| Article 568 of rec.autos.sport.misc:
From: [email protected] (Russell Jaslow)
Subject: 1994 SCCA Runoffs Report
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 20:44:23 GMT
Lines: 322
You could not ask for 3 better days of weather to accomodate the best 3 days
of road racing you can find anywhere. Plus, the folks at Mid-Ohio put on a
great show. Following are results and some of my observations of the races I
was able to see (which was most of them) when not crewing.
I have official results as well as lap charts for the first two days' racing
events. For the final day, it starts out with official results, then trails
off to provisional results, then trails off to handwritten unofficial results,
then trails off to nothing at all as I left with 2 races to go. If anybody
wants more details for any of the races or how a particular driver did
(especially if their race was the first 2 days), then send me an email note.
If you have never been to the Runoffs, GO! It is the best damn racing you
will ever see. People racing for the pure joy of racing with everything on
the line. And it shows! If you cannot make it to the Runoffs, then go to
a local SCCA club event, National or Regional, or any club event in the
country you live in. It's great racing, and it sure beats the heck out of
starting flame wars on r.a.s.* over who is the latest twit of the weekend.
(NOTE -- All of the following information was gathered from publicly
accessible results and my own notes and observations. Any similarity in
content and/or format to any copyrighted result service is purely
coincidental.)
In the order the races were run: (Any inaccuracies or misreporting are due
to my own memory loss.)
FRIDAY
------
GT-5 (Grand Touring 5)
1) Jeffery Werth, Silver Spring, MD Nissan 210
2) Bill Gilcrease, Costa Mesa, CA Mincomp Mini
3) Dick Noonan, Oakland, MI Toyota Starlet
MOV: 7.99 seconds. Fastest Lap: Bill Bilcrease, 1:41.593
I was still trying to find the FV I was to help out, so I missed this race.
SSA (Showroom Stock A)
1) David Daughtery, Hilliard, OH Nissan 300ZX
2) David Helmick, E. Stroudsburg, PA Toyota Supra
3) Bob Henderson, Honeoye, NY Toyota Supra
MOV: 7.803 seconds. Fastest Lap: David Helmick, 1:48.057
Lots of bumping and grinding as is to be expected in this class. The top 3
were battling hard throughout the race when Helmick and Henderson got
together in the esses with just a few laps to go. They both were able to
recover quickly, but nobody was able to make up the gaps that resulted from
the contact.
SCA (Shelby Can-Am)
1) Mike Davies, Deland, FL Shelby Can-Am
2) Bob Gardner, Newark, DE Shelby Can-Am
3) Gene Harrington, Louisville, KY Shelby Can-Am
MOV: 5.376 seconds. Fastest Lap: Mike Davies, 1:29.584
This class is virtually on its death bed as only 8 cars entered and only 7
started with 6 finishing the race.
GP (G Production)
1) Victor Skirmants, Warren, MI Porsche 356 Cabriolet
2) Steve Sargis, Frankfort, IL Spitfire
3) Kent Prather, Wakarusa, KS MGA
MOV: 2.925 seconds. Fastest Lap: Victor Skirmants, 1:42.608
A heartbreak of a race for Dean Johnson of Wayzata, MN who lead handily for
the first 14 laps of a 19 lap contest, only to have his Spitfire fail him.
As he pulled into the pits, the crew of Skirmants cheered wildly as they
urged their driver on who had to contend with a hard charging Sargis.
SSB (Showroom Stock B)
1) Tony Suever, Westlake, OH Toyota MR2
2) Rob Jones, Chillicothe, OH Nissan 240 SX
3) Terry Coates, Delaware, OH Toyota MR2
MOV: NA due to disqualifications. Fastest Lap: Tony Suever, 1:50.908
SSB was the embarrassment of the Runoffs as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th place
cars on the track were all disqualified in the tech shed. All were driving
MR2's, giving the victory to the only MR2 that survived the teardowns. I did
not see this race, so I cannot give a race action report, but does it matter?
CSR (C Sports Racer)
1) Greg Harrington, Dunwoody, GA Toyota CSR
2) Chuck Billington, Modesto, CA Tracer TR2
3) Thomas Sedivy, Little Neck, NY Ralt 5 Beast
MOV: 1.781 seconds. Fastest Lap: Tom Foster (Tracer TR2), 1:26.500
A very hard fought clean race amongst the top 5. Billington led nearly all
the way when with 3 laps to go he encountered problems getting around a back-
marker. Harrington pounced and took the lead coming out of the keyhole.
At the same time, some cars behind them spun, allowing Sedivy, who was
patiently running in 5th place waiting for something to happen, to move up
to 3rd place. Earlier in the race, Foster and David Ham were constantly
swapping positions between 2nd and 3rd.
GT-2 (Grand Touring 2)
1) David Finch, Ann Arbor, MI Porsche 944
2) Duane Davis, Camas, WA Toyota Celica
3) Jim Goughary, New Canaan, CT Porsche 944 S
MOV: 4.247 seconds. Fastest Lap: Duane Davis, 1:33.344
Finch had it well under control. Davis came from 4th place to work his way
up to 2nd. Tom Patton was running 2nd in his Sunbeam Tiger for half the race
before dropping out.
SSGT (Showroom Stock GT)
1) Bryan Wall, Salem, NH Chevy Camaro
2) Steve Kelso, Sherman Oaks, CA Chevy Camaro
3) Joe Kent, Marietta, GA Chevy Camaro
MOV: NA due to disqualification. Fastest Lap: Joe Kent, 1:45.620
Now I know why so many people like NASCAR racing. This was door-handle-to-
door-handle racing at its best, and the huge crowd certainly got into it
virtually standing the entire race. John Wall was leading for the first 8
laps when he and Don Mills tangled. Mills dropped out; J. Wall finished 16th,
a lap down. The rubbing fenders continued amongst the top 3 as well as
all the way down the field. One driver in particular, Larry Funk, was
banging guys left and right, and he had the crowd booing and hissing him
everytime through. The most spectacular driving was done by those trying to
avoid all the spinning cars. Miraculously, what appeared to be numerous
T-bone crashes waiting to happen, none did. A Trans Am finished second on
the track, but was disqualified afterwards.
SATURDAY
--------
F440 (Formula 440)
1) David Elliott, Woodstock, GA KBS MKV
2) Jim Elder, West Palm Beach, FL Dolphin 440
3) Rusty Cook, Stone Mountain, GA KBS MKV
MOV: NA due to disqualification. Fastest Lap: Jim Elder, 1:34.279
David Elliott led from lap 2 even despite a pit stop on lap 14, but then was
passed on the final lap. However, he got the victory back in the tech shed
after the lead car was disqualified.
SSC (Showroom Stock C)
1) Michael Galati, Olmsted Township, OH Mazda Miata
2) Randy Pobst, Melbourne, FL Mazda Miata
3) Gene Harrington, Louisville, KY Dodge Neon
MOV: 7.473 seconds. Fastest Lap: Michael Galati, 1:50.293
This class consisted entirely of Miatas and Neons. Being the Runoffs were
at Mid-Ohio, the edge went to the Miatas. It may have been the other way
had it still been at Road Atlanta. The leaders ran away with it, as most of
the action was at the back of the pack. This time, the 5th and 11th place
cars were disqualified (I assume the latter on a driver's protest as only
the top 6 get impounded).
HP (H Production)
1) Bob Weber, Shreveport, LA AH Sprite
2) Ray Stone, Boiling Springs, PA AH Sprite MKI
3) Steve Hussey, Los Gatos, CA AH Sprite
MOV: 1.038 seconds. Fastest Lap: Bob Weber, 1:44.464
Saw bits and pieces of this race. It looked like a real good 3-way battle
up front.
FF (Formula Ford)
1) John Fillipakis, Jamaica, NY Swift DB-1
2) Jaret Lozano, San Antonio, TX Swift DB-1
3) Brian Forster, Sebastopol, CA Swift DB-1
MOV: 1.364 seconds. Fastest Lap: John Fillipakis, 1:32.510
The trouble began on the first lap, and it continued throughout the race.
There were a total of 3 full course cautions allowing only about 7 laps of
green flag racing. The last incident resulted in the race being checkered
early. The action that did exist consisted of short bursts of balls out
racing.
GT-4 (Grand Touring 4)
1) David Schlueter, Traverse City, MI Toyota Tercel
2) Russ Theus, Garden City, MI Toyota Tercel
3) Eric VanCleef, Sarasota, FL Toyota Tercel
MOV: 18.07 seconds. Fastest Lap: David Schlueter, 1:39.618
Didn't see this race. It was an easy victory for the Toyota's.
FA (Formula Atlantic)
1) Stan Wattles, Bedford, NY Ralt RT-40
2) Dan Carmichael, Columbus, OH Ralt RT-40
3) Thomas Meyer, Macon, GA Reynard 92 93H
MOV: 14.95 seconds. Fastest Lap: Stan Wattles, 1:21.354
I love watching this class even if it was the second smallest field of the
weekend. Wattles lost the lead at the start, but regained it on the 3rd
lap and never looked back. Tony Ave was in a comfortable 2nd place until
mechanical ills forced him out.
FP (F Production)
1) Craig Chima, Akron, OH MG Midget
2) Harold Flescher, Weston, MA AH Sprite
3) Jim Saurino, Estes Park, CO MG Midget
MOV: 9.636 seconds. Fastest Lap: Rich Haynes (MG Midget)
It is one thing to lose a race because of a mistake you make. It is another
thing to lose a race because of mechanical problems. But, that is an
acceptable part of racing. However, it is most heart wrenching to lose a
sure win because of someone else's mistake. The top 3 were battling hard
throughout the race, when things finally started to settle down with Rich
Haynes holding on to a slim but comfortable lead. Then, disaster struck.
In the last corner of the next to last lap, a back marker spun right in
front of him, leaving Haynes no where to go but into the spinning car and
out of the race.
SR (Spec Racer)
1) John Collier, Berkley, MI Spec Racer
2) Tom Van Camp, Haslett, MI Spec Racer
3) Keith Scharf, Kirkwood, MO Spec Racer
MOV: 2.44 seconds. Fastest Lap: John Collier, 1:43.120
Always an entertaining class to watch, and the fans were not disappointed.
Despite the reputation of this class, in general the drivers behaved
themeselves. 38 cars started the race and there were only 2 DNF's and 2
other cars not running at the finish. The start was amazingly close. The
field came into the first turn of the esses (the starts were at the long
straightaway, not the front straight) bunched up tighter than I have ever
witnessed. Forget the proverbial blanket, you could have thrown a *real*
blanket over this field. Nobody was single file as everybody came in 2 and
3 abreast. Somehow, they all made it through with only one driver being
forced onto the grass. Lots of bumping and grinding, but not too many major
incidents. Collier and Van Camp literally bumped drafted their way away from
the field and then fought each other. Even though the lap chart shows Collier
leading from lap 2, Van Camp did make numerous passes, but was unable to make
any stick to the start/finish line.
SUNDAY
------
DSR (D Sports Racer)
1) David Kaiser, Newark, CA LeGrand MK25D
2) Bruce Sunseri, Campbell, CA Cheetah SR1
3) Dick Colburn, Northbrook, IL HenTech
MOV: 3.156 seconds. Fastest Lap: Al Beasley Jr. (Beasley B2) 1:28.843
Did not see this race. The pole winner Al Beasley, Jr. suffered early
mechanical problems dropping out on the 3rd lap. No change in the top 3
after that.
S-2000 (Sports 2000)
** Provisional Results. These are NOT final. **
1) Thomas Schweitz, Winchester, VA Lola 87/90
2) Andrea Kasiewicz, Lombard, IL Lola 88/90
3) Robert Sollenskog, Fox Lake, IL Shannon 93PS
Now that most of these cars are running kevlar bodywork, they lean into each
other as much as Spec Racers. Close battle for the top 5 positions.
SRF (Spec Racer Ford)
** Provisional Results. These are NOT final. **
1) Warren Stilwell, Hartville, OH Spec Racer Ford
2) Sean Sholtis, Manchester, MI Spec Racer Ford
3) Neil Tilbor, Mt Laurel, NJ Spec Racer Ford
Unlike their Renault powered brothers, these guys did live up to the Spec
Racer reputation of slam-bam-thank-you-ma'am racing. Action galore eliminated
many cars with broken suspensions while many others soldiered on with cracked
fiberglass and other maladies. Surprisingly, the top 3 quickly separated,
each running by himself. But, that doesn't mean the race wasn't exciting,
as the rest of the field fought tooth and nail for all the remaining
positions. An incident in the esses leaving a car up against the outside
wall with 2 laps to go resulted in the race finishing under full course
yellow.
GT-3 (Grand Touring 3)
** Provisional Results. These are NOT final. **
1) Duane Ablamis, Los Gatos, Ca Mazda RX-7
2) Richard Grupp, Norcross, GA Mazda RX-3
3) John Pettit, Malvern, OH Honda CRX Si
Did not see this race, nor have any idea how it went.
FV (Formula Vee)
** Provisional Results. These are NOT final. **
1) Bill Noble, Manhattan, KS Caracal C1
2) Jeffrey Loughead, Dayton, OH Citation 92C
3) Jon Adams, Whitmore Lake, MI Adams Aero
One of the best races of the weekend. Noble and Skip Streets separated
themselves from the rest of the pack and proceeded to swap the lead nearly
every lap. The rest of the field was just as entertaining to watch. On the
last lap, heading into the esses, Noble, second at the time, made a move on
Streets. He tapped Streets, sending Skip into a spin in the grass. Noble
was able to recover to hold onto the lead and the victory. Streets recoverd,
and I believed finished 5th. I do not know if any action was taken for the
bump-and-run by Noble as these results were provisional.
FC (Formula Continental)
** Written from the scoreboard. These are NOT official. **
1) Allen May, Dallas, TX Van Dieman RF94
2) Jon Horges, Westland, MI Van Dieman RF93
3) Mike Borkowski, Middlebury, CT Van Dieman RF94
Allen May pulled off a banzai first lap letting it all hang out to try and
open up an early lead. It worked, and he was able to maintain the cushion
the rest of the race for the victory.
EP (E Production)
GT-1 (Grand Touring 1)
I left before these races were run.
Rus'L
--
Russell Jaslow | "A racecar is like a mistress: expensive, |My employer
Rochester, NY | demanding, and looked upon by the wife |has nothing
Spec Racer #33 | with great suspicion." |to do with
Finger Lakes Reg.| The NY Rangers own the Stanley Cup -- FINALLY! |my drivel.
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