Hoosier FST - Rounds 5 and 6 at Mid-Ohio

[rgu]

All right its time to enter and get the hotels rooms. See SUPPS. This is going to be a great event.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/...4#.U7_2DLHSgeF

[SamF]

I just received this following information from the Race Chair; they are reserving paddock space for they us on the PAVED Middle Paddock so we can paddock together, they need us to register soon so they can properly plan the required space.

I think I have talked "The Rick" into joining us back at the track and to run Rick's Famous Paddock Grill for a Saturday lunch for all the FST community!


Hoosier Race Tire Formula First Championship Series at Mid-Ohio

August 9-10, 2014

Registration for the 2014 edition of the IT/SPEC*tacular Plus is open on MotorsportReg (www.motorsportreg.com ). The "Plus" was added to the name this year to recognize the inclusion of all SCCA and Great Lakes Division classes as well as the Hoosier Race Tire Formula First Championship Series and the US Formula 1000 Championship Series. This promises to be a fun weekend with great racing.

We are reserving paddock space for the FST group in the paved Middle Paddock so you can paddock togrther, but we need you to register so we can properly plan the required space. Garages are also available in the Lower Paddock, but they are going fast.

Race Group 2, will be comprised of FST, FV, FF, CFF, F5 and F6; and the FST will have their own split start for the races. Saturday will have a 20-minute qualifying session and a 25-minute race; Sunday will be a 25-minute qual session with a 30-minute race. For those with limited experience at Mid-Ohio or just wanting some pre-event track time, The Mid-Ohio School will be holding an Open Test & Tune session on Friday evening, August 8](info and registration for T&T at www.midohio.com ).

[SamF]

We have 8 entries as of today
Blevins, Dave
Dawson, Dave
Deer, Aaron
Farmiga, Sam
Gordon, Matt
McSherry, Phil
Podgorski, George
Seim, Doug

[Bill Bonow]

Looks like we are up to 11 cars.

Here is the Mid-Ohio grid so far:

# 35 Dave Blevins Caracal MTV III Colerain RV,itsafirefighterthing.com Cincinnati, OH
# 69 Bill Bonow Campbell Evolution Plainfield, IL
# 37 Rob Clark Campbell Evolution TeamClark Motorsport, SR Racing Rochester, MI
# 88 Dave Dawson Campbell Evolution South Bend, IN
# 11 Aaron "Butch" Deer Campbell Evolution United National Reserve Elgin, IL
# 56 Sam Farmiga Adams Acer-J Scuderia Farmiga West Chester, OH
# 57 Matt Gordon Citation FST Jaygo Racing Lexington, KY
# 14 Phil McSherry Mysterian M2 Kent, OH
# 16 George Podgorski Campbell Evolution PNP Computer Glastonbury, CT
# 5 Doug Seim Mysterian M5.1 P&NP Computers/AutoWerks Okeana, OH
# 90 Dr. Doug Sharp Jacer V2K2 Sharp Chiropractic & Advocare Kawkawlin, MI

Here are the hopefuls still needing to get signed up:

Gary Grubb - Vector GB4
Jim Nash - Mission MRC 09
Dennis Richardson - Abrigail Adams
Gary Moorman - Caracal D
Garry Sharp - Siltation
Bill Gray - Campbell Evolution
Chuck Singletary - Campbell Evolution
Rob Farmiga - Vector GB4

That would get us up to (19) FST cars! This is going to be a great weekend. Get signed up today.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/i-t-spec-tacular-race-pdx-clubtrial-drivers-mid-ohio-sports-car-course-581364#.U8csC1NOWUm

[rgu]

We are getting there! Thanks Jim and Dennis

[rave motorsports]

We are all registered. Can't wait to meet everyone in Ohio!

[Bill Bonow]

Wow, 1 day later and up to (14) cars

Gary Grubb - Vector GB4
Gary Moorman - Caracal D
Garry Sharp - Siltation
Chuck Singletary - Campbell Evolution
Rob Farmiga - Vector GB4
???????? from California

If it all worked out, that makes (20) cars!

[csingletary01]

Bill I am trying to move things around so that I can attend MO after Gateway, sometimes work gets in the way

[Bill Bonow]

Chuck,

I actually should be working in Ann Arbor that weekend and following week. I've missed (2) weekends already due to work. Not this time, having someone fill in for me on Sat/Sun and then parking my race car at work/Ann Arbor for the rest of that week.

I sure hope you can figure out a way to get to Mid-Ohio, sure would be great to get that much closer to (20) cars.

[SwanTechEnt]

Bill,

I wish I could say there were some FST's from here in California that were going but unfortunately all efforts are for Laguna in October.

If the goal is at least 20 cars and there happens to be an available car that just needs a driver, I can help with that! I just need a way to get out there...

Sounds like it will be a great event!

[Diamond Level Motorsports]

I think there may be a mystery driver from Calif attending the event. I believe that is what Bill was eluding to.

[Bill Bonow]

Terran,

Would love to have you come out and join us.
Remember, the Mid-Ohio Run-ons is 2015. Practice is always good.

Scott is correct, a West Coast driver is looking into a ride at Mid-Ohio. We all certainly hope that a program can work out to make it happen.

[rave motorsports]

It's not for sure yet but we are doing our best to make it possible for a California driver to drive one of our cars.

[Bill Bonow]

Looks like we are at (15) cars with 2 weeks to go. I know a few cars are being finished up and should enter, but remember that it costs nothing to sign up. Sure would be great to break our record entry of (16) cars. We're close, so please enter if your on the fence.

[Doug FST 5]

If you are on the fence about bringing your car for testing - there will be plenty of experienced members of the FST community on hand for the Friday afternoon test. If you need a hand with something or need a part or a little advice that will all be available.

Doug FST 5

[rave motorsports]

Doug
Do you have a link to the registration page for the practice day? I want to get signed up today.
Thanks

[Doug FST 5]

This link should take you right where you need to go:

https://www.midohio.com/Store/School...-SCCA-Twilight

Doug FST 5

[rgu]

Signing up early saves you quite a bit of money. Last year open wheel go 4 sessions. In the last session in the rain Sam got Mid Ohio totally to himself.

[SamF]

Signing up early saves you quite a bit of money. Last year open wheel go 4 sessions. In the last session in the rain Sam got Mid Ohio totally to himself.

And I enjoyed every second of that session, regardless of the direction I was pointing. It was great having Mid-O all to myself

[Bill Bonow]

Just one entry away from matching our previous high mark, it looks like this next weekend The Hoosier Formula First Championship Series Rounds 5 and 6 will start (15) FST cars.

Here is the entry list as it stands with one week to go:

# 35 Dave Blevins Caracal MTV III Colerain RV,itsafirefighterthing.com Cincinnati, OH
# 69 William Bonow Campbell Evolution Plainfield, IL
# 37 Rob Clark Campbell Evolution TeamClark Motorsport, SR Racing Rochester, MI
# 88 Dave Dawson Campbell Evolution South Bend, IN
# 11 Aaron "Butch" Deer Campbell Evolution United National Reserve Elgin, IL
# 56 Sam Farmiga Adams Acer-J Scuderia Farmiga West Chester, OH
# 57 Matt Gordon Citation FST Jaygo Racing Lexington, KY
# 77 William Gray Campbell Evolution Nuveau Autopsort Salina, KS
# 14 Phil McSherry Mysterian M2 Kent, OH
# 4 Gary Moorman Caracal Fenton, MI
# 2 Jim Nash Mission MRC-09 Mission Race Cars Bloomington, MN
# 16 George Podgorski Campbell/Guhde Evolution 2.5 PNP Computer Glastonbury, CT
# 53 Dennis Richardson Adams Aero DooDah Racing White River Junction, VT
# 5 Doug Seim Mysterian M5.1 P&NP Computers/AutoWerks Okeana, OH
# 90 Dr. Doug Sharp DC Jacer V2K2 Sharp Chiropractic & Advocare Kawkawlin, MI

At the moment we have a single class run group on Saturday and a single FV in our group on Sunday. Should make for some really great FST racing.

Looking forward to a great weekend.

[Bill Bonow]

to unveil at Mid-Ohio, the new 2014 Campbell Evolution Estate

Larry's latest creation.

Maybe the wood sides will help make it float?

[Matt King]

All it needs is a surfboard rack.

[rgu]

We are doing everything we can to assure that the Mid Ohio event will be our finest event in a long time. Highlights of the day not including the actual racing should really be remarkable. We are oddly enough celebrating our great spec tires with Hoosier Appreciation Day. Where else to you get good grip and many, many heat cycles? We also want everyone to paddock close to each other so we can know what everyone's needs are.

Here is an overview of the event

Friday afternoon Track-run test session 5-8:30pm
Paddock in reserved space upper paved paddock.
Saturday morning round five qualification
Lunch for all FST competitors and crew at Scuderia Farmiga and RGU Racing. This lunch is courtesy of Scuderia Farmiga and RGU racing. Our Chef will be Rick Kloth who brings his sophisticated palate to the paddock kitchen. You can bet that the menu will be hardy. California minimalism will not creep in Rick’s Kitchen
Saturday afternoon Round 5 Hoosier Tire Championship.
Round Five Podium Ceremony. Place to be determined. Awards may be made by Hoosier Tire officials. Special trophies provided by Cinci region

Hoosier Tire Appreciation Ceremony held on Pit straight after all racing ends. Proper attire will be provided by the FFDA.
End of Day. Open bar and refreshments feature the Yale Martini, various single malt scotches, Makers Mark Bourbon, crafts beers from around the world but unfortunately Bud and Coors are not allowed to be given away free.
Sunday morning round six qualification
Saturday afternoon Round 6 Hoosier tire Championship.
Round Six Podium Ceremony. Place to be determined. Awards may be made by Hoosier Tire officials. Special trophies provided by Cinci region

[Bill Bonow]

I'll see the 14 other of you guys tomorrow

P.S. I borrowed the photo!

[rave motorsports]

We made it to beautiful Mansfield Ohio. We're not in Kansas anymore!

[Bill Bonow]

Great race weekend. Great weather. McSherry dominates

Sat Qual.
Seim
Bonow
McSherry
Clark
Nash
Dawson
Blevins
Gordon
Farmiga
Sharp
Moorman
Deer
Gray

Sat Race
McSherry
Seim
Clark
Bonow
Sharp
Blevins
Farmiga
Deer
Gordon
Gray
Nash
Moorman

Sun Qual
Clark
McSherry
Seim
Sharp
Dawson
Bonow
Gordon
Blevins
Farmiga
Nash
Deer
Gray

Sun Race
McSherry
Seim
Sharp
Bonow
Clark
Dawson
Farmiga
Deer
Gordon
Nash
Blevins
Gray

Photos and report details next weekend (when I get home)

[rave motorsports]

Our biggest take home lesson from the Mid Ohio is that this track is an Evil Temptress. It lures you into doing things you know you shouldn't then punishes every time you do!

[rgu]

Since I don't see much of the race I just post my highlights. I miss quite a few.
First I want to personally thank Jerry Cabe our race chair from the Cinci region. Every we talked about came off without a hitch. Great job folks!! Next many thanks to Rick Kloth and all of Scuderia Farmiga for the great lunch Saturday which feed the whole field. Pulled Pork, potato salad and baked beans all made the Saturday race like a scene from Blazing saddles. FST the class propelled by methane. Another thank you to Larry Campbell who said he was bring the Champagne for our podium ceremony. He found some from the Upper Michigan area for six dollars a bottle so he wouldn’t guarantee the drinkability. After it was sprayed about I tasted it. Not bad. Next morning I was tidying up and was tossing the bottle. Sure enough it said Made in California!


We were short two drivers from our registration. One experienced a broken septic system line and another driving a relatively new conversion wanted a non-series race to test out his car which might have been a good idea on his part. Rob Farmiga’s car was short a set of Sway-a-way front torsion bars so Rob needed to get them so he could test later this month. The spring pack made its way to MO thanks to Bill Bonow and Bill hosted a seminar on spring pack installation. We should have done a video.



Now to the race events. Big news is that Phil McSherry in his Mysterian Conversion won two races in only his second weekend in a FST. True Phil is no stranger to MO but who expected this to happen so soon?? Phil and his dad Walt are very careful about car prep and it shows. No half-baked repairs no drips, no messes. Doug Seim paid Phil a real complement—“he drove a perfect last lap”. Being FFDA director what made me happiest when I overheard Phil say “why didn’t I do this sooner!!”



I always like to take note of what I consider stellar performances. We had a lot of them most on the track but quite a few in the paddock or garage. Rob Clark was telling me that the track was in worse shape than ever and breaking up in a few places. Indy car was last week and NASCAR next so it will really need some attention. I noticed Rod was driving around in middle of the pack and he pulled off one of his rippers to put his car on the pole for race two. Unfortunately, Rob had third gear pack up again and had to soldier around in fourth only to a fifth place finish.



Doctor Doug Sharp won our hard charger award on Saturday when he started last and finished a solid fifth filling lead pack mirrors with a lime green flash. On Sunday he qualified much better and in fact ran with the lead pack. He ended up on the podium in a solid third place. Nobody was happier than Doug’s young son but I was impressed with the drive too.



Another on track impressive event was dice that involved Matt Gordon, Sam Farmiga and Butch Deer. This lasts many laps and many lead changes. Sam and Matt drafted up and passed Butch but Butch seemed to say wait a minute and returned the favor. Great racing guys. Incidentally Sam volunteered to test a new brand of head prepared by Autowerks. Looking at the way his car came down the pit straight I’d say they worked really well.



Bill Gray who I believe won our long distance award came in from Salina KS by way of St Louis and Nashville bring his beautifully prepared black Evolution. Bill kept working at it and was consistently bringing his times down and he was getting the course figured out. Saturday he missed qualification because the master switch separated into two pieces when his wife Linda tried to switch it on. That was easily replaced and he made the race. Nobody is more enthusiastic than Bill and FST is going to benefit from his efforts.



A great paddock story involving a goodly number of drivers. Dave Dawson’s Sunday qualification ended abruptly while Race Monitor reported him in second place overall. His car slide into the tire wall at turn one bent a wheel and bent the beam back a couple of inches. About six people descended on the car. Bill Bonow pulled out the “Bonow beam machine and bent the beam back in place. Others took off the broken Apex joint and then Matt Seim proceeded to get the alignment back in shape. Matt is amazing in his ability to look down the car and say the right front tire is towed out 3/16. You measure it and that’s exactly what it is. Dave’s car was ready to be re-teched in an hour and 45 minutes. No one solved more problems than Dave did at Mid Ohio. He gets the Diagnoses Cup for his efforts.


Doug Seim was very busy helping his fellow competitors all weekend and even during the weeks before. Phil McSheery needed a part made and welded to his steering arms. Doug took care of that and during the race weekend he worked on many cars and provided fasteners and assorted parts to many. That’s what FST is about and it’s becoming more prevalent.



On to the Glen!

[teamclark]

Well I thought I would take a bit of a shot at a race report.

The weekend certainly delivered in terms of almost perfect weather, warm and sunny without being too hot. A good turnout saw 13cars in the end, a little short of breaking our record but a good result all the same.

For Saturdays qualifying the track was a little cold so the first few laps were tricky, and then got even more tricky when Sam Farmiga left a trail of oil through most of the corners of the circuit due to a leaking tappet cover. This resulted in multiple spins and the session being black flagged with less then 10minutes in the books. The biggest casualty was Gary Moorman who hit the wall at the carousel and despite working the rest of the weekend to try and fix his car didn't rejoin the racing

Pole went to Doug Seim.

Saturday's race was a ripper, the front 4 (Seim, McSherry, Bonow, Clark) broke away from the field and commenced a race long battle with many lead changes. But lurking in behind the front four was a hard charging Sharp, who was gaining ground as the front 4 diced. With 3 laps to go Bonow dropped back and McSherry was able to hold out Seim and Clark with a perfect last lap, claiming fast lap in the process and his first win.

The awards ceremony held post race saw Doug Sharp awarded the Hard Charger award, and the Top 3 finishers surprised with a Champagne ceremony care of Larry Campbell - and Seim and Clark ensured new series winner McSherry got a drenching.

Everyone then dressed in Hoosier Racing Tire Shirts and took their cars down to Start/Finish for a FFDA group photo to show our appreciation to our long term series sponsor.

Sunday the qualifying was a hot affair, with times tumbling until mid session when Clark on a well timed lap ripped out a 1:39 over 1.5secs faster then anyone else could manage to claim pole. Dave Dawson set a great fast lap - good enough for 4th, only to collect the tire barrier at turn 1 - resulting in damage to his car, but the RGU and Farmiga teams pitched in to help him get it repaired in time for the race.

The race promised to be exciting, at the start Clark led from McSherry and Seim, but Clark running hard with McSherry on his tail opened up a lead to the rest of the pack - until lap 3 when Clark uncharacteristically spun in Madness and dropped to the back of the pack. This left McSherry with a gap over Seim and then Doug Sharp on a strong run in 3rd.

Clark in a display of all out driving then began a run back through the field setting and reseting fast lap, lowering his time below that of his qualifying run, he made it back to 4th when with 3 laps to go 3rd gear let go in the gear box and he was left to run the last 3 laps in 4th. McSherry held onto to a strong win, with Seim in 2nd and a close following Sharp 3rd.

So a great weekend, McSherry certainly showed he is a real contender jumping to 3rd in the championship only 1pt behind Dawson in 2nd. Clark held onto his championship lead, and Seim closed in to be 4th only 2 points off McSherry.

[G_J_Podgorski]

Congratulations to all out at Mid-Ohio for what was obviously another great FST weekend. It sounds like there was a bunch of great racing, but definite thumbs up to Phil McSherry for the double win. Sorry I couldn't have been there, but as Robert mentioned, things took a real poopey turn for the worse. Trust me, I would have really have preferred to be there, as my weekend was a real pain in the bum.

All I can say is "Onto the Glen"! We'll definitely be there in the #16 RGU Evolution (already registered).

[rgu]

Last Saturday was designated Hoosier Tire Appreciation Day at Mid-Ohio after Round Five of the Hoosier Tire Formula First Championship. We applaud Hoosier Tire for making such a fine product for the benefit of amateur racers. It’s obvious to me that it’s counter to Hoosier’s short term financial interests to make a tire that lasts this long. In the long run I’m betting that this pays off for them big time.

I know that advocates of adapting this type hard compound tire have not had the best of luck with other classes. But after talking to FST enthusiasts, current and potential, I can’t understand this thinking at all. Here are a few facts that might sway others who are considering FST style tires.

The Hoosier R 60A are grippy and consistent and predictable and most importantly they are race tires completely optimized for racing only. No large slip angles as are found on street tires. Moreover, new drivers running new R60a’s for the first time are amazed at the grip he had to work with and the ability of the high sidewall to smooth out bumps.

Secondly, it is obvious that one should never quote g numbers as these are dependent upon where the meters are mounted and other factors but a couple of drivers showed me exit speed at Mid-Ohio’s carousel this was very high and even higher than I’ve seen with vees running “stickies” --- serious grip for sure.

Lastly, being made in Hoosier’s specialty shop the size will continue as long as the demand is there. Ask yourself how long a street tire maker will be making 14 inch High Performance street tires.

Tire stories are always suspect but I think the facts above tell you why we’re grateful to Hoosier for giving us this great tire. That’s why the back of our 2014 shirts say—Spectacular Long Life, Spectacular Grip a Spectacular Tire.

[rave motorsports]

Well said Robert. As the newbie to the FST Hoosier series I can say that our participation and promotion comes directly as a result of the spec tire and the affordability it provides to FST. I agree with Robert, Hoosier is a rare company that is forgoing immediate profitability for a long term success. Their patience and business strategy will be rewarded in the end. We are working hard to grow this class in the Midwest and Hoosier will see the benefits of making this tire possible.

[rgu]

It sure is tough to win the race as Phil McSherry discovers

[Stirling 306]

Great weekend recaps by both Robert's, you guys should write for Road&Track!! That was by far the most fun I've had in racing since I started in 2004, this group is the best! Just clean hard fought racing with no funny business. Very much looking forward to seeing everyone again at The Glen. Hopefully I can further my education in a certain libation of a single malt type Saturday evening

For the record, those two guys ganged up on me with the bubbly!

Phil

[Doug FST 5]

Yes, what a weekend. Perfect weather. The normal jovial and helpful paddock. The racing was terrific with a great four car dice at the front on Saturday. There's something about snaking your way through all the twists of Mid-Oh with 3 other guys you can trust to race you fair.

Many thanks to Robert for all his up front work with the region to make this race a real success.

WGI is just a few weeks away. Can't wait to get there!

Doug FST 5

[Bill Bonow]

Mid-Ohio Round 5 Awards on Saturday after the races.

[rgu]

Here is my last post concerning the highly successful Mid Ohio event. Our Sunday Podium finishers all did a great job. From left to right. Dr. Doug Sharp third place, Phil McSherry race winner and Doug Seim second place.

[rave motorsports]

I just posted a bunch of photos of the weekends FST races on the FST Facebook page. Let me know if you would like any of the higher quality shots.

[rave motorsports]

Here's one of Saturdays start.