FC in the PNW

[ccoffin]

Over the last couple of years FC has become one of the fastest growing classes in the Pacific Northwest. I wanted to get a thread started on here to get a list of all the FC drivers in WA, ID, OR, BC, AB and possibly NorCA if they want to be included. Looking to start a news letter to keep area drivers informed of big events, who is going to show up where, anything else that seems important. Hopefully this leads to an even better community for the group, something like what the pro3 guys have in the area, because I think there are about as many FC's now. Please feel free to give me any info or drivers I have left out. If you would like to be included on the mailing list for the PNW FC newsletter pm me your email and I will get you on the mailing list (don't actually have to be a FC driver in the PNW to be included in the list, although it would probably be more fun if you are).

Greg Coffin, Veradale WA, Mygale SJ99/ 85 Swift DB3
Lawrence Hayes, Sagle ID, 1986 Argo JM17
Todd Stanley, Spokane WA, VD RF83
Jim Sloane (not driving, willing to rent out car), Spokane WA, 1978 crossle 33
Jay Sharp, Spokanish WA, 85 Swift DB3
James Hepburn, Vancouver BC, VD RF98
Sheldon Lemoine, Vancouver BC, VD RF96
Bill Jordanov, De Winton AB, VD RF99
Stephen Ross, Calgary AB, VD RF98
Admiral family, Edmonton, AB, Reynard SF86
Wade Anderson, Calgary AB, VD RF01
Daryl Harsha, North Bend OR, Spooky VD (early 80's?)
Al Karlberg, Camano Island WA, 89 VD for sale (no one knows how many cars al has at any given moment)
Geoff Fass, Oak Harbor WA, VD RF96
Tim Fass, San Francisco CA, Future VD RF96 owner
Guy Gordon, Sammamish WA, VD
Steve Litsky, Seattle Area, VD RF95?
John Hill, Seattle WA, VD RF95*
Bruce Jones, Calgary, Alberta vd RF95
Brad Law, Edmonton, Alberta 91/93 Citation
Marty Knowls, 93 VD Kelowna, B.C. Vd RF93
James Dallimore, Vancouver B.C. Vd RF96
Tracy Dye, Puyallup, Wa. Argo
Tim Brausse, Scotch Creek, B.C. 83 Reynard X2, currently for sale
Zac Burke, Calgary, AB, RF01 VD
Gavin Aitken, Victoria, BC, 98 Van Dieman
Michael Manning, Dinuba, CA, RF02 VD
Chuck Raggio, Linden, CA, DP08 VD
Jeffrey Pietz, Fresno, CA, DP08 VD
Dane Babkirk, Spokane, WA, RF96 VD
Teague Karall, Edmonton, AB, RF98 VD
Doug Connon, Calgary, AB, RF94 VD
Alan Davis, Colfax, WA, 68f Crossle
Michael Lensen, Surrey, BC, RF97 VD
Kim Wilcox, Lake Tahoe, NV, RF01 VD

Pretty sure there are a few more out there that I don't have enough information on to post, so please let me know below and I will update the list accordingly. Also if there are any known garage queens out there, we can add them to the list too (thus providing peer pressure in order to get them out to the track, already discovered a few that will be back on track next year).

[HayesCages]

Sloane's old DB1/3 is lurking out there somewhere as well...
Ownership chain: Sloane bought as DB-1 changed to DB-3 at some point by DND Fab, sold to Tony Opheim (Pullman, WA), then on to Russ Bishop (Spokane), then to Vince Zimmer (Spokane), then the trail goes cold after the flywheel left the premises in Portland...
Anyone know where it is today?
I made a serial number tag to replace the "lost" one but don't remember what it is.

[ccoffin]

Including SCCA and ICSCC races at pacific, the ridge, mission, oregon raceway park, portland international raceway, and spokane county raceway.

ICSCC:
DATE Championship race # Host club Track

April 27/28 Race #1 (rotn 4) CSCC PIR

May 11/12 Race #2 (rotn 5) IRDC PR

May 25/26 Race #3/4 (rotn 6/1) [double] TC ORP

June 22/23 Race #5 (rotn 2) CSCC PIR

July 12-14 Race #6/7/8 (rotn 3/4/5) [triple] NWMS SCR

July 20/21 Race #9 (rotn 6) IRDC PR

Aug 10/11 Race #10 (rotn 1) CSCC PIR

Aug 31 -9/2 Race #11/12/13 (rotn 2/3/4) [triple] SCCBC Mission

Sep 28/29 Race #14 (rotn 5) IRDC The Ridge


SCCA:
Apr 13/14 Ridge

May 4/5 PIR

May 25-27 Double at PR, Major, single regional

June 14-16 PIR rose cup (rational)

July 5-7 PIR major

Jul 27/28 ridge

Sept 28/29 PIR



Over the past few years, ICSCC races at pacific and SCR have had the highest number of FC's show up. Don't see that changing much this year. Would be really cool if there was an even larger gathering at Spokane this year than last. I know at one point last year ten cars were registered although no more than 8 ever took the track.

Also, it should be noted that due to rule changes that went into effect this year in ICSCC, scheduling for the weekend has become a bit more open ended. As such, the number of races refers to races on that weekend that count towards the ICSCC championship, not necessarily the actual number of races that will be ran over the course of the weekend. Just to give a little teaser as nothing has been made official yet, but in previous years NWMS offered the cheapest $/min of track time in the PNW at SCR's july race. This year they should be offering the cheapest $/min of race time (there will be lots of racing over three days, not just quali/practicing and sitting around).

Finally anyone who goes to the Major in Portland the week before the ICSCC race in Spokane is welcome to park their trailer in my parents front yard and fly home from Spokane to come back later in the week. Or you if you want, you could just hang out for a few days as there will probably be a test and tune of some sort on Thursday of that week. I would assume that they would be willing to extend this offer to any open wheeled/sports racer driver, not just FC.

[ccoffin]

Sloane's old DB1/3 is lurking out there somewhere as well...
Ownership chain: Sloane bought as DB-1 changed to DB-3 at some point by DND Fab, sold to Tony Opheim (Pullman, WA), then on to Russ Bishop (Spokane), then to Vince Zimmer (Spokane), then the trail goes cold after the flywheel left the premises in Portland...
Anyone know where it is today?
I made a serial number tag to replace the "lost" one but don't remember what it is.

I have vince's old mazda 6.....

Would be really nice to track this DB1/3 down as I know there are a few people interested in buying it. I believe it is the only "db3" with a lower build number than my dad's.

I think one of the d's in dnd also has an older FC as well although it didn't race last year so not entirely sure of this.

[slemoine]

Thanks for all your efforts in building up the class in the PNW Greg!

Sheldon

[gcoffin]

Marty Knowls 93 VD Kenowla, B.C.

James Dallimore. 96 VD. Vancuver B.C.

Tracy Dye Argo. Puyallup, Wa.

Tim Brausse. Reynard. Scotch Creek, B.C.

And yes anyone is welcome to park their rigs at my house the week before our triple.

[Blair Robertshaw]

Better add me to the list if at the very least for car count please Greg. 2 cars .... FA .... FB.

Thanks

[ccoffin]

If there is enough interest I have no problem expanding the newsletter to all formula car and sports racer classes. Already have contact info for something like this from a number of club ford guys up here.

[gcoffin]

Blair

You will always be part of my list ......

By the way F1000 is now a provisional class and runs in group 3 so can we plan on seeing you and the boys in July?

[Blair Robertshaw]

There's a good chance my F1000 will be there without me. Im am working toward the Toronto Indy and the ALMS stop a week later stop at Mosport for the Pro Mazda Championship and of course those dates conflict with the Spokane date which really does suck because I think that 3 dayer at SCR is one of the best values for a guys race dollar and add to that fact ..... It's a great 4 days of fun. WELL WORTH IT RACERS! Tin tops and OW, if you have yet to attend, put it in your calenders, you wont be disappointed with the organization of the weekend, the people or with the racing!

If I don't raise the $ for the Indy weeks, both cars will be there Greg.

regards,

[ccoffin]

What I'm hearing from people at this point is that Spokane is definitely going to be bigger than last year. Looks like 15+ cars at this point (not going to name names at this point in case anyone backs out). Should be quite the party (remember, free beer (not the cheap kind) and pizza for all). For anybody not in the pacific northwest who has an FC (or any formula car/sports racer) and is willing to travel this event should be on your calender. Once the schedule is finalized I will post it on here so that everyone can see how much racing you will be getting over the weekend (its going to be a lot!). I believe we will be on pace for a larger car count than the runoffs for FC and for those that have older cars (and in some cases those who have newer ones) there will be plenty of competition for everyone; everyone should have someone to run with.

To my surprise, it also looks like there will be quite a few attending the labor day weekend triple race at Mission as well. Looks like the move to a triple race is going to draw a bunch of people up to BC for the long weekend.

When people get their race schedules semi-finalized it would be great if they could post them on here in order to sway more cars to come to those races.

[Zac.B]

Its nearing that time when everyone is figuring out their racing schedules it would be good to get a count going of FC's that will be in spokane this year!

Im in!

[HayesCages]

We'll be there with an FC.

[Blair Robertshaw]

Were in as well. bringing two cars. FA and FB.

[RSS]

Yerp x 1

[slemoine]

I'll be there.

My optimistic schedule is:

May 11/12 PR
May 25/26 ORP
June 22/23 PIR (maybe)
July 12-14 SCR
Aug 31 -9/2 Mission
Sep 28/29 The Ridge (maybe)

Sheldon Lemoine
'96 VD FC

[ccoffin]

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZYWJZ6G

Link to schedule survey.

Was supposed to get emailed out a while ago but my dad is out of the country and his electronic connection to the world has been spotty at best.

I believe he is a definite at orp and Spokane. From there it will depend on his work schedule but he will more than likely get his seven championship races in. He usually gets to the last pir race even though he always has bad luck at it.

O ya my last count for cars at Spokane was 14 so far. A couple of those were on the fence though. Also, based on the schedule I've seen I think we should start calling it the triple+.

[Michael Manning]

PM Sent

[La Scuderia Raggi]

Following Manning, for now. PM sent to.
Chuck Raggio

[ccoffin]

Got it.

Also I don't know how many of you visit the Icscc website but local Spokane cable channel swx is going to be filming and broadcasting the Spokane races. Apparently the broadcast will reach ~40,000 people or so. There are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities available where a banner with your companies info will be placed in view of the cameras filming the race. If interested contact my dad. He is gcoffin on here. A DVD will also be made available shortly after the races.

[gcoffin]

What?

Spun in turn 10 in front of the entire field of formula cars. Went off drivers right and back across the track to go off drivers left ( I still owe a big thanks to everyone on the track that day)'

Crashed out by another FC on the second lap of the first session.

Had the rear wheel come loose. Some really cool self steering down the back stretch at 130 mph plus

Had the front wheel come loose and the trailer canopy break due to heavy rain

Ran out of gas in a race I should have won......took both of us to calculate how not to put enough gas in the car.

Rear hemi joint failure. Really cool skid marks coming out of the festival and my cv balls all over the track.

Big air while passing a back marker. So I did not need to refurbish the suspension in the off season......just in the few days to the last race of the season......but if I had not got the pole and the start points I would not have won the Championship......so either Portland has been very good to me or this is a country Western Song waiting to happen.......also found out how high you need to go to get sent to medical

[gcoffin]

After reading my previous post it occurs to me that if anyone in the pnw really wants to beat me....come to Portland the odds look really good

[Michael Lensen]

After reading my previous post it occurs to me that if anyone in the pnw really wants to beat me....come to Portland the odds look really good

I know!!

[gcoffin]

Yea wish you had pictures of the last one.

[rickb99]

LOL Michael, I'm guessing you WON at Portland?

[gcoffin]

He won every time at Portland

[Michael Manning]

Sounds like Mr. Lensen needs to attend the July Majors event at PIR

[gcoffin]

Only if he buys his car back between now and then mate.

[Michael Manning]

Darn, looks like that feeble attempt at finding someone else to run a Formula Continental at PIR in July isn't going to work...

[gcoffin]

Just run Portland.......drive east to Spokane, run our triple the next week and then the race at Seattle the week after that......simple. Last year we had 10 FC s registered and are hoping for more this year.

[Michael Manning]

Wish I had the time (and the budget) Greg! Sounds like you guys have a great group of FC guys up there! So I guess we go back to the original subject of this thread. Thanks to your son for putting together a list of FC cars and drivers in the Pacific Northwest. I'll appreciate you guys keeping me in the loop and at some point, I'll try to make it up your way for an event. It's got to be a hoot to be on track with more than 3 or 4 Formula Continentals at one time!

Hopefully, if the rumors flying around are true, maybe there will be a fun reason for some of you guys to come down our way next year for a big SCCA event in Northern California in September, 2014!

[ccoffin]

At this point I have roughly 35 cars/drivers accounted for on the mailing list. Still looking for email addresses for John Hill and Logan Downing, please pm me if you have this. Also I have heard from 15 people that are planning on making it to Spokane so far. Other races that look to be somewhat well attended are ORP, Pacific in july, and The Ridge in September. Next tier of entries are for the triple at mission and PIR in August (ICSCC). If you have not filled out the survey above please do so in order to get a more complete picture, even if you have told me that you are going to some particular race at some point in time, because I forget easily.

[ccoffin]

Updated the list with a couple more names.

Looks like you guys had a good turnout up in Alberta this last weekend. How'd the race go?

Looking ahead to Spokane next month I have heard that there is a new guy up in Calgary planning on coming down but I don't have a name for him yet. If anybody knows who he is Please pass along his info, otherwise I will just get it from motorsportsreg when he signs up. I also have another "maybe" for Spokane. It looks as though it may be the largest amateur FC field of the year, so clear your schedules and make time for a whole lot of racing July 12-14. If you need any additional info on the event or car setup or whatever, don't hesitate to ask.

There will be a free pizza and beer social on Friday night at the track. Last year there was a barbecue at my parents house on Saturday. I volunteer their house for this purpose again this year . It sounded like it was fun last year, however I missed it due to the double booking of my bachelor party at the same time.

One last note. If you are at the track and you see someone in an FC who isn't on the above list, please pass on this thread to them so we can keep them in the loop as well.

[HayesCages]

How many have signed up so far Charlie? I think we've entered but I'm not in charge of that :-)
Didn't read above post...stating 15.
We're planning to do Portland as well this year.

[ccoffin]

3 so far on motorsportsreg. However I think there are restrictions in place for those who have not ran the event before and are licensed outside of Icscc. They have to be manually cleared to show up on the registration list by the registrar who happens to be my mom. Paper entries won't show up there either. If we receive any I will make sure that they are posted here when their entry is official. So far all of the FC entries have also signed up for hare and hound which is an awesome race as it levels the playing field and should theoretically be won by the best driver and not the best car. I say theoretically because my dad won it in 2011 with the old format. New format is definitely more exciting.

[ccoffin]

Lawrence are you going to June Portland or August Portland? My dad will be at August Portland.

[HayesCages]

August. No time this month, barely have time to get ready for Spokane.

[ccoffin]

I just realized the nascc race at castrol is this upcoming weekend. Not last weekend. Have you guys raced there before? Let us know how it goes. I'm wondering if Doug connon is the mystery person coming down from Calgary. If roger or wade or zac could grab his email and get it to me that would be excellent. Also if you three could talk him and Teague into coming down to Spokane that would be even better. I'd say we have an outside shot at 20 FC's.

[ccoffin]

I do have Doug's Email!

And I sent out a newsletter to everybody just now!

If you didn't receive the newsletter and want it let me know as I did have a few bounce back with bad email addresses.

[Blair Robertshaw]

I will be crewing for Teague this weekend at Castrol. I will see if they are in but I expect they are, they are keen! as far as Doug is concerned he will be coming to my house tonight to pick up some rubber. I will ask if he is in as well and will advise.