Formula Ford Challenge Series 50th Anniversary Tour -Round 2

[Bernard Bradpiece]

What a difference a year makes. Just 12 months ago we were all sat glumly watching the rain come down and the whole of the bottom end of the track and surround sink underwater, the event finally cancelled. For the 25th running of the Jefferson 500 we were greeted with bright sunshine and Summit Point at its most glorious. This was Round 2 of the Formula Ford Challenge Series and attracted 43 entries.

With seven qualifying races and a three-session practice day – all for $475, there was enough track time for all comers; indeed some of the older gentlemen were suffering heat exhaustion from all the effort!


By the time the Feature race came around the pecking order was fairly clear. Heat winners had been Fairchild S (’78 Zink Z10), Bardwell (Crossle 35F), Gaffney (’75 Lola T342) and Treadway ('81 Van Diemen) with Treadway six tenths clear at 1-19.7, a new lap record for Club Fords on treads, then a gaggle of seven separated by less than a second. Maybe this was finally Meis’s turn.


Throughout the field there were several groups of five to seven each group within a few tenths. We anticipated a cracking race and so it transpired. Treadway led off majestically with the first seven nose to tail. Gaffney managed to displace Fairchild S for second by the completion of lap 2 while Meis (’74 Lola T340) fell from 4^th to 5^th as Bardwell made it through on the rundown to turn 1. Farther back, Austin (’76 Zink Z10) stole a march on Agnifolo to take 8^th Scaler lost a place to Fairchild D (’79 Zink Z10) and Wirrick (’75 Zink Z10) started a majestic climb up the field.


Back at the front it was hot and heavy. Treadway fell to second as Fairchild S took the point, swapping position each lap until 9 when Meis climbed back and took the lead only to lose it to Fairchild S the next lap. But Treadway was not done and by lap 11 was back ahead taking the flag by 0.2 secs. From Fairchild S with Meis 0.2 further back. Gaffney, Hummel (’79 Crossle 35F) and Griffin (’81 Crossle 45F) had unusually lonely races but up into 8^th came Scaler in the Windshadow. 11^th was Mike Wirrick ('75 Zink 10C) who started back in 15^th

Try Meis's video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaIUe03qGxs

Fast, clean and in the vintage spirit "we look after each other on the track and give each other room".

On to New Jersey in July.

BB

[stonebridge20]

An absolute great event. Run on time to the minute. Super hard and clean racing. Fantastic barbecue with really cool raffle prizes. If you're on the fence about running a FFCS race....get off the fence and do one!

[scott fairchild]

Here's a link to my on boards from the weekend. 2019 FFCS Jefferson 500: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...5Mzf1OCcY5yhd0
I think it bears repeating that the drive of the weekend was Doug (see above video) catching Jeremy and I after we tried to check out.

It was a pretty MAJOR (pun intended) Formula Ford weekend.