchild]

I was there.
April 9th, 2011
F1600 Series Race 1
Attachment 65254
Sam Beasley, in the eventual Bamford Mygale, leads Tim Kautz, John Robinson II, Jim Gaughary in Sam Lockwood's Piper, and eventual 2011 Champion Bill Valet.
Jim Gaughary wins the first F1600 Series race.
29 entries. Bamford and Steve Oseth classified 28th and 29th after first lap incident.

More names added to list in post #22 and more working on it !!!!

[Purple Frog]

The average age at the front of the pack was a bit older then.

[swiftdrivr]

"No car is turned away but the driver needs to be a good deal above a regional skill level. Masters aren't expected to be able to keep up with the kids, although some do, like Bamford. But being on track with that level of competition will sure up your game."

Therein is part of your problem. I was also in the first race. Then, I was 50th percentile as a regional driver, and the front of the pack was the best of the club. Now the front of the pack is full-on pro teams running new cars and 15 year old drivers who have more track-time under their belts than I do at 60, and the mid pack is the better club drivers. The series is a bit of a victim of it's own success. Not necessarily a bad problem to have, but it does limit your ability to bring in regional type drivers. [but if I can find a little more speed on the Spec tire, I may be at VIR anyway. Full fields, single-class racing and a paddock full of formula car guys is hard to find anywhere else]

[problemchild]

There are about 50 or so serious FF club racers in the Eastern half of the USA who are experienced, have good well-prepared cars, and will easily stay on the lead lap with the young stars. This series is perfect for them, just as vintage racing is perfect for some, and the RCFFS is perfect for others. Banging wheels with FVs and F500s several times per year, close to home, may be perfect for some as well.
The RCFFS also provides excellent value, and I would encourage those who won't be comfortable at a FRP event to support those events. Getting FFs out of garages and on track benefits all involved! While we would all like to see others support the events we attend, doing a few FRP, and/or a few RCFFS, and/or a few SCCA events .... is much much better than leaving your car in the garage.

[Bernard Bradpiece]

Greg
You might include the Royale Formula Ford Challenge Series sponsored by Hoosier in the mix. We had 70 Club and Historic Fords throughout this year with more on the way next. The 2017 program includes Summit Point, Pitt-Race, Thompson, New Jersey Lightening, Watkins Glen, Dominion and we are working on VIR. Lots of track time and low entry cost. We do run Avon/Dunlop but now mainly Hoosier treads. You can join us for a meeting on slicks to try us out.

We joined with Right Coast at The Glen this year.

But for 2017 Summit Point in May 17-21 we have added a special run group so we can invite all Formula F and Club Fords, run as you normally run, as an East Coast 50th celebration - all are welcome. Free Thursday test day and lost of track time - should be a blast. Brian Redman will join us at the Friday night cook-out party. We normally get well over 30 Royale Series cars for that run group.

Best
BB

[CF56]

I was there.
April 9th, 2011
F1600 Series Race 1
Attachment 65254
Sam Beasley, in the eventual Bamford Mygale, leads Tim Kautz, John Robinson II, Jim Gaughary in Sam Lockwood's Piper, and eventual 2011 Champion Bill Valet.
Jim Gaughary wins the first F1600 Series race.
29 entries. Bamford and Steve Oseth classified 28th and 29th after first lap incident.

More names added to list in post #22 and more working on it !!!!

I also was at F1600 Series Race 1. Top ten in the first ever series timed session with the Crossle 35F Honda CF. Times have indeed changed and I'll have to bring the Van Diemen now but looking forward to a race or two in 2017.